Rockland Community College has introduced an Animation and Interactive Media track in its Graphic Design AAS degree program. The new track joins the Visual Communication track.
The rapidly expanding need for qualified designers in 3-D animation, game design and interactive media offers graphic artists a range of career opportunities. RCC graduates may pursue academic transfer options, commercial design opportunities, or launch their own artistic/entrepreneurial careers.
“The new Animation and Interactive Media track is responding not only to students’ interest in these areas, but also to the job market and where graphic designers are finding work these days,” said Eileen MacAvery Kane, RCC’s Art Chair and Graphic Design Program Coordinator. “Graphic design follows contemporary culture, as many jobs do. People now consume information much more through interactivity – interactive apps, online, social media, gaming. The job market and areas of employment for graphic designers directly follows that.”
New courses offered in the fall 2018 semester, which begins September 1, include such topics as Drawing for Animation, History of Animation, and Animation Principles. New courses offered in future semesters include Introduction to Computer Modeling and Scripting for Interactive Media. Graphic Design degree tracks are taught by faculty with deep industry expertise, including award-winning 3-D animators and illustrators. Faculty provides mentoring to students as they develop competitive portfolios toward successful job placement or transfer.
The Visual Communication degree track continues the core Graphic Design curriculum, which includes courses such as Typography, Digital Art, Constructed Image/Photoshop, Graphic Design, and Black & White Photo. The latter course makes full use of the Art department’s darkroom facilities, enabling students to process film and print their own black & white photography. “The fact that we still have these facilities is a bonus and a draw not only for students for also for people in the community who are interested in pursuing black & white photography,” MacAvery Kane said.
Graphic Design is one of three degree programs that RCC offers in Art, along with Fine Arts and Photography. A degree in these disciplines prepares students to pursue careers in graphic design, animation, illustration, photography, fine arts and other fields. Many graduates have transferred to prestigious professional art schools such as School of Visual Arts, Rhode Island School of Design, Savannah College of Art and Design, SUNY Fashion Institute of Technology, Cooper Union and others. Numerous RCC students have earned SUNY Best of Show juried selection honors at the SUNY Art Gallery in Albany.
For further information, contact the RCC Art department at 845-574-4268 or emacaver@sunyrockland.edu.
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