Profiles of Schools/Colleges in California (CA) Offering Animation, Design, Gaming, and Media Related Programs

Game Design Schools in California

Video game play has become one of America’s favorite pastimes. In fact, around 65 percent of U.S. households play video games, and we’re not just talking kids and teens. What you might not know is, the average age of a gamer is around 32, and every 2 out of 5 players are female. The video game industry has changed dramatically over the years, and so have the programs that churn out the world’s top designers. These programs go beyond teaching techniques. They teach aspiring game designers how to run their own businesses, market their ideas, and manage teams. Not surprisingly, a number of these programs are offered at schools in the state of California—the entertainment capital of the world.

California Game Design & Development Schools: Most Expensive to Least Expensive

California is home to more colleges and universities than anywhere else in the country. The Institute of Education Sciences (IES) updates this information frequently, so the number of schools may fluctuate slightly throughout the year. The latest figures releases show that California is home to 450 Title IV degree-granting institutions. A Title IV school is eligible for federal financial-aid programs. To become eligible, these schools obtained accreditation recognized by the U.S. Department of Education, they have been in business for at least 2 years, they signed a participation agreement with the Department, they grant an associate's degree or higher, and they offer a program of at least 300 clock hours in length.

California Animation Careers: Employment & Salary Trends, Job Opportunities, & Colleges Offering Animation Programs in California

Animation Careers in California

Overview

The state of California is home to more animators than any other state in the nation. Aspiring animators choose California based on:

The opportunity to work with some of the largest animation studios in the world
Employment and salary growth
Access to competitive animation training programs

The Best Animation Programs in the West: Our Top 20 in the Western U.S. Region

Breaking into the creatively-powered, passionate and playful animation industry may sound like cakewalk to those who have spent the better part of their lives doodling and watching cartoons, but the pursuit of perfection makes the industry chew up and spit out all but the crème de la crème. Hence, it’s no longer enough to take a few crash courses in animation and expect to break into an exciting career in animation, let alone stay there.

California School Info:

California Program info:

City Specific Info:

Programs to consider:

Info on Working as a Video Game Designer in Stockton, California

February 10, 2012

Lately, more and more qualified, high-tech employment seekers in Stockton, California are finding high-paying jobs as animators and video game designers. Stockton is an ideal location for finding employment in this high-tech field, considering its population of nearly 300,000, combined with the fact that Stockton is a feasible commute from job-friendly cities like Sacramento, San Francisco and San Jose. Roughly one-third of all video game design jobs in America are located in California. Quite a few of them can be found in Stockton.

How to Become a Video Game Designer in Santa Ana, California

February 10, 2012

Crowds of creative career professionals in Santa Ana, California seek high-tech jobs in animation and video game design. With a resident population of about 325,000, Santa Ana is a nice place to live for specialists in the field. California is the best state in which to find this kind of work, with its limitless professional training options and rapidly expanding, high-tech job market. In fact, roughly one-third of all video game design jobs in America are in California. Many are in Santa Ana.

What You Need to Know to Be a Video Game Designer in San Bernardino, California

February 10, 2012

Job hunters all over San Bernardino, California are landing lucrative positions as animators and video game designers. With a resident population of more than 200,000, the city is an ideal spot for high-tech professionals pursuing careers in this high-tech field. What's more, San Bernardino is almost walking distance from Riverside, a city of more than 300,000 people where many similar job opportunities exist. Roughly one-third of all video game design jobs in America are located in California. A fair number of these jobs are in San Bernardino.

Tips on Becoming a Video Game Designer in Riverside, California

February 10, 2012

These days, career seekers by the thousands in Riverside, California are landing high-paying jobs as animators and video game designers. With a resident population of more than 300,000, Riverside is ideal for high-tech professionals pursuing careers in this field. Riverside is also very near San Bernardino, where many similar job opportunities exist. Roughly one-third of all video game design jobs in America are located in California. A fair number of these jobs are in Riverside.

Billy Burger of The Art Institute of California at San Francisco Discusses Teaching the Next Generation of Animators

February 8, 2012

Offering a Bachelor of Science in Media Arts & Animation, The Art Institute of California at San Francisco is often on animation students’ shortlists. Sitting in an artistic epicenter with no shortage of nearby studios, thought-leaders and opportunity, the school also boasts exceptional instructors who teach to the diverse needs of an ever-changing industry.

Art Schools in California

January 31, 2012

California is the largest state in the U.S. It is home to more major cities than any other place on the map, each with its own energetic art scene. Visit Los Angeles and you’ll find dozens of art museums such as the world-renowned Getty, Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) and the Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA).

Best Animation Programs in California

January 30, 2012

What does it take to earn a spot on the list of “Best Animation Programs” in any given city? Is it cost? Reputation? Location? Well, it depends on whom you ask. Many reputable ranking agencies use a set formula to evaluate the quality of any program based in how the school ranks overall. They calculate scores based on factors such as peer assessment, financial resources, graduation and retention rates, faculty resources (such as class size), program offerings, and student selectivity. Each factor carries a certain amount of weight, which helps calculate a final overall score. For example, smaller classes carry more weight than larger classes and the number of students that graduate in four years instead of six also carries more weight.

Top Animation Programs in California

January 30, 2012

So, what’s the difference between a “Best” animation school and a “Top” animation school? For starters, the criteria used to establish a “best” program might be different for top programs. One area that “best of” lists might not consider is the student population. These students may choose a top school for different reasons than someone that might choose a best school.

How to Become a Video Game Designer in San Diego

January 26, 2012

These days, Video Game Design and Animation are among the world's most popular high tech careers. The skills involved are a perfect fit for tech-savvy types with a competitive spirit, as well as for artists finally able to make a living at their art. California is the best state for this kind of work, with its abundance of professional training options and a wide open job market easily accessible to the heart of America's entertainment industry. In the United States, more than a third of all Video Game Design job opportunities are located in California. A surprising number of these are in San Diego County.

What You Need to Know to Be a Video Game Designer in San Jose

January 26, 2012

Video Game Design is a popular choice for gamers who seek rewarding careers. The skills involved appeal as much to competitive tech-savvy types as to artists who can finally earn a living at their art. California is the best state for this kind of work, with its abundance of professional training options, wide open job market and close proximity to the hub of America's entertainment industry. In the United States, more than one third of all jobs available to Video Game Designers and Animators are located in California. Surprisingly, the lion's share of these kinds of jobs are situated not in Los Angeles, but in the San Jose area, also known as Silicon Valley.