Otis College of Art and Design announced that Ron Bernard has stepped into the role of chair of animation at the College, effective from July 2022, after receiving overwhelming support from the community for his presentation on his background in animation and visual effects and his vision for the newly-formed program.
Bernard’s appointment to the newly-created role follows the college’s restructuring of the digital media program into separate game design and animation BFA degrees while continuing the existing emphasis on motion design. These changes respond to the dynamism and expansion of the digital media and entertainment design industries in recent years. “Ron’s diverse and expansive experiences will enrich Otis College, just as we know that his calm, collegial manner will allow him to quickly form bonds within our community,” said Otis College provost Lee Isbara.
Bernard’s background in education and production is instrumental in his ability to lead the new animation program at Otis College. Within the animation industry, he has served in VFX roles as project manager, head of production, and as virtual production coordinator at places such as Red Dragon Animation in Beijing, China, and James Cameron’s Lightstorm Entertainment. In education, he has been a professor of visual effects at Savannah College of Art and Design, where he also received his MFA, before expanding into roles such as academic manager of the
department of digital effects, as well as manager of international relations and development at Nanyang Polytechnic in Singapore, and academic director of Base Academy/dean of base camp for Base FX, headquartered in Beijing.
Bernard says, “I am ecstatically excited to join Otis College of Art and Design. I truly feel that here I can synergize my unique experiences, perspectives, and expertise in education.”
The new BFA in animation will be offered to Otis College students starting with the 2022-2023 academic year; the formal accreditation approval is pending.
