CURRICULUM: YEAR 1
2-YEAR ANIMATION CERTIFICATE PROGRAM
2D ANIMATION FUNDAMENTALS
Software: Toonboom Storyboard Pro
You will study the masters of the craft and begin animating scenes for portfolio pieces using professional voice recordings, animation software methods, studio pipelines and real director notes to professional level completion.
Semester 1
3D ANIMATION 1
Unlock a New Way to Express Yourself
Software: Autodesk Maya
If you’ve ever been captivated by the smooth, lifelike movement of your favorite animated films and games, this course is your gateway to mastering the craft. Using Autodesk Maya, the industry’s leading software, you’ll go from the basics to animating full character performances with personality and flair.
STORYBOARD 1
Fundamentals in Storytelling
Software: Toonboom Storyboard Pro
Storytelling is the heart of animation. As an artist, your job is to communicate stories visually, evoking emotions like drama, comedy, action, and suspense just as the writer and director intended. But first students need to understand the language of screen direction, timing, acting, and posing.
In this course, students will dive into the world of film techniques, acting, gag writing, and staging in basic assignments using fun characters to make cartoons.
CHARACTER DESIGN 1
The Birth of a Character and its World
Software: Adobe Photoshop, Toonboom
Character designers and visual development artists are the first to shape the animation pipeline. They are the artists who develop what the characters will look like and the style of the project.
Through a deep dive into various artistic styles and the legendary artists behind them, students will gain inspiration and refine their creative process. To give you a real-world industry edge, guest instructors from top studios like Disney, Sony, and Nickelodeon will share their professional insights, techniques, and tips for success.
STORYBOARD 2
Becoming a Filmmaker
Software: Toon Boom Storyboard Pro, Autodesk Maya
Storyboarding for feature films is a whole different world compared to TV animation!
Students learn how to use the principles and foundational work they learned in Storyboard 1 to take on more thoughtful scenes.
You'll work on weekly assignments that challenge you to storyboard key moments in comedy, action, and drama, sharpening your skills in cinematic storytelling. Expect to create standout sequences for your portfolio while learning from industry pros—some of whom might just drop in as guest instructors!
If you’re an aspiring filmmaker or storyteller, this is your dream class.
Semester 2
2D ANIMATION 2
Dynamics and Nuance
Software Toonboom Storyboard Pro
Now that you’ve built a solid foundation in drawing and posing, it’s time to bring your characters to life with dynamic, expressive animation!
Using video reference and professional techniques, you’ll develop the ability to animate characters that move gracefully and artfully. If you’ve always dreamed of being a 2D animator, this class is packed with exciting challenges that will push your skills to the next level!
3D ANIMATION 2
Facial Animation and Acting
In this advanced course, students will refine their 3D animation skills by focusing on facial animation and performance acting. Through industry standard software, students will explore the principles of expressive facial movement, lip-sync techniques, and emotional storytelling to bring characters to life. Emphasis will be placed on understanding facial anatomy, nuanced performance, and the importance of timing and subtlety in animation. Using professional workflows, students will create polished dialogue-driven animations and character performances that showcase believability and personality. This course prepares students for animation roles in film, games, and visual effects by strengthening their ability to convey emotion and intent through facial movement.
3D GAME ANIMATION 1
Software Autodesk Maya
Game animation is a whole new way of thinking compared to film animation. In this course, you’ll learn how to animate for player control, ensuring every move flows seamlessly from one action to the next. Unlike movies, where the camera is fixed, game characters need to look great from every angle—because the player is in charge of the view.
You'll have access to a variety of characters to animate, creating a portfolio-ready reel showcasing dynamic game animations. Get ready to level up your skills and bring game characters to life!
