
Introduction to Digital Arts
Welcome to the exciting world of Animation, Visual Effects and Video Games. In this online certificate course you will learn and experience hands on the different positions and tasks that artists and technical artists have for the next generation of blockbuster projects for TV, Movies and Video Games productions.
Accredited. Trusted. Respected.
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Quick facts
Online Certificate |
12 weeks |
Portfolio not required |
Student profile
Built for the industry. Built for your trust.
Program designed in consulation with major studios in
the Animation, VFX and Video Game industries.
10 Years of delivering excellence in online education, pioneering online learning since 2009.
Spring Term Starts on
Monday, April 5th, 2021
Spring Term Application Deadline: Round 1 - January 25th, 2021
Note: Students that miss submitting a completed application prior to the registration deadline posted on the school website, will be subject to a late fee.
Live Classes on:
Saturdays, 9:00 am - 10:30 am
Pacific Time
Need immediate help?
Click to call: +1 833-437-3872

Introduction to Digital Arts
Program Description
Introduction to Digital Arts online accredited course was made for beginners. No portfolio or previous exerience is requred for this short course. You will learn and experience different roles that artists and technical artists play in a production pipeline, you will understand their daily tasks, required abilities, and responsibilities, that make these roles important for the Animation, Visual Effects, and Video Game Industries. By the end of this course you will build your first Digital Arts portfolio.
Need immediate help?
Click to call: +1 833-437-3872
Who Should
Attend this program
Aspiring Professional Artist and Technical Artists, people that demonstrate problem-solving skills, people that like to create, entertain and have a wild imagination through digital products.
Artists with the ability to convey their thoughts through digital art and computer animation software.
Our
Target Student
Aspiring Professional Artists and Technical artists looking to enter the digital entertainment industries, individuals who are deeply passionate about Digital Arts, Animation, Visual Effects and Video Games.
Students who are curious about Digital Art and Technology education, in particular for the Entertainment Industries.
Not Our
Target Student
Artists looking for general fine arts education, with an opposition to commercial art or making a living of their artwork.
Computer programmers looking for general coding education.
Admission Requirements
Age
14+ years of age or older
(If under 19 years of age, parent or guardian consent is required)
Assessment Test
Successfully pass general
assessment test that includes
a computer knowledge assessment,
Internet knowledge assessment,
English reading and writing skills
assessment.
Portfolio
No portfolio requirement, this is a begineers hands-on course open to the general public.
English Proficiency
International students with English as a second language must demonstrate a good oral and written level of English. A telephone, Skype, or in-person interview may be required to verify this.
Need immediate help?
Click to call: +1 833-437-3872
Course Duration
Weeks
per week
hours
Live Classes
Program Outline
Introduction to Digital Arts
Term 1
Introduction to Concept Art and 3D Modeling
This course introduces students to the fundamental principles of Concept Art and 3D modeling. Students will work on their own character and interior designs.
Duration: 1 month
Term 2
Introduction to 2D and 3D Animation
During the second term, VANAS students study 2D and 3D Animation. Students will learn the difference between 2D and 3D animation.
Duration: 1 month
Term 3
Introduction to Visual Effects and Computer Simulation
During the third term, VANAS students study Houdini Visual Effects and Computer Simulation. Introduction to Digital Arts course recap.
Duration: 1 month
Students must obtain a minimum grade of a B- to successfully pass.
Course codes: IDA-100, IDA-200, IDA-300
Vancouver Animation School reserves the right to review and change without notice the curriculum design to meet the industry requirements.
Online
Live Classes
- Small class sizes
- 1 live session per week, one hour per session
- 1 live support class per week, one hour per session
- Office hours online support
Assignments
Workload
- Weekly assignments comprised by milestones and deadlines
- Online activities
- Assignments workload 10 - 20 hours per week
Times
Schedules
- Class times are listed at the top of this website page
- Class times are also visible on the application form
- Flexible times for you to work and study at the same time
Need immediate help?
Click to call: +1 833-437-3872
Software Requirements
Students are responsible for supplying their own Computer Software.
Academic discounts are available to our students.
Maya Animation Software

Free for VANAS Students
Adobe Creative Cloud Software

VANAS Students save 60%
System Requirements
Students are responsible for supplying their own Computer Hardware.

Windows System
Processor: 3 GHZ or higher
8 GB RAM (12 GB recommended)
Firefox or Chrome internet browsers
Flash Player

Apple Mac OSX
Processor: Core Duo / Intel
8 GB RAM (12 GB recommended)
Firefox or Chrome internet browsers
Flash Player

Internet
Broadband, High Speed connection
10 Mbps Download (Recommended)
1 Mbps Upload (Recommended)

Webcam & Headset
These are essential tools for Online Programs
Recommended Books
Illusion of Life by Frank Thomas & Ollie Johnston
Animators Survival Kit by Richard Williams
Cartoon Animation by Preston Blair
Canadian Designation
An official transcript is the VANAS' certified statement of your academic record. The official paper transcript is printed on security sensitive paper and contains the Institution seal and signature of the Institution Registrar.

The Education Quality Assurance (EQA) designation is British Columbia’s brand for quality post- secondary education.

The Private Training Institutions Branch (PTIB) of the Ministry of Advanced Education administers associated regulations.

A joint initiative of the provinces and territories, through the Council of Ministers of Education, Canada (CMEC),

Established in 1990 to fulfill Canada’s obligations under the UNESCO Convention on the Recognition of Studies.
The Introduction to Animation, Visual Effects (VFX), and Video Game course does not require approval by the Private Training Institutions Branch (PTIB) of the Ministry of Advanced Education, Skills & Training. As such, PTIB did not review this program.
Need immediate help?
Click to call: +1 833-437-3872
Watch our Graduation Video
Watch video (3 min)
Meet your next industry teachers
Some of the Studios VANAS alumni work at








Invest in Something Extraordinary: You
Premium Higher Education with all-inclusive industry values.
VANAS welcomes you, works for you and cares for you.
3-month Certificate Course
- Introductory courses have an industry
- focus curriculum and taught by
- industry teachers who are leaders
- in their fields. These courses are
- intended for students to discover
- new learning areas by bringing
- awareness and application
- simultaneously. There are no
- pre-requisites, anyone can attend.
We offer a simple model where the tuition is the same for Canadian and International Students for all our courses and programs.
Tuition fees are in Canadian Dollars (CAD), reviewed annually by the Advisory Board and are subject to change without notice.
When paying with Paypal or a Credit Card a non-refundable convenience fee of 3% of the total amount will apply.
Learning is better together.
Friend tuition discounts to foster collaboration with your friends and family members
“I wanted to move to the next level in my career, for a long time I wanted to learn
character animation because I love movement and the possibility to make a
digital 3d character come to life, make feelings believable!”