2D Animation
Bachelor of 2D Animation CRICOS 109414F. Diploma of 2D Animation CRICOS 109417C.
Good 2D animation combines the craft of creative drawing, character-building, landscape construction, storytelling, and human gesture and emotion articulation. We guide you to really hone your skills throughout the 2D animation process in areas such as drawing, character development, character animation, story and directing. Join us and become adept at traditional skills, using cutting-edge tech tools, computer software and animation software as you build your industry-grade portfolio.
Student work: ‘Fractus Mundi’ by Aaron Wilkinson, Alessandro Scanu, Gracelyn ‘Bonnie’ Holmes and Ema Blaskovic.
Bachelor Of 2D Animation
AIT is well-known for unique specialist 2D Animation courses, with our grads going on to work for some of the biggest Australian and global production houses; just having AIT on your CV puts you ahead of the competition.
Diploma of 2D Animation
Unlock your creativity and bring animations to life with a Diploma of 2D Animation course at AIT. Learn the technical skills required to accelerate your animation career, guided by industry professionals, using high quality industry standard equipment.
How to apply
Here at AIT, we care about your creativity, not your ATAR. If you’re a domestic student, then you can apply directly to AIT or via UAC and VTAC. If you’re an international student, then our registered agent partners can help you to organise everything you’ll need for your AIT application and your application to study in Australia.
Find out exactly what studying at AIT will cost, with our transparent list of student fees plus learn more about the generous scholarships for both international and domestic students.
Course Outcomes
- Animator
- FX Animator
- Storyboard Artist
- Concept Artist
- Script Writer
- Motion Graphics Animator
- Animation Layout Artist
- Animation Background Artist
- Animation Production Manager
- Independent Animated Filmmaker
- Toon Boom Harmony
- Toon Boom Storyboard Pro
- Adobe Photoshop
- Adobe Premiere Pro
- Adobe After Effects
- Celtx
- Pitch creation
- Scriptwriting
- Scheduling/Production Management
- Storyboarding
- Character Posing
- Perspective
- Colour Harmony
- Character and Location Artwork Creation
- Digital Hand-drawn Animation
- 2D Puppet Animation
- Sound Design
- Motion Graphics
- Editing
- Production
- Character concept designs showing evolution and working to a brief
- Character turnaround artwork ready for production
- Location concept artwork demonstrating evolution and working to a brief
- Script and treatment samples demonstrating development of an idea, conveying a message and following industry protocols
- Background Layouts demonstrating understanding of perspective, depth, composition and camera angle
- Finished Background artwork demonstrating colour harmony and composition
- Storyboard Artwork demonstrating sequential storytelling and construction of a narrative
- Animation samples demonstrating motion graphics applications, character performance and dialogue, creature action, and use of a 2D rig
- A short animated film of your own creation working from a brief
- A short animated film created as a team working from a brief.
Industry-ready 2D Animation graduates
Skills That Matter
Industry-specific professional skills embedded within each subject during your 2D Animation studies. Key employability skills build progressively throughout the program as you develop complex professional capabilities; e.g. first read and understand a brief, then later present completed projects to a panel of 2D Animation industry experts.
Professional Portfolio-building
You’ll learn animation techniques to complete real world animation project-based assessments that you can include in your professional portfolio on graduation. Your diverse 2D animation portfolio will set you apart! You’ll have the opportunity to follow your own creative visions as well as follow set client briefs
Career support
We have dedicated staff with robust industry knowledge ready to help you plan your 2D animation career, guide you in the future direction of tech, help with your CV, level up your social media presence or where to find work.
Our Student Work
Operation: Recess
James Dickson, Tiffany Kho, Crystal Thurley & Vy V Dinh Ngoc
Halloweenies
Nariese Lovenfosse, Isabella Evans & Ashley Thompson
Insectum Noctis
Claire Lloyd
The Call of Caelum
Natasha Perrett, Dominique Eichenberger, James Dickson, Tony Phan, Isaac Biala and Joshua Romero
Iron Knight
Talish McKenzie
Social Surfer
Chole Lambley, Jack Nicholls, Jeremy Abood & Hai Nam Phung
Read our Student Testimonials
“I am so glad that I chose the right school – AIT. AIT gives me support and direction. For an overseas student, the learning environment of AIT allows me to quickly adapt to the Australian environment and atmosphere. I found that at AIT, effort and hard work is never overlooked, and your work is always honoured and respected.”
“AIT has provided exceptional support and tolls to pursue my passion successfully, and I am proud and confident to be a woman in STEM.”
“AIT has been one of the best experiences for me, I was able to learn all about the fundamentals in 3D and even became an Enrolment Advisor for AIT. If you are looking for a place that provides great opportunities with a close-knit environment, then AIT is the way to go. ”
“Interesting courses in a well-formed subject table, it's so cool having teachers that actually work in the industry as well!”
Bachelor Course Industry-Ready Inclusions
The third and final year of all AIT courses will focus strongly on the fundamentals of preparing you for employment in the creative industry of your choice.
We’ll teach you what the industry is looking for and guide you in every aspect of transitioning from study to the workforce. We’ll ensure you’re equipped with the right soft skills, practical skills and practical experience you’ll need to succeed.
We’ll also provide opportunities for you to showcase your work to AIT’s industry connections and teach you how to pitch and present in a professional working environment.
Image reference: Student Excursion
Our Learning Design Team
The basis of everything that happens in the tech and interactive media world is design – and it’s the same with education. When we built your 2D animation course, we ensured we had the best designers on the job. That is why we have done what so few providers have done; we have invested in an in-house Learning Design team, a group of highly qualified educators and designers, making your 2D animation course content engaging, accurate, current, intuitive and enjoyable.
Studying should feel seamless, and your focus should be on what you want to learn, not the tech functionality. We make sure this is apparent when you invest in AIT for your learning.
Want to learn more about our educators?
Frequently Asked Questions
Entry Requirements vary for domestic and International students: a full list can be seen here: https://ait.edu.au/apply
For Domestic applicants for Diplomas & Bachelors in Games Design, 2D Animation, 3D Animation and Film need to have:
Successfully completed an Australian Senior Certificate of Education or equivalent, i.e. International Baccalaureate, or higher qualification; OR
Successfully completed a Certificate IV, VET Diploma or Higher Education Diploma (or higher) in a related field.
NB: You are not required to have an ATAR ranking for entry into the above Bachelor or Diploma courses.
You can check out the full list of course content lessions here: https://ait.edu.au/courses/2d-animation/bachelor-of-2d-animation. By the end of the 2D Animation Bachelors course you’ll master technical skills including:
Pitch creation
Scriptwriting
Scheduling/Production Management
Storyboarding
Character Posing
Perspective
Colour Harmony
Character and Location Artwork Creation
Digital Hand-drawn Animation
2D Puppet Animation
Sound Design
Motion Graphics
Editing, and Production.
Confidently our 2D animation students will be able to use industry level software, including:
Toon Boom Harmony
Toon Boom Storyboard Pro
Adobe Photoshop
Adobe Premiere Pro
Adobe After Effects
Celtx
AIT integrates professional experiences, mentorships, and project-based learning into the curriculum, ensuring students gain industry-relevant skills and connections. Your final four 2D animation subjects are all about taking your place as an industry contributor. One option is the Professional Internship Program, which will see you placed in a professional industry organisation where you will develop relevant skills oriented toward your chosen career. It will provide you with an opportunity to apply what you know, be mentored, receive feedback and seek opportunities for development while working on real-world projects, as well as be exposed to emerging trends and technology impacting your industry during professional practice.
Prior to commencement of the internship, AIT will determine a suitable placement company based on your individual needs and interests.
By the end our 2D animation course you could work in the following roles:
Animator
FX Animator
Storyboard Artist
Concept Artist
Script Writer
Motion Graphics Animator
Animation Layout Artist
Animation Background Artist
Animation Production Manager
Independent Animated Filmmaker
We use a hybrid learning methodology here at AIT. A significant portion of the 2D animation course is hands-on, with two-thirds of classes held on campus in studio environments and one-third online. Students engage in practical labs, project-based learning, and the use of professional industry-grade tools.
Yes, there are! If you love to create (and we don’t think you’d be interested in this course if you don’t) then you should check out our InitiAIT Scholarship. All you need to do is respond to a brief and submit your project. If you’re chosen as one of the winners then you will receive the InitiAIT Scholarship and a significant discount on your course fees.
If you would like to find out more about financial aid options and Government loans, then head over to our How to Apply page where you can find all the information you need on finding financial assistance for your studies.
AIT emphasises hands-on learning with access to industry-grade studios, cutting-edge technology, and mentorship from professionals. The 2D animation course integrates creativity with technical expertise to prepare students for the evolving animation industry. Graduate with a Professional Portfolio that includes:
Character concept designs showing evolution and working to a brief
Character turnaround artwork ready for production
Location concept artwork demonstrating evolution and working to a brief
Script and treatment samples demonstrating development of an idea, conveying a message and following industry protocols
Background Layouts demonstrating understanding of perspective, depth, composition and camera angle
Finished Background artwork demonstrating colour harmony and composition
Storyboard Artwork demonstrating sequential storytelling and construction of a narrative
Animation samples demonstrating motion graphics applications, character performance and dialogue, creature action, and use of a 2D rig
A short animated film of your own creation working from a brief
A short animated film created as a team working from a brief.
Yes, we love to show off our brilliant students’ work. Check out our Student Showcase https://ait.edu.au/life-at-ait/student-showcase or our YouTube page here https://www.youtube.com/c/AITcreativeAU
Your future success is serious business for us; that is why we are constantly strengthening and expanding our industry connections and partnerships with a dedicated team. We work with leaders all across the tech and creative industries to give you tangible experience of what working in these industries is really like, and a network you can leverage to kickstart your career.
We bring industry partners to you and we take you to industry. We also offer help with writing your CV, structuring your professional portfolio and building a social media presence. Assisting in sourcing industry placement providers for your internship that are personally matched to your goals.