California State University, Chico (Chico State) offers a BFA in Digital Media, a BS in Computer Animation and Game Development (BS CAGD), and a Minor in Applied Computer Graphics.
The Chico State BFA Digital Media is housed in the College of Humanities & Fine Arts (HFA), Department of Art & Art History. Focus areas include Time-Based Media, Digital illustration, and Fine Arts. The most popular option for animators is Time-based Media, which explores 2D and Stop-Motion Animation, Experimental Digital Filmmaking, and Computer-Assisted and Hand-Drawn Animation.
Other program benefits include access to five labs, workshops and studios and internship and study abroad opportunities. Chico State BFA alumni are Animators, Filmmakers, Directors, Entrepreneurs, Creative Directors, Comic Book Publishers, and more.
The BS in CAGD (est. 1999) and the Minor in Applied Computer Graphics are housed in the College of Engineering, Computer Science, and Construction Management at California State University, Chico. BS students must choose an Animation Production or Game Development Option, and five courses from an Interdisciplinary Program Area. Options include Media Arts, Design, and Technology, Art Studio, and Computer Science.
The Animation Production Option combines coursework in Art Studio or Communication Design, with Graphics and Animation. Both options explore game scripting, media arts design and technology, and computer science. The 21 credit hour Minor in Applied Computer Graphics required three units in CAGD, nine in upper-division CAGD, and nine units including Computer Assisted Art, Digital Photography, and Concept Design and Storyboarding.
CAGD students can expect to explore class topics such as 3D Animation and Character Animation, 3D Modeling, Motion Capture, Video Character Modeling, and Team Production Development.
Students in all CAGD and Computer Graphics Programs have access to the in-house motion capture studio, and they may participate in the student-run Computer Graphics Club (CGC).
Chico State alumni work in many positions at Pixar, Epic Games, Zynga, Sony Imageworks, Ubisoft, Electronic Arts (EA), and WetaFX, among others.
Founded in 1887, California State University, Chico serves around 14,230 students from 43 nations, 30 states, and one U.S. territory. Chico State offers more than 350 programs across seven colleges, five schools, and 22 centers and institutes. California State University, Chico is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC).