Click or Tap for
Recent News & Updates
filmfreeway.com
The Golden Hour Film Festival was created to give filmmakers a chance to showcase their work and talent in the beautiful Foothills of North Carolina. The fou...Unlock your creative potential in VFX production media design
and through WPCC’s Digital Effects and
Animation Technology Program
Western Piedmont Community College’s Digital Effects and Animation Technology program prepares our students to compete in the high-skills market of motion graphic design and animation. Courses in the degree target up-to-date technologies and practices that help our graduates obtain careers in the fast-paced field of production media.
Our faculty and staff are committed to offering quality instruction and resources to students in both our New Media programs. Our programs are uniquly positioned to offer skillsets that will benefit graduates who seek remote contract services that require graphics media development.

WPCC’s Studio Facilities
Students in our Digital Effects and Animation Technology have access to state-of-the-art production facilities in which to practice their skills. Students have access to a wide assortment of production recording equipment, studio facilities and cross platform computer labs outfitted with current production software and rendering stations.

Program Costs, Graduation & Job Placement
Estimated Total Cost
for A.A.S. Degree
Tuition & Fees: $5,427
Total Book Costs: $514.77
Total subscription for the Adobe Creative Suite over two years
(if attending remote or needing software at home): $478.00
Estimated cost for home computer station with webcam
if attending remote offerings: $2000.00
Graduation Rates
A.A.S. – 50%
Job Placement
Kevin Kiser Graduated Simulation and Game Development Spring 2021
CVCC Virtual Reality Maintenance and Instructor for Basic Skills Program Industrial Timber, LLC –
The Smart Play Research And Development Specialist-3D Content Creator
Keyera Logan Graduated Digital Effects and Animation Technology Fall 2021
Spring 2021-Marketing Coordinator for EJ Victor
Jacob Cox Completed Film and Video Production Certificate in Spring 2022
Production Animator (Contracted Services) for Catawba County Chapter for
League of Women Voters Currently still contracted through October 2022
Additional Requirements for Licensure,
Certification or Approval
N/A
So where can I work?
If you graduate with an Associate in Applied Science Degree or a Certificate in Digital Effects & Animation Technology at WPCC, you will be prepared for jobs such as:
- Motion or Broadcast Designer
- Special Effects Artist
- Video Animator
- Revisualization Artist
- Film Title Designer
- Concept Designer
- Special Effects Artist
Positions are available in a variety of industries, including film, broadcast, internet, advertising, corporate, and educational organizations. Freelance opportunities are also available for graduates.
Statistics from ONET Online suggest that the salary (median to high) range for multimedia artists and animators in North Carolina is from $59,180 to $91,050 per year.
In addition, the WPCC Digital Effects & Animation Technology program provides opportunities for transfer to area four-year colleges and universities to complete bachelor’s degrees in related fields of study.
What You Will Study
The Digital Effects & Animation Technology program at WPCC offers you three options:

Associate in Applied Science Degree

Digital Design & Motion Graphics Certificate

Film & Video Production Certificate
Fall Curriculum Classes for Entering Students
- DEA 111-Introduction to Digital Effects and Animation Technology
- DEA 221-DEAT Modeling I
- ART 171 Digital Design 1
- ART 131 Drawing 1 or ART 121 Design 1
Registration for Summer and Fall Semester 2022 will begin April 4. If you need assistance with advisement or registration, please contact Jonathan Crumpler by email at jcrumpler@wpcc.edu or by phone at 828 448 3544.
If you are new to WPCC, please visit our New Students page for details on enrolling. Returning students can consult the Semester Guide for information. Full details on the courses (meeting days/times, instructor, etc.) is available on our Class Schedules page.
Spring Curriculum Classes
- DEA 112-2D Design and Animation 1
- DEA 213-3D Design and Animation 1
- DEA 231-Implementation Project 2
- DEA 240-Portfolio Review
- FVP 238-Software Apps for FVP
- FVP 227-Multimedia Production
- WEB 140-Web Development Tools
Registration for Spring Semester
If you are new to WPCC, please visit our Spring Semester page for details on enrolling. Returning students can consult the Semester Guide for information. Full details on the courses (meeting days/times, instructor, etc.) is available on our Class Schedules page.
Get More Information
Like more information about WPCC’s Digital Effects and Animation program? Tell us more about yourself and we’ll be in touch.
Find Your Way at WPCC!