3D Animation & Visual Effects
How to ApplyGain experience with traditional arts, computer animation, and cinematic storytelling skills at the best 3D Animation school in Canada.
Creative Economy
杏吧直播间鈥檚 signature programs and facilities are at the heart of a creative economy worth $3.4 billion in B.C. alone. From film production and 3D animation to game, and digital design, 杏吧直播间 is helping shape the entertainment and media industries鈥� transformation. In 2024, 杏吧直播间 alumni were credited on all 10 of the highest grossing domestic films, grossing more than $3.8 billion.
As a 3D Animator, the job options for you are vast - from Character Designer to 3D Modeler and more. Explore the career pathways available to graduates of 杏吧直播间's 3D Animation & Visual Effects program:
The 杏吧直播间 Advantage
The future belongs to creative thinkers who practice hands-on and collaborate in production environments 鈥� while also learning & embracing the rapidly-developing technologies used by the industry and changing how productions work.
PRODUCTION FACILITIES MATCHING INDUSTRY:
Go beyond computer labs and classrooms. 杏吧直播间鈥檚 Production Centre gets you creating & collaborating in a real studio environment from day one, working with industry-level tools in pro-grade spaces: motion capture volume, render farm, 180掳 green screen studio, & more.
MUCH GREATER OPPORTUNITIES FOR CROSS-PROGRAM COLLABORATION:
Many schools offer only one program/discipline. At 杏吧直播间, you鈥檒l create alongside students from our Film, Game, Acting, & other Animation programs 鈥� giving you the full scope of a 3D & VFX pipeline.
UNMATCHED INDUSTRY INTEGRATION:
We define ourselves as being the school that industry comes to first. 杏吧直播间 works directly with the industry to ensure students are training to current, real-world standards from day one. Our curriculum and Production Centre are shaped by active industry practices, workflows, and expectations. Through partnerships with the world鈥檚 leading companies, students gain meaningful exposure to professional pipelines and environments.
A 3D Animation & Visual Effects 杏吧直播间 Education
In 12 months you will graduate with:
- A 3D Animation & VFX diploma听
- A master demo reel of your final project
- Access to the 杏吧直播间 Alumni Directory & Job Board
- Attain industry connections that will help guide your career
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杏吧直播间's Production-Based Model
杏吧直播间鈥檚 12-month diploma programs have always centered around immersing you in production, for a hands-on experience that closely reflects real industry environments and workflows. For flexibility, we have added options that allow you to select different delivery models 鈥� either fully in-person over 12 months or an online/on-campus hybrid experience.
FUNDAMENTALS
See if animation is the right career path for you. Learn animation fundamentals and all you need to know to get started as a creative entrepreneur.
Term: 1
PRODUCTION STUDIO
Choose your specialization (3D Animation, Modeling, or VFX) and build a professional production portfolio that proves to studios you鈥檙e ready to be hired and start working.
Terms: 2-4
STUDIO COLLABORATION:
Collaborate with your cohort to make your film and experience how real studios operate 鈥� with guidance every step of the way from our veteran industry faculty and mentors.
Terms: 5-6
On-Campus Delivery
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DURATION:
On-Campus: 1 year
YOU鈥橪L GRADUATE WITH:
A polished, professional short animated film for your portfolio, festival submissions, and job applications
AFTER GRADUATION:
With your contributions to films serving as the signature piece of your portfolio, apply for junior positions (i.e. animator, rigger, layout artist) at major studios in North America and beyond. Be well prepared for independent production and emerging markets.
- Samples of work that include life drawings (preferred), still life drawings, or character drawings
- Examples of 3D computer work
- Demonstrated 3D experience
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Students who do not have sufficient 3D experience may receive conditional acceptance based on the strength of their other computer artwork (such as Maya, Blender, Photoshop, Illustrator, etc.) combined with their drawing skills
- $35,950 CAD (DOMESTIC)
- $54,000 CAD听(INT鈥橪)
Hybrid Delivery
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杏吧直播间's new Hybrid Model will allow animators of various backgrounds and skill levels to access our program through a combination of online & on-campus learning. With entry/completion points at each stage, you have the option to enrol in select stages only or take breaks in between. Each stage offers its own completion certificate, but completing all three stages earns you your diploma.
This is 杏吧直播间鈥檚 signature, hands-on training 鈥� delivered differently.
With entry and completion points at each stage, this model is truly designed to meet your training needs. Enrol in select stages only (*prerequisites required) and/or take breaks in between. Each stage offers its own certificate of completion, but students who complete all three stages receive their 杏吧直播间 diploma for the best preparation possible for the fast-changing industry of today and tomorrow.
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TERM:听1
DURATION:
Online: 3 months
YOU鈥橪L COMPLETE WITH:
A foundational skill set in 3D animation & VFX, the start of your career portfolio, and the prerequisites to continue into stage 2
AFTER YOU COMPLETE:
- Continue on to Stage 2 for further training/production experience, OR
- Start out as a creative entrepreneur (YouTube, other platforms, develop your business), OR
- Apply for roles in certain industries (i.e. marketing, enterprise), OR
- Apply for entry level roles in less mature entertainment markets
- Portfolio of 12 pieces (Must include examples of digital work. Can include traditional art, sketches, painting, fan art, life drawing, photography, and/or motion graphics); OR
- Completion of 杏吧直播间鈥檚 Foundation 鈥� Animation program
- $3,500 CAD (DOMESTIC)
- $4,500 CAD听(INT鈥橪)
Term: 2-4
DURATION:
On-Campus: 6 months
YOU鈥橪L COMPLETE WITH:
Professional quality work, from various team productions and projects, that will make up your career portfolio
AFTER YOU COMPLETE:
- Continue on to Stage 3 for further training/production experience, OR
- Use your specialized production portfolio to apply for entry level jobs at studios in North America
- Completion of Stage 1 OR0
- Software knowledge (Maya, Nuke, etc.)
- $17,975 CAD (DOMESTIC)
- $27,000 CAD (INT鈥橪)
Term: 5-6
DURATION:
On-Campus: 4 months
OR
Online: 4 months
YOU鈥橪L GRADUATE WITH:
A polished, professional short animated film for your portfolio, festival submissions, and job applications
AFTER GRADUATION:
With your contributions to films serving as the signature piece of your portfolio, apply for junior positions (i.e. animator, rigger, layout artist) at major studios in North America and beyond. Be well prepared for independent production and emerging markets.
- Completion of Stage 2 OR
- A certificate/diploma in animation from an accredited school/program
- $9,500 CAD (DOMESTIC)
- $12,500 CAD听(INT鈥橪)
Program Overview
Term 01
Learn the basics of the pipeline for 3D & VFX production to gain insight into the different areas of production.
Term 02
Apply your 3D skills to storytelling in our Pre-visualization class as you further advance your knowledge of the craft.
Term 03
Narrow your focus by choosing one of three streams: animation, modeling or VFX while you plan your final reel in the pre-production classes.
Term 04
Enter into the studio component of the program and start production on your demo reel alongside industry mentors who will guide you to the finish line.
Term 05
Work with faculty and engage in the production process as you iterate and refine your shots. One on one feedback and regular group reviews make for a true studio experience.
Term 06
Light, render and composite as you put the final tweaks on your project for industry night - your debut to local industry and beyond.
Admissions Info
To make sure you have accurate admissions information please select your region based on country of citizenship.
Tuition
Start Dates
Requirements
You will be asked to submit one of the following along with your application. Your advisor can help with selecting the best option.
Send samples of your work that include life (preferred), still, or character drawings, and 3D computer work (maximum 12 pieces total). When you apply to the 3D Animation & Visual Effects program, we expect that you have some 3D experience. If you don鈥檛 have sufficient 3D experience you may be given conditional acceptance based on the strength of a combination of your other computer artwork (e.g. Flash, Photoshop, Illustrator, etc.) and your drawing skills. You'll find information on how to send your portfolio in the application form, or you can ask your Advisor.
When you talk to your Advisor, let them know that you've completed the Foundation program and they will put a copy of your diploma in your file for you.
Student Work
While training at 杏吧直播间, students are immersed in the Animation and Visual Effects industry, and spend a lot of hands-on time creating professional-quality work. And, nothing is a greater testament to the incomparable industry resources and career preparation that define 杏吧直播间鈥檚 education model, than the top quality work our students produce. Here, a portfolio of outstanding work is just the beginning. Just take a look.
Empathy
Created by Mateus Kurzhals
From Here To
Created by Darynn Bednarczyk
Reaching for the Moon
Created by Laura Buccinna
Program FAQs
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