3D Animation

Learn 3D Animation from Industry Pros

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Course Duration

18 Months

Program Delivery

On Campus

FAQs

Answering your questions

Earn Your Diploma in 3D Animation

College for Arts and Technology’s Diploma in 3D Animation is an in-depth, career-focused program packed with the 3D animation training needed to get you working in this expanding industry! Taught over 18 months by working animation professionals, you’ll get the industry connections and in-demand skills to jump into your career in the 3D animation industry.

This hands-on program covers the key skills you’ll need to get noticed and hired, including:

  • Character animation processes and principles
  • Studio workflow etiquette
  • Animation speed and development drills
  • Acting and Character development
  • Mocap clean-up and game engine implementation
  • Creature/animal animation (body mechanics and acting)
  • Foundational skills in traditional drawing and animation
  • History and cultural significance of the animation industry
  • Life Drawing (Including human and animal mechanics)
  • Storyboarding
  • Demo reel creation
  • Industry standard software including Autodesk Maya

Our Grads Power the

Arts & Tech Economy

CAT’s creative and technical programs are directly connected to a creative sector that makes a $6 Billion contribution to the British Columbia economy every year. Graduates from our 2D and 3D animation, filmmaking, graphic design, audio engineering and other programs are among the over 120,000 skilled arts and tech workers employed provincially in this vibrant, constantly growing ‘creative economy’. Over the years, hundreds of CAT animation graduates have made their mark on the industry, contributing their skills and creativity to numerous award-winning projects. Industry accolades include five Oscar-winning works and over 40 movies, TV shows and games that have garnered Emmys, BAFTAs, and Game Awards including Game of Thrones, Fortnite and Spider-Man: No Way Home just to name a few!

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Start Your 3D Animation Career

Animate Your Future

You want the best 3D animation courses.

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01

Industry Connections

Animation industry professionals as your Instructors and mentors.

02

Let’s Get You Working!

Well-rounded, focused curriculum to get you successfully working as quickly as possible.

03

Degree Pathway Options

Established pathways with BCIT and University of Gloucestershire to further your education after graduation.

04

Top Tech

Latest technology, facilities and equipment in a dedicated animation lab classroom.

Here’s How You’ll Build Your 3D Animation Skills

Q1
You will be introduced to the practical skills and knowledge that are proven fundamentals of 3D animation, therefore laying the foundation for your entire 18-month program. This will be achieved through the introduction of Autodesk Maya that will be used consistently throughout your program and aid in the creation of, what will be, a regular end of Quarter demo reel. By the end you will display introductory knowledge/skill in the 6 basics of CG; modeling, texturing, rigging, lighting and rendering; Your introduction to the principles of animation is through traditional methods. In addition, traditional drawing as it relates to drawing the human form and perspective drawing and an introduction to the history and overall industry operations and trends that aid students in their motivation and knowledge around this career choice.
Q2
You will be introduced to the CG tools and pipeline of animating in Maya. The animation principles you were introduced to and how they translate to a CG medium will be a major focus of this as well. Parallel to this you will continue doing more advanced animation through traditional methods, while also continuing to study the human form/movement through life drawing studies and developing your visual storytelling and camera/film language skills through the art form of storyboarding.
Q3
You will continue to focus on animating in Maya through a more advanced study of body mechanics and an introduction to pantomime acting. Your traditional animation training will be complemented by introducing ToonBoom Harmony as a means of creating breadth and depth in your overall employability. Studies of the animal/human form/movement will continue, and 3D Layout will allow students to translate their visual storytelling and camera/film language skills from two-dimensional drawings into a CG medium.
Q4
CG animation training continues in Maya as acting to dialogue is introduced as your main focus. Complimenting this will be studied in acting for animation through film performance and genres. To further increase breadth and depth in your employability and understanding of organic movement and mechanics, creature animation will be studied along with the continuation of human/animal analysis through life drawing methods.
Q5
This quarter you will mainly focus on creating material for your final graduation portfolio and demo reel through more advanced CG animation studies of acting to dialogue and an introduction to animation specifically for gaming. Aspects of this training are now more self-directed with instructors taking on an increased mentoring role. Professional attitudes, studio practices, production schedules and networking are emphasized to a greater degree and put under more scrutiny, in addition to getting you prepped for this type of career.
Q6
Your final quarter is all about getting it done to the highest level. This is the culmination of all your hard work. Polishing your animation, creating a professional demo reel/portfolio site, job searching, networking and meeting the graduation criteria is your focus.

Quarter Descriptions

What our grads are saying...

Animation Degree Pathways

Our Post-Graduation Pathways

Our graduates boast exceptional employment stats, so a degree is not necessary to secure a career in 3D Animation. However, should you wish to further your animation education after graduation from our program, we have established pathways with BCIT and University of Gloucestershire. For more information, book a time to speak with one of our Program Advisors or check out our Pathways page.

Finance Options