Build Your Future as a Media Arts Designer
The Media Arts and Design (MAD) Department in the Fine Arts Division offers digital art programs. Our courses and certificates explore both the creative and commercial use of digital art technologies and equip students with the skills necessary to obtain employment, update job skills, and provide a foundation for transfer to four-year universities, art and design schools, and the marketplace. MAD offers competitive and cutting-edge certificates in the areas of digital film, animation, and graphic design. We offer certificates in areas of study that are unmatched in any other community college in the Southern California region, such as motion design or projection mapping. Our certificates range from 12-18 units and on average take about 1-2 years to complete.
Frequently Asked Questions
Media Arts and Design offers 12 skill certificates in several areas and a Merchandising Associate in Science Degree. Most of our courses transfer.
The programs take about 24 months to complete, depending on the kind of certificate and whether or not a student is full time or part time.
The program cost is $46 per unit for California residents, not including books, fees, and supplies. Units vary by course, but the average is three units per course. Unit fees for 12-unit certificates would be $552, and unit fees would range up to the 60-unit associate in science degree, which would be $2,760. Most students also qualify for some form of financial aid.
Digital film careers include the following: film editor, camera assistant, cinematographer, colorist, production assistant, director of photography, gaffer, production coordinator, and videographer. The salary range is $47,500-$100,000.
Animation careers include the following: 2D animation, 3D animation, character rigger, storyboard artist, 3D modeler, 3D texture artist, 3D lighting, visual development artist, character designer, environmental modeler, organic modeler, layout artist, art director, concept artists, effects animator and render wrangler. The salary range is $50,000-$100,000.
Advertising careers include the following: graphic designer, motion designer, projection mapping artist, VJ, advertising artist, art director, illustrator, art director, commercial designer, and set and exhibit design. The salary range is $53,800-$116,400.
Graduates are employed in the film, television, and animation industry as well as graphic design and advertising.
- Animation 2D Computer Graphics Certificate = 15 units (1-2 semesters)
- Animation 3D Computer Graphics Certificate = 15 units (1-2 semesters)
- Computer Graphics Certificate = 30 units (2-3 semesters)
- Digital Cinema Arts and Industry Certificate = 18 units (1-2 semesters)
- Digital Cinema Production Certificate = 18 units (1-2 semesters)
- Digital Cinema Techniques and Technologies Certificate = 14 units (1-2 semesters)
- Post Production Basics for Cinema and Video Certificate = 12 units (1 semester)
- Electronic Publishing Design Certificate = 30 units (2-3 semester)
- Vector Illustration Certificate = 30 units (2-3 semester)
- Multimedia Production Basics Certificate = 12 units (1 semester)
- Multimedia Art Certificate = 27 units (2-3 semesters)
- Merchandising Certificate = 21 units (2 semesters)
- Merchandising Associate in Science Degree= 60 units (2 years)
There are no additional requirements to enroll in this program; however, some courses may have prerequisites that can be viewed in the Cypress College Catalog and the Schedule of Classes.
Ian Holmes, Department Coordinator
iholmes@cypresscollege.edu
(714) 484-7036
Fine Arts Building, Room 310A
Kati Angelov
Assistant Professor
kangelov@cypresscollege.edu
CONTACT THE DEPARTMENT:
Ian Holmes
Department Coordinator
CONTACT THE DEPARTMENT:
Kati Angelov
Assistant Professor
CONTACT THE DEPARTMENT:
Renay Laguana-Ferinac
Counselor
CONTACT THE DEPARTMENT:
Renee Ssensalo
Counselor
Average Salary in this Field
$47,000-$116,000 Per Year
Careers in this Field
Film Editor
Graphic Designer
Digital Animator
Art Director
