Digital Media and Design - Animation Specialty Option
Associate in Applied Science- Cost
- $15,440
Design commercial and educational art
Bring still images to life
Advance your career with an Associate in Applied Science (A.A.S.) in Digital Media and Design - Animation Specialty Option. Learn to design and produce a variety of media and design projects.
Use the conceptual, critical, creative and technical knowledge you develop to create:
- Still and moving images
- Character animations for various media platforms
- 2D and 3D animations
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We provide you with access to Mac and PC computer labs, so you can become familiar with both platforms. You build work-ready industry skills as you learn the ins and outs of digital marketing and design tools:
- Adobe® Acrobat, After Effects, Animate, Audition, Dreamweaver, InDesign, Illustrator, Media Encoder, Photoshop and Premiere
- Apple® Logic Pro X and Final Cut Pro
- 3D Software: Maxon® Cinema 4D
- WordPress with Apache server
- Waves Mercury hardware and plugins, Steinberg Cubase, Celemony Melodyne 4 Studio Software and Avid Pro Tools
- digital video cameras, recording equipment and audio mixers
- green screen, broadcast monitors, condenser microphones, analog and digital video capture stations
What can you do with an A.A.S. in Animation?
The A.A.S. degree specializing in animation prepares you for a career in digital media design, equipped with the conceptual, critical, creative and technical skills needed to design and produce a variety of commercial, educational and artistic media and design projects.
Highlights
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Internships Available
Gain relevant work experience before you complete the program. -
Financial Aid/Scholarships Available
Based on need and/or achievement. Explore ways to pay for college. -
Career Degree
Earn an associate degree in 2 years and gain in-demand technical and job-ready skills. -
Program Length: 2 Years
Full-time students finish in 2 years.
Career Outlook
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Create, modify, and test the code and scripts that allow computer applications to run. Work from specifications drawn up by software and web developers or other individuals. May develop and write computer programs to store, locate, and retrieve specific documents, data, and information.
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Salary Levels
Take a look at the average annual or hourly earnings for this career in Lake and Cook Counties.
- Entry-Level
- $48,186
- Median
- $78,814
- Senior-Level
- $144,706
Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
- Entry-Level
- $23.16
- Median
- $37.89
- Senior-Level
- $69.56
Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
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Top entry-level education
Here’s a quick look at the most common degree levels people have in this career.
- Some college
- 2.52%
- Associate Degree
- 8.99%
- Bachelor's Degree
- 88.04%
- Master's Degree
- 0.45%
Lightcast educational attainment levels are the educational attainment percentage breakdown for a career (e.g. the percentage of people in the career who hold a bachelor degree vs. an associate degree).
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Design or create graphics to meet specific commercial or promotional needs, such as packaging, displays, or logos. May use a variety of mediums to achieve artistic or decorative effects.
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Salary Levels
Take a look at the average annual or hourly earnings for this career in Lake and Cook Counties.
- Entry-Level
- $35,586
- Median
- $59,798
- Senior-Level
- $105,812
Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
- Entry-Level
- $17.11
- Median
- $28.74
- Senior-Level
- $50.86
Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
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Top entry-level education
Here’s a quick look at the most common degree levels people have in this career.
- High school diploma or less
- 15%
- Some college
- 5%
- Associate Degree
- 5%
- Bachelor's Degree
- 65%
- Master's Degree
- 10%
Lightcast educational attainment levels are the educational attainment percentage breakdown for a career (e.g. the percentage of people in the career who hold a bachelor degree vs. an associate degree).
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Create special effects or animations using film, video, computers, or other electronic tools and media for use in products, such as computer games, movies, music videos, and commercials.
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Salary Levels
Take a look at the average annual or hourly earnings for this career in Lake and Cook Counties.
- Entry-Level
- $28,595
- Median
- $56,412
- Senior-Level
- $133,976
Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
- Entry-Level
- $13.74
- Median
- $27.12
- Senior-Level
- $64.40
Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
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Top entry-level education
Here’s a quick look at the most common degree levels people have in this career.
- High school diploma or less
- 5.53%
- Some college
- 39.68%
- Associate Degree
- 1.7%
- Bachelor's Degree
- 52.75%
- Master's Degree
- 0.34%
Lightcast educational attainment levels are the educational attainment percentage breakdown for a career (e.g. the percentage of people in the career who hold a bachelor degree vs. an associate degree).
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Manage web environment design, deployment, development and maintenance activities. Perform testing and quality assurance of web sites and web applications.
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Salary Levels
Take a look at the average annual or hourly earnings for this career in Lake and Cook Counties.
- Entry-Level
- $51,714
- Median
- $91,218
- Senior-Level
- $149,053
Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
- Entry-Level
- $24.86
- Median
- $43.85
- Senior-Level
- $71.66
Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
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Top entry-level education
Here’s a quick look at the most common degree levels people have in this career.
- High school diploma or less
- 5%
- Certificate
- 5%
- Some college
- 15%
- Associate Degree
- 15%
- Bachelor's Degree
- 55%
- Master's Degree
- 5%
Lightcast educational attainment levels are the educational attainment percentage breakdown for a career (e.g. the percentage of people in the career who hold a bachelor degree vs. an associate degree).
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Design digital user interfaces or websites. Develop and test layouts, interfaces, functionality, and navigation menus to ensure compatibility and usability across browsers or devices. May use web framework applications as well as client-side code and processes. May evaluate web design following web and accessibility standards, and may analyze web use metrics and optimize websites for marketability and search engine ranking. May design and test interfaces that facilitate the human-computer interaction and maximize the usability of digital devices, websites, and software with a focus on aesthetics and design. May create graphics used in websites and manage website content and links.
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Salary Levels
Take a look at the average annual or hourly earnings for this career in Lake and Cook Counties.
- Entry-Level
- $29,500
- Median
- $58,741
- Senior-Level
- $123,558
Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
- Entry-Level
- $14.18
- Median
- $28.24
- Senior-Level
- $59.39
Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
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Top entry-level education
Here’s a quick look at the most common degree levels people have in this career.
- High school diploma or less
- 12.5%
- Certificate
- 16.67%
- Some college
- 4.17%
- Associate Degree
- 16.67%
- Bachelor's Degree
- 50%
Lightcast educational attainment levels are the educational attainment percentage breakdown for a career (e.g. the percentage of people in the career who hold a bachelor degree vs. an associate degree).
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Develop and implement websites, web applications, application databases, and interactive web interfaces. Evaluate code to ensure that it is properly structured, meets industry standards, and is compatible with browsers and devices. Optimize website performance, scalability, and server-side code and processes. May develop website infrastructure and integrate websites with other computer applications.
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Salary Levels
Take a look at the average annual or hourly earnings for this career in Lake and Cook Counties.
- Entry-Level
- $50,085
- Median
- $78,108
- Senior-Level
- $136,677
Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
- Entry-Level
- $24.08
- Median
- $37.55
- Senior-Level
- $65.70
Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
-
Top entry-level education
Here’s a quick look at the most common degree levels people have in this career.
- High school diploma or less
- 12.5%
- Certificate
- 16.67%
- Some college
- 4.17%
- Associate Degree
- 16.67%
- Bachelor's Degree
- 50%
Lightcast educational attainment levels are the educational attainment percentage breakdown for a career (e.g. the percentage of people in the career who hold a bachelor degree vs. an associate degree).
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Need help?
Your College & Career Navigator (CCN) is your "go-to person" ready to help you get started at CLC.
Your CCN guides you through the admission process, helps you choose your academic program, enroll in classes and connect you with resources.
Recommended Pathway
Students are strongly encouraged to meet with their College and Career Navigator (CCN) to identify coursework that will meet degree requirements based on individual academic goals. View degree requirements in the college catalog.
Digital Media and Design at CLC
Get the bigger picture
This degree is just one possible way to study Digital Media and Design. Get the bigger picture—degrees, credentials and extra options.
Frequently asked questions
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Stand out to companies searching for 2D- and 3D-animation expertise in an ever-changing digital content world. At CLC, you get a degree program with a specialty not offered by many local schools. Get training in:
- visual effects
- figure drawing
- storyboarding
- audio recording
- production
- character creation and development
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We hold most classes in person but do offer some courses fully online or hybrid. Attend class in the way that works best for your goals.
Attend class in the way that works best for your goals:
- Virtual Live: Learn remotely in real time. Take classes taught live via Zoom.
- Online: Have the flexibility to complete course work without scheduled meetings while staying actively engaged in a fully online environment.
- In-person: Keep your degree on track with classes that meet face-to-face, providing you with opportunities to interact in-person with faculty and peers.
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The A.A.S. in DMD – Animation Specialty is 66-68 credit hours and takes an average of two years and two summer sessions to complete. Get hands-on with the software, hardware and animation techniques to create and process digital art.
Learn Adobe Photoshop and Cinema 4D software to produce images and polygon models worthy of a second look. Practice in classroom labs on the provided Apple iMac computers or your personal computer. Complete digital drawings, animation assignments and projects with Wacom drawing tablets.
Your classes include:
- 3D Special Effects
- Interactive Scripting
- Video Editing
- Introduction to Animation
- Advanced 3D Animation
*Cost includes tuition and other fees, including books and materials before financial aid is applied, such as grants, loans or scholarships. There are many opportunities for financial assistance at CLC. Learn more about Cost of Attendance.
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