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Get the Skills to Be a Computer Animator or Video Game Artist
Train to work in the film or video game industries in Laurus College’s Digital Arts & Computer Animation degree program
Computer Animation Training in 2 Years*
Want to be part of a team that creates movies or video games that captivate an audience through story-telling and creativity? Do you believe that learning 3D animation is a critical step in achieving that goal?
It definitely does!
Develop your creative and technical skills in 3D modeling, texturing, rigging, animating and rendering digital works of art, while also expanding your critical thinking and problem solving ability.
In this career-focused program, students work with industry standard software to gain valuable skills in the fields of animation and video game design & development.
With your initiative and our support, we thrive.
All the Things You’ll Learn
This program introduces students to the techniques and methods for creating 3D animation and effects using Maya, the industry standard software. Maya is one of the world’s most powerful integrated 3D modeling, animation, effects, and rendering solutions in the video game design and development industry today.
Using Maya, students explore ways to model, texture, animate, and render creative environments while also creating a portfolio that showcases their creativity and their skills.
Among the topics covered in the Digital Arts and Computer Animation Occupational Associate Degree program are:
Animation Dynamics
Rendering in Animation
Modeling
Color Theory
Motion Graphics
ZBrush Digital Sculpting
Character Animation
Computer Video Compositing and Camera Matching
Character Rigging
Course List
This course introduces students to the basics of visual effects and animation, and gives students the first stage to begin animating in 3D using the Maya software. The word Dynamics refers to the mathematical solutions for physics-based animation, such as the way objects collide or the way particles flow. Students in this course study many of the basic procedures used in building a dynamics system. Students begin exploring rigid body dynamics, constraints, and optimization. Students gain an understanding of particles and their use in creating effects such as fire, smoke, sparkles, and even flocks of models like insects. Credits: 5
This course will take students through the fundamental techniques associated with taking video image sequencing, adding 3D camera match moving and compositing. Topics covered in this class may include compositing video image sequences with 3d actors, environments, light, cameras, VFX and key color removal such as blue and green screens, computer video editing, and adding Titles and closing credits. Credits: 5
Students in this course are exposed to basic issues in starting a business. Topics may include capitalization, staffing, subcontracting, permits, facilities, and basic business planning. The course offers students practical exercises to begin strategic development of a business and offers practical problems and issues in the startup phase of building a successful organization. Credits: 5
This course prepares students to develop and implement project plans when working to complete assigned projects. Topics in this course may include defining project goals and objectives, specifying tasks or how goals will be achieved, establishing needed resources for project completion, and associating budgets and completion timelines. Students study the major phases of project management including project feasibility, planning, implementation, evaluation, and support. Project management software will be used by students to gain an understanding of how to best organize and delegate their project. Students gain an understanding of how to manage projects and how these skills may be applied to an individual project or a group project. Credits: 5
This course examines decision making, strategic thinking, and communications for complex issues. Students will demonstrate the ability to recognize different approaches to developing written action plans for solving today’s issues in the modern age. Credits: 5
This course serves as an introduction to the necessary core skills needed to be successful at an academic, professional and personal level. Students will identify core skills, values and interest to assist in their path to success. Topics covered in this course may include time management, effective study skills, written and oral communication, improving critical thinking to enhance problem-solving skills. Other topics may include job search techniques and job etiquette, and on-the-job behavior. Students will work towards building their professional development through various assignments and topics throughout the course. Students will explore Laurus College resources for success inside and outside the classroom. Credits: 5
This intensive course introduces students to the Maya software and will cover the basics of 2D and 3D animation, and how Maya software is used to create animation in video games. This course familiarizes students with the menus, panels, and tools they will use in the Maya software. Students grasp the basic concepts of Maya and will use knowledge gained in this course as the foundation for future courses in this program. Credits: 5
This course will introduce students to the world of drawing and design within a digital work environment. The course focuses on foundation skills found in traditional drawing and painting as well as digital image creation techniques used throughout the design process today. Topics covered in the course may be found in multiple art disciplines giving students a wide range of skills also an understating of techniques used to create some of the world’s greatest art pieces. Credits: 5
This course will take students through the process of understanding how light works to create color. In this class students may uncover the science behind color and how light allows us to see color. This course may cover topics on color spectrum, the behavior of light as it is reflected, refracted and absorbed, value, hue, saturation, color harmony, and contrast. Credits: 5
This course will take students through each step of modeling a character from head to toe, from the first polygon to the final hair. Students study creating and modifying curves, and the principles behind creating curves and surfaces. Students study the differences in character modeling and hard surface modeling, as well as the tools used in Maya for creating each technique and effect. Students examine creating an organic model using curves and surface tools. Students work with modifying tools such as rebuilding curve/surface; attach/detach curves and surfaces, project tangent, and free form fillet. Students also study the various polygon tools available in Maya and how they are used in modeling and creation. Students will also sample the Paint Effects tool in Maya to create and modify textures used in character modeling. Credits: 5
In this class students will look at Animation software and learn basic concept of animation. Students will learn how to plan, create, and refine animations. Furthermore, students will also learn about the history of animation. Credits: 5
In this class we will look at Motion Graphics tools and the Motion Graphics Industry. Students will learn how to create eye-catching motion graphics projects. Credits: 5
This course further expands the student’s proficiency with the Maya software as they examine the tools and techniques for rendering using this program. Students in this course learn to produce realistic environments and images through use of various shading, camera, lighting, and layering techniques. Students explore how various objects, materials, and environments are affected by lighting, textures, and shadows. This course includes how to use the rendering tool of Ray tracing to produce realistic reflections and refractions and how to integrate 2D and 3D images to create innovative environments and scenes. Providing students with the skills to optimize rendering quality and to troubleshoot common rendering problems is the focus of this class. Credits: 5
This course teaches students how to develop skeletal and muscular controls for animated 2D and 3D characters. Students examine primary and secondary motion for animated characters, as well as how to apply various motions to a created figure. Students explore ways to create realistic figures, as well as fantasy based characters with outrageous proportions and features such as wings and multiple appendages. This course demonstrates to students the techniques involved in modeling, detailing, optimizing, texturing, rigging, binding, and animating characters using Maya. This course takes students through the process of designing, modeling, and setting up animation controls for complex 3D characters. Students study how a character’s skin and joints move through various motions. Credits: 5
This course will take students through the fundamentals of Zbrush. From building a basic mesh in Maya and exporting the mesh into Zbrush for final detail work. The class may be covering topics on interface layout, digital sculpture, texturing in Zbrush, and exporting normal maps, and displacement maps back into Maya. Credits: 5
Students in this course explore written and oral communication as a skill to be mastered and applied. Instruction covers communication strategies and conventions of written expression including idea generation, paragraph development, and essay construction. The writing portion of this course concentrates on the development of clear and organized sentences, paragraphs, and compositions, and their applications to real world documents such as cover letters, resumes, and memos. Students examine grammar, vocabulary and the writing process, and may apply the skills learned to multiple forms of writing. Students also explore oral communication skills used in a business setting, and how to effectively communicate written ideas. Other topics may include presentation skills, etiquette, interpersonal skills and delivery techniques. Students will be expected to deliver oral and written presentations to the instructor and classmates. Credits: 5
Students in this course explore written and oral communication as a skill to be mastered and applied at a more sophisticated level. Instruction covers complex communication strategies and conventions of written expression focusing on concept development, report construction. The writing portion of this course concentrates on the development of clear and organized complex structures and their applications to real world documents. Students will be expected to deliver oral and written presentations to the instructor and classmates. Credits: 5
This math course is a thorough review and study of algebraic concepts, functions, and operations, utilizing a balanced approach of basic algebraic theories with practical applications and conceptual understanding. Students review mathematical concepts including addition, subtraction, multiplication, fractions and decimals as it applies to business operations. Students gain an understanding of basic mathematical and algebraic concepts and functions needed for the world of business including but not limited to account balancing, payroll, depreciation, profit and loss calculations, interest calculations, problem solving, probability theory, and decision making. Credits: 5
This course focuses on professional communication in the 21st workplace. Students in this course will hone their communication skills by working on various assignments and projects, including: face-to-face conversations, collaborative work groups, presentations, and interviews. Lectures include topics in nonverbal communication, cultural differences, organizational fit, and networking within specific industries through face-to-face interactions and via social networking sites, such as Facebook and LinkedIn. By the end of the course, students will have prepared industry specific portfolios and taken part in mock interviews specific to their field of study. Credits: 5
This course introduces students to the World Wide Web. Students examine the history of the web and how its development has shaped the ways people do business and advertise. Students gain an understanding for the complexity of the web and how servers, users, and databases all work, search, access information, and download simultaneously. Topics in this course may include the basics of HTTP, FTP, HTML language and tags, coding styles, links, image placement, and image maps. Students learn the importance of web page appearance and navigation. Students are introduced to the basics of initial web page planning and production, and learn key terminology applied to web page creation and implementation. Credits: 5
* General Education Course
Digital Arts and Computer Animation OAD grads can compete for entry-level work in a variety of animation-related fields including film and video creation, video game development, and graphic design.
Is a Career in Digital Arts Right for You? Find Out!
Take the "Laurus College Digital Arts Career Training Readiness Quiz"
This fun, online quiz takes 3 minutes to complete and you’ll get a personalized report. Identify your strengths and social style plus the training and positions you’re best suited for.
Upon completion of the Digital Arts and Computer Animation Occupational Associate degree, students should be able to:
Demonstrate proficiency with a variety of digital art and computer animation software programs.
Sculpt and model 3D Objects.
Create and edit a variety of texture types and images.
Understand the three phases and the many sub-phases within an animation production, (Pre-Production,
Production, and Post-Production).
Create advanced materials utilizing physically-based rendering workflow to be used with rendering engines.
Demonstrate the ability to adjust and modify rendered images together with various compositing techniques.
Create 2D and 3D assets to construct various video game levels using modern day game engines.
The best way to see if Laurus College is the right fit for you is to see it for yourself. You can tour our facilities by coming in to any of our campus locations, or we’re happy to set up a virtual tour with you. Book a Tour Now or Get more info.
Here’s Where You Could Be After Completing Our Program
Digital Arts and Computer Animation professionals create special effects, animation, or other visual images using film, video, computers, or other electronic tools and media for use in products or creations, such as computer games, movies, music videos, and commercials.
Grads with Digital Arts & Computer Animation training may find employment in a wide range of interesting and rewarding positions, including:
Video Game Artist
Graphic Designer
Multimedia Artist and Animator
Digital Illustrator
Animation Director
Art Director
and more!
The Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) system is used by Federal statistical agencies to classify workers into occupational categories for the purpose of collecting, calculating, or disseminating data. The Digital Arts and Computer Animation Occupational Associate Degree Program offered at Laurus College can help prepare graduates for a variety of careers that include, but are not limited to the list of careers that may be listed under the following SOC codes (for more information on a particular SOC code, visit the SOC website).
SOC List
Design core features of video games. Specify innovative game and role-play mechanics, story lines, and character biographies. Create and maintain design documentation. Guide and collaborate with production staff to produce games as designed.
Formulate design concepts and presentation approaches for visual communications media, such as print, broadcasting, and advertising. Direct workers engaged in art work or layout design.
Create original artwork using any of a wide variety of media and techniques.
Create special effects, animation, or other visual images using film, video, computers, or other electronic tools and media for use in products or creations, such as computer games, movies, music videos, and commercials.
Design or create graphics to meet specific commercial or promotional needs, such as packaging, displays, or logos. May use a variety of mediums to achieve artistic or decorative effects.
Plan and coordinate various aspects of radio, television, stage, or motion picture production, such as selecting script, coordinating writing, directing and editing, and arranging financing.
With so many professional opportunities available to people with the right qualifications, Laurus can prepare you for a career that will take you to that next level in life.
You already have a life. We appreciate that!
If you’re juggling work and a family, you’re busy. Our unique learning model gives you greater freedom and flexibility to learn on your own schedule.
That means you’re in control of your learning experience. All you have to do is get the ball rolling. And training with Laurus for a profession that makes use of digital arts and computer animation, with all our dedicated support from Day 1 till you land that dream job, is a smart choice.
If you’re ready to make use of your creative skills and technical savvy to take a step up in life and create a brighter future with a rewarding career, Laurus College is your school.
Meet the Digital Arts and Computer Animation Faculty
The Laurus Advantage
Practical, Career-Focused Training that prepares you for an in-demand career.
Supportive Learning Environment where instructors care about your success.
Flexible Scheduling Options that include both day and evening classes.
Technology Included – Students attending classes in an Associate or Bachelor's Degree program are given the opportunity to receive hardware and software specific to audio production needed to complete their program.
Job Search Assistance through our Career Services Department, including resume & portfolio creation, interview preparation and live workshops.
* Program length when completed in normal time.
Get the Skills for the Rewarding Career You Want
Is a fulfilling career and a brighter future right for you? Get more info...
