Animation

Effective: Fall 2022
Certificate of Achievement Program Map
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This program map from the 2024-2025 catalog year represents one possible pathway to complete this program. Your pathway may vary depending on your transfer plans and also previous college credit, including AP Test scores, concurrent enrollment courses and high school articulated courses.

I'm ready to get started. What do I do next?

  1. Review this program map to get an overview of the required courses
  2. Meet with a counselor to develop your customized student education plan www.chabotcollege.edu/counseling
  3. Use DegreeWorks, an online student education planning tool, to track your progress toward graduation www.chabotcollege.edu / admissions / degreeworks
Program Description
Students have the unique opportunity to make their first short animation and learn how to screen, promote and market their animation. These skills will help students continue their studies in animation or look for an entry level position in the industry.

What can I do with this major?
Filmmaker, Animator, Storyboard Artist, Animation Artist, Concept Artist, Character Artist, 3D Modeler, Videographer, Film Editor, Motion Graphics Designer, Producer, Director, Creative Director, Art Director, Production Coordinator. Labor market information suggests 6% growth in animation and multimedia arts with a higher median hourly wage than other digital media industries.

Learning and Career Pathway
  • Arts and Design

Icon Key

= Critical Course = Prerequisite for Other Courses = Prerequisite Required = Required for Major GE = General Education

Semester 1

9 units

ART 2A
Introduction to Drawing

3 units
This course provides direct experience in exploring basic drawing concepts, including the expressive use of contour, value, perspective and composition while using a variety of media. Assigned projects may include still life, landscape, portraiture and figure. Focus on perceptually based drawing, observational skills, technical abilities, and creative responses to materials and subject matter.
Course Details:
  • Transfers to CSU

    • FILM 12
    Screenwriting and Visual Storytelling

    3 units
    A course where students write for film and electronic media. Emphasis on preparing scripts in proper formats, including fundamental technical, conceptual and stylistic issues related to writing fiction and non-fiction scripts for informational and entertainment purposes in film and electronic media.
    Course Details:
    1. Strongly Recommended: FILM 14
  • Transfers to CSU
    • Terms Offered: Fall

    Program Elective Course #1

    3 units
    Select 3 units from the list of Electives courses below
    See the full list: (Click here)

    Semester 2

    9 units

    ART 3A
    Figure and Composition I

    3 units
    Fundamental skills, techniques and knowledge of art related to drawing of the human form using graphite, charcoal, ink, and conte crayon. Compare figurative compositions using the human form through design, master paintings, verbal and written descriptions, and critiques. Awareness of the creative process as it applies to anatomical analysis by class drawings, anatomy assignments, and figurative compositions which require the student to explore drawing techniques, compose, and evaluate drawings. Open to any student, no drawing experience required.

    DIGM 10A
    Introduction to Animation

    3 units
    The history and evolution of technical aspects of animation are examined. Students explore animation principles using analog media, including, phonotropes, stop motion animation, claymation and flip books. Digital aspects of animation are also explored to create short mini animated sequences.
    Course Details:
    1. Strongly Recommended: DIGM 11

    Program Elective Course #2

    3 units
    Select 3 units from the list of Electives courses below
    See the full list: (Click here)

    Major Electives

    Electives (Choose 6 units from the following list of courses)

    DIGM 4A
    Digital Illustration

    3 units
    Introduction to the principles of illustration using digital tools. Through lectures, demos and assignments students are exposed to and practice digital illustration skills for design, editorial, and animation. Emphasis is placed on the use of vector-based tools for artistic drawing and graphic design. Students explore the relationship of digital illustration with the field of Graphic Design, Animation and Fine Art.
    Course Details:
    1. Strongly Recommended: ART 2A

    DIGM 6A
    Photoshop

    3 units
    Introduction to the use of Adobe Photoshop for retouching, editing, and compositing digital images. Students take their original photography and artistically adjust contrast, exposure, color balance, to create enhanced compositions. Students also take a number of images and composite images into an artistically balanced and well-designed composition.
    Course Details:
    1. Strongly Recommended: PHOT 1A

    DIGM 12A
    Motion Graphics

    3 units
    Motion Graphics is an introductory course to motion graphics for students who have a strong foundation in typography and design. This course introduces the theories, techniques, and practices of motion graphics. Students use design elements and principles to create motion graphics that communicate a message or story. Vector graphics, photography, sound, video and animation are integrated together to design compelling motion graphics.
    Course Details:
    1. Strongly Recommended: DIGM 11
    2. Strongly Recommended: DIGM 4A

    DIGM 13
    2D Animation

    3 units
    2D Animation is a course that takes the student through the basic concepts and methods for creating 2D animations using 2D animation technology. Students explore the 12 principles of animation using 2D software tools to create short-form animations and tell visually compelling stories. Students will create a complete animated piece for their portfolio.
    Course Details:
    1. Strongly Recommended: DIGM 10A

    DIGM 14
    3D Modeling & Animation

    3 units
    Students learn how to create and model 3D objects and characters using materials, textures, surfacing, and lighting. Students then create 3D scenes and animate objects and characters in these scenes using 3D industry-standard animation software.
    Course Details:
    1. Strongly Recommended: DIGM 10A

    DIGM 20
    Digital Portfolio and Promotion

    1.5 units
    Development of an artist's/ designer's portfolio and strategies for self-promotion in the art and design industries. Students will work to revise existing projects, create advanced projects and select and organize projects for promotion. Includes use of effective techniques of presentation. Includes creation and revision of resume, business card, and template based website.
    Course Details:
    1. Strongly Recommended: DIGM 8A

    FILM 14
    Introduction to Cinematic Arts

    3 units
    Introduces the analysis of film and animation aesthetics. Examines form and content, aesthetics and meaning, and history and culture of film and animation. Explores the diverse possibilities presented by the cinematic art form through an examination of a wide variety of productions, cinemas, and film movements. Topics include modes of production, narrative and non-narrative forms, visual design, editing, sound, genre, ideology and critical analysis.
    Course Details:
    1. Strongly Recommended: ENGL 1A
  • Transfers to CSU

    • FILM 17
    Motion Picture Filmmaking

    3 units
    Want to be a film director and make your first short film? Then this is the course for you. This course provides an introduction to the theory, terminology, and process of motion picture production for film and television. Students will take their script, create pre-production documents, cast your film, direct actors, light, shoot and record audio for your first short film. Finally students will review dailies and prepare their film for post production.
    Course Details:
    1. Strongly Recommended: FILM 15
      2. or
    2. Strongly Recommended: FILM 14
    3. Strongly Recommended: FILM 12
  • Transfers to CSU
    • Total Units: 18 units
    This program map is not a guarantee of course availability or financial aid applicability.