The Center for Digital Imaging Arts at Boston University has campuses in Washington, D.C., and Waltham, Massachusetts, where students may customize their 3D design training with two semester certificate programs, one in 3D animation and interactive media and the other in animated short; a one-semester certificate in game art and character animation; and a practicum where participants get hands-on experience working with a nonprofit organization for one month. One of the notable practicum projects helped explain cancer to kids receiving treatment in a nationally published 3D animated book for hospitals. Students learn 3D animation using the Autodesk Maya design platform. The school's career services department helps locate post-graduate employment.
Boston University
274 Moody Street
Waltham, MA 02453
781-209-1700
Foundry Building
1055 Thomas Jefferson Street, Northwest
Washington, DC 20007
202-625-1110
cdiabu.com
Platt College of San Diego offers three programs for 3D design: a bachelor's degree in media arts with a specialization in 3D, a specialized multimedia and animation design certificate and five-to-six-week skills development courses for working design professionals. Students work with software programs from 2d3, Adobe, Apple, Autodesk, Pixologic, Quark and Sorenson and learn 3D modeling and digital imaging techniques. Students who complete the bachelor's program have preparation for entry-level work in 3D animation, modeling, lighting, texture artistry and special effects in gaming or video.
Platt College
6250 El Cajon Boulevard
San Diego, CA 92115-3919
619-265-0107
866-752-8826 (toll free)
platt.edu
SCAD made the "3D World Magazine" list of top three North American design schools, where the school's BAFTA-nominated animation department chair also contributes to the magazine as an advisor. The school offers bachelor's and master's of fine arts degree programs in 3D animation at campuses in Savannah, Atlanta, Tokyo and Lacoste in France. Students learn to create traditional 3D art and digital media in courses like animation production, screen design and post-production. Group and independent projects compliment classroom study. U.S. students may take an optional design course trip to the school's Tokyo campus. According to the school's website, representatives from recruitment firms and industry executives visit the school to evaluate students' portfolios, often leading to employment.
SCAD: The University for Creative Careers
Admissions Department
342 Bull Street
Savannah, GA 31401
912-525-5100
800-869-7223 (toll-free)
scad.edu