Ifyou’re looking to learn Toon Boom Harmony and pursue a career in animation, CG Spectrum is a top choice. With official Toon Boom Authorized Training Centre certification and professional animators who have worked on 2D favorites like Klaus and Rick & Morty as your mentors, you'll be able to fast-track your career and get studio-ready sooner.
Here’s a background on this powerful animation software and why choosing a Toon Boom-certified school is the key to fast-tracking your animation career.
Learn all about Toon Boom Animation
What is Toon Boom?
Toon Boom Animation Inc. is the company responsible for developing award-winning animation software including Toon Boom Harmony and Storyboard Pro.
This software is the global standard for animation and storyboarding used by major film, TV and game content creators such as Disney Television Animation, Amazon, Fox Television Animation, Nelvana, Ubisoft, Toei Animation, The SPA Studios, Xilam and Boulder Media.
Missing, a short made with Toon Boom Harmony by CG Spectrum student Joy Park.
What is Toon Boom Harmony?
Toon Boom Harmony is the most complete professional animation software being used in the 2D animation industry. Its comprehensive features include traditional paperless, cutout (both rigging and animation), as well as compositing and effects tools.
It is also a true 3D environment, which means 3D elements and multiplane camera moves can be incorporated. All of these capabilities allow artists to unleash their full creativity in creating single- or hybrid-technique projects.
“It’s amazing software,” says Mike Wiesmeier, who has been in the entertainment industry for 30 years and helped created CG Spectrum’s 2D animation courses.
"Many productions are using Toon Boom Harmony, it’s the industry leader."
"You can do everything in it besides editing. Rough animation, colouring, effects… You can animate sparks in the air, and then make them glow. It’s a node system, so it’s visually clear what you’re building."
What is Toon Boom Storyboard Pro?
Storyboard Pro is storyboarding software used to lay out stories for films, TV shows, and games. It allows creators to turn their story ideas into a structured sequence which can be integrated with Harmony. Storyboard Pro combines drawing, scripting, camera controls, animatic creation capabilities and sound.
Why is it recommended to learn Toon Boom software?
Studios all over the world are animating with it. Understanding how to use this powerful software will give you a solid skill set that can open doors in the film, television show or gaming sectors.
Mike Wiesmeier, who has worked on AAA video games, TV shows and feature films for major companies like Walt Disney Studios, Filmax Animation, Netflix, and Eidos Interactive, has also spent several years working as a Trainer for Toon Boom Animation. He's seen the rise of their software globally - from North America to Europe and across Asia.
"The use of Harmony by important studios such as Sergio Pablos Animation (creator of Klaus) is helping to drive the renaissance of traditional 2D animation," says Mike. "In the cutout animation field, Harmony has been a driver of the success of countless animation series internationally.
"If you want to see why it’s the best 2D animation software, take a look at the wide range of styles and stories you can bring to life with these tools."
What kind of animation jobs will knowing Toon Boom Harmony prepare you for?
If you take the time to learn Toon Boom properly and build a professional portfolio showcasing your work, you could apply for jobs as a 2D animator, storyboard artist, or clean up artist.
Read about each of these jobs (including key responsibilities, salaries and more) on our animation careers page
What does it mean to be a Toon Boom Authorized Training Centre?
Having worked for Toon Boom for several years, Mike understands the high standard expected of instructors who are nurturing and inspiring the next generation of storytellers.
Being a Toon Boom Authorized Training Centre means that CG Spectrum is part of a network of schools that are offering the highest level of training in tradigital (traditional paperless) and cutout animation using Toon Boom Harmony.
As one of only 16 certified schools, and the only 100% online animation school (which means you can study from anywhere in the world), this certification means CG Spectrum students can be certain they're receiving the highest quality education and learning the latest techniques used by major studios.
CG Spectrum offers a complete 2D study pathway to prepare students for careers in the entertainment industry.
Our 2D animation courses ensure students learn how to use the software (even without prior knowledge), while developing a comprehensive understanding of animation fundamentals and their real-world application in studios all over the world.
Students can then further their skills and dive into more complex exercises with the 2D Animator Specialization (which is also a great choice for artists already working in the industry who want to upgrade their skills).
By learning from CG Spectrum’s industry-tested mentors who have used Toon Boom Harmony at actual studios, students will be held to a standard of excellence that potential employers will surely recognize.
Is Toon Boom Harmony hard to learn?
As with any new software, there is an initial learning curve. But once you get the hang of the user interface and tools, you will be bringing your stories to life in no time!
The best way to learn Toon Boom Harmony is with an industry mentor who has used it in the real world on popular shows. They can show you how to create clean and efficient workflows - just as you would in an actual studio.
While self-learning through online tutorials is great if you have the time or if you’re learning animation as a hobby, if you want to pursue a career as an animator, a certified course with an industry mentor to guide you, critique your work, and answer your questions can fast-track your progress and get you job-ready sooner.
All of CG Spectrum’s mentors are industry professionals who have spent years working in the entertainment industry.
Meet some of CG Spectrum's mentors
Scott Claus
CG Spectrum’s animation department head and mentor Scott worked as 2D animator at Disney and DreamWorks on classics like Pocahontas, Hunchback of Notre Dame, Prince of Egypt and Road to El Dorado. He also has CG experience and was a supervisor on the team that won an Oscar for best special effects for Life of Pi.Read our interview with Scott.
Alfredo Cassano
Alfredo is a 2D animator and storyboard artist who worked as lead animator at The Spa Studios for the feature film Klaus in Madrid. He has worked with Cartoon Saloon, Cartoon Network, Wish Films, and Brownbag Films Manchester among other animation studios. Alfredo is currently working as a storyboard artist in Torino, Italy. See Alfredo’s Klaus animation reel.
Hubert Lapointe
Hubert’s career began as a freelance illustrator and cut-out animator at Oasis Animation in Montreal, QC. After working on TV shows such as Lucky Fred, Perrucité and Martha Speaks, he became a software instructor at Toon Boom Animation. This eye-opening experience helped him acquire an even sharper understanding of the 2D industry on the international scene. Hubert returned to production and worked on shows like The Ollie and Moon Show (Netflix), and Rick and Morty S3 (Bardel Entertainment), and the Canadian prime time children TV series Jon Le Bon.
Break Time, by CG Spectrum student Hannah Fung
Can't wait to learn Toon Boom Harmony and launch your animation career?
Fast-track your career and bring your stories to life with CG Spectrum: an official Toon Boom Authorized Training Centre with industry mentors to show you the ropes. With an industry-approved curriculum, a free student educational licence of Harmony, and live weekly Q&A calls with your mentor, you'll be equipped to launch your dream career sooner.
Nadia is a communications specialist with a background working in film and TV as a producer, researcher, and scriptwriter across North America and Australia.
