Cañada College
Women in 3D Animation and Video
Game Art
www.womentechworld.org/canada
© 2008 – Institute for Women in Trades, Technology & Science
What Type of Work is 3D
Animation and Video Game Art ?
The work is artistic and creative,
and involves problem-solving.
Although much work is done using
computer software, basic pen and
paper drawing skills may be
required in some positions or to
develop and describe initial
concepts. The work involves team
work and collaboration with others,
and may involve long hours and
deadlines during rush periods.
© 2008 – Institute for Women in Trades, Technology & Science
Career Path
Graduates of the certificate and AA
degree programs with strong portfolios
may be hired into job titles such as:
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Video Game Tester
Photo Artist
Production Assistant
Character Animator
Modeler
© 2008 – Institute for Women in Trades, Technology & Science
Career Path
Advancement
Once graduates have proven their skills and
dedication at a company, many opportunities
for advancement exist.
Some graduates go to work for large
companies, where they can progress to jobs
with increased responsibilities and/or on to
management positions.
Many graduates in the game development field
work as independent contractors and
freelancers.
© 2008 – Institute for Women in Trades, Technology & Science
Labor Market
Approx. Starting
Salary:
Video game testers may earn $11-15 per hour; intern positions for artists may go up to
$24/hour.
Average Salary:
$60,000 - $80,000 (for experienced worker)
Average Wage
at Placement:
$40,000 - $55,000
Placement Rate:
Since this program started in 2007, several students have already been placed in
local companies such as Electronic Arts and Expresso Fitness as they continue their
studies.
Labor Market:
The entertainment field and, in particular, the video gaming industry has grown rapidly
in recent years. Two of the largest 3D animation and video gaming companies,
Electronic Arts and PDI Dreamworks, are located in Redwood City. Numerous spin off
and support companies have proliferated in the region adding to the demand for
highly qualified employees. Students with a degree or certificate who can demonstrate
their skills through a solid portfolio are highly competitive.
© 2008 – Institute for Women in Trades, Technology & Science
Industries Employing
Graduates of this Program
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Animation production companies
Video gaming companies
Educational products/software
Corporate training products
Web animation companies
Web-based application developers
Military training (“serious games”)
Television stations
Film and video production companies
© 2008 – Institute for Women in Trades, Technology & Science
Career FAQs
Are employers hiring for jobs in this area?
Yes, definitely! The entertainment field and the video
gaming industry have grown very quickly in recent years.
Employers are always looking for candidates who have a
solid portfolio and educational background. The San
Francisco Bay Area has several large companies in this
industry. Two of the largest 3D animation and video
gaming companies, Electronic Arts and PDI Dreamworks,
are right in Redwood City. Pixar Animation Studios and
LeapFrog, an interactive educational product designer,
are located in Emeryville. Dozens of spin off and support
companies have proliferated in the region adding to the
demand for highly qualified employees.
© 2008 – Institute for Women in Trades, Technology & Science
Career FAQs cont’d
Can I pursue a career in this field without a background in
technology?
Yes, you can. However, it may help to be comfortable using a
computer and to have some basic skill with a graphics software
program when you enter the program.
Will employers hire women into male-dominated technology
areas?
Absolutely! The employers in the gaming industry who serve on
our industry advisory council tell us they would like to hire more
women because of the unique perspective they bring. And the
demand for games directed toward women has increased, so
women are also needed to help meet that demand.
© 2008 – Institute for Women in Trades, Technology & Science
Course Information
 Associate of Arts (A.A.) Degree:
3D Animation and Video Game
Art
 Certificate of Proficiency: 3D
Animation and Video Game Art
© 2008 – Institute for Women in Trades, Technology & Science
Class Hours
 This program includes classes offered
during the day, evening, and occasional
Saturdays.
 Some courses are offered online.
© 2008 – Institute for Women in Trades, Technology & Science
Academic FAQ
How long will it take to complete the Gaming
program?
 The certificate program requires 34.5 units.
Some students complete the certificate
program in one year (two semesters), but
others spread out coursework over a longer
period due to family, work, and other
obligations. The AA degree requires 60
units, which can be completed in two years,
but again many students spread their
classes over a longer time period to meet
their personal needs.
© 2008 – Institute for Women in Trades, Technology & Science
Role Models
If They Can Do It So Can You!
© 2008 – Institute for Women in Trades, Technology & Science
Dani Castillo
Associate Professor, Multimedia
Employed by Cañada College
“Having a balanced and wellrounded team when developing
games or animation content is
very important. Women bring
many ideas to the table that
appeal more to other women and
give the games and stories a
greater thematic and visual
depth. Women also have a
different aesthetic perception
that can make the games
original and different from a lot
of what’s already out there.”
© 2008 – Institute for Women in Trades, Technology & Science
Dani Castillo cont’d
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In high school, Dani Castillo loved playing video games, and
she gravitated toward technology.
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In school, she had the opportunity to work on hands-on
projects with similar deliverables and expectations to those
you would have in a work environment.
Salary:
$42K - $90K
Years in Field:
15 years
City/State:
Foster City, CA
Education:
B.A. Degree in Mexico
M.A. Degree in Mass Media and Communications with a minor in
Multimedia, Cal State University, East Bay.
M.A. Degree in Interactive Design and Video Game Development,
Savannah College of Art & Design
© 2008 – Institute for Women in Trades, Technology & Science
Dani Castillo cont’d
On working with men:
Dani has found common ground with her
male co-workers through her love of video
games. “It’s easy for me to sit down and
talk with a guy about them. Keep it really
professional and talk to them just as you
would to any other co-worker. They’re
more than happy to have women working
with them.”
© 2008 – Institute for Women in Trades, Technology & Science
Women in Gaming
Organizations
 Game Girl Advance - http://www.gamegirladvance.com
Weblog and online journal that brings alternative and women’s
perspectives to videogame culture.
 Girlz of Destruction - http://www.girlzdestruct.com
International organization and competitive all-female PC gaming team
with online forums and gamers’ blogs.
 Grrl Gamer - http://www.grrlgamer.com
100% woman-made and operated gaming site with online interviews,
game reviews and message boards.
 Video Game Girl Ring - http://www.rinoa.nu/gamegirl
Ring of sites by and for fans and women who play video games.
© 2008 – Institute for Women in Trades, Technology & Science
Women in Gaming
Organizations cont’d
 Women in Animation - http://wia.animationblogspot.com
Non-profit organization with a San Francisco chapter offering scholarships, local
chapter meetings and a weblog for women in all areas of animation.
 Women in Game Development - http://www.igda.org/women
Conferences and events, mailing list and online discussion forums for women
hosted by the International Game Developers Association.
 Women in Games International - www.womeningamesinternational.org
International membership organization offering workshops, mentoring group,
career center, regional conferences and networking events to support women in
game development.
 Womengamers.com - http://www.womengamers.com
Website offering game reviews and online discussion forums for women. Also
establishes scholarship programs and offers consulting and lectures on careers
in game development.
© 2008 – Institute for Women in Trades, Technology & Science
Women in Gaming
ListServs
 Women in Game Development Forum
http://seven.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/women_dev
Unmoderated discussion forum by women professionals in the
interactive entertainment industry, from the International Game
Developers Association.
 Latinas in Computing List
http://anitaborg.org/initiatives/systers/latinas-email-list
An online community that promotes leadership and professional
development among the current and next generation of Latinas.
© 2008 – Institute for Women in Trades, Technology & Science
Cañada CalWomenTech
Website Features
Visit us at: www.WomenTechWorld.org/Canada
 Find an e-mentor
 Read real women’s success stories
 Check out news articles about women in the
field
 Find out information about the Gaming program
 See our list of women in Gaming career
associations
 Take advantage of industry articles and
listservs
 Join WomenTech Talk
© 2008 – Institute for Women in Trades, Technology & Science
WomenTechWorld.org
The on-line home for women technicians to
connect with each other. Whether you are a
Network Engineer, a Mechanic or a Sound Tech
or a female student in a tech major, you'll want
to visit WomenTechWorld.Org where you're not
alone anymore.
© 2008 – Institute for Women in Trades, Technology & Science
WomenTechWorld.org
WomenTechTalk
This listserv has more than 500 women
technicians and students participating in an
email discussion group. It serves as a source of
support and inspiration where women help each
other with questions and topics such as:
 How do I effectively handle negative
comments by classmates or coworkers so I
can focus on my class or job?
 Finding a Job in Your Male-Dominated Field
 Getting Promoted in Your Male-Dominated
Field
© 2008 – Institute for Women in Trades, Technology & Science
WomenTechWorld.org
E-Mentoring
 E-Mentors exists to connect female
students in technology/trades with
women successfully working in
male-dominated fields
 Women new to traditionally male
jobs can find guidance and support
from women who have been there
© 2008 – Institute for Women in Trades, Technology & Science
WomenTechWorld.org
E-Jobs
Connect with employers who are actively
seeking female job applicants in typically
male-dominated professions. E-Jobs
offers you:
 Free, current listings in Video Game Art and 3D
Animation
 Auto Notify, which gives you email notices when new
jobs meeting your criteria have been posted
 My Checklist feature to save your favorite job
opportunities for easy reference
© 2008 – Institute for Women in Trades, Technology & Science
CalWomenTech
Project
8 California community colleges
receive expert support and technical
assistance from the Institute for
Women in Trades, Technology &
Science to help recruit and retain
women into technology programs
where they are under-represented.
© 2008 – Institute for Women in Trades, Technology & Science
CalWomenTech
Project cont’d
 Cañada College
– Video Game Design program
 City College of San Francisco
– DHTI Program
 San Diego Mesa College
– GIS program
 El Camino College
– Air Conditioning and Refrigeration
program
© 2008 – Institute for Women in Trades, Technology & Science
CalWomenTech
Project cont’d
 Evergreen Valley College
– Hybrid-Alternative Fuel Program
 Irvine Valley College
– Electronics Technology Program
 Las Positas College
– Automotive and Welding Programs
 San Jose City College
– Facilities Maintenance Technology
Program
© 2008 – Institute for Women in Trades, Technology & Science