SCAD was named “Best Motion Graphics School” by The Rookies, annual international awards for young designers, creators, innovators and artists, in this year’s official rankings of The Best Creative Schools in the World.
Rankings given by The Rookies are based on over 1,800 submissions of portfolios and student work from more than 500 universities across the globe. A judging panel comprised of industry professionals — including Joe Letteri, Academy Award winner for Best Visual Effects in two “Lord of the Rings” movies, “Avatar” and “King Kong–” reviews each submission on the following criteria: creative skills, technical skills, presentation, variety of skills, raw talent and employment potential.
Students in SCAD’s motion media design program learn from experienced faculty who practice their craft as well as teach it to students on each of the university’s locations, from Atlanta to Hong Kong and Savannah to eLearning’s campus. Program professors often partner with some of the top names in the industry on real-world projects. These include a recent collaboration with FOX Sports for the opening visual for the Super Bowl.
SCAD president and founder Paula Wallace offered her praise for the motion media department in a statement released by the university back in March.
“This No. 1 ranking by The Rookies is testament to the career preparation that occurs at SCAD, further proof of what we hear every year from the biggest network names — CNN, Showtime, NBC and MTV — when they come to recruit our students into the next-gen motion graphics jobs,” Wallace said. “SCAD students are real-world ready.”
SCAD is the first university to have its own motion media festival, SCAD CoMotion, which is now in its eighth year. Sponsored by SCAD’s motion media professional organization, MOME Love, CoMotion features panels, portfolio reviews, networking receptions and a student work showcase for all motion media majors. CoMotion’s 2017 event attracted top industry names, including Gentleman Scholar, The Mill and loyalkaspar, whose chief creative officer Beat Baudenbacher delivered the keynote address.
Written by Emilie Kefalas.
