December 17, 2001 - Expression doubles in volume of students and space doubling their pleasure

EMERYVILLE, CA (December 17, 2001) --

Question:

In a downturn market, what Company has almost doubled in size, space, demand for their product and reputation in less than three years?

Answer:

The number one digital arts school in the United States, Expression College for Digital Arts, in Emeryville, California.

The Facts:

$28 million was invested to create the premiere digital arts school, Expression College for Digital Arts in Emeryville California. Opening in January of 1999, students from around the world came to experience the state-of-the-art hands on education and equipment with a student teacher ratio of 1 to 6.

The first year, 197 students attended the progressive, 14-month total immersion, digital arts school. By 2001, it had grown to 350 students while maintaining the same student teacher ratio. In a distressed job market, students achieved 96% placement at such prestigious companies as Tippet Studios, The Plant and Electronic Arts.

Space:

Growing required more space. Using 45,000 square feet of the 85,000 square foot structure designed by studio architect John Storyk (he is currently re-designing Lincoln Center), the school was busting at the seams with students, teachers and equipment. “We needed more space to accommodate the high student demand” began CEO Peter Laanen. “By not continuing the sublet of our additional 20,000 square foot space, we now have the opportunity to utilize our building to it’s full potential, while providing a comfortable educational environment.”

Reputation:

This year alone, performers like Jon Bon Jovi, Phil Lesh, Bruce Hornsby, Michele Branch, Train, BB Mack, and Bill Champlin have performed and recorded at the school. Pixar, Landor Associates, The Plant, Nokia, The Webby Awards, Dreamworks, and more have toured and sent guest speakers. Gerald Bybee, Narada Michael Walden, Phil Ramone have shown and discussed their creative work. Known for having the most advanced sound equipment in Bay Area, the Grammy’s were judged in the incredible Studer studio. Fox, ABC, Tech TV, and NBC have all shot television pieces and more are in the works. Schools from around the state have sent teachers and students to tour and establish programs.

So Expression College for Digital Arts and its graduates are not just surviving in a downturn market… they are thriving!

About Expression College for Digital Arts
Founded in 1999, Expression is a unique, fully licensed digital arts college. Expression College for Digital Arts teaches and grants Bachelor degrees in three programs: Sound Arts; Digital Visual Media (comprising 3DAnimation and Visual Effects); and Digital Graphic Design (emphasizing Broadcast Design and Motion Graphics.) Expression utilizes a professional accelerated program and students live and learn in the culture of digital arts for approximately 2.5 years. Each class is limited to a small number of students to insure excellent and hands-on learning and the student to computer ratio is one-to-one. Students are taught by and work with the best practitioners and equipment that the industry can offer. Expression’s close ties to top industry professionals provide students with real-world client projects, mentorship and internship opportunities and a top-rated career development track that has resulted in a 80+% placement rate for graduates. When graduates leave their Expression family behind, they are prepared to assume sought-after jobs in Silicon Valley, Hollywood, and other art and high technology centers around the world. Expression College is accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Career Schools and Colleges of Technology, (ACCSCT).

Expression College for Digital Arts’ campus is located in an imagination-inspiring 85,000-square-foot building, at 6601 Shellmound St. in Emeryville, Calif., just across the Bay Bridge from San Francisco. For more information, please visit Expression’s Website at: www.expression.edu.

Contact:
Karen Wertman, Director of Marketing
Expression College for Digital Arts

Expression College for Digital Arts Website
www.expression.edu