The Art Institute of Vancouver - Burnaby

The Virtual Environments Interactive Design (VEID) program provides creative individuals with the art and design training needed to express ideas using industry-related technology and skill-sets. Students receive integrated digital media training that incorporates art theory, web design and development, interactive media authoring, 3D for the web, computer graphics, non-linear digital video, commercial art, business and marketing, streaming media and web animation. Students become life-long learners, developing the skills required for a vast array of digital media careers including web design and development, interactive media production, corporate communications, 2D graphics and animation. VEID offers diverse training that is essential in a rapidly expanding industry. Students work with a mentor who assists them in integrating their studies and provides direction for their professional aspirations. In the final semester, students enroll in two special topics courses assigned by their mentor. These courses provide further breadth and depth and support their special interests or additional training needs. Depending on each student\'s focus, potential Special Topics include web programming, project or business management, art and design training, visual storytelling, additional 3D asset creation tools and production, digital audio or film, character animation, or compositing and visual effects. VEID provides job-ready skills while also preparing students for the Media Concept Developer (MCD) or the Digital Arts Advanced Specializations (DAAS) programs, where they acquire high-level specialized training in areas of industry demand. This program is currently supported by The Art Institutes Technical Grant program which provides tuition grants up to $6,000.

You\'ve spent enough time dreaming about creating your own characters. The moment has come to bring them to life. The Character Animation Program (CAP) introduces students to the tools, techniques and skills fundamental to professional character animation production for film, TV and video. Focused on art and technical animation skills, CAP prepares students for advanced training in 2D and 3D computer animation, classical animation and visual effects work. Students work in a professional environment using industry-standard animation tools like SoftImage XSI. Training incorporates state-of-the-art, multi-platform graphic and animation stations used to develop skills and stretch the imagination. Instruction includes: the Disney principles of animation; timing skills; life drawing and studies in human and animal forms; kinetics; gesture drawing and portraying expression and mood; character design and development; storyboard design; 3D animation, modelling and visual effects; dialogue tracks/lip sync. Some art training is recommended for this program.

Visual effects professionals are in demand, and the Visual Effects and Digital Animation (VEDA) program provides the intensive technical foundation needed to succeed in this field. A number of industries use this technology as part of presentations, simulations, entertainment and promotions, including film, video, TV, 3D animation, government, military, medical, architecture, education, merchandising, marketing and financial markets. Under the guidance of instructors, VEDA students obtain a foundation in the tools, concepts and techniques of visual effects and animation production, using professional industry tools and software. Compositing training begins in the second semester as students prepare for higher-level photorealistic portfolio work in the VEDAM program. Artists and animators currently working in 2D, but seeking to expand their career prospects with the addition of 3D visual effects, skills will find the VEDA program an ideal choice. While the VEDA program includes art and animation instruction, students with a strong background in art and an aptitude for computers will benefit most from the program. Those without these skills should consult a Program Advisor and consider the Character Animation Program (CAP) as a first-year foundation program before entering the VEDAM program.

High costs once meant filmmaking was an elite occupation. The digital revolution has changed everything, and digital video is now one of the most powerful tools an independent filmmaker has at their disposal. Students in our Digital Film Program (DFP-F) gain a foundation in the film production techniques, equipment, positions and protocols necessary to work as entry-level crew members on film, video or TV location shoots. The program also prepares students for work as non-linear digital editors, for further training in iNet-P or iFilm programs, and suits those pursuing their own creative or entrepreneurial vision as independent filmmakers. Training includes non-linear editing, compositing and visual effects techniques using various software packages such as Final Cut Pro, Combustion, After Effects and Shake, from companies like Apple, Discreet, Adobe and Nothing Real. Students build a solid foundation in the equipment, procedures and theory of modern film and video production. Through various projects, they cover the entire production process, acting as crewmembers on a number of shoots, in studio and on location. In the post-production process students edit and composite on professional non-linear stations.

At the heart of the entertainment revolution is the game industry. Escapism at its most intense, games allow us to interact with complex fantasy worlds and characters. We can even challenge or join forces with players on the other side of the world. Game designers exist at the center of the action. In the Electronic Game Art and Design Foundation program (EGADF), students focus on the fundamentals of game design through interaction with the tools and processes used in the industry. In addition to game design, students develop a broad understanding of game development. Curriculum explores classical and digital animation, storytelling, storyboarding, character design, as well as 3D modelling, texturing, lighting, audio theory and sound design. These skills provide a foundation for game design and development as students work towards a game concept document that will form the basis of a proof-of-concept project in higher-level programs. The EGADF program is intense and requires committed, disciplined and creative individuals. Students must be able to work in teams under strict direction, as well as independently. Basic computer skills are required, along with one semester of college level English, English Literature, Journalism or Creative Writing. Those wishing to challenge on the basis of writing experience will be required to write an essay as outlined by the Program Department. Those falling below the program standard will be required to take additional courses in this area.

Game Development Preparatory (GDP) is designed for students who may be rusty with their programming skills or who do not have the prerequisite programming or physics and math skills required for the GDAPF program. In this program, students take a semester to immerse themselves in intensive programming instruction and practice, along with math and physics. The program is divided into five instructional blocks of three programming levels, math and physics. A placement exam is available for determining which instructional blocks are required. Grade 11 Math and Grade 11 Physics are required. Content includes an introduction to programming languages, a review of math for game applications, and a review of physics for game applications.

Surround sound, interactive CDs and DVDs: Audio has come along way since the early days of vinyl. For individuals interested in professional engineering in the digital age, or just learning how to work with and create sound, the Recording Arts Foundation (RAF) program is the perfect educational vehicle. RAF offers beginners a solid skill-base in the procedures and equipment used in professional multitrack recording and sound reinforcement environments for music/sound production and post-production for film/video, TV and new media. Students train in digital and analogue recording studios using the latest linear and non-linear recording technologies. Curriculum includes topics such as professional session engineering, microphone techniques, outboard equipment, MIDI, signal flow, critical listening and audio/acoustic principles. RAF is excellent preparation for students seeking advanced training, apprenticeships or engineering and production work in home-based studios.

Whether you want to manage your own entertainment company, produce shows, events or projects, work as a talent agent or manager, or launch your career in the A&R department of a record label, the Entertainment Business and Management (EBM) program covers all the bases. EBM prepares students for careers in the business and management side of the entertainment industry by providing a broad-based business education coupled with specific industry intelligence and practical real-world experience. The first semester acquaints students with foundation business and management knowledge and skills and covers topics such as legal, finance, marketing, business development and operations, management, business communications, business and communication technology, and professional development. In the second semester, students apply their training to the specifics of the entertainment industry with a focus on music, film and TV, games, sports and digital media. Talent management along with event management and promotion are covered for each of the focus areas. In this semester students also start work on their Portfolio Projects and Work Experience preparation that they complete in their final semester.

Over the past few years the digital media industry has shed excess weight and entered a period of self-examination. Industry now acknowledges that web companies require people with highly specialized sets of training and knowledge. As new and rapidly advancing technology is applied to the web, focus is needed to become truly productive and proficient. The Application Programming for the Web (APW) program provides this focus and does so in a format that maximizes the relationships between the various web-centric languages. Every language and tool essential to the business of code development for the web is covered in APW, a program specifically designed to create employability through flexibility and real-world portfolio work. Applicants should have basic computer skills. Topics covered include hardware and network fundamentals, HTML, Javascript, DHTML, Dreamweaver, Flash, PhotoShop, WAP, Network IIS/Apache Basics , Cold Fusion/Access, Perl/CGI/PHP, ASP.Net/SQL Server, XML, Work Experience.

The Game Development Applied Programming Foundation (GDAPF) program establishes the groundwork for game programming, focusing on the fundamentals of game development through hands-on interaction with the tools and processes used in the industry. Graduates gain the foundation skills and knowledge (including design theory) necessary for junior programmers and any productive member of a game development team. Grade 12 Math, Grade 12 Physics, and a minimum of one semester college level C++ instruction or equivalent certification are the prerequisites for this program. Those wishing to enter the program based on C++ programming experience will be required to take an entrance exam to determine their level of programming skills and knowledge. Components covered include Flash, Direct 3D, 3D Virtual Environments, 3D Math and Advanced Game Math, Fundamental Game, Programming (Win 32 and MFC), Algorithms and Data Patterns Game Design and a thorough introduction to the gaming industry.