About this program
Experimental Animation
Learn the skills to bring your imagination to life in OCAD University’s new Experimental Animation program.
OCAD U has a long history of graduating successful animators in art and film including George Dunning who directed The Beatles’ Yellow Submarine and Richard Williams who was animation director for Who Framed Roger Rabbit. More recently, alumni include computer animator Trudy Elmore and emerging VR artist Jawa El Khash. Shary Boyle, who represented Canada at the Venice Biennale, has achieved great success with her mesmerizing performances using hand-animated imagery.
In this program, you’ll develop a personal artistic vision and push the boundaries of animation as a contemporary art form. You’ll mix traditional and digital media using 2D, 3D, stop-motion, digital compositing and augmented/virtual reality.
During the Experimental Animation program, you’ll have a lot of flexibility to take elective art and design courses beyond animation. The program has growing relationships with other schools around the world and many connections with Toronto’s growing animation industry. OCAD U alumni have worked at Industrial Light & Magic, Yowza, Guru, Jam-Filled, Stoopid Buddy, The Stop Motion Department, StereoD and Moment Factory, among others. The program’s full-time faculty are active practitioners in contemporary art and animation and show their work internationally.
Admission requirements
- For Ontario high school students, a minimum overall average of 70%
- Portfolio
- Statement of Intent
- Official transcripts
Additionally, for international students:
Secondary School Graduation equivalent to Grade 12 in Ontario with an overall average of B or 70% numeric equivalent in the final year and:
- If you are applying from a country or school system with English as the official language of instruction, a minimum grade of B or 70% numeric equivalent in English 12 or equivalent course is required.
- If you are applying from a country or school system with a language other than English as the official language of instruction, OR if your first language is not English and you have not completed at least four consecutive years of high school in an English-medium school system, you are required to present the successful results of an English Language Proficiency Test (ELPT).
Does this course require proof of English proficiency?
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Learn moreProgram content
First Year
You will have a ton of choices in taking different kinds of classes to get a good base for future years. A few are mandatory, such as Introduction to Experimental Animation, but the rest of your classes could include:
- Sculpture Concepts
- Form and structure
- Wearable art
- Photography
- Painting
- The Moving Image: Production I
- 3D Animation and Modelling
- Painting & Digital Imaging
- Sonic Art
- XR Playground
- Body and technology
- Printmaking
- Art and code
Second Year
In second year, you’ll start developing core storytelling and technical skills. You will be exposed to many different animation practices, approaches and theories. You’ll take Animation Reframed, a course covering the state of animation art today and a Visual Storytelling course to learn about storyboarding and building meaningful concepts. You’ll also take a Hybrid Animation Workshop to focus on expanded animation like installations, game engines and virtual/augmented reality. You can also take three animation electives of your choice, such as:
- Compositing & Digital Animation
- 3D Modelling and Animation
- Intermediate Animation
- Stop-Motion Material Mashup
- Character Design & Animation
You’ll also take a Contemporary Issues seminar and two Liberal Arts electives of your choice.
Third Year
In third year, you’ll work on a year-long project. You’ll take Advanced Animation Studio 1 and 2 to develop your personal vision, research and core media and animation skills. You’ll also have a choice of electives that could include:
- 3D Modelling & Animation 2
- Advanced 2D Character Animation
- Stop-Motion Puppet Show
- Advanced Compositing
- Sound Design
You’ll also choose an experimental learning course that will help you prepare for your career:
- Professional Practice
- Learning in the Field
- Independent Study
Fourth Year
In fourth year, you’ll take an Experimental Learning course. You could work with one of OCAD U’s many partners. Past projects have included making animations for billboards at Yonge-Dundas Square or the Metro Toronto Convention Centre, developing projections for the Toronto Youth Wind Orchestra, projection mapping animations on buildings for the City of Toronto with AVA Animation, teaching workshops or assisting professional animators at the Toronto Animated Image Society.
Everything else is up to you. You’ll be able to choose your focus and do a deep-dive on a personal, year-long project in the EXAN Thesis Course. This is a six-hour a semester course where you will work closely with your classmates and faculty to develop your vision into a final project that you will be able to show in festivals and venues around the world.
At the end of the year, you’ll showcase your work at GradEx, OCAD U’s Graduate Exhibition, the biggest free art and design exhibition in Toronto with more than 40,000 visitors.
Scholarships & funding
Scholarships through the school are available, to find out more, please contact the institute.
Program delivery
Internships & Experiential learning
OCAD U offers so much more than co-ops because creative careers take many forms. Our career services help you build a professional community, valuable experience and skills you need for a meaningful career. Get access to:
- Short experiential learning placements from among hundreds of organizations
- Creative in-class projects with real-world industry partners
- Exclusive summer internships
- Gallery exhibitions of your work
- Freelance creative opportunities
- Jobs after graduation
Tuition
Domestic Student Fees: $7,200 per academic year
International Student Fees: $27,500 per academic year
Qualification
At the end of this four-year program, you’ll earn a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree. This program focuses on experimental animation and contemporary art but many students will find careers in creative industries such as animation and gaming.
Career paths
Graduates of the program work in:
- Artistic practice
- Animation
- Mural work
- Film, video and TV production
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About this institute
OCAD University
Founded in 1876, OCAD U is dedicated to art and design education, practice and research and to knowledge and invention across a wide range of disciplines. OCAD U continuously builds on its traditional, studio-based strengths, adding new approaches to learning...
Why study at OCAD University
Founded in 1876, OCAD University has grown to encompass studies in many forms of art, design and new media. We also offer rich courses in humanities, business practice and science that will equip you with insight and inspiration. Our learning environment is hands-on, studio-based and inter¬disciplinary, offering a wide array of production facilities for both traditional and digital creation, and personal attention through small classes. Join a community of creative students who are the artists, designers, and media makers of the future. You’ll be guided and inspired by the best talent from Canada’s cultural capital, whether those are your professors or your mentors from among our many business and cultural partnerships.
Contact info
OCAD University
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