Animation – Digital Production

Program Overview

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Animation – Digital Production Program Overview

The Animation – Digital Production program is designed to equip students with the creative skills and technical tools needed to succeed in the rapidly growing animation industry. The program focuses on 3D and 2D digital animation, providing students with the skills to work in film animation, gaming, television, or advertising.

Intakes and Availability

Date	Domestic Availability	International Availability
September 2025	Open	Open

Admission Requirements

To apply to the animation program, students will need:

• Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or Mature Student Status
• Grade 12 English (C or U)
• Portfolio of work

Recommended:

• Senior-level visual arts credits

Additional Requirements:

• Submission of a portfolio of artwork to demonstrate drawing and creative abilities

Tuition

• Year one domestic: $2,722 (CAD)
• Year one international: $15,309 (CAD)

Semester 1 Courses

• 3D Animation 1 (ANMN 1100)
• 3D Modelling and Rendering 1 (ANMN 1101)
• 2D Animation 1 (ANMN 1102)
• Communication Foundations (COMM 1100)
• Pre-Production 1 (DESG 1109)
• Cinematic Arts (FILM 1100)
• Drawing Anatomy (FINE 1103)

Career Options

Graduates of the Digital Animation program can pursue various roles in the animation industry, including:

• 3D or 2D artist (animator-modeller-rigger)
• Animator
• Compositor
• Modeller and rigger
• Layout artist
• Production assistant
• Visual effects artist
• Character Animator
• Rigging Artist
• Motion Capture Artist
• Game Animator
• Lighting Artist

Program Transfer, Degree Completion and Additional Credentials

Durham College offers degree completion opportunities with several Canadian and international institutions. Sample diploma-to-degree opportunities include:

• Bachelor of Arts (Honours) – Animation and Illustration – Technological University of the Shannon: Midlands Midwest
• Bachelor of Arts (Honours) – Animation, Visual Effects and Motion Design – Munster Technological University
• Bachelor of Arts (Honours) – Animation and Motion Design – Technological University of the Shannon: Midlands Midwest
• Bachelor of Commerce (Honours) bridge – Ontario Tech University (Ontario Tech)
• Bachelor of Arts (Honours) – Educational Studies and Digital Technology – Ontario Tech
• Bachelor of Science - Technology Project Management – Davenport University
• Bachelor of Education - Technological Education – York University

Program Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the program, students will be able to:

1. Design, create and animate digital objects and characters with naturalistic and expressive movements and poses.
2. Design and create hand-drawn and/or computer-generated drawings using principles of art, design and composition, with the goal of creating digital animation.
3. Select and use appropriate tools and technologies for the development of digital animation projects.
4. Contribute to the planning, implementation and evaluation of digital animation projects.
5. Plan, develop and execute a series of effective and believable digital animation sequences.
6. Create and enhance the production of digital animation sequences and projects using a variety of principles and techniques related to cinematography and art direction.
7. Use storytelling skills to create and enhance the development and execution of animation sequences.
8. Use performance theory and skills to create and enhance animation.
9. Design and produce digital layouts using perspective, composition and colour theory to enhance visual presentation and mood of character performance animation.
10. Present and defend a visual concept to a target audience, as part project pipelines.
11. Use computer skills and appropriate digital asset management techniques to function effectively within a digital animation production pipeline.
12. Develop, assemble and present a digital 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.
13. Model and rig digital objects, characters and background elements.
14. Light and texture digital 3D objects, characters and sets using a range of appropriate tools and techniques.

Course Delivery

The program is delivered in person, on campus within a classroom, lab, shop or studio.

Costs For The Digital Animation Program

The fees below are estimates only based on information available at the time of publication, and do not include the cost of textbooks.

Residency	Canadian Citizen or Permanent Resident	International
Started Academic Year In	Fall	Winter	Spring
Animation - Digital Production Year 1 Costs
Semester 1	Tuition: $1,361.02	Program Fee: $621	Ancillary Fee: $493.77	DCSA Ancillary Fee: $430	Total: $2,905.79
Semester 2	Tuition: $1,361.02	Program Fee: $0	Ancillary Fee: $493.77	DCSA Ancillary Fee: $120	Total: $1,974.79
Animation - Digital Production Year 2 Costs
Semester 3	Tuition: $1,361.02	Program Fee: $195	Ancillary Fee: $474.19	DCSA Ancillary Fee: $430	Total: $2,460.21
Semester 4	Tuition: $1,361.02	Program Fee: $0	Ancillary Fee: $474.19	DCSA Ancillary Fee: $120	Total: $1,955.21
Animation - Digital Production Year 3 Costs
Semester 5	Tuition: $1,360.89	Program Fee: $195	Ancillary Fee: $474.19	DCSA Ancillary Fee: $430	Total: $2,460.08
Semester 6	Tuition: $1,360.89	Program Fee: $0	Ancillary Fee: $474.19	DCSA Ancillary Fee: $120	Total: $1,955.08

Program Outline

Careers:

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WHAT YOU COULD BE:

• 3D or 2D artist (animator-modeller-rigger)
• Animator
• Compositor
• Modeller and rigger
• Layout artist
• Production assistant
• Visual effects artist

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WHERE YOU COULD WORK:

• Animation studios
• Games studios
• Independent artist
• Post-production and visual effects (VFX) studios
• Pre-visualization studios
• Web studios