WOODBURY UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF MEDIA : CULTURE : DESIGN
Woodbury University’s School of Media : Culture : Design (MCD) offers a variety of exciting and dynamic degree paths designed with one goal in mind: cultivating the next generation of creative thinkers and makers.
Through seven undergraduate programs spanning a broad cross-section of disciplines, we encourage our students to explore the fluid spaces surrounding these specialties as they curate their personal vision and chart their professional path.
From our vantage point in greater Los Angeles — the creative epicenter and entertainment capital of the world — we help our students immerse themselves in hands-on learning opportunities outside the classroom. With Hollywood as their playground, students get thrilling real industry experience working in studios and computer labs. They push the limits of their imagination on our sound stage and recording studio. They immerse themselves in psychology lab research, and dive deep into virtual and augmented reality environments.
And they (quite literally) shape the future of media, culture, and design!
OF MEDIA : CULTURE : DESIGN WHERE CREATIVITY RULES
Woodbury’s Animation program has pushed me and my peers to levels we did not know we could achieve. The student body and professors are very supportive and find joy in your success.”
—MIKE ALTAWIL | ANIMATION STUDENT
A STEM designated program
Animation and visual effects are the heart of visual storytelling.
At Woodbury, you’ll learn to tell the stories you love through the development of compelling characters, props, and environments as you create your own animated film projects.
Located less than 10 miles from Hollywood — ground zero for the animation and visual effects industry — this comprehensive program offers classes taught in a studio environment where you’ll learn life drawing, visual development, 2D, 3D, stop-motion, and visual effects production methods as you prepare to succeed in a thrilling and competitive marketplace.
Highlights
– Ranked a top animation school in the west by Animation Career Review.
– Obtain invaluable internship opportunities at local studios that include Nickelodeon, Netflix Animation, Cartoon Network, Disney, DreamWorks Animation, Bix Pix Entertainment, and Skydance Animation.
Class of ’19
Prabhu came to Woodbury from a small town in southern India in pursuit of his creative goals. His senior thesis project — a short, 2D sci-fi animation film called “Space Epic” — won our MVP award for outstanding performance, and to date, has been selected into 15 different film festivals, including the KCET 2019 Fine Cut Competition. (He intends to pitch it to a studio or network someday!)
Prabhu now works as a production assistant at Netflix Animation, where he collaborates on “Ghee Happy,” an animated series created by Pixar alum Sanjay Patel.
Are you consumed by catwalk couture?
Class of ’22
Anne Cunanan’s passion for apparel design dates back to playing with transfer fashion Barbie plates as a little girl. After graduating from Woodbury, Anne leveraged networking opportunities to land her current position as a freelance assistant designer at Glendale, CA-based Estilo Filipino under designer Lou Razon. This fall, Anne got an opportunity some designers only dream of: collaborating on a show-stopping Miss USA 2022 Pageant dress. Next up? She hopes to earn a master’s degree, a job in a high-profile fashion house, and eventually design her own line to showcase at fashion weeks around the globe.
Fascinated by Fashion Week? Tuned in to textile trends?
You’ll want to immerse yourself in this dynamic hands-on BFA program in the heart of the L.A.’s bustling fashion district where you’ll learn to produce original fashion designs and unique collections in womenswear, menswear, swimwear, knitwear, activewear, or tailoring. As you wrap up your studies, your senior collections will be showcased in an authentic fashion runway show, and you’ll create a professional portfolio that will open doors to your dream job!
– Ranked among the top fashion schools in the west.
– Learn special processes like weaving, knitting, felting, embroidery, dyeing and finishing, sublimation print on fabric, laser cutting, and silk-screen printing.
– Explore shoe design, lingerie, millinery, denim, couture techniques, and costume design.
– Enjoy our hands-on Fashion Study Collection with 5,000+ garments and accessories representing 200 years of clothing history.
I interned for such great brands as Max Mara and ETRO, worked with couture designer Alexis Monsanto, and decorated dresses for the Oscars.”
SCHOOL OF MEDIA : CULTURE : DESIGN WHERE CREATIVITY RULES
I graduated with five internships at five prominent production companies.”
—FILMMAKING ALUMNUS
Lights, camera, action! From the beginning of your studies, you’ll bring your stories to life as an active filmmaker with camera in hand.
Working side by side with professional faculty nurturing your talents, you’ll study films in our screening room, shoot on our sound stage and campus, and edit your own projects. Because we believe that creators should know how to produce, and producers should know how to create, you’ll take a variety of classes in directing, cinematography, editing, sound, and screenwriting — while also exploring the business side of the industry with courses in producing, entertainment marketing, entertainment law, and career development.
– Study in the heart of Hollywood’s working media industry with a host of resources and networking connections with filmmaking professionals.
– Write, produce, direct, and edit a thesis film — which you own upon completion.
– Craft a business plan for your creative media projects through our concentration in Creative Producing.
Class of ’20
Maria Jorjezian is a prolific creative who has produced two feature films, including the horror thriller 6:45 — which has been described as “Groundhog Day meets The Sixth Sense” and debuted on Digital, Blu-ray™ and DVD in March 2022. She has also directed music videos (one of which earned the Best Love Song Music Video in the 2nd Annual California Music Video Awards), short films, and a commercial. In addition to founding and executive producing the Jorjezian Film Festival, she has recently worked as an assistant director, production designer, and stage manager, with a variety of projects in development.
Imagine it, make it, play it ... it’s your game! Learn how to design and develop video games with a degree that offers two exciting concentrations.
Game Art focuses on 2D and 3D character art, prop and environmental design, and character rigging and animation — while Game Design focuses on what makes a game “a game,” which includes ideation, gameplay development, game rules, program flow, prototyping, narrative design, and world building. You’ll work together in a cross-disciplinary team of artists and designers who are crazy mad about video games in an environment that mirrors the professional world.
Highlights
– Ranked as one of the top game programs nationally by Animation Magazine.
– Close proximity to many commercial Southern California game studios, both large and small.
By being part of a smaller community at Woodbury, I was able to have an individual impact and receive personalized attention at the classroom level.”
—GAME ART & DESIGN STUDENT
You allow for the student’s voice to be heard and for the student’s design style to be present throughout the design process.”
—GRAPHIC DESIGN ALUMNA
Form meets function meets action ... as you learn to create visual designs that influence the thoughts and behaviors of others.
In this program, you’ll study design, aesthetics, and media while developing the knowledge and skills to create projects that span everything from branding to publication and packaging, as well as web, app, and motion design. Gain both experience and networking skills, and graduate prepared for the professional design world with a strong, competitive portfolio that stands out from your peers. Choose a focus in digital media, entertainment, motion, or environmental design.
Highlights
– Ranked as one of the top graphic design programs nationally by Graphic Design USA.
– Students have won over 137 national and international design awards in logo, branding, packaging, entertainment, poster, advertising, infographic, website, and app designs — with 22 students recognized as “Graphics New Talent” and “Top Student to Watch”.
– Over 90% of graduates find employment within 2 months of graduation, and many have been placed in top design firms and entertainment agencies.
Class of ’15
Ever since she was a little girl living in Armenia, Maria Deroyan had a passion for drawing, sketching, and painting. After moving with her family to L.A., she discovered that earning a BFA at Woodbury could help her turn those pursuits into a rewarding profession.
Today, Maria holds a dream job as Art Director at Art Machine, a division of the Hollywood-based award-winning global entertainment marketing agency Trailer Park, where her team designs original art for streaming platforms like Netflix, Disney+, TUBI, VIX, and Peacock.
Scan here for more about Maria
A long-standing Woodbury Design Foundation faculty member who helped develop our Color Theory course, Jaime is also a celebrated practicing visual artist who works in a variety of mediums and forms at her Los Angeles-based namesake studio. Since earning an MFA from The Claremont Graduate University and undertaking a 5-year expatriation to Japan to study papermaking, she has created a variety of works exhibited in galleries and museums both nationally and internationally — with a major commission for the new Metro K Line opening in Los Angeles in Fall 2022.
In this era of digital transformation, we’re bombarded by thousands of moving images on a variety of screens daily, making media literacy, writing, and critical thinking skills more important than ever.
Gain essential practical skills and learn to analyze the history, theory, aesthetics, and industry of media in all its diverse forms — including cinema, TV, radio, social and digital media. You’ll also leverage a strong foundation in writing and speaking skills, and gain an introduction to the basics of digital media production as you prepare to enter a career in entertainment, public relations, management, or education.
Highlights
– Get hands-on journalism experience by working on Woodbury’s own digital magazine, 7500 — as well as broadcast experience by hosting your own show or podcast on our online radio station, WU Radio.
– Attend our ongoing film screening series featuring movies, discussion, and special guests on a rotating set of curated topics.
– Start building your professional network with our required course in career development featuring speakers from local L.A. businesses and organizations.
Scan here to learn more about JaimeLaunching Fall 2023, students who meet the requirements may opt to begin a fast track towards graduating in 3 years by taking summer courses.
I am grateful that our department has allowed me to express myself and prepare for life after college with courses such as Writing for Media, TV Writing, and Digital Journalism.”
—MEDIA
WHERE CREATIVITY RULES
My experience at Woodbury has changed my life. The education prepared me for my master’s program at USC, and the friends I made are some of the most amazing supportive people I know.
SCHOOL OF MEDIA : CULTURE : DESIGN WHERE CREATIVITY RULES
(P. S. Missing Woody’s fries!)”
—IZABELLA BAGDASARIAN ’17, MSW, ACSW PSYCHOLOGY ALUMNUS
Have you always been captivated by the complexities of human behavior? In this program, you’ll examine those nuances, from both an individual and larger social perspective, as you explore the connections between psychology and rich areas of applied interest such as popular media, social influence, and intimate relationships.
Studying with accomplished faculty and utilizing our state-of-the-art research facilities, you’ll gain a strong foundation in psychological theory and application that will prepare you for graduate school or a career working with people in diverse fields such as counseling, social work, data analysis, education, law, marketing, public health, and more.
Highlights
– Become part of a major that has one of the highest post-graduation employment rates.
– Join the 94% of students whose senior thesis projects have been accepted for presentation at national and regional psychology conferences.
– Develop into one of the 90% of our students accepted to graduate school.
Woodbury University is consistently ranked among the nation’s leading creative universities by such authorities as The Economist, U.S. News & World Report, Colleges of Distinction, Graphic Design USA, DesignIntelligence, and Animation Career Review.
WITH AN TYPICAL CLASS SIZE OF 10:1 STUDENT TO FACULTY RATIO, we offer unfiltered access to some of the most professionally accomplished educators on the planet. Located in Southern California, the global epicenter of creativity and influence, our beautiful Burbank campus rests alongside some of the most innovative and progressive companies in the world. Our mandatory internship requirement provides our students unparalleled opportunities to gain real work experience before graduation — experience that often leads to full-time employment upon graduation.
WE ALSO PRIDE OURSELVES ON OUR AFFORDABILITY and higher-than-average median salary. Visit the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard site (https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/) to see how our numbers stack up against other leading creative universities.
ACCREDITATIONS
NASAD | National Association of Schools of Art & Design
WSCUC | Senior College and University Commission
MEMBERSHIPS
AICAD | Association of Independent Colleges of Art & Design
ACSA | Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture
WHY WOODBURY?
GET STARTED AT WOODBURY.EDU/APPLY
DEAN
Jeff Bellantoni
Professor and Dean
CHAIRS
Judy Kriger
Animation + VFX
818 252 5186 | judy.kriger@woodbury.edu
Anna Leiker
Fashion Design
818 252 5127 | anna.leiker@woodbury.edu
Dr. George Larkin
Filmmaking
818 252 5161 | george.larkin@woodbury.edu
Paul Smith
Game Art & Design
818.252.5126 | GameDepartment@woodbury.edu
Behnoush McKay
Graphic Design
818 252 5290 | behnoush.mckay@woodbury.edu
Dr. Jennifer L. Peterson
Media Studies
818 252 5206 | jennifer.peterson@woodbury.edu
Dr. Joye Swan
Psychology
818 252 5151 | joye.swan@woodbury.edu
SCHOOL OF MEDIA : CULTURE : DESIGN WHERE CREATIVITY LIVES
Admissions Office
7500 N Glenoaks Blvd, Burbank, CA 91504 818 252 5221 | info@woodbury.edu