2024 Orlando Faces of Tech Spotlights Ringling College of Art and Design

ED CHEETHAM

Motion Design Department Head, Ringling College of Art and Design

Ed Cheetham has worked at Ringling College of Art and Design for 21 years and has headed the Motion Design program since its inception in 2009. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Drake University and a master’s in computer animation from The Ohio State University. He is passionate about preparing the next generation of visual communicators through education, inspiration, and industry connection.

Ranked # 1

Ringling’s department of Motion Design has been ranked the #1 School in the World for Motion Graphics by The Rookies. Motion Design students have been honored with National ADDYs, Adobe Design Achievement Awards, Telly Awards, Motion Awards, D&AD cubes, Promax Spark Awards, and The Rookie of the Year Award for three out of four consecutive years. A team of Ringling Motion Designers took home first place in the international 21st Annual 24 Hours Animation Contest in 2023

A Powerful Craft

“Motion Design students learn how to craft powerful animated visual communications for any type of screen,” explains Cheetham. “Their work integrates 2D and 3D animation, VFX, stop-motion, graphic design, concept development, videography, and sound design.” Motion Design alumni go on to work with top brands and media outlets including Nickelodeon, Apple, Google, NFL, Ford, Nike, and Disney Live Entertainment.

Learn more about Professor Cheetham and Ringling College at ringling.edu/motion-design

JIM MCCAMPBELL

Computer Animation Department Head, Ringling College of Art and Design

 Jim McCampbell is the department head of the Computer Animation major, and has worked at Ringling College of Art and Design for 29 years. An award-winning educator, McCampbell is credited with transforming Ringling College into the premier training ground for computer animation, worldwide. He was named one of Variety’s Top Teachers in Film, TV and More in 2018.

Ranked # 1

Ringling’s Computer Animation program was named #1 in the world for three consecutive years and #1 in the U.S. for Production Excellence by The Rookies in 2023. A recent program alum won an EMMY, and four others received prestigious Women in Animation awards. “Taught from the perspective of storytelling through movement, the Computer Animation major focuses on teaching its students how to combine cutting-edge technical skills with conceptually unique ideas that affect an audience emotionally, visually, and intellectually,” says McCampbell.

Award-Winning

Students from the Computer Animation program have won 17 Student Academy Awards since 1998, and its alumni have worked on 45 of the 50 highest-grossing computer animated feature films of all time, including Coco, Encanto, Moana, Spider-man: Across the Spider-verse, and Zootopia. Computer Animation grads are employed at studios such as Pixar, DreamWorks, Walt Disney Feature Animation, and Cartoon Network.

Learn more about Professor McCampbell and Ringling College at ringling.edu/computer-animation