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.
What To Expect
Our comprehensive animation program covers the fundamental principles and technical skills of animation, character design, and industry-standard software. Collaborate with like-minded students, work on real-world projects, and receive feedback from experienced industry professionals. By the end of the program, graduates will have a strong portfolio and the skills necessary to pursue careers in the dynamic and exciting field of 2D animation.
Skills You Will Gain
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Technical Instruction - Experienced knowledgeable educators -
Creative Teamwork - Teams of like-minded collaborators -
Current Knowledge - Current software, technology and insights -
Professional Skills - Embedded employability training -
Skills practice - Practical hands-on learning -
Project work - relevant project-based assessments
Softwares You Will Master
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Adobe Photoshop -
Toon Boom Storyboard Pro -
Celtx -
Toon Boom Harmony
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Adobe Premiere Pro
AIT Campus
Two thirds of your course will be taught on campus in our industry-grade 2D Animation studios, side by side with like-minded creatives.
In today’s world of 2D animation, the technology and software you use can make all the difference – and that’s why we at AIT invest heavily in providing our students with the latest and greatest professional-grade tools for all of our animation courses.
In our facilities with access to our animation studios, equipped with high-end computers, animation light boxes, and clay modelling equipment, as well as our state-of-the-art post-production studio, green screen rooms, and audio studios, you’ll have everything you need to bring your vision to life and make your magic.
Our Cloud Campus
Experience the convenience and flexibility of online learning with our cloud campus – a space designed for high-quality virtual education. Access all your 2D animation course material, including interactive activities, videos, and discussion boards, as well as email, library, and technical support services, all in one place.
Our cloud campus also offers assessment and study support, as well as access to welfare services to ensure you receive the support you need to succeed. We understand choosing where to study 2D animation is a big decision, so why not try out your new cloud campus before enrolling?
Student work: ‘Rose, Revolutionary Leader Sculpt’ by Tarik Takasu
Course Content
Trimester 1 - Learn
The Creative Drawing Lab introduces the primary skills required to create drawings for animation. It explores a variety of theories, styles, elements and practices of drawing and how to apply them to different genres, themes and mediums. You will learn the principles of animation as well as the sequencing of art for telling a story.
Key professional skills development:
Responding to feedback
Iterative design
Reflection
Concept communication
Dive into learning about film and digital language through an exploration of the fundamental themes, concepts and principles that apply to film and animation. You will focus on film history, genre, style, mood and context, and will also learn about foundational animation techniques, like stop motion and illustration with movement.
Key professional skills development:
Reflection and research skills
Understanding the impact of technology on the moving image
Apply visual storytelling design and composition methods such as scriptwriting, drawing, storyboard, animatic and camera composition conventions to visualise and prepare stories for production. Scene structures and character development are introduced and you will look at the application of planning principles to several forms of media such as animation and film.
Key professional skills development:
- Creativity
- Story structure and organisation
- Presentation techniques
- Responding to feedback
Trimester 2 - Refine
You will learn the skills involved in the creation of characters and environments for animation worlds. The backgrounds and objects that provide the setting for animated action require careful artistic treatment and have a significant influence on the look and feel of animated films.
Character design also requires specific skills in creating expression, implying the history and culture of characters and suggesting traits and attributes. You will design and refine environments and characters, costumes and props, exploring the finer details of animated worlds.
Key professional skills development:
Creative thinking
Professional communication
Research
Plot analysis
The ability to communicate stories through concepts
You will acquire the skills for creating both simple and sophisticated animations. The principles of animation will be examined in greater detail, and the methods used to develop animation through keyframing, tweening and frame-by-frame animation will be used in the creation of short animations.
Animation development software will be implemented and you will experiment with animation on paths, walk cycles and sound for animation. The 2D animation process requires animators to continually seek feedback and adapt and refine their work in response, which will be applied over the duration of this subject.
Key professional skills development:
Responding to a brief
Integration of processes into the production cycle
Advanced time management
Discover a new world of script and screenwriting for film and animation. During the subject, you will explore the theories and principles of narrative construction and expand your ability to produce sequential art, develop characters, subtext, scenes and screenplays.
There will be a focus on plot development, creative writing and visual illustration, as well as how to apply film language in the creation of mood, tension, pacing and drama.
Key professional skills development:
Learning to seek feedback
Reflect and adapt during the screenwriting process
Trimester 3 - Produce
Immersive Animation experience
In order to effectively apply gesture, posture, facial expressions, and voice intonation in animation, a solid understanding of acting techniques is required. The Immersive Animation Experience explores performance concepts and provides guidance on how to apply acting techniques to animated characters.
Students will have the opportunity to research and analyse animated characters in terms of their movement, unique characteristics, and vocal and visual styles. Additionally, you will study advanced 2D character design and develop a character through the entire production cycle, including advanced storyboard and animatic production.
Throughout the process, you will receive briefs that require you to respond with variations of style and genre, as well as modify your work based on peer and professional feedback. Mood, environment, and context will also be taken into consideration when developing the character design.
Key professional skills development:
Aspects of planning
Professional communication
Problem-solving
Conflict resolution
Self-reflection
Course Outcomes
- Junior Animator
- Junior Storyboard Artist/Revisionist
- Junior Concept Artist
- Junior Scriptwriter
- Adobe Photoshop
- Toon Boom Harmony
- Toon Boom Storyboard Pro
- Adobe Premiere Pro
- Celtx
- Scriptwriting
- Storyboarding
- Character Posing
- Perspective
- Colour Harmony
- Character and Location Artwork Creation
- Digital Hand-drawn Animation
- Animation Character design
- Animation Character turnaround
- An Animatic
- Location Concept art
- Script sample
- Animation Storyboards
- Short Performance Animation
Student work: ‘Jeff and Henry’ by Nathan Myihtoi and Matthew Deligeorges
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!”
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.
Student work: ‘Hairy Situation’ by Shaleise-Rose Leishman
