Barsamian graduated from California State University in Northridge in 2003 with a degree in Animation/Graphic Design. He then attended the Gnomon School of Visual Effects in Los Angeles, where he completed the High-End CG Certificate Program. He first joined CBS Digital in July 2005 while he was still training at the Gnomon School. He spent four months with the company, working as an animator on the TV movies Vampire Bats (featuring Tony Plana) and Category 7: The End of the World.