Animation
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Program Overview
A career in Animation takes a passion for creativity, imagination and artistic ability. Fanshawe’s two-year Animation diploma program will give you the skills you need for a dynamic, exciting career in film and game animation.
Study in the heart of London’s digital media hub, building on your classical art skills using cutting-edge, industry-standard technology and software - just like the professionals do.
international only
No
Program Details
Program Code
ANI1
Credential:
Ontario College Diploma
Duration
60 weeks
Canadian Students
Start Dates
Locations
Availability
Full Time Offerings
2025 September
London - Downtown
Open
2024 September
London - Downtown
Closed
International Students
Start Dates
Locations
Availability
Full Time Offerings
2025 September
London - Downtown
Open
2024 September
London - Downtown
Closed
Your Learning Experience
Our industry-trained and award-winning faculty will help you acquire the technical skills and practical knowledge of the technology needed for you to be graduate ready to hit the ground running in the media industry.
Through Fanshawe's collection of animation courses, you’ll learn to design, create and animate characters, objects and environments for a variety of mediums, such as video games, television, film and the web. You’ll also learn to assist in the planning and implementation stages of animation projects, to work effectively within a digital production pipeline. Become a master storyteller, as you learn to create, develop and execute animation sequences and apply performance theory to art animation.
Graduates are ready for a career in film and game animation, as an Animator, Compositor, Modeller, Rigger, Layout Artist or Production Assistant. You’ll also have created a demo reel or portfolio for employers that meet current industry expectations and highlights your creative imagination.
Upon completion of the Animation diploma program, graduates have a sound understanding of the fundamental principles of animation and production techniques through frequent and repeated practice of various exercises. They become familiar with both the creative and technical processes involved in the creation of animation and have begun to acquire the knowledge and skills needed to support the creation and animation of characters, objects and environments for use in a variety of mediums, such as video games, television, film, and web. They have developed classical art skills and are able to use animation tools as well as industry-standard technology and software. Graduates are also prepared to assist in the planning and implementation stages of animation projects within the context of their role as members of a production pipeline.
Career Information
Graduates of Fanshawe’s Animation program will find careers in the motion picture and film industry, and fields such as advertising and software publishing. Additionally, graduates will gain the skills to work freelance and enjoy greater flexibility with projects & clients.
Did you know Fanshawe consistently ranks high in graduation employment rates among large colleges in Ontario?
Here are some examples of career opportunities for graduates of Fanshawe’s Animation program:
Animator
Work with creative professionals to help produce films, video games or graphics for commercials and other forms of entertainment.
Layout Artist
Work with creative directors to design the shot frame, camera paths and angles, depth, perspective, scale, and lighting for an animated sequence.
Production Assistant
Help manage everything in the animation pipeline to ensure animation projects run smoothly but supporting departments with their requirements.
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Learning Outcomes
- Design, create and animate characters and objects using fundamental principles of animation;
- Produce hand-drawn and/or computer-generated drawings using fundamental principles of art, design and composition;
- Use a variety of tools and technologies to create, capture and animate elements;
- Participate in the planning and implementation of animation projects;
- Develop and execute believable animation sequences;
- Create animation sequences that employ basic cinematography principles;
- Use storytelling skills to create, develop and execute animation sequences;
- Apply performance theory to the creation of animation;
- Produce layouts and backgrounds with attention to composition, perspective and colour;
- Present a visual concept to a target audience;
- Use computer skills and appropriate digital asset management techniques to function effectively within a production pipeline;
- Develop, assemble and present a demo reel or portfolio in a manner that meets current industry expectations, and highlights one’s creativity, skills and proficiency with relevant animation software and related technologies.
Related Programs
Academic School
Robert Reichhardt
Admission Requirements
Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD), or equivalent, or a mature applicant.
Students who do not have a high school diploma may wish to consider taking the Academic and Career Entrance (ACE) grade 12 Equivalency Certificate.
International Admission Equivalencies
Admission equivalencies for Fanshawe depends on your country of study. Please enter your location to see the requirements for your country below.
English Language Requirements
English Language Requirements
Applicants whose first language is not English will be required to demonstrate proficiency in English by one of the following methods:
- A Grade 12 College Stream or University Stream English credit from an Ontario Secondary School, or equivalent, depending on the program's Admission Requirements
- Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) test with a minimum score of 79 for the Internet-based test (iBT), with test results within the last two years
- International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic test with an overall score of 6.0 with no score less than 5.5 in any of the four bands, with test results within the last two years. SDS Program Requirements.
- Canadian Academic English Language (CAEL) test with an overall score of 60 with no score less than 50 in any of the four bands, with test results within the last two years
- Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE) with a minimum score of 53, with test results within the last two years
- A Cambridge English Test (FCE/CAE/CPE) with an overall score on the Cambridge English Scale of 169 with no language skill less than 162, with test results within the last two years
- Fanshawe College ESL4/GAP5 students: Minimum grade of 80% in ESL4/GAP5 Level 8, 75% in ESL4/GAP5 Level 9, or 70% in ESL4/GAP5 Level 10
Recommended Academic Preparation
Recommended Academic Preparation
- Grade 12 English (C) or (U) OR Grade 12 The Writer's Craft (C) or Grade 12 Business and Technological Communications (O)
- Grade 11 or Grade 12 Communications Technology (M) OR Grade 11 Introduction to Computer Science (U) and Grade 12 Computer Science (U)
- Any Grade 11 Media Arts (M) or (O) OR Grade 12 Media Arts (M)
Recommended Personal Preparation
Recommended Personal Preparation
A basic awareness of visual arts, digital arts, motion capture and 3D programs used in the industry. Using free trial software (3D Max, Maya, Adobe Photoshop) and doing free basic online tutorials in modelling, animating, rigging.Applicant Selection Criteria
Applicant Selection Criteria
Where the number of eligible applicants exceeds the available spaces in the program, the Applicant Selection Criteria will be:- Preference for Permanent Residents of Ontario
- Receipt of Application by February 1st (After this date, Fanshawe College will consider applicants on a first-come, first-served basis until the program is full)
- Achievement in the Admission Requirements
Post-Admission Requirements
Post-Admission Requirements
Courses
| Level 1 | ||||
| Gen Ed - Take a 3 credit General Education elective course. | ||||
| Take all of the following Mandatory Courses: | ||||
| WRIT-1037 | Reason & Writing 1-Contemporary Media | 3 | ||
| This course will introduce contemporary media students to essential principles of reading, writing, and reasoning at the postsecondary level. Students will identify, summarize, analyze, and evaluate multiple short readings and write persuasive response essays to develop their vocabulary, comprehension, grammar, and critical thinking. | ||||
| MMED-1067 | Pre-Production 1 | 4 | ||
| Students will learn the fundamental skills of cinematic storytelling including shot selection, staging and storyboarding. Students will draw simple characters and environments in perspective to depict different camera angles. Basic film editing techniques will also be taught allowing students to create their own animatics. | ||||
| MMED-1068 | Motion Capture & Pipeline | 3 | ||
| This introductory course will teach the basics of Motion Capture. Students will have an opportunity to 'suit up' and record character performances as well as prop and environment interactions in a real-time production environment. | ||||
| MMED-1069 | 3D Animation 1 | 3 | ||
| The 12 principles of animation are the focus of this course. Working on simple tasks with basic rigs, students will learn core skills for 3D animation. Students will work with industry standard 3D software, learning to manipulate graph curves to create movement that follow the 12 principles. | ||||
| MMED-1070 | Digital 2D Animation 1 | 3 | ||
| Get ready to draw quickly. Using digital drawing tools and software, students will animate simple 2D characters moving and performing. Students will shoot and interpret reference, learn to read timing charts and develop the core skills needed for digital 2D animation. | ||||
| MMED-1071 | 3D Software 1 | 3 | ||
| This course will introduce basic concepts needed for creating simple characters, props and environments in digital 3D sculpting software. Students will also learn environmental layout and design for use in a real-time production environment. | ||||
Tuition Summary
London - Downtown
*Total program costs are approximate, subject to change and do not include the health and dental plan fee, bus pass fee or program general expenses.