When you begin to explore your major options and then choose a college, don’t forget to explore the actual classes offered in that major. Sometimes there can be a hidden gem among the usual and basic principles associated with your major. Yes, you’ll need Introduction to Animation 101, but as a design major, would you get to take puppetry?
This January, University of Wisconsin-Stout students will embark on a great partnership with one of the most famous names in creative history: The Jim Henson Company.
The class, “Digital Puppetry Workshop and Studio Experience in LA,” is being offered for the first time as part of UW-Stout’s Winterm session.
Students will work on 3D characters, animation, digital environments and games at UW-Stout. Then, during a week in Hollywood, they will present their ideas to The Jim Henson Company to receive feedback and critiques.
The course is for students majoring in entertainment design and in game design and development-art.
“For a few weeks in January, students will experience what it is like to work with an award-winning entertainment company through a mock customer and client relationship,” said Dave Beck, assistant professor in the School of Art and Design.
In addition to working with professionals from The Jim Henson Company, students will visit several other game and film companies in the Los Angeles area, as arranged by Beck.
Though design and puppetry might not be for you, this is still a great reminder that the individual classes offered under your major should be explored at each college that has accepted you before you make your final decision. You wouldn’t want to miss out on a chance as amazing as this one!
> For more fun career and major ideas, check out NextStepU.com.
More information on UW-Stout’s art programs can be found at the School of Art and Design: www.uwstout.edu/artdes.
Pictured: A statue of Kermit the Frog greets visitors at the gates of The Jim Henson Company in Los Angeles.
