Classical Animation
DIPLOMA | 12 MONTHS | FULL TIME | ON CAMPUS
Master traditional hand-drawn animation, from fundamentals to a finished short film in one intensive year, graduating with a professional demo reel, portfolio, and production-ready skills.
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Program Overview
Duration:
12 months (6 terms, full-time)
Location:
Vancouver, Canada (Campus)
Credential:
Diploma, Classical Animation
Grad Deliverable:
Original animated short film with demo reel/portfolio
Core Tools:
Toon Boom Harmony, Adobe Animate, Photoshop, Maya, ZBrush
What You’ll Graduate With:
Production-ready 2D animation skills, along with a powerful multi-piece production portfolio
Start Dates:
Multiple intakes per year
Tuition:
Domestic students: C$25,950
International students: C$31,000
Career Paths:
2D Animator, Storyboard Artist, Character Designer, Layout/Background Artist, 2D FX Animator, Ink & Paint, Compositing
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START YOUR TRAINING
Program Focus Areas
From Sketch to Screen – Classical Animation Production Training
The program covers the full 2D animation pipeline:
- Drawing fundamentals and anatomy
- Character animation and acting
- Storyboarding and layout
- Background design
- Effects animation
- Digital ink & paint and compositing
- Editing and sound integration
- Portfolio and professional preparation
Students progress from hand-drawn exercises to producing an original short film and demo reel.
Explore Student Portfolios
While training at ÐÓ°ÉÖ±²¥¼ä, students are immersed in the Animation industry and experience hands-on, studio-based 2D animation training, creating professional-quality work. And, nothing is a greater testament to the incomparable industry resources and career preparation that define ÐÓ°ÉÖ±²¥¼ä’s education model, than the top quality work our students produce. Here, a portfolio of outstanding work is just the beginning. Just take a look. Ìý
What You’ll Learn
- 12 Principles of Animation
- Keys, breakdowns, and in-betweens
- Timing, squash and stretch, anticipation, overlap
- Clean-up techniques and production procedures
- Life drawing and anatomy
- Perspective and spatial drawing
- Composition and staging
- Gesture and movement analysis
- Model sheets and construction
- Character proportions and personality
- Expression sheets and poses
- Consistency for production use
- Storyboard creation and animatics
- Camera work, staging, and continuity
- Directing action and performance
- Blueprint for production
- Scene planning and environment design
- Multi-level scenes and perspective
- Establishing shots, pans, and staging
- Animating natural elements: fire, water, smoke, explosions
- Physical laws of motion in environment animation
- Lip sync and performance
- Emotional expression through motion
- Body mechanics and character acting
- Scanning and cleanup workflows
- Digital colouring and compositing
- Camera moves and scene planning in software
- Leica reels and film assembly
- Sound integration with dialogue
- Final rendering and presentation
- Resume and cover letter preparation
- Industry awareness
- Interview readiness
- Portfolio presentation standards
SPEAK WITH A ÐÓ°ÉÖ±²¥¼ä ADVISOR TODAY
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Career Outcomes After Graduation
Vancouver Film School’s signature, hands-on training starts from day 1. By the time you graduate, you’ll have developed an industry-ready skill set that will prepare you for a variety of careers:
- 2D Animator
- Storyboard Artist
- Character Designer
- Layout/Background Artist
- 2D FX Animator
- Ink & Paint
- Compositing
Faculty
Vancouver Film School’s Faculty consists of the most highly trained professionals in the creative industries. While our full-time instructors provide more one-on-one time with students than other film schools, our part-time instructors are pulled right from the heart of the industry, equipped with the most current, relevant industry experience and credits.
Course Content
- Animation Fundamentals
- Character Design 1
- Composition
- Perspective
- Life Drawing
- History of Animation
- Career Prep
Outcome: Understand core animation principles, drawing fundamentals, and basic character design.
- Animation 2
- Background Design
- Character Design 2
- Effects Animation 1
- Storyboarding 1
- Layout
Outcome: Design environments, animate character movement, and create storyboards and layouts.
- Animation 3
- Assisting Animation
- Colour Theory
- Effects Animation 2
- Storyboarding 2
- Final Film Concept
Outcome: Refine timing, staging, and storytelling while developing the concept for your final film.
TERM 4
Final Film Production Begins
- Animation 4 (dialogue acting)
- Final Film Project (pre-production and animation)
- Layout recap
- Premiere (editing tools)
- Sound Breakdown
Outcome: Your short film moves into full production with dialogue animation and scene planning.
- Digital Ink and Paint (Toon Boom Opus)
Outcome: Convert drawings into finished digital animation using industry-standard tools.
- 2D Digital Animation
- Portfolio Preparation and Review
- Sound Collaboration
- Maya Intro
- Photoshop Sessions
Outcome: Complete your animated film, assemble a professional portfolio, and prepare for employment.
SPEAK WITH A ÐÓ°ÉÖ±²¥¼ä ADVISOR TODAY
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Program Delivery
ON-CAMPUS
Our 1 year, fully in-person production-based experience, preparing you for the industry’s current practices and technologies.
ÐÓ°ÉÖ±²¥¼ä’s School of Animation Production Centre is located at 151 W. Cordova Street in Vancouver, BC, Canada. Our state-of-the-art facilities include a 64,000 cubic ft. motion capture volume, a 180-degree green screen room, a render farm, and much more.
Portfolio Outcomes
Your Portfolio by Graduation
Every piece demonstrates your ability to contribute to a professional animation pipeline.
Book a 1-on-1 Portfolio Review
Have you ever wondered about your true creative potential? Book a review to get valuable insight into your creative work and find out if you’ve got what it takes to go to ÐÓ°ÉÖ±²¥¼ä.
Find Out MoreAdmissions
ÐÓ°ÉÖ±²¥¼ä Advisors are here to answer any questions about the applications process, help you book a tour, or set you up for a free portfolio review with our industry faculty.
How to Apply Refund Policy Contact an Advisor
For more information about language requirements and other information for international students, visit the International Students page.
Tuition
On-Campus Delivery
Domestic: $25,950 CAD
International: $31,000 CAD
Start Dates: Aug. 31
Requirements
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- A visual art portfolio of your work, including samples of your work (still-life drawings, life drawings, and character sketches; maximum 12 pieces), OR
- Completion of ÐÓ°ÉÖ±²¥¼ä’s Foundation – Animation OR Foundation Visual Art & Design programs
Program FAQ
Classical Animation focuses on hand-drawn techniques taught in a 2D animation program, while 3D Animation uses digital models and CGI workflows. Both are offered at an animation school, but this animation program is centered on traditional pipelines and visual storytelling.
Yes, most animation school applicants submit 6-12 pieces of artwork showing drawing ability, such as life drawings or character sketches. If you’re not ready, a preparatory 2D animation course can help you build the skills needed for admission to a 2D animation school.
This 2D animation program teaches industry tools used across studios, including Toon Boom Harmony, Adobe Animate, and Photoshop, alongside exposure to tools like Maya and ZBrush. These are integrated throughout the 2D animation course to support both traditional and digital workflows.
Graduates of this 2D animation program from a leading animation school can pursue roles such as 2D Animator, Storyboard Artist, or Character Designer. The training also supports specialized paths through a character animation course approach embedded in the curriculum.
This 2D animation school integrates career preparation directly into the 2D animation program, including portfolio development, mentorship, and networking opportunities that reflect real studio expectations.
Yes, international students are welcome at this animation school, with support provided throughout the admissions process and transition into the 2D animation program in Vancouver.
Tuition for this 2D animation program is $25,950 CAD for domestic students and $31,000 CAD for international students. As a leading 2D animation school, ÐÓ°ÉÖ±²¥¼ä offers an intensive, production-focused education within a 12-month timeline.
Yes. 2D animation remains in demand across streaming, television, and games. Studios continue to hire graduates from top 2D animation schools, especially those with strong portfolios developed through a hands-on 2D animation course.
To begin a 2D animation program, you typically need a strong foundation in drawing and storytelling. A traditional animation course or beginner 2D animation course can help you build the portfolio required for admission to a 2D animation school.
This 2D animation program covers the full pipeline, including drawing, storyboarding, layout, and performance. Structured like a professional character animation course, it prepares you for studio workflows while building a portfolio at a leading animation school.
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