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California Design Schools

The Technical School Directory provides information on training opportunities that can lead you to a rewarding new career. This page lists schools and colleges in California offering training in design fields, organized by the type of training offered:

If a career field or technical school looks interesting, there are easy links to request more information. It's fun, fast, and free -- and you'll be on your way to a new career.

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Architecture Training Schools

Architects are responsible for the design and planning of all types of construction, from residences to commercial buildings, to skyscrapers. As licensed professionals, they work with clients to determine their needs and requirements, and then create drawings and blueprints for every phase of building construction. They also work with other professionals, including interior designers and engineers, coordinating their activities as throughout the design and construction process.

NewSchool of Architecture & Design offers two Bachelor and two Master's degrees in Architecture. Students select the appropriate degree based on their level of education, and whether they wish to obtain a professional architecture license. In addition to full time study, evening and weekend classes are available for working professionals.

Get more information on the Architecture degrees offered by NewSchool of Architecture & Design in San Diego

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CAD and Drafting Technology Training Schools

Drafters and CAD operators take the ideas and sketches of an architect, and turn them into working drawings and blueprints. Drafting technology schools teach manual and computer aided drafting, 2D and 3D techniques, and residential and commercial drafting. With your degree, you'll be eligible for a position as a architectural CAD technician, CAD operator, or similar position.

Westwood College offers training to become a CAD operator with an emphasis in architectural drafting with its Associate degree program. Students learn the latest versions of AutoCAD, and spend plenty of lab time working real-world architectural projects.

Find out more about the Associate degree in CAD and Architectural Drafting from Westwood College, offered at campuses in Anaheim, Long Beach and Los Angeles

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Computer Animation Schools

Computer animators use their creative skills and state of the art technology to create cartoons, video games, and special effects. Computer Animation Schools train students in the art and science of animation. Students learn design and modeling techniques, and learn to control the computers that generate animations. Graduates of these programs can seek positions as special effects artists, game animators, or bench animators.

The following schools offer training in Computer Animation:

Platt College offers training on multimedia design to graphics professionals already familiar with graphics design concepts. Students learn 3D modeling and animation, video editing, and interactive design applications. The course also covers web design principles. This certificate program takes 4 to 5 months to complete.

Find out more about the multimedia certificate program from Platt College in Los Angeles and Ontario, California

Westwood College gives students the skills necessary to create and manage animation projects with its Bachelors degree in Animation. Students learn to create complete animation projects using industry standard tools, from line drawing to the final audio and visual effects. Business coursework includes problem solving, communications, and management.

Get more information about the Bachelor of Science in Animation degree from Westwood College in Los Angeles and Upland, or online

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Game Design Schools

The latest versions of animated games, whether on video game machines or the computer, are more realistic than ever before. Part of that realism comes from technology, but most of it is because of the skilled game designers who combine sound, motion, drama and storytelling. Game design schools provide training in design, computerized animation, and video production.

Westwood College helps you build your creative and design skills as you learn the computer technology used in designing interactive video games. Students gain hands-on experience and theoretical knowledge in the Game Art Bachelor degree program. In addition to learning how to develop interactive video games, the program also helps you learn to create applications used by business, health care, and the military.

Learn more about the Bachelor degree in Game Art from Westwood College, offered online and in Anaheim, Long Beach, Los Angeles, and Upland - Inland Empire

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Graphic Design Training Schools

Graphic designers use page layout, desktop publishing and bitmap and vector based graphics editors to create material for print and the Web. Schools with programs in graphics design teach students to master these applications, and also give them the theoretical background in color, typography and design principles to make their work effective. Graduates of these programs are eligible for a position at an advertising agency, printing company, or graphics design firm.

Brooks Institute combines courses in traditional design skills with the new media of the Internet and digital technology. The Graphic Design degree program includes coursework in typography, two and three dimensional modeling and layout. Students also receive instruction in professional graphic design issues, and learn computer and web design skills.

Find out more about the bachelor degree program in Graphic Design from Brooks Institute in Santa Barbara

Coleman University offers training in graphic design for both the online and print media in its certificate and Associate degree programs. In addition to training in color theory and typography, students learn digital image editing and computer illustration skills. They also learn to layout and design web pages and printed materials. In the Associate degree program, students develop communications and critical thinking skills with general education courses.

Get more information on the Certificate and Associate degree in Computer Graphic Design Technology at Coleman University in San Marcos and San Diego

Platt College offers degree and diploma programs in graphics design. Both programs cover basic topics like design, color and typography. Students learn desktop publishing and photo manipulation using computer graphics programs, as well as vector graphics and Internet/Web design. Multimedia training includes 3D modeling, video editing, and interactive design applications. The degree program also includes studies in the social sciences and humanities.

Find out more about the graphic design program from Platt College in Los Angeles and Ontario

Westwood College offers a Bachelor degree in Visual Communications designed to give you the technical and managerial skills to create and produce a variety of graphic design projects, from printed collateral to online media. You'll learn key concepts in graphic design, and use Adobe PhotoShop and other applications to create designs and layouts. Courses in project management, organizational behavior, and other general education topics help you develop your critical thinking and management skills so that you can conduct market research and planning.

Learn more about the Bachelor's degree in Visual Communications from Westwood College, with campuses in Orange County, Long Beach, Los Angeles, and Upland

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Interior Design Schools

Interior designers work with building layouts, usage patterns, and client preferences to create pleasant and useful environments for residential and commercial clients. The designer's responsibilities may start at the construction phase, and can continue down installing the final accessories. Graduates of interior design programs can seek positions as residential interior designers, contract designers, design consultants, and project managers.

Westwood College Bachelor's degree in Interior Design starts with the basics of design, including color, CAD drafting, and human factors. The program teaches students the complete project cycle, from developing and presenting design recommendations, to creating working drawings of the project, the administration of bids, and project supervision. The program presents successful business practices used in the field, and techniques for working with other professionals.

Find out more about the Bachelor degree in Interior Design from Westwood College, offered at its campuses in Anaheim, Long Beach, Los Angeles, and Upland, as well as online

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Multimedia & Web Design Schools and Training Programs

With advances in computer technology and the availability of high speed Internet connections, animation plays a larger role in websites, kiosks, and computer applications. Multimedia and Web design training teaches you to use the applications that create web pages and animations, and relate traditional design principles to this new medium.

Westwood College offers an Associate degree in Graphic Design and Multimedia. The program provides graduates the skills they need to develop interactive websites, animations, and video productions. Students learn design skills that can be applied across all types of media, from print to online. The program includes training in Adobe Illustrator and 3D animations. General education courses are included to develop the graduate's problem solving and critical thinking skills.

Learn more about the Associate degree in Graphic Design and Multimedia from Westwood College at campuses in Los Angeles, Anaheim, and Upland

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Photography Schools

A picture may be worth a thousand words, but only if it tells the story it is supposed to. Professional photographers use their technical and artistic training to work in a wide variety of disciplines, from portrait work to advertising, to exacting work in the industrial, scientific, and forensic areas.

Brooks Institute offers a state of the art curriculum that is in tune with the demands of today's photographic industry. The Bachelor of Arts degree in Professional Photography includes a set of core courses in the basics of still photography. Additional courses depend on the major program selected. Students can concentrate on advertising, commercial photography, digital imaging, digital media, industrial and scientific photography, or portraiture.

Learn more about the Professional Photography degree program from Brooks Institute in Santa Barbara, California

Brooks Institute offers a Bachelor degree in Visual Journalism that prepares the graduate for the new digital technologies of the Internet. Students learn the art of traditional still photography, digital camera skills, and computer skills. Graduates are ready for this new world of communications.

Learn more about the Visual Journalism degree from Brooks Institute in Santa Barbara, California

Video Production Schools

Learn the art and the science of creating professional motion pictures and videos. Demand for qualified videographers continues to increase over and beyond the traditional demand in film studios and advertising agencies, as companies produce training and sales videos and computers and the Internet bring another avenue of distribution. Video and film production graduates can seek positions such as camera operator or floor director in recording studios, television studios, and multimedia firms.

Learn the art and the science of creating professional motion pictures and videos. Demand for qualified videographers continues to increase over and beyond the traditional demand in film studios and advertising agencies, as companies produce training and sales videos and computers and the Internet bring another avenue of distribution. Video and film production graduates can seek positions such as camera operator or floor director in recording studios, television studios, and multimedia firms.

Brooks Institute Film and Video Production bachelor degree program teaches students all aspects of film production and direction techniques, from concept development to final editing. The school is located in a former motion picture studio, complete with sound stages and back lot. Concentrations are available in Commercial Film and Feature Film.

Learn more about the Film and Video degree program from Brooks Institute in Santa Barbara

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Locations:

The Art Institute of California - Hollywood

The Art Institute of California - Inland Empire

The Art Institute of California - Los Angeles

The Art Institute of California - Orange County

The Art Institute of California - Sacramento

The Art Institute of California - San Diego

The Art Institute of California - San Francisco

The Art Institute of California - Sunnyvale

Programs:
Programs may vary by location and are subject to change without notice.

Advertising

Apparel/Fashion Design

Audio Production

Computer Animation

Digital Film & Video Production

Digital Filmmaking and Video Production

Digital Photography

Fashion & Retail Management

Fashion Marketing/ Merchandising

Game Art & Design

Game Programming

Graphic Design

Interior Design

Industrial Design

Media Arts & Animation

Visual & Game Programming

Visual Effects & Motion Graphics

Web Design & Interactive Media

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