The Victor Valley College Academy of Digital Animation is a unique 1080 hour, 26 week, intensive, immersive training in the art and science of the created moving image. Students use state-of-the-art equipment and software to carry several animation projects from story conception, storyboarding and development, through pre-production including concept art, original character design and maquette sculpting, through digital character and set modeling and animation, to final VHS or DVD production, as individuals and teams, working along side industry professionals in a studio-like professional setting. The program consists of 36 units of articulated college credit, transferable to many other programs. There are 45 hours a week of lecture and lab with 33 hours a week of lab time at no additional charge.
The dedicated academy lab facility (2100 sq ft) features the latest hardware and software used in state-of-the-art industry animation and game design studios. It rests between the Art and Music buildings, beside a large lake abundant with water birds, hawks, racoons, and other wild life. The Academy will develop your professional skills in preproduction, story-telling, character animation, effects, animation programming/technical direction and render management while working alongside experienced industry artists. Graduates of the 36 unit Certificate Program and/or Associate Degree in Science in Digital Animation will produce a VHS demo reel, DVD or CDROM, and alumni online portfolio. The academy is specifically tailored to prepare digital animators to enter the workforce as interns or entry-level professionals in digital character animation, special effects, game design or technical direction. The program is structured to provide students with a comprehensive educational approach to the field of Digital Animation and will teach students to become flexible professionals who can adapt to a variety of design projects and roles in a constantly changing field. The program curriculum is structured to afford students a balance between aesthetic and practical design, where the development of storytelling skills is given equal importance to the acquisition of technical skills. Admission to the academy is obtained through an online application, which you can find a link to above, followed by a portfolio interview, scheduled next for late April. The Academy is located in Victorville, CA, nestled in the High Desert next to the San Gabriel Mountains, a short 40 minute drive north of San Bernardino. The High Desert has the most affordable housing in California, as well clear, sunny skies, with streets and highways free of overcrowding. Come find out why we are one of the fastest growing areas of California! Please navigate our site, using the navigation tool above and find out more about us! Or use the email link below to direct specific questions to our staff. You can click on the brochure link above to find a technical summary of our program goals, as specified in our Program Proposal to the California Community Colleges Chancellor's Office.