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Video Game Art and Animation banner image Video Game Art and Animation banner image Video Game Art and Animation banner image

Video Game Art and Animation


Start Date: September


Location: Prince of Wales Campus


Length: 2 Years


Credential: Diploma, Video Game Art and Animation


Program Availability: Fall 2024 Term

Canadian Applicants: Closed

International Applicants with a Valid Study Permit: Closed

Other International Applicants: Closed



Program Availability: Fall 2025 Term

Canadian Applicants: Open

International Applicants with a Valid Study Permit: Open

Other International Applicants: Open


Get your diploma in video game art and animation


This art-based diploma program begins with the basics of art production for video games. Traditional drawing skills are taught alongside the latest software techniques.

You will examine the industry's history and look behind the scenes to see what goes into video game production. Develop the core skills needed to generate artwork using Adobe™ and Autodesk™ products, and the technical aspects required to integrate your work into the production pipeline.

The curriculum is designed to be flexible so that the program can be adjusted to suit trends in the video game industry.

This program is located in the Charlottetown Centre. 

 

Enhance your Portfolio

The Videogame Art & Animation program is designed to build upon your artistic foundation to prepare you for a career as a commercial artist. Applicants are required to submit a portfolio of their best work when they apply to the program. Review our Portfolio Requirements.

Program Learning Outcomes


Upon successful completion of the program, graduates will be able to:

  1. Design, create, and animate characters and objects using fundamental principles of animation and have a clear understanding of the animations usage in the final product.
  2. Use fundamental principles of art, design, and composition in all aspects of art and animation.
  3. Create 3D environments, objects, and characters using the most current and appropriate high-end 3D animation software.
  4. Animate characters while working within common industry restraints in game animation, and while using the most current and appropriate high-end 3D animation software.
  5. Light and texture objects, characters, and sets effectively in a variety of game styles using relevant tools and techniques.
  6. Model and rig objects, characters, and background elements.
  7. Import game elements such as characters, assets and levels into game engines using the most current and appropriate high-end 3D animation software.
  8. Develop, assemble, and present a portfolio that meets current industry expectations, and highlights one's creativity, skills, and proficiency with relevant animation software and related technologies.
  9. Perform all work in compliance with relevant statutes, regulations, legislation, industry standards and codes of ethics.
  10. Collaborate on creative projects and employ best practices in the video game and animation profession within a multidisciplinary work environment.

DEGREE PATHWAYS


This program has degree pathways, giving you the opportunity to receive credit for your Holland ¼â½ÐÊÓƵ diploma when you continue your education. For a complete list of agreements, visit the .

Partner Institution Credential Details of Agreement
, Saint John, N.B. Bachelor of Applied Management Graduates with a 70% average receive two years of credit toward a Bachelor of Applied Management degree.
  • Grade 12 or equivalent with credits at or above the general level
  • Submission of a portfolio. This portfolio will be a significant factor in determining admission to the program. Review our portfolio requirements.
  • Résumé including work and volunteer experience with applicable dates, membership in groups, associations or athletics, awards and distinctions, and any other information about yourself relevant to the program

NOTES:

2024/2025 Academic Year

Tuition, fees, and other costs are listed in Canadian dollars. International tuition includes the International Student Fee.

Students are required to start the program with their own Apple iPad and the official Apple Pencil stylus. You must ensure that your stylus is compatible with your iPad. Visit this webpage to ensure compatibility:

Fees are Course Based

1st Year

Canadian

International

Tuition $4,550 $10,550
Fees $1,403 $2,153
Other Costs $925 $925
Total $6,878 $13,628

2nd Year

Canadian

International

Tuition $4,550 $9,650
Fees $2,328 $3,078
Other Costs $100 $100
Total $6,978 $12,828
/

Canadian Cost Breakdown

Tuition & Fees

1st Year

2nd Year

Tuition $4,550 $4,550
Lab Fee $675 $1,500
Student Union $178 $178
Health Insurance Fee $470 $470
Fitness Centre Fee $80 $80
Graduation Fee $100
     Total payable to Holland ¼â½ÐÊÓƵ $5,953 $6,878
     
1st installment due first day of first semester $ 3,453 $ 3,703
2nd installment due first day of second semester $ 2,500 $ 3,175
     

Other Costs
Please note: the cost of books, materials, and supplies are included here for your information only, this amount is not payable to the college. Do not include this amount in your tuition payment.

First Year

Second Year

Books -
Materials/Supplies $100 $100
Equipment $825 -
      Total $925 $100
     
Grand Total $6,878 $6,978

 

International Cost Breakdown

Tuition & Fees

1st Year

2nd Year

Tuition* $10,550 $9,650
Lab Fee $675 $1,500
Student Union $178 $178
Health Insurance Fee $1,220 $1,220
Fitness Centre Fee $80 $80
Graduation Fee $100
     Total payable to Holland ¼â½ÐÊÓƵ $12,703 $12,728
     
1st installment due first day of first semester $10,203 $9,553
2nd installment due first day of second semester $2,500 $3,175
     

Other Costs
Please note: the cost of books, materials, and supplies are included here for your information only, this amount is not payable to the college. Do not include this amount in your tuition payment.

First Year

Second Year

Books  
Materials/Supplies $100 $100
Equipment $825 -
     Total $925 $100
     
Grand Total $13,628 $12,828

*Includes the International Student Fee.

  • Object modelers
  • Vehicle modelers
  • Character modelers and riggers
  • World builders
  • Texture mappers
  • Environment artists
  • Concept artists
  • Level designers
  • Storyboard artists
  • Animators
  • Character and prop designers

DEGREE PATHWAYS

Many Holland ¼â½ÐÊÓƵ programs have degree pathway agreements with other post-secondary institutions. You can receive credit for your Holland ¼â½ÐÊÓƵ diploma toward a university degree or other post-graduate credential, saving you time and money! Find out more on the Degree Pathways page.

Course Code

Course Name & Description

Credit Values


Course Code:SAFE-1005

PEI Occupational Health and Safety

An overview of the Occupational Health and Safety Act of Prince Edward Island. Students examine the legislation, how PEI employees are protected while on the job and the responsibilities of employees and employers.

Credit Value:0


Course Code:VGAA-1101

3D Graphics 101

Artists working in the video games and visual FX industries need a good understanding of 3D modeling techiques and strategies. In this course, students will be introduced to the core features of 3D software, using it to create a range of assets that would be found in typical video games and/or other media.

Credit Value:3


Course Code:VGAA-1102

Surfacing 101

Game engines render 3D models with an infinite number of materials and shaders. In this course, students will use 2D and 3D software to create some basic maps and materials for their models.

Credit Value:3


Course Code:VGAA-1103

Animation 101

In the video games industry, it is not just animators who need to know about animation. Anything that moves needs careful consideration during its design, development and creation. In this course, students will gain a basic understanding of some animation principles and use 3D software to bring their models to life.

Credit Value:3


Course Code:VGAA-1104

Creativity 101

Video Game Artists must possess the ability to conceive ideas and solve problems creatively. In this course students will use a sketchbook to plant the seeds of ideas and grow them into finished pieces of digital Concept Art. There will also be Figure Drawing sessions with professional models.

Credit Value:3


Course Code:VGAA-1105

Career 101

It's never too early to start planning your career as a commercial artist! In this course, students will look at the past and present of the games industry and be introduced to some basic themes of game development and design. Students will also begin to collect examples of their work, and prepare them for display.

Credit Value:3


Course Code:VGAA-1201

3D Graphics 201

In this course, students will expand their knowledge of 3D modeling, tackling complex forms and creating highly detailed game assets.

Credit Value:3


Course Code:VGAA-1202

Surfacing 201

The Surfacing 201 course develops and expands the skills covered in the previous semester. Students' knowledge of image creation and editing tools will allow them to make full sets of maps for their own library of Physically Based Rendering (PBR) shaders.

Credit Value:3


Course Code:VGAA-1203

Animation 201

Animation requires a strong foundation in methods and basic principles of animation. In this course, students hone their observational skills for general bipedal movement and manipulation within 3D space over time.

Credit Value:3


Course Code:VGAA-1204

Creativity 201

In Creativity 201, students will expand and refine their inventiveness, drawing, and digital art skills. Figure Drawing sessions will have a focus on the human face and the use of colour to represent the human form.

Credit Value:3


Course Code:VGAA-1205

Career 201

In this course, students will begin to develop a professional online presence and an awareness of how long tasks take to complete so that accurate plans can be made. There are opportunities to practice teamwork while contributing to large group projects. By the end of the semester, students will have a professional online presence with examples of work hosted on various websites.

Credit Value:3


Course Code:VGAA-2301

3D Graphics 301

Building on to skills developed in the previous courses, 301 arms students with distribution for defined features like animation, lighting, and more complex UV's. A 3D modeler must understand the difference and demonstrate how high poly models and game ready models differ in purpose and result.

Credit Value:3


Course Code:VGAA-2302

Surfacing 301

Maps for characters often have different stylistic choices, this course will focus on pursuing a variety of methods that help achieve different looks.

Credit Value:3


Course Code:VGAA-2303

Animation 301

Creating believable animations involve breaking down complex action into movements the viewer will recognize immediately. For an animation to be interpreted correctly, it requires a proper hierarchied rigged body that students will create.

Credit Value:3


Course Code:VGAA-2304

Creativity 301

Creativity grows with influence and study, through critique and review of artist styles and human anatomy, students will boost their concept art with inspiration and color.

Credit Value:3


Course Code:VGAA-2305

Career 301

Professionalism in a team setting requires good communication and interpersonal skills, project management strategies, and personal development. Students will prepare for a job working in a studio by assessing team work strategies and developing self awareness of areas to improve and how to access useful resources.

Credit Value:3


Course Code:VGAA-2401

3D Graphics 401

A 3D modeler creates geometry that accurately depicts the design and they must know how their decisions affect later stages in development. This course continues with modeling for animation and examines how choices made early on can impact the efficiency of the geometry.

Credit Value:3


Course Code:VGAA-2402

Surfacing 401

Surfacing is a speciality that takes time and this course will work with techniques that can be used to create appealing maps efficiently and effectively for games and rendering. Students will spend time building maps and examining them on different rendering platforms.

Credit Value:3


Course Code:VGAA-2403

Animation 401

In the final animation course, students will apply and expand their rigging knowledge to 2D and 3D characters. Continuing to refine the animation principles, facial expression and body language will be animated for readability and timing.

Credit Value:3


Course Code:VGAA-2404

Creativity 401

Concept art and design are building blocks for the entertainment industry and this course will expand into some scene and story telling illustration.

Credit Value:3


Course Code:VGAA-2405

Career 401

In this course, students will prepare themselves for employment as a commercial artist. By the time they graduate students will have a professional online presence and a strategy for applying for their first job. Opportunities are provided to continue to develop teamwork skills. Time is also available for specializing in areas of expertise and developing a personal style.

Credit Value:3


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Additional
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