Overview
The 2D Animation concentration is an option of the Digital Animation diploma program. You start this concentration in the second term of your first year.
This concentration develops advanced skills in life drawing, structural drawing, anatomy and perspective, which you apply to your animation artwork.
You learn how to animate a digitally hand-drawn character using the twelve principles of animation so that the character moves in a convincing manner and expresses emotion. You also have the opportunity to create special effects and experimental animation.
As you combine all these skills and develop an understanding of the production pipeline, you graduate with a top-quality animation portfolio.
Explore a day in the life of a student
See how 2D digital animation grad Shaun spends his day as he prepares for and attends Convocation 2023 as his campus valedictorian. Watch Shaun’s video or read his #DayInTheLife blog post
Tuition
Tuition amounts are for the 2023-24 academic year. Program costs and fees (textbooks, supplies, etc.) are additional.
Tuition (Domestic):
$3,620
Tuition (International):
$11,690
Tuition, fees and program costs
In addition to annual tuition, there are program costs (books, tools, etc.) and student fees for College services, health and dental plans, your student association and parking.
View detailed program fees page(s). Please note that amounts on these pages are meant for planning purposes only. They don't represent final amounts owing.
Courses may include
These are some of the courses offered in this program. It is not a complete list and courses are subject to change in advance of the academic year.
Recognizing prior learning / transfer credits
If you have previous learning (course, employment, etc...) that's relevant to your program, you may be able to apply to earn credit. Not all programs are eligible. Learn about our recognizing prior learning (RPL) process.
DATD 1002 - Sculpture
Learners will experience and create 3D forms with their hands through the process of building models with a variety of materials.
DATD 1015 - Digital Painting I
This course introduces learners to painting with digital software. A variety of tools and painting techniques will be covered, as well as some art aesthetics and design principles. Learners will discuss the merits of their paintings and how they can be improved.
DATD 2000 - Life Drawing II
A hands on in studio and on location life drawing course which expands the learners’ fundamental drawing skills developed in Life Drawing I, which are the foundation required to pursue a career as a 2D or 3D Animator. By working as a team to critique, mount and exhibit their work in a public exhibition space learners will develop their team and interpersonal skills, while presenting and speaking about their work in a professional manner.
DATD 2020 - Animation
This is a 2D animation course that builds on the principles of animation covered in Animation Fundamentals. New concepts will be introduced, such as anticipation, follow-through, solid drawing and staging as well as an opportunity to explore methods used by non-traditional and independent animators. Planning animation is an integral part of the creation process so learners will be encouraged to act out and analyze the actions they are going to animate in this course.
DATD 2025 - Layout
This course covers how to draw layouts. Learners will apply what they learned in Perspective and in Pre-production Design to draw progressively more complex environments. Learners will also be challenged to follow an established design style, as a layout artist would be for a real 2D animation production.
DATD 3000 - Life Drawing III
An in studio and on location course designed to expand and focus the freehand drawing, design and visualization skills developed in the first year, as directly applied to Animation in 2D and 3D. Learners will further develop their craft of creating dynamic drawings of human and animal forms in motion, with an increased awareness of conveying emotion in their work. Learners will also engage in the process of a gallery education by critiquing and exhibiting their work.
DATD 3020 - Character Animation
An in-studio Digital Classical 2D Animation course designed to further develop the skills learned in Year 1, as applied to the principles of Classical Animation. Focus will be on developing a strong sense of planning, staging, action analysis, timing and acting in character animation. Learners will also directly apply learning from Life Drawing into their Classical Animation in terms of solid drawing, design and in the understanding of the dynamics of human and animal forms in motion and the expression of emotion.
DATD 3025 - Digital Layout
In this course, learners will draw layouts digitally for camera moves. These layouts will be more challenging than static layouts because of the added complexity of layers needed to create the effect of depth. Tricks for distorting artwork to achieve certain effects will also be covered. Learners will create camera moves using digital software.
DATD 3029 - Effects Animation
This course covers the basics of effects animation. Effects can be any type of animation that is not character animation, including fire, water, rain, snow, light, or lightning. Learners will observe real effects (or video reference) to determine their characteristics. Learners will use digital software to create convincing effects.
DATD 4000 - Life Drawing IV
An in studio and on location course designed to expand and focus the freehand drawing, design and visualization skills developed in the first year, as directly applied to Animation in 2D and 3D. Learners will further develop their craft of creating dynamic drawings of human and animal forms in motion, with an increased awareness of conveying emotion in their work.
Learners will also engage in the process of a gallery education by critiquing and exhibiting their work.
Digital Animation DA-2D prescribed elective requirement. In addition to their required courses, as a requirement of graduation, learners must complete 1.5 credits (DATD3330, DATD3500)
