Animation (ANIM)

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 2025-26 Academic Year

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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

2025-2026

Fall term start

SEMESTER 1:  Fall 2025
SEMESTER 2:  Winter 2026
SEMESTER 3:  Fall 2026
SEMESTER 4:  Winter 2027

Winter term start

SEMESTER 1:  Winter 2026
SEMESTER 2:  Spring 2026
SEMESTER 3:  Fall 2026
SEMESTER 4:  Winter 2027

Graduate options

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