Ignite your imagination: Learn to animate in 2D and 3D

Do you dream of working in the animated film, television, or gaming industry? Your drawing and storytelling skills will come alive as we help you develop your drawing and storytelling skills through the 12 principles of animation. With regular access to industry-standard software and hardware in our 13,900-square-foot studio, you’ll apply traditional techniques to 2D and 3D animation and gain a basic understanding of the animation process. 

When you graduate, you can use your portfolio to jump into the field as an animation generalist, or continue your education and join the final year of Cambrian College’s three-year advanced diploma Animation program where you can specialize in either 2D or 3D animation.

Program highlights

  • Develop dynamic storytelling, drawing, design, and animation skills

  • Graduate with a production-ready portfolio  

  • Toon Boom Centre of Excellence program

  • Opportunity to showcase your work to industry representatives on a field trip to Toronto

  • Grads can enter directly into the third year of Cambrian’s Animation advanced diploma program

Program of study for 2024-25 Academic Year

Plan of Study Grid
Semester 1Credits
ANI 1130 Life Drawing 4
ANI 1131 Drawing for Animation 4
ANI 1132 Intro to Animation Principles 4
ANI 1133 Intro to Drawing and Painting 2
ANI 1134 Digital Tools 2
ANI 1135 Visual Language 2
COM 1001 Art and Design Communication 3
 Credits21
Semester 2
ANI 2130 Life Drawing II 3
ANI 2131 Introduction to Design 2
ANI 2132 Body Mechanics 3
ANI 2133 Drawing and Painting 2
ANI 2134 Intro to 3D 3
ANI 2135 Intro to 2D Rigging 3
ANI 2136 Story Concepts 2
One General Education Course. 1 3
 Credits21
Semester 3
ANI 3130 Life Drawing III 3
ANI 3131 Development and Design 2
ANI 3132 Action Analysis 4
ANI 3133 3D Animation I 3
ANI 3134 Layout I 2
ANI 3135 Story and Visual Narrative 2
ANI 3136 Intro to Modelling 2
One General Education Course. 1 3
 Credits21
Semester 4
ANI 4130 Life Drawing IV 3
ANI 4131 Character Design 2
ANI 4132 Acting for Animation 4
ANI 4133 3D Animation II 3
ANI 4134 Layout II 2
ANI 4135 Story and Visual Narrative II 2
ANI 4136 Portfolio Development 2
One General Education Course. 1 3
 Credits21
 Total Credits84
1

For more information regarding General Education courses, click here.

Admissions requirements

For graduates of the new curriculum (OSS): Ontario Secondary School Diploma (30 credits) or equivalent or mature student status including:

  •     Any grade 12 English (C) or (U)
  •     Submission of a portfolio (see additional admission requirements)

Additional admission requirements

Portfolio requirements

In order to be accepted for admission in Cambrian College’s Animation Program, students are required to submit a portfolio.  All entries should be submitted on 8 1/2" x 11" paper (no original artwork) and should include the following elements:

Life Studies

Two (2) drawings are from life, either a human model or an animal.  The drawings should reflect an attempt to understand:

  • structure and anatomy
  • proportion
  • perspective
  • mass and volume
  • visual appeal and rhythm
  • balance

One (1) drawing of the artist’s hand and forearm that shows and understanding of the above elements.  The drawing can be loose.

Character Study

Design a character and draw this character in a variety of poses (minimum of 5 poses).  Each pose should show a different emotion.  It is important to think about the character as an actor.  Students should pay close attention to the following:

  • structure and solid 3D construction 
  • perspective
  • mass and volume
  • appeal
  • continuity of model (is it the same character in each pose?) 

Perspective Study

One (1) drawing of a room in your home.  This drawing should showcase knowledge of the following:

  • perspective
  • depth and 3D space
  • proportion
  • visual appeal

This drawing should be a clean line drawing.

Personal Work

Six (6) to ten (10) pieces that reflect your style and skill.  These can be drawings and paintings.  If you would like you can show a mix of classical and digital art.

Submission Process

Please mail your portfolio to the following address: 

James Munro
c/o Cambrian College
1400 Barrydowne Road
Sudbury, ON, Canada
P3A 3V8

Portfolios can also be submitted digitally to the following email address: james.munro@cambriancollege.ca

Remember, presentation says a lot about who you are and your work ethic.  Good luck!

Recommended:

  • Grade 11 or 12 credits in visual arts and/or media arts (M) or (O)

Program delivery

2024-2025

Fall Term Start

SEMESTER 1:  Fall 2024
SEMESTER 2:  Winter 2025
SEMESTER 3:  Fall 2025
SEMESTER 4:  Winter 2026

Winter Term Start

SEMESTER 1:  Winter 2025
SEMESTER 2:  Spring 2025
SEMESTER 3:  Fall 2025
SEMESTER 4:  Winter 2026

Specific program pathway

If you are a graduate of this program, you may continue your studies at a college or university and you may receive credit(s) for your prior college education. Refer to Cambrian’s college and university agreement details for further information.

Graduate options

  • Animator
  • Character designer
  • Concept artist
  • Background artist/painter
  • Storyboard artist 

Please note: Cambrian College strives to ensure the accuracy of the information on this website. Please note that the academic curriculum is continually reviewed and revised to ensure that Cambrian's programs and courses remain relevant. The College reserves the right to cancel or make changes to any course or program, fee, procedure, or campus location at any time.