252 Hours

This online, non-credit certificate program is an intensive course of study over two semesters beginning in the fall.

The culminating experience will be the creation of a demo reel for their portfolio to show employers or schools in order to continue on their career paths. Demo reels will be exhibited in a certificate completion exhibition.

This certificate program will take students through the 3D animation production pipeline and cover many facets of 3D creation. From modeling assets and characters to animating and final rendering, this certificate will guide you through the fundamental principles of 3D animation. Whether you are interested in film, video games, or commercial work, these courses will get you on the right trajectory. Prepare for an intensive exploration! Prerequisite: Basic computer knowledge.

Students must register for the entire program at time of registration.

To register for certificate program classes, you must call 914-606-7300 or email Carmen Marrinan at carmen.marrinan@sunywcc.edu

Career Pathways

3D Animation Certificate
Course Descriptions

Apply here

Module I

Modeling I for Animation – 42 Hrs

This course will introduce students to creating hard surface modeling for environments and assets for production in Autodesk Maya. The course will consist of demonstrations combined with discussion and tutorials created by the instructor; in-class exercises and an assignment will be given every week. In addition, we will begin exploring texturing some of the assets created and look development with Adobe Substance 3D Painter and rendering with Arnold in Maya.
CE-DGART 2093PE

Animation I – 42 Hrs

This course will introduce students to animating in Maya. Students will start with the basics and learn about the twelve principles of animation. Some assignment examples will consist of a bouncing ball, walk-cycles, jumping, and kick ball.
CE-DGART 2094PE

Module II

Modeling II/Digital Sculpting for Concept and Animation – 42 Hrs

This course will introduce students to creating organic characters and sculpture for production using Autodesk Maya and Maxon ZBrush. We will also cover the 3D printing process and print work. The course will consist of demonstrations combined with discussion, and tutorials created by the instructor, in-class exercises and an assignment will be given every week. In addition, students will continue texturing and rendering a character turntable for their portfolio. (Prerequisite Modeling I for Animation).
CE-DGART 2095PE

Animation II – 42 Hrs

As a continuation to Animation I, students will now look at creating basic rig setups to more advanced rig setups for characters and assets. Towards the end of this course, the class will focus on the importance of posing and body mechanics for animation. (Prerequisite Animation I).
CE-DGART 2096PE

Module III

Animation III – 42 Hrs

As a continuation to Animation II, students will learn about creating storyboards, animatics, and creating an animation based on their own stories. Each student will create a mini 15 second animation with a pre-rigged character of choice. Students will also focus on the importance of using reference. They will be recording their own live video reference to help with timing and posing for their animations. (Prerequisite Modeling II/Digital Sculpting for Concept and Animation).
CE-DGART 2097PE

Demo Reel Creation and Exhibition – 42 Hrs

In this course, students will use the technical, drawing, and storytelling skills they have learned in the previous courses to produce their own unique project for their demo reel. It is expected that the reel will be of a high degree of finish regardless of the content. In addition, students will investigate survival skills and portfolio practices necessary to work as a professional, freelance, or independent computer graphic artist. Students will exhibit their final work at Center for the Digital Arts Gallery.
CE-DGART 2098PE