Set your career in motion.
Animation brings imagination to life. More than enchanted drawings and toy stories, digital animation has grown into a multibillion-dollar industry. Technological advancements in 3D animation and the wide usage of animated videos in manufacturing, medical, engineering, entertainment and other sectors are driving this rapidly expanding market. That means digital animators are in high demand.
Canada is recognized as a world leader in animation, video game development and visual effects. According to the Canada Media Fund, digital media is a $22 billion industry in Canada that supports more than 120,000 creative jobs, making Canada one of the foremost investment destinations for global digital media companies.
CNA’s Digital Animation program provides a pathway to success if you want to be a main player in this exciting industry. With design fundamentals, animation software tools and production techniques, you’ll learn to perform your best individually and collaboratively, creating animated films and video productions from concept to completion.
Study with us and build a professional creative portfolio that will get you a job you love.
If you can imagine it, you can create it. And we can help.
Program Highlights
- Create a final demo reel, portfolio to accompany your professional resume.
- Train in the fundamentals of drawing, design, 2D digital graphics and 2D animation.
- Explore 3D modelling, texturing, painting, lighting and animation.
- Delve into all aspects of a digital animation pipeline, including rendering and post-processing.
Did You Know?
- Canadian-based companies have created animation and effects for many box-office hits and award-nominated feature films such as Marmaduke (2022), Hotel Transylvania 2 (2015), The Adams Family (2019), and popular television series such as Trailer Park Boys: The Animated Series, and DC Superhero Girls.
- The 20 top-grossing films of all time featured high-end visual effects or computer-generated animation, and today visual effects often represent over 30 percent of a film’s production budget.1
- Digital animation professionals find work at advertising agencies and video game companies, with movies and television, in digital marketing and more.
- Graduates have showcased their work internationally at events such as the Nickel Film Festival in NL; the National Film Festival for Talented Youth in Seattle, Washington; the Kerry International Film Festival in Ireland; the Upstate NY Horror Film Festival, and the TOFUZI International Festival of Animated Arts in Georgia, among many others.
FUTURE OPPORTUNITIES
Graduates will be prepared for employment in the global communications and entertainment industry, film, broadcasting, gaming and design, as well as visualization services for the medical, engineering, simulation training, architectural and publishing fields.
OBJECTIVES
Upon successful completion of the program, graduates will be able to:
- Apply the concept of “Design” as a professional discipline and historical practice.
- Use technical skills in areas such as narrative, design, storyboarding, modeling and animation to create digital animation.
- Demonstrate appropriate work habits, attitudes and behaviors required for employment.
- Apply entrepreneurial skills to budget, resource, schedule and market animated projects.
- Create a final portfolio demonstrating industry applicable skills.
ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS
1. High School
Provincial High School Graduation Certificate with a 60% average in eight level 3000 credits or equivalent
2. Comprehensive Arts and Science (CAS) Transition
Comprehensive Arts and Science Transition Certificate
3. Adult Basic Education (ABE)
Adult Basic Education (Level III) Graduation with General College Profile (or Business-Related College Profile or Degree and Technical Profile) with an average pass mark of 60%
4. Mature Student Requirements
Applicants who do not meet the education prerequisites for this program, are 19 years at the time of application and out of school for at least one year may be considered on an individual basis under the Mature Student Requirements; for more information regarding the Mature Student Requirements please refer to
Procedure AC-102-PR Admission.
International Applicants – English Proficiency
All international applicants must meet the College’s English language proficiency requirements for acceptance into regular programs. The College will accept these recognized tests of English language proficiency (TOEFL paper based 550, TOEFL Internet based 79, TOEFL computer based 213 or equivalent, IELTS Academic Test overall band score of 6.0, or Pearson PTE 53 or greater, etc.).
If a language proficiency test other than those referenced above was used, applicants can forward for assessment.
If an international applicant has attended an educational institution (high school or post-secondary) for a period of three years or more where the official language of instruction was English, the English language proficiency test will not be required.
Note: Some programs may require specific English language requirements and proficiency scores that differ from those stated above; therefore international applicants are advised to please refer to the specific program admission requirements as identified in the College Calendar.
Note: Basic computer skills along with an ability to draw are important and considered definite assets for success in this program.