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The Hard Work of Play
Ferris' Digital Animation and Game Design program is half art, half science

Digital Animation and Game Design student Michelle Kurek studies everything from 3-D modeling to Drama in one of the few programs of its kind in the nation.

   Is watching Shrek, Toy Story or Finding Nemo considered homework? What about sitting in front of the computer playing hours and hours of video games? Well, now at Ferris State University-Grand Rapids, it just might be.
   Ferris has introduced a new program this year that blends the principles of marketing, C++ Programming and Game Design and Theory as well as much more. Digital Animation and Game Design is a bachelor’s degree program that was created after considerable consultation with animation industry experts. The program is the first of its kind in Michigan and one of only 10 throughout the country. Most of the other schools offer certificates instead of degrees.
   “We found out that there weren’t many programs in the country like this. It looked like such a great marriage between technology and art and a great opportunity for Ferris State University-Grand Rapids,” says Don Green, vice chancellor and academic dean of FSU-GR.
   Although the word “game” in the title may not imply hard work, this is a study-intensive program. The four years and 129 credits of the program will prepare students for careers in programming, animation and modeling, Internet application design, simulations, CAD and design, the film industry, and sales and marketing. And, for those hoping to break into the gaming industry, FSU-Grand Rapids had better be their first stop.
   “This industry is changing. In the past, if you could do it they would hire you, but now you have to be able to do it and have a degree. And that’s the beauty of Ferris--—you walk away with a good degree that’s going to help you get a job,” says Marty Lier, Digital Animation and Game Design program coordinator.
   The video game industry is one of the fastest-growing forms of entertainment in the United States. Video game sales are approximately $25 billion each year, surpassing music CD and box office receipts combined. But, this program isn’t just about video games.
   “If you look at the program, even though it has game design in it, that’s just one chunk of the whole degree. We have programming, CAD, 3-D modeling, we have good ol’ drama classes because our advisory board, people from Pixar and places like that, have said that they want people who can act,” says Lier.
   The chance to study all elements of animation and game design in one place seems to be working because students love the program.
   “I was up at Ferris State-Big Rapids working with programming, then I came down here getting ready to go to Kendall for the art part of it when the new program opened up. It has everything I wanted,” says Digital Animation and Game Design student Pete Lutke.
   Another student, Michelle Kurek, shares many of the same feelings. “Marty showed me a demonstration four years ago and got me interested in digital animation, so I was keeping an eye on it while I was taking Visual Basic, which is similar, but doesn’t have the focus on 3-D or digital animation,” Kurek explains. “When the Digital Animation and Game Design program became available I signed up.”
   Students aren’t the only ones who are passionate about the new program.
   “We had one dad that said if we could get his son into Disney he would take a camper down to Orlando and park it there so the boys could stay there and do an internship at Disney,” said Lier.
   Just remember, the next time you watch a digitally animated movie or pop a game into your Playstation 2, a Ferris grad could be the one who designed it.

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