Courses may include
These are some of the courses offered in this program. It is not a complete list and courses are subject to change in advance of the academic year.
Recognizing prior learning / transfer credits
If you have previous learning (course, employment, etc...) that's relevant to your program, you may be able to apply to earn credit. Not all programs are eligible. Learn about our recognizing prior learning (RPL) process.
DATD 1002 - Sculpture
Learners will experience and create 3D forms with their hands through the process of building models with a variety of materials.
DATD 1015 - Digital Painting I
This course introduces learners to painting with digital software. A variety of tools and painting techniques will be covered, as well as some art aesthetics and design principles. Learners will discuss the merits of their paintings and how they can be improved.
DATD 1500 - Animation Production I
In this course learners will work on an animation production. The importance of setting realistic goals, creating a schedule and following it to meet deadlines will be emphasized. Strong communication skills are crucial to keep all stakeholders informed and to avoid costly mistakes.
DATD 2000 - Life Drawing II
A hands on in studio and on location life drawing course which expands the learners’ fundamental drawing skills developed in Life Drawing I, which are the foundation required to pursue a career as a 2D or 3D Animator. By working as a team to critique, mount and exhibit their work in a public exhibition space learners will develop their team and interpersonal skills, while presenting and speaking about their work in a professional manner.
DATD 2005 - Character Design
This course covers how to design characters. Learners will improve their drawings skills, constructing characters in a structural manner. There will be discussion of the animation principle of appeal, and what makes a character design appropriate for a particular story.
DATD 2010 - Structural Drawing - Anatomy II
Learners will apply and further develop the observational and visualization skills needed to accurately draw geometric forms and skeletal structures in perspective and apply to drawing human and animal forms in movement. Learners will apply structural drawing skills developed in Structural Drawing – Anatomy I to create more accurate and complex drawings. Learners will also apply their learning to Life Drawing and Animation.
DATD 2020 - Animation
This is a 2D animation course that builds on the principles of animation covered in Animation Fundamentals. New concepts will be introduced, such as anticipation, follow-through, solid drawing and staging as well as an opportunity to explore methods used by non-traditional and independent animators. Planning animation is an integral part of the creation process so learners will be encouraged to act out and analyze the actions they are going to animate in this course.
DATD 2025 - Layout
This course covers how to draw layouts. Learners will apply what they learned in Perspective and in Pre-production Design to draw progressively more complex environments. Learners will also be challenged to follow an established design style, as a layout artist would be for a real 2D animation production.
DATD 2500 - Professional Portfolio Project
In this course, learners will participate in intensive portfolio development and animation industry readiness workshops, seminars, in class projects and training. Learners will engage with faculty and industry for mentorship and feedback on the development of their career focused portfolio. Learners will engage is a series of workshops on topics related to industry preparedness.
DATD 3000 - Life Drawing III
An in studio and on location course designed to expand and focus the freehand drawing, design and visualization skills developed in the first year, as directly applied to Animation in 2D and 3D. Learners will further develop their craft of creating dynamic drawings of human and animal forms in motion, with an increased awareness of conveying emotion in their work. Learners will also engage in the process of a gallery education by critiquing and exhibiting their work.
DATD 3005 - Storyboards and Animatics
This course outlines the use of production storyboards in the story-making process. Learners will challenge their creativity by brainstorming and by rearranging storyboard panels in an attempt to generate several different story-telling options.
DATD 3010 - Animation Process I
The focus of this course is on storytelling and acting, in order to help learners with their animation projects (Character Animation or 3D Production/Rigging). The basics of story plot and structure will be covered. Learners will explore acting techniques for creating empathy and portraying emotion. They will also explore comedic and dramatic timing and delivery, conflict, status, body language and exaggeration.
DATD 3020 - Character Animation
An in-studio Digital Classical 2D Animation course designed to further develop the skills learned in Year 1, as applied to the principles of Classical Animation. Focus will be on developing a strong sense of planning, staging, action analysis, timing and acting in character animation. Learners will also directly apply learning from Life Drawing into their Classical Animation in terms of solid drawing, design and in the understanding of the dynamics of human and animal forms in motion and the expression of emotion.
DATD 3025 - Digital Layout
In this course, learners will draw layouts digitally for camera moves. These layouts will be more challenging than static layouts because of the added complexity of layers needed to create the effect of depth. Tricks for distorting artwork to achieve certain effects will also be covered. Learners will create camera moves using digital software.
DATD 3029 - Effects Animation
This course covers the basics of effects animation. Effects can be any type of animation that is not character animation, including fire, water, rain, snow, light, or lightning. Learners will observe real effects (or video reference) to determine their characteristics. Learners will use digital software to create convincing effects.
DATD 4000 - Life Drawing IV
An in studio and on location course designed to expand and focus the freehand drawing, design and visualization skills developed in the first year, as directly applied to Animation in 2D and 3D. Learners will further develop their craft of creating dynamic drawings of human and animal forms in motion, with an increased awareness of conveying emotion in their work.
Learners will also engage in the process of a gallery education by critiquing and exhibiting their work.
DATD 4010 - Animation Process II
This course will cover technical and post-production skills required to support production. Aspects of post-production such as creating and editing sound effects, music, dialogue, title/end credit creation and film editing techniques will be explored to further support the Animation Production Project or 3D Production/Motion Capture projects. Learners will use industry software to edit and export their final animation or 3D production projects.
DATD 4020 - Animation Production Project 2D Classical
An in studio Digital Classical 2D Animation course designed for learners to focus on producing one or more short animated films. Learners will bring together their learning from Animation I, Effects Animation, Character Animation, Storyboarding, Animation Process and Film Theory courses to create a project that demonstrates their technical and artistic ability to communicate in the medium of animation.
The course will be run as in a traditional Animation Production Studio, with learners producing weekly deliverables while meeting with Production Supervisor / Studio Director (Faculty) for instruction, guidance and approval of animation produced.
Learners will also directly apply learning from Life Drawing and Structural Drawing/Anatomy into their Classical Animation in terms of solid drawing, design and in the understanding of the dynamics of human and animal forms in motion and the expression of emotion.
GAME 4020 - Self-Promotion and Entrepreneurship
This course provides some of the tools and knowledge needed for self-promotion. Learners learn how to identify potential self-promotional opportunities and become familiar with various methods and techniques such as guerrilla marketing to produce cost-effective, efficient material and devices.
