Degree Overview: Associate of Science (A.S.) in Animation
Majors Overview August 14, 2013An Associate of Science (A.S.) in Animation is a perfectly suitable program for individuals with an eye for design and who enjoy creative work. Technical courses as well as computer animation instruction are featured in the degree program that is devised to help students secure entry level jobs in the animation industry.
A.S. in Animation Degree Program
Classroom instruction as well as hands-on application is typically featured in these programs. Some schools offer programs in conjunction with other specializations in fine arts, such as new media, computers and web design. Students are taught the modes of creating 3-D animations for various media outlets, including films, television shows and commercials. In some programs, coursework is devised for students to be able to complete them in merely eighteen months. Some universities offer these programs along with community colleges and technical schools.
Education Requirements
While the possession of artistic skills is not mandatory, some schools insist on it as part of their admission criteria. Students may be asked to complete several art courses before being admitted in some other programs; these may include programs in sculpting, sketching and painting. Admission criteria usually require applicants to hold a general educational development (GED) certificate or a high school diploma.
Program Coursework
Courses commonly cover design and art topics, as well as the technological aspects of animation. Most programs include a practicum or internship for hands-on experience in the field. Students might also be asked to complete a computer animation project for graduation showcasing everything they have learned during the course of the program. Program course topics may include the following:
•Video design and production
•Visual effects
•Webpage design
•Animation history
•Digital storytelling
•Computer graphics
Career Options
Animation associate degree program graduates will qualify for different entry-level jobs in the animation industry. Graduates may obtain the following job titles:
•Technical directors
•Character designers
•Web designers
•Scene builders
Information on Continuing Education
Although graduates of an associate’s degree program can immediately join the workforce upon completion of the program, they may choose to continue their education by enrolling in a bachelor’s and master’s degree program. Employers of animators, graphic designers, multimedia artists and art directors are expected to hold at least a bachelor’s degree (source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics).
Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A.) in Animation degree programs can cover courses in various animation backgrounds, in addition to specific concentration areas such as 3-D and 2-D design and claymation. Schools also offer Master of Fine Arts (M.F.A.) in Animation degree programs where the arts of computer animation are honed by students who can then use this opportunity to perfect their skills in illustrating and designing.
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