RCC Hosts Inaugural Digital Art & Animation Convention, Inspiring Creativity and Cultural Representation

Can you imagine what happens when educators, industry professionals, and aspiring artists come together for a day of creativity and inspiration? That’s exactly what unfolded at the 2024 Digital Art & Animation Convention, where over 150 participants gathered to explore the latest in animation technology, learn from top industry leaders, and dive into hands-on experiences that brought digital art to life. Hosted at Riverside City College (RCC), the event was a game-changer for students looking to break into the world of animation and digital media.

RCC Animation Showcase Director and Art Faculty Will Kim welcomed everyone, followed by RCC President Claire Oliveros, who stressed the importance of diversity in animation, noting how vital it is to see more Indigenous, Hispanic, and Southeast Asian voices shaping the future of the field.

Attendees jumped right into an interactive open lab, where they could try out digital animation and drawing tools, thanks to the event’s sponsor, MSI Computer Corp. RCC’s Art & Art History students helped guide the way, giving attendees a firsthand look at how the pros work.

One of the day’s biggest highlights was the panel discussion on “Careers in Animation, Gaming, and Digital Art,” moderated by animation curator Sharon Wu. The panel featured heavy hitters like Netflix’s Maya and the Three executive producer and lead story artist Jeff Ranjo, veteran Disney animator Casey Coffey, and digital artist Lauren Lehmann.

Ranjo’s story as a Filipino-American working on projects like Maya and the Three really struck a chord with students, especially those from underrepresented communities. Many pointed to his personal journey as inspiring, showing that there’s room for diverse voices in the world of animation.

Coffey took the audience through his time at Disney during its golden years, and Lehmann shared her career path, which has adapted to the ever-changing demands of the digital art world. The panel fielded questions from students about career options, technical skills, and the realities of working in the fast-paced animation industry.

Tony Rizo, RCC’s Multi-Media Graphic Artist/Web Technician, summed up the excitement: “I am so lucky. Professor Will Kim had a panel of animators from Disney and Terrible Posture Games. Listening to their passion about their professional work as well as their personal work is so very inspiring. Love my job at RCC!”

The convention wrapped up with more interactive sessions and a reception, allowing attendees to network with industry professionals. The day was a huge success, giving participants a clear window into the future of digital art and animation while celebrating the creativity and culture driving the field forward.

Stay tuned—this won’t be the last time RCC brings the animation industry to campus!