Digital Effects and Animation Technology

Animators create moving images and special effects for feature films, television commercials, short features computer games and videos. They draw by hand. They use computers to create the large series of pictures (sequential drawings) which, when photographed and transferred to film or tape, then projected at a specific speed, form the animated cartoons seen in movies and on television.

Program of Study

Students will take courses covering computer hardware and software applications, computer animation, creation and manipulation of digital images and nonlinear editing. They will become proficient at using media industry standard hardware and software to generate and manipulate images, and create digital special effects.

Careers Available

Motion picture and television, film makers, video makers, advertising firms making commercials, printing and publishing companies, art design studies, manufacturers of electronic games, the Internet, design firms, commercial art and reproduction firms and multimedia employers.

Recommended Courses and Skills

Strong drawing and sketching ability and basic computer skills relating to graphics and imaging processing, strong sketching and drawing ability, ability to work in a team environment.

Helpful Personal Attributes

Ability to manage detailed projects, good analytical and computer skills, a good sense of humor, ability and patience for very detailed work, idea generation, generating a number of different approaches to problems and a real love for the work.

Technical Standards

Technical Standards for Digital Effects & Animation, AAS and Gaming Certificate

Program Offerings

Program	Credential Level	Offered	Code
Digital Effects and Animation Technology	Associate in Applied Science	Day	A30130
Digital Effects and Animation Technology - Gaming Design	Certificate	Day	C30130GD

Program Contact

If you would like additional information about the Digital Effects and Animations Program, contact John Kelly, Program Coordinator at 336.757.3310 or jkelly@forsythtech.edu.