Diploma of 3D Animation
With the ever-increasing demand for visually stunning digital content in entertainment, gaming, advertising, visual effects, and beyond, the need for skilled 3D animators is at an all-time high.
If you have a passion for bringing characters and worlds to life through cutting-edge technology, then pursuing a Diploma of 3D Animation at AIT could be the perfect way to turn your artistic vision into a rewarding and exciting career in professional creative and media industries.
What To Expect
We have designed the Diploma of 3D Animation course to run just like the top professional animation studios. We assist students by guiding and supporting you as you step into the future of animation you’ve imagined for yourself, as you undertake our animation principles to gain industry knowledge.
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 Creative Suite -
AutoDesk Maya, AutoDesk 3Ds Max & Autodesk Motionbuilder -
Unreal Engine 4 -
Zbrush Pixologic -
Celtx -
Toon Boom -
Visual Studio Code
AIT Campus
Two thirds of your animation course will be taught on campus in our industry-grade 3D animation studios, side by side with like-minded creatives.
We invest heavily in providing the latest professional-grade animation and game design software and hardware for animation courses to support student progression.
In our facilities you’ll gain access to animation studios with high end computers, state-of-the-art Post-Production studio for visual effects, green screen rooms, audio studios and consoles to multi-play your own games as you grow into becoming a professional 3d animator.
We want you to fully experience, experiment and create masterpieces using our facilities so your projects are rendered to the highest industry standards
Our Cloud Campus
All of your 3D Animation course material is accessible through our cloud campus, a space that is specifically designed for high-quality online education. As a student, you’ll be able to access all course material, including videos and interactive activities, via the cloud campus.
In addition, you’ll have access to discussion boards, video meeting facilities, email facilities, library resources, assessment and study support, technical assistance, and welfare services. We understand that selecting the right place to study in Australia is a significant decision, and we invite you to visit AIT on the ground and in the cloud before beginning the application process.
Student work: ‘Rose, Revolutionary Leader Sculpt’ by Tarik Takasu
Course Content
Trimester 1 - Learn
You will learn the entire 3D workflow (pipeline) required to create your own uniquely designed 3D character animation. The areas covered include props and background development, using industry standard 3D software, 3D interface navigation, fundamental 3D theory, character animation design, modelling, texturing, lighting, skinning, camera animation and rendering. These essential skills will provide a firm foundation for creating 3D objects and characters.
Key professional skills development:
Project management basics
Presentation skills
- Naming conventions and file management
You will be introduced to film and digital language through an exploration of the fundamental themes, concepts and principles that apply to film and animation. You will focus on dedicated 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 in several forms of media, such as animation and film, while you build your creative potential.
Key professional skills development:
- Creativity
- Story structure and organisation
- Presentation techniques
- Responding to feedback
Trimester 2 - Refine
If you choose Game Scripting as your elective, you will be introduced to the core concepts and fundamentals in a game studio environment. Game design principles involve acquiring fundamental knowledge of game-specific programming languages, understanding data types and how to manipulate them with functions and variables using those languages, and an understanding of scripting game logic. You will build game functionality to create games within the game engine; an essential skill for game designers to master.
Key professional skills development:
Problem-solving skills
Debugging
Professional communication
Peer evaluation
Iteration
Application of feedback
Choose Concept Design as your elective path and develop the industry standard creative processes and skills needed to create characters and environments for animated 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 for animated worlds.
Key professional skills development:
Creative thinking
Professional communication
Research
Plot analysis
The ability to communicate stories through concepts
Expand your existing 3D skills and extend these to gain technical skills in 3D animation mechanics. The principles of animation will be applied to 3D characters, props, accessories and background assets, using advanced 3D industry standard software. Fundamental animation theory and techniques will be explored and applied, so that students can create convincing body mechanics and engaging, stylised performances while overcoming advanced challenges.
Key professional skills development:
Time management
Communication skills
Balancing workload with deliverable due dates
- Presenting work for feedback
Learn what it takes to bring 3D models to life, utilising the fundamental theories and practises of animation rigging to create a skeleton for organic and hard surface models. You will apply controllers to the skeleton to create an animation-ready rig that could be used in interactive or cinematic media as you build skills to become a technical artist.
Key professional skills development:
Problem solving and planning skills
- Communication skills when presenting your work
Trimester 3 - Produce
In the Game Development Lab you will design a range of 3D assets and integrate them into a game engine. The project will be planned and implemented in response to a brief and will involve identifying game development team roles and 3D sculpting of models using industry standard 3D modelling software.
Models will be textured, then undergo optimisation and retopology to ensure their effective operation in a game engine environment, where introductory level game engine programming will be applied. You will utilise a production cycle, modifying assets through multiple iterations in response to testing and peer review. Ethical considerations will be taken into account and applied to the design of game assets.
Key professional skills development:
Collaboration
Planning
Project management
Agile methodology
Presentation and professional communication skills
Responding to feedback
Immersive Animation Experience
Animation requires an understanding of acting techniques for the effective application of gesture, posture, facial expressions and voice intonation. This subject introduces performance concepts and provides guidance in applying acting techniques to animated characters. You will research and analyse animated characters in terms of movement, unique characteristics, vocal and visual style.
Study advanced 2D character design and immerse yourself into a visual playground while becoming a character artist to develop a character through the production cycle to completion.
For successful completion, work on real time animation workflows and advanced animation tools which include storyboard and animatic production. The character will be developed according to a series of briefs, requiring you to respond with variations of style and genre, and modifications in response to peer and professional feedback. Mood, environment and context will also be considered when developing the character design.
Key professional skills development:
Aspects of planning
Professional communication
Problem-solving
Conflict resolution and self-reflection
Course Outcomes
3D Modeller
3D Artist (Generalist)
Autodesk Maya
Adobe suite (including Substance)
3D Modelling
UV Unwrapping
Standard Surfacing
Lighting and Rendering
Showreel
Online Folio
Student work: ‘Soul Seeker’ by Andrew Chiu, Lachlan Canning, Zijian He, Kai Johns, Daniel Miller & Giovanni Pedalino
Our Student Work
HUIN
Martin Hornak
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: ‘Bunny Bug’ by Rosa Pallone and Shristy Shrestha
