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3D Animator Specialization

Advanced online 3D animation course to prepare you for a career in film and games

Overview

Get Industry-Ready and Take the First Step Toward Becoming a 3D Animator

Learn from seasoned professionals and gain the skills and confidence to thrive in the competitive world of 3D animation. Through expert guidance, you'll develop industry-relevant skills, master essential tools like Maya, and graduate with a standout portfolio that showcases your talent to employers.

Why study 3D animation with us:

  • Master In-Demand Studio Skills: Learn techniques studios actively seek.
  • Learn Studio Workflows: Gain speed, efficiency, and precision by learning advanced techniques and professional workflows used in top studios.
  • Career-Focused Training: Receive additional career support and practical job-skills development.
  • Personalized Learning Options: Choose between 1-on-1 mentorship or small group classes tailored to your needs.

Take your animation skills to the next level with our advanced training. You'll dive deep into complex character and creature animation, refine your techniques, and create compelling scenes that captivate your audience. 

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Our Difference

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.

badge_mentor_bronze 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.  
badge_mastery_bronze 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.  
badge_community_bronze 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.  
Course Information

Everything You Need To Know

Quick Overview
Course Structure
What You'll Learn
Tuition & Payment
certificate-bronze-03 Qualification Industry certificate  
trimesters-bronze-02 Study Load

20hrs/week

 
calendar-bronze Program Length

9 months

 
online-bronze-01 Delivery Mode Online live classes
Custom video lectures
Personalised mentor feedback
 
tuition-bronze-01 Skill Level

Intermediate to advanced
Completion of 3D Animation Foundations or portfolio submission

 
start-date-bronze-02 Start Dates
January 6, 2025 February 3, 2025 March 3, 2025
 

Your pathway to the film and games industry

The 9-month Specialization Course is the second half of our Career Track, preparing you for your first day in the industry. Your future awaits!

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Want to take your education higher?

Did you know that the subjects you complete in the career track courses can be used to apply for credit toward our accredited degrees and diplomas in the same discipline? 

The skills and knowledge you build in any industry-certificate course can be transferred into academic credits through our Advanced Standing and Credit Transfer process. So, if you decide to take your studies to the next level, know that your prior learning will be recognized.

Compare your options and find out which course is right for you.

Term 1: 12 weeks

Advanced Character Acting

Learn how to get two characters interacting in a fun and realistic way. Discover how to analyze dialogue, shoot reference video and set up scenes using professional workflows. Watch your animation come alive as you apply your new knowledge of shot composition, cinematography, layering, acting beats and body mechanics to your scene.

What You'll Learn
  • How to animate a two-person dialogue shot
  • Use editorial tricks to develop story
  • Work with timing and spacing to enhance story
  • Focus on detail to polish your work
Weekly Breakdown
  1. Advanced Character Acting Overview
  2. Comedy Scene 01: Planning & Keys
  3. Comedy Scene 02: Breakdowns
  4. Comedy Scene 03: In-betweens
  5. Action Scene 01: Setup & Keying
  6. Action Scene 02: Breakdowns
  7. Action Scene 03: Polish Pass
  8. Multi-character Scene 01: Setup & Keying
  9. Multi-character Scene 02: Breakdowns
  10. Multi-character Scene 03: Overlap & Follow-through
  11. Multi-character Scene 04: Polish Pass
  12. Character Acting: Review & Final Pass
Term 2: 12 weeks

Creature Animation

Expand your versatility as an artist with creature animation. From quadruped walks, runs and jumps, to animating winged creatures, you’ll gain a solid understanding of creature animation, and have a great time breathing life into your creatures.

What You'll Learn
  • How to animate 4-legged creatures
  • Create believable movement
  • Source the best reference
  • Polish your portfolio piece
Weekly Breakdown
  1. Quadruped Walk - Research
  2. Quadruped Walk - Inbetweens and Splining
  3. Quadruped Walk - Polishing
  4. Quadruped Run - Research and Reference
  5. Quadruped Run - Inbetweens and Splining
  6. Dragon Flight Part 01: The Rig
  7. Dragon Flight Part 02: Keys and Breakdowns
  8. Dragon Flight Part 03: Polish Pass
  9. Creature Confrontation Part 01: Introduction and Keys
  10. Creature Confrontation Part 02: Keys and Breakdowns
  11. Creature Confrontation Part 03: Polish Pass and Conclusion
  12. Creature Animation: Final Thoughts
Term 3: 12 weeks

Mentored Studio: 3D Animation

This final term is dedicated to getting you job-ready! With your mentor’s guidance, you’ll polish your best pieces for your portfolio and learn how to develop your competitive edge, market yourself, and make the best possible impression in front of employers.

Students in this course receive additional 1-on-1 career support, portfolio reviews, and industry insights from CG Spectrum's Career Development Manager.

What You'll Learn
  • How to polish your portfolio to impress employers
  • Interview and negotiation strategies
  • Effective networking and self-promotion
  • Accessing the hidden job market 
Weekly Breakdown
  1. Career Pathways
  2. Industry Overview
  3. Portfolio Upgrade
  4. Networking and Online Presence
  5. Resume and Cover Letter
  6. Job Hunting
  7. Freelance Work
  8. Interviews and Pitching
  9. Personal Projects and Challenges
  10. Working in a Studio
  11. Contracts and Negotiations
  12. Personal Roadblocks

Download the Course Guide

Your creative journey begins here! Download our comprehensive course guide and discover the exciting educational opportunities that await you.
Monthly
Upfront
SAVE 10%

Group Class

$1,222 USD/mo
$9,999 USD
CG Spectrum’s small group classes provide an ideal learning environment for aspiring artists to grow their skills and connect with peers. With a maximum of 4 students per class, the intimate setting ensures personalized attention from experienced industry mentors.

  4 students max class size

  Students are assigned mentor

  Group interaction & collaboration

Private 1:1

$1,711 USD/mo
$13,999 USD
Learning 1-on-1 with CG Spectrum provides personalized guidance from industry experts, tailored feedback, and flexible scheduling. This focused approach helps students master skills, build competitive portfolios, and prepare for careers in games, film, and animation.

  Private dedicated mentor

  Students choose their mentor


  More dedicated time per week

Don't Put Your Future On Hold

Financing shouldn't stand in the way of pursuing your dream career. No matter where you are in your creative learning journey, our financing options have been designed with you in mind.
Mentors

Learn Directly From Film & Game Mentors

To be the best, it helps to learn from the best. All 3D modeling classes are taught by professional 3D modelers with years of experience.

Student Testimonials

Get The Education Your Deserve

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"I’d take the course again if I could!

I can’t praise CG Spectrum enough for the quality of teaching and dedication to their students. Mark was by far the best mentor I’ve ever had. He really took the time to help design the course around what it is that I wanted to get out of it. I’ve studied other animation courses in the past, but none even come close to the depth and speed of development as CG Spectrum."

 

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Ned C  |  3D Animation

 
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"One of the best decisions I've ever made for my career.

I've learned and grown so much throughout this program and I loved the resources in the CG Spectrum community, such as finding new job opportunities and meeting other students and mentors. I took advantage of everything CG Spectrum had to offer and as a result, I landed my dream job at my dream company (Dreamworks). Thank you CG Spectrum!"

 

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Tiffany L  |  3D Animation

 
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"To better understand the industry, I enrolled at CG Spectrum.

There I was able to create a demo reel and build connections with professionals that ultimately led me to my first opportunity as an animator at Sony Imageworks. I have to give a HUGE shout-out to CG Spectrum’s Career Development Manager. She was the person who guided me through the entire application process. I honestly believe I would not have gotten this opportunity without her help."

 

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Jasmeet S  |  3D Animation

 
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"I learned more in 9 months than other students do in 2 years.

The level of education I have received is unlike any other school I've come across. What separates CG Spectrum from other schools is that the mentors are not only talented professionals in their own right, but they also care about your success as an artist both in school and after you graduate. CG Spectrum is incredible, I cannot recommend it enough."

 

David-Jon-Nelson 
David N |  3D Animation

 
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"Getting access to industry mentors is huge.

There's a world of information out there, but nothing compared to talking to someone in the know. CG Spectrum was one of those places. I really liked the 1-on-1 format. It was the first time I had an experienced animator open my scene file. It was what I needed to get over some technical hurdles."

 

Kyle Dahl 
Kyle D  |  3D Animation

 
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"CG Spectrum has been an instrumental part of my growth.

CG Spectrum has helped me sharpen my skills, acquire new ones and strengthen my character animation abilities. This is an invaluable experience for anyone looking to take their skills to the next level."

 

phil-minter 
Phil M |  3D Animation

 
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"The career program was invaluable!

I knew changing careers would have included things such as resumes, applications, networking, etc. The biggest thing I needed to understand was the nuances of the animation industry, etiquette for approaching recruiters, and what type of roles there were. These sessions really helped guide me, and explained how to approach my showreel and the subsequent application processes."

 

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James B  |  3D Animation

 
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"It's been extremely helpful for my portfolio and my confidence as an artist!

I've learned so much about not only animation, but the thought process an artist goes through when creating a piece."

 

shravani-kulkarni 
Shravani K |  3D Animation

 
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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.

FAQ's

Questions? We Have Answers

What are the prerequisites for this 3D Animator Specialization?

This course requires the successful completion of the 3D Animation Foundations career track or a portfolio submission demonstrating professional experience and an accompanying reel/resume. 

If submitting a portfolio, it should include:

1) A demonstrated understanding of the 12 Principles of Animation.  3-5 pieces that showcase work that provides evidence of an understanding of the basic animation 'rules.'  

2) A demonstrated understanding of general aesthetics and design.  Evidence you have an understanding of how to compose images and present actions clearly and in an artistically pleasing way.

3) Examples of completion of basic animation exercises covered in beginner courses.  Show proof of abilities to create a basic bouncing ball, flour sack, walk/run cycle, weight and timing, make basic acting choices and be able to turn key poses into fully-realized, fluid animation work. 

4) The ability to show some sense of entertainment value in your work. More than just a basic understanding, your work should showcase some flair and a sense of confidence in your general understanding of timing, motion and performance in basic animation exercises. 

5) A body of work (1-3 pieces at least) that show a range of skills you currently possess.  There should be enough examples in your body of work for us to make an assessment of where you are currently at and where you might be going.  

If you are unsure if your skills are sufficient, send us your portfolio when you apply, and we'll arrange for the department head to review it and, depending on the circumstances, a student interview.

Age Minimum
T
he general minimum age to be able to enroll in our industry certificate courses is 16. We require parent or guardian consent during the enrollment process for applicants under 18.

Students under 16 will require a further assessment before they can officially enrol. This may include an interview with a course advisor and the creation of a study plan to ensure they have considered how they will manage a college-level workload.

English Proficiency
We expect our students to have a good understanding of written and spoken English. There’s no specific ’level'; however, you must be able to understand video tutorials in English (no subtitles) and speak with your mentor in English during your live Q&A session.

Computer Literacy
To be successful in this program, you will need basic computer skills and a computer that meets the minimum specifications (see next question).

What are the software and hardware requirements?

Software:

Students can sign up for an educational license for Maya.

Instructions for how to obtain an educational license for this software will be provided upon enrollment.

Hardware:

You will need a dedicated graphics card and a computer that meets the minimum requirements for Autodesk Maya

What's the difference between the 3D Animation Foundations course and this Specialization course?

This 3D Animator Specialization builds upon the skills offered in the 3D Animation Foundations course and completes our career track offering. Students who are serious about pursuing a career in animation have an opportunity to explore the world of animation art more deeply, study character acting more intensely, and progress further with creature animation.

The Specialization course also offers an entire term dedicated to getting students career-ready. This includes building necessary job skills while working on your professional portfolio, with support and feedback from your mentor every step of the way.

What 3D animation careers can I explore post-graduation?

On completion of the 3D Animator Specialization course, you will have greater confidence in your technical and creative abilities and a polished portfolio to show prospective employers.

You will also have access to our career coach and personalized career services (including interview preparation, CV/resume assistance, and portfolio reviews), which can assist your efforts when applying for junior 3D animator jobs such as:

The CG Spectrum community is another great resource. Through graduates and mentors already working in the industry, you can network and learn about relevant job vacancies. 

Discover more about these 3D animator jobs, tips, and salary expectations on our careers page:

Will taking this specialization guarantee employment?

While CG Spectrum's advanced students have a high job success rate, we cannot offer guaranteed employment as the film and game industry is competitive, and there is no way of knowing what the market will demand when it comes to animation.

The students who experience the greatest success are those who take responsibility for their careers, put in the hard work to raise their skills to industry standards, leverage their mentor's invaluable expertise, and take advantage of every opportunity to excel.

Taking an advanced 3D animation class not only keeps students focused while they grow as artists and build their portfolios, but it also increases their social scope as they make more contacts with more time and work, a key component in securing a job. 

To help students find employment, we have a range of career services and a dedicated career coach who regularly hosts exclusive career-focused webinars, Q&As, artist interviews, and workshops for CG Spectrum students and graduates and is available to answer career-related questions.

The Specialization course also dedicates a full term to career and industry preparation. With your mentor's guidance, you'll refine your professional portfolio, build essential job skills, and learn how to market yourself.

If you have any questions about our career services as they relate to your personal career goals, please don't hesitate to get in touch.

I have been working in animation and feel my work is strong—is a specialized class worth my time?

As with any venture, it will be what you make of it! The best animators are constantly growing, evolving, and learning new skill sets. 

A specialized 3D animator course is an excellent way to sharpen one’s skills, open doors to exciting new methods and practices, refine your showreel, and continue to grow and network as an artist and member of the animation community.

The benefit of doing the 3D Animator Specialization at CG Spectrum is receiving mentorship from an industry professional who can share their workflows and techniques with you. If you choose the 1-on-1 private mentorship option, there is also some flexibility to customize the program to meet your particular needs and career goals.

You can also get additional support from our career coach if you are looking to take the next step in your career, whether that be a promotion or switching your specialization.

Discover More

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