COLLIN COLLEGE
Animation & Game Art: NOW AVAILABLE AT COLLIN COLLEGE WYLIE CAMPUS by Mark Saldaña
A Wylie Chamber of Commerce Publication
Photo by Nick Young, Collin College photographer
T
his fall, a creative workforce program has made its way to Collin College’s Wylie Campus. Animation & Game Art, currently located at the Frisco Campus, is now available at the college’s campuses in both Frisco and Wylie. Collin College students can earn a degree in Animation & Game Art that will provide them with the tools and training needed to take a project from concept to reality. Students can learn how to create animation and still imagery for entertainment, advertising, industrial visualization, and corporate communication. “We try to encompass as much as we can for our students,” said Russell Smith, professor of Animation & Game Art at the Wylie Campus. “We want them to become computer graphics generalists when they leave Collin so they can have a broad range of skills for any type of job or career they want.” Smith said his students not only have the drive and ambition to do anything they want in life, but they also have the talent, passion, and work ethic to reach their goals, no matter what age or phase in their life they are in. Ivan Jimenez, a student at Collin College pursuing a degree in Animation & Game Art, said he has learned so much from the program. Captivated by the history of animation and the science behind transforming still images into motion pictures, he is already looking at potential careers within his area of study. “I have loved the art of animation since I was exposed to it in middle school,” Ivan said. “I used to wonder how the still images we see on a screen were made into motion pictures. With time, I discovered that you can actually get paid to do this. I am grateful for professors like Mr. Smith who have paved the way for me to be successful in animation.” Students taking classes in the college’s Animation
Russell Smith, professor of Animation & Game Art at the Wylie Campus.
& Game Art program can earn an Associate of Applied Science degree and a Level 1 certificate in Animation & Game Art as well as a Level 3 Enhanced Skills Certificate in Advanced Animation & Game Art Production. “In my experience, this program requires lots of hard work and dedication,” Ivan said. “However, at the end of the day it is very rewarding to see your final product on a screen.” Russell said he continues to teach the program because of students like Ivan who have ambition and put in the hard work and dedication they need to be successful. “It is a privilege to help students achieve their goals and create some amazing artwork in animation and video games,” he said. “I just find it extremely satisfying to see them go from students to professionals, especially in such a short time span.” To learn more about Animation & Game Art, visit www. collin.edu/academics/programs/ANIM_1Overview.html. To apply or register for classes at the Wylie Campus, visit www.collin.edu/campuses/wylie. • www.wyliechamber.org | 17
