Associate in Science degree with emphasis in animation

The Associate Degree in Animation offers a comprehensive introduction to the art and technology of animation, VFX, Game art and other entertainment technologies. Through hands-on projects, students will acquire the basic skills that are essential for careers in different disciplines of digital entertainment, preparing them for entry level positions or for transfer to other institutions. Students will get trained in the use of industry pipelines using standard software like Adobe Creative Suite, ToonBoom, Autodesk Maya, Zbrush, Unreal,  Nuke and others.

According to last years program information data from the California Community Colleges “Data Mart and Report”, our total enrollment was 127, with 109 retained nearing an 87% retention rate. We dont have current completion data, however we have seen a decrease in degree completion from 2021-2022 perhaps due to the loss of student population after pandemic years.

We project an increase of completion of this certificate back to the number we had in 2021-2022 about 16-20 students/year.

Our enrollment is capped at a lower numbers due to the fact that our labs have a limited amount of seats 24 to 25 per lab.

The goals for this program are clearly occupational. Unlike some other programs that emphasize the exploration of experimental venues and storytelling exploration, our goals are:

Occupational Readiness - Equip students with the practical skills necessary for entry-level positions in the animation, game, VFX, and digital media industries. To make the degree more relevant to current employment trends. Include portfolio classes so students can readily apply for entry level positions in the entertainment industry. 

Strengthen core skills in communication, problem-solving, and teamwork through project-based learning and group collaboration.

Equity and diversity - To provide access to a curriculum that traditionally is found mostly in more expensive 4 year colleges or higher-ed private institutions, making it available to students of diverse backgrounds. Remap courses to offer a clear path to completion using the Guided Pathways framework.

Transferability to Four-Year Institutions - Align the program with other existing programs to provide an increase of transfers to 4 year institutions. LMI data shows that the typical education levels for entry-level positions in animation related occupations is a Bachelor's Degree (by more than 90%).

Industry alignment - To match students interests and abilities with employment needs by grouping courses based on career-based disciplines.

Program viability - Utilize existing resources currently available in Animation Program (hardware and software) into a wider variety of subjects without  dramatically increasing the current course offerings.

Fostering lifelong learning - Cultivate a mindset of continual learning by encouraging students to keep up with emerging trends, tools, and technologies in the animation and VFX fields.

There are several courses that have prerequisites. They are set in place to help the student enroll in classes in the right order, therefore ensuring that they can succesfully complete their degree efficiently without any major difficulties.

All of the tracks have a final capstone course that allows the students to work in their portfolio. Students have to complete all their track courses in order to enroll in the capstone class.

Visual Development track

3D Production track

Character Animation track

Entertainment technology and VFX track

This program will replace the existing AA degree with a similar AS degree that is more relevant to the current frame of  the Animation and Digital Entertainment industry.

Our current AA program doesn't offer any individualized tracks that match current industry disciplines and employment requirements.

LACC is the only other institution at LACCD that offers an AA degree in animation. Their degree is not focused on industry disciplines and contains a variety of courses from mixed areas of focus.

Our enrollment is capped at a lower numbers due to the fact that our labs have a limited amount of seats 24 to 25 per lab. Our annual enrollment will be  75-130 new students/year due to those limitations.

By adding a total of 4 additional courses onto our existing catalog, we have been able to develop the following level II industry based tracks in the animation discipline:

• Visual Development
• Character animation
• 3D Production
• Entertainment technology

The previous AA degree had a mix of courses that belong onto all those industry tracks, providing a very generic based knowledge that unfortunately doesn’t necessarily gave the students the required skills to seek employment. 

By grouping the existing courses onto these track type of certificates, we will make sure that the students will gain a broad knowledge of the industry while ensuring a deeper level of proficiency in the specific areas that are most relevant to their careers.

Now students can complete the Animation Level I certificate plus one of these Level II certificates in order to obtain their AA degree.