Digital Media and Animation (AAS)

Application Code:
1212
Degree Received:
Associate in Applied Science (AAS)

Description:

The emerging field of computer imaging and animation is impacting virtually every industry and profession. The digital media and animation program provides students with a broad range of technical, creative, and problem solving skills to facilitate their search for a baccalaureate program or employment in new media and animation. At the core of the program is a four-semester sequence of studio courses that enhance individual artistic creativity and provide instruction in the traditional arts and industry standard computer graphics software.

Students are required to enter a minimum of two film festivals to meet graduation requirements.

Entrance Requirements & Recommendations:

Required: Math A (algebra), Art Portfolio

The portfolio must include two art works in traditional media of your choice: one self portrait and one still life that depicts a pair of boots or shoes. In addition, the portfolio should include six to eight examples of the student's best work. All work represented must be original and produced within the last three years. Do not include drawings done from cartoons, CAD schematic drawings, or any work that is not indicative of your own original art and design abilities. The portfolio can consist of reproductions representing a variety of art media including, but not limited to, drawing, painting, sculpture, photography, computer imaging, and animation.

The submissions should be in the form of CD and/or DVD.

All CDs and DVDs

  • Should be clearly labeled with the name of the applicant on the disk and on the outside top of the case
  • All must be pre-tested on either Mac or Windows platform
  • Images and/or animations included must be formatted as JPG, TIFF, GIF, QuickTime, or AVI. Images and/or animations submitted must be numbered and accompanied by a corresponding numbered play list printed on paper that gives image number, title, medium, size, and date of work.

Animation submissions should be limited to five minutes in total duration and can include several short sample clips that represent the applicant's best work. Animations should be accompanied by an ordered play list printed on paper that lists the clip duration, date of completion, title, and brief project description.

Submit portfolio to:

Admissions Office
Alfred State College
10 Upper College Drive
Alfred, NY 14802

Please do not submit original works of art or master copies of video tapes or CDs. All portfolios will be retained by the department.

Features & Facilities:

Provides the broad skills necessary for employment in the computer graphic art, design, and animation fields. Industry standard computer animation software is used to develop computer art on high-end workstations.

Career Opportunities:

  • Computer Art
  • Education
  • Interactive Media
  • Computer Animation
  • Fine Art

Typical Semester Layout:

Digital Media and Animation students generally take three major-specific courses and two or three academic courses per semester (21-24 hours in-class time each week). Students usually attend one morning class, have a lunch break, and then take two afternoon classes.

First Semester credits
CIAT 1403 Computer Animation I 3
CIAT 1413 Foundations: Form/Space 3
CIAT 1423 Intro to Visual Communication 3
COMP 1503 Freshman Composition 3
CIAT 1333 Survey of Anim & Vis Effects 3
      15
Second Semester credits
CIAT 2403 Computer Animation II 3
FNAT 2423 3D Design/Color 3
FNAT 2433 Figure and Motion 3
FNAT 1313 Art History 3
LITR 2603 Introduction to Literature 3
MATH xxx3 Math Elective 3
      18
Third Semester credits
CIAT 3403 Computer Animation III 3
CIAT 3203 Interactive Authoring 3
FNAT 3513 Introduction to Film 3
COMP 3703 Technical Writing I 3
  xxx3 Natural Sciences Elective 3
      15
Fourth Semester credits
CIAT 4414 Computer Animation IV 4
CIAT 4413 Production Development 3
CIAT 4422 Speech 2
  xxx3 Art History II 3
  xxx3 General Sociology 3
HIST 1143 Survey of American History 3
       
Employment and Transfer Report
Employment and Transfer Rate:
89%
Salary Information
NACE Annual Average Salary Survey Data
(2003-04 survey for associate degree program;
2006-07 for baccalaureate degree program)
$26,700
DOL Annual Mean Salary
(2006 survey for those employed in this career path)
$58,000
Survey Details200420052006
Receiving Degrees 23 19 11
Responding to Survey 21(91%) 16(84%) 9(82%)
Employed 8(38%) 3(19%) --
Employed in Field 3(38%) 1(33%) --
Transfered 12(57%) 12(75%) 8(89%)
Unemployed & Seeking Employment 1(5%) 1(6%) --
Unemployed & Not Seeking Employment -- -- 1(11%)