2D Animation Program
DIPLOMA | BACHELOR OF DIGITAL ART
Master the timeless art of 2D animation for film and games
Establish how to breathe life and personality into 2D-drawn characters, props, and environments. Build advanced skills in specialized software, Toon Boom Harmony, and gain a firm grasp of production pipelines and creative workflows. This degree will help you develop in-depth industry-specific skills to prepare you for a thriving creative career.
Why study 2D animation with us:
- Gain the creative, technical, interpersonal, and conceptual skills and knowledge needed to succeed in the industry
- Study with more flexibility (100% online)
- Create industry-level work that recruiters will notice
- Graduate in less time than a typical degree - 2 years instead of 3
- Join a global community of 4000+ students, grads, and industry artists
Master Your Skills. Master Your Future.
Our mission is to ensure graduates are the best trained and best prepared for a successful career in their chosen field.
Industry Mentors
Learn from the best! Our instructors are seasoned industry pros and bring real-world knowledge to the classroom, ensuring you're equipped with the skills that studios demand.
Outcomes
Our goal is to make you job-ready. You'll graduate with technical skills and a deep understanding of the animation industry, making you a valuable asset to any studio.
Community
Join an active community and network with peers, mentors, and industry professionals. Our strong industry connections can help you access job opportunities post-graduation.
Our film and game degrees and diplomas seamlessly blend academic excellence with practical industry methodologies to help students pave a steadfast pathway to a successful creative career.
Qualification
Diploma (AQF 5)Bachelor's Degree (AQF 7)
No. of Trimesters
Diploma - 2 trimesters Bachelor - 6 trimesters
Program Length
Diploma - 6 months
Bachelor - 2 years
Part-time study available
Delivery Mode
Online live classesCustom video lectures
Personalised mentor feedback
Course Fees
Diploma - $16, 664 USDBachelor - $49, 992 USD
Payment options available
Start Dates
The 2D Animation Major is designed to provide students with the skills and knowledge needed to become proficient in the field of 2D animation. It is tailored for those aspiring to work in animation studios or as freelance animators. The curriculum covers a range of topics including character acting, animation principles, storyboarding, and portfolio development to prepare for a career in the competitive animation industry.
Key learning outcomes include:
- Core Animation Principles: Master timing, spacing, weight, and anticipation in both traditional and digital animation.
- Action Animation & Character Acting: Animate character actions, focusing on squash and stretch, follow-through, and secondary motion.
- Production Pipelines: Understanding how assets move through stages from concept to final output.
- Specialization: Focus on mastering character animation, design, and storytelling in 2D animation.
- Portfolio Development: Creating a professional portfolio with feedback from industry mentors, including guidance on demo reels.
The program also includes career preparation through mentorship, networking opportunities, and job readiness workshops.
Scott Claus
While at Disney and DreamWorks Scott animated classics like Pocahontas, Hunchback of Notre Dame and Road to El Dorado. He later won an Oscar for best special effects for Life of Pi.
Known for Hercules
Ben Li
Known for Space Dandy
Alfredo Cassano
Alfredo is a 2D animator and storyboard artist who has worked on feature films like Klaus (Lead Animator on Jesper), Song of the Sea, The Secret of Kells, and several TV shows.
Known for Klaus
Sykosan
Sykosan is a 2D animation filmmaker with expertise covering all stages of the animation process and a unique style of modern western and Japanese influences.
Known for Katy Perry's Cry About it Later
Hubert Lapointe
Montréal-based Hubert Lapointe has worked as an animator and animation supervisor on hit shows like Rick & Morty and The Ollie and Moon Show, and as a software instructor for ToonBoom.
Known for Rick and Morty
Marcel Laurin
Marcel has animated for film, TV and video games since 2003 at studios across Canada and France including Bardel and Gameloft. He was also a Toon Boom instructor at studios and schools around the ...
Known for Go West: A Lucky Luke Adventure
Scott Sackett
Scott has been an animator and storyboard artist working on both feature and TV animation. Currently, he is working as a Supervising Director at Exceptional Minds Studios.
Known for Pinky and The Brain
Jim Richardson
Jim has worked in various animation roles on commercials, film, TV, and games, as well as teaching 2D Animation. He teaches animation online while working at CG Spectrum.
Known for Disney Junior
Todd Jacobsen
Todd is a thirty year veteran of the Hollywood 2D animation industry with extensive experience on features, TV, commercials, and theme park installations.
Known for Prince of Egypt
Richter Lewis
Known for ABC Mouse
Anna Pagliara
Known for Mulligan
Get The Education Your Deserve
"CG Spectrum seemed too good to be true. Looking back, it was the best decision.
Every mentor and staff member has been so hands-on and directly involved in my learning. Co-Directors of top box office movies and supervisors of major Netflix TV shows are giving me feedback on my projects. Students also have access to a strong community, and an awesome career class to prepare you for your dream job."
Stephanie S | 3D Modeling
"Having a mentor definitely helped! It was awesome to have someone I could reach out to when I was stuck.
Getting the weekly feedback also helped in terms of what to improve and what to focus on next. In Term 3, we learned Unreal Engine; I implemented the knowledge I gained in that course to my Advanced 3D Modeling Course to create some additional renders that demonstrated my understanding of using and integrating game-ready assets into an actual game engine.
Benjamin O | 3D Modeling
"Hands down the best decision I've made for my career.
The learning material and staff were great, and having an industry mentor was an invaluable asset that really helped me get my break in the VFX industry."
Alan R | VFX Compositing
"My experience at CG Spectrum was second to none, and taught me so much more than I initially anticipated.
My mentor took me from being barely computer literate to an animator working at a studio in only a year and a half. The information and level of teaching at CG Spectrum will absolutely not be found anywhere else."
Kieran | Animation
"The CG Spectrum training solidified my skills using Unreal Engine.
Having used it briefly before, and feeling overwhelmed by how big the range is of what you can do using the engine, the training taught me the areas I would need for virtual production very well. I now feel confident with the skills I have gained."
Simran M | Real-Time 3D & Virtual Production
"I have never experienced such an explosive evolution in my art since attending CG Spectrum.
I have learnt an incredible amount, not only from my amazing mentor Eric Wilkerson but from the entire CGS community. Being part of such an amazing program has opened my eyes to techniques that have streamlined my process and increased my confidence tenfold."
Oliver H | Concept Art & Illustration
"CG Spectrum is the perfect place to gain focus, understanding, an encouragement for your journey.
If you are looking for a supportive place to gain or hone skills in game design or other verticals, CGS is a fantastic and worthy place to dive in."
Shaul H | Game Design
"I highly recommend signing up with CG Spectrum!
I was looking for a final push to bump my skills and finally start applying for jobs as an artist. Shortly after finishing my Advanced 3D Modeling Course I landed my first job as Junior Environment Artist, which was my dream!"
Kasia P | 3D Modeling
"I got a job offer at a major feature film studio before even graduating!
Studying at CG Spectrum gave me the opportunity to network with industry artists while I was learning, and coupled with the amazing course, I was able to secure a position in the industry. Now I'm working on amazing projects in my dream job!"
Andi E | 3D Modeling
Join Our Alumni at World Class Studios
Our mission is to train highly skilled graduates ensuring they are prepared for a successful career. Take the first step towards joining our alumni at world-class studios creating work that inspires.
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