Reliable Digital Animation Program Offers Sought-after Skills

There is nothing more powerful than a testimonial from someone who has attended a post-secondary program. Consider then that Bruno Amezcua trained in one of Canada’s digital animation programs at Centennial Colleges and had this to say: "When I decided to come to Centennial, I brought with me the highest expectations. Each and every expectation was exceeded. At Centennial College’s Digital Animation program, I found an amazing top-level educational and training program. My instructors are state-of-the-art professionals working and creating the coolest CG, animated series and video games in Canada. They taught what I'd need to know as a working professional in the industry, and today I'm already part of a great and successful team of digital media producers."

To expand on Bruno's glowing review, Centennial College’s Digital Animation program was established in 1966 and although it has evolved with the time, it focuses on preparing students for work in animating and creating visual effects for feature films, television shows and interactive games. A unique project-based learning experience that is well recognized within the animation and visual effects industry is executed in this offering with students obtaining life drawing, acting for animation and storyboard training. As such, classes do not exceed 15 people and students have ample opportunity to speak with instructors as they work on their projects. Additionally, students in the program have the option of practicing outside of class time thanks to access to a lab that is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Meanwhile, specific courses within the Digital Animation program include: Short Film Concept Development, Rendering and Lighting, Tracking and Roto, 3D Character Animation, Sculpting and Acting for Animation, Modeling and Rigging and many others.

This is all great practice for a Final Project Studio course that sums up everything students have learned in the previous semesters. This is the final step before students head out on their Digital Animation field placement. During the eight-week experience, students apply their knowledge and skills in a professional setting. Students must pass all courses (minimum mark of 60 per cent in each course), before they can qualify for the field placement. As a result of their time in the digital animation program and field placement, students produce a demo reel to showcase their abilities.

Those interested in applying for the Digital Animation program, are required to have finished at minimum an Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or equivalent or be 19 years of age or older. They are also required to possess compulsory English 12C or U credit or skills assessment, or equivalent. Lastly, English proficiency, a program admission session and a portfolio review are required. These portfolios may include 10 to 15 pieces such as illustration, photography, video animation, computer generated artwork, music, performance art or publishing.

Attend Centennial College’s Digital Animation Program and Get Creative

Digital Animation is essentially the art of visual storytelling. It is also a mainstay in many of today’s TV shows, commercials, movies, cartoons, and other such productions. From the dancing babies in the Evian water commercials to your favourite characters from children’s movies such as Despicable Me and Tangled, digital animation is used to enhance entertainment. If you have a creative nature and an interest in pushing the envelope, then perhaps attending one of Canada’s digital animation programs will put you on the path to success.

At Centennial College, you can study digital animation in a four-semester undertaking that results in an Ontario College Diploma. The reputable program was founded in 1996 and has helped to shape the careers of many digital animators. Within the program students participate in a wide range of digital animation courses in which they learn about TV, broadcast, game design and film animations. These classes include: Scripting, Integrated Media, Rendering and Lighting, Short Film Production, Matte Painting, Character Design and many others. While at Centennial College, students are based in the Centre for Creative Communications, which is equipped with 24-hour, 7-day a week accessible labs and workstations. In addition, students benefit from small class sizes, one-on-one time with instructors and a project-based learning approach that includes life drawing, acting for animation and storyboard training. All of these 3D modeling program aspects are designed to prepare students for a field placement. During this eight-week time period, students are able to apply their knowledge and skills in a professional setting. Students must pass all courses (minimum mark of 60 per cent in each course), before they can qualify for the field placement. As a result of their time in the digital animation program, students produce a demo reel to showcase their abilities.

Students interested in applying must present at minimum an Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or equivalent or be 19 years of age or older. They are also required to possess compulsory English 12C or U credit or skills assessment, or equivalent. Lastly, English proficiency, a program admission session and a portfolio review are required. Portfolios may include 10 to 15 pieces such as illustration, photography, video animation, computer generated artwork, music, performance art or publishing.

Once they have completed the digital animation program, students work in positions ranging from level designers for games, texture artists, visual effects supervisors, compositors and technical directors to lighters, modelers, riggers and 3D character animators. People in all of these positions must work together in order to create the finished product. Each adds an important step the digital animation process, which includes the use of computer software.

Utilize Your Art Skills to Digital Animation

From the most mind-bending parts of the Matrix series to animated heroes such as Batman, professionals in digital animation are behind some of the most eye-catching aspects seen on the big screen, online and on TV. Digital animation has come a long way and it is actually so popular it is being used to propel movies, video games and even ads into the mainstream. Now is a great time to enter this field because the industry is growing and presenting many unique job opportunities in Canada and abroad.

With the ever-changing digital animation market, competition is fierce. You’ll have to bring your most artistic creativity, which means understanding composition and having the ability to draw. Whether you’re creating computer-generated images or a storyboard, you’ll need a grasp on basic art skills. Digital animators should also know the technical side of the industry because computer generated imagery careers are becoming more technological. Various software programs must be mastered. Another important skill for today’s digital animators is the ability to tell a story. This includes having a good sense of timing and pacing and knowing how to get your characters to express themselves in a way that is credible. Lastly, digital animation is not a field in which you work by yourself. Therefore, teamwork is essential. You may have to follow or give direction, communicate clearly and make the product come together to appear as if one person created it.

Jobs in the field of digital animation vary, and include 3D character animators, lighters, modelers, riggers, level designers for games, texture artists, technical directors, compositors and visual effects supervisors. Most animators, however, complete some common tasks in a normal day’s work. For example, digital animators are involved in drawing the storyboard and creating models. They then design an animated environment that includes background, sets and objects as well as characters. The next step is to create each frame, work out the timing of movements and make sure it all meets the script and soundtrack requirements. Throughout the process, the use of computer software is incorporated.

Centennial College’s Digital Animation program has been launching the careers of digital animators since 1996. In a 14-month span you will prepare for work film, TV, broadcast and game design. The program offers a project-based learning approach that gives students 24-hour, 7-day-a-week access to labs and workstations. Small sized-classrooms and one-on-one instruction also provide students with detailed learning and the opportunity to have all their questions answered. They are also well trained in life drawing, acting for animation and storyboard training. Aside from courses such as Broadcast Design, Character Animation, and Drawing for 3D Modeling and Animation, the school provides an opportunity for a field placement so that training can be applied to the real workforce. As a result, one important outcome of the Digital Animation program is that students produce a demo reel to showcase their abilities.

In order to apply for Digital Animation at Centennial College, students must present at minimum an Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or equivalent or be 19 years of age or older. They are also required to possess compulsory English 12C or U credit or skills assessment, or equivalent. Lastly, English proficiency, a program admission session and a portfolio review are required. Your portfolio may include 10 to 15 pieces such as illustration, photography, video animation, computer generated artwork, music, performance art or publishing.