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All 2D Animation courses

Explore specialized 2D animation courses and industry mentorship to fast-track your career.
Overview

Ready to see your name in the credits? Learn 2D animation

Jump into the animation industry with CG Spectrum! Learn how to animate from scratch with professional software, build your portfolio and be job-ready in just 18 months.

Why study 2D animation at CG Spectrum:

  • Progress faster with mentorship from professional 2D animators
  • Learn at a Toon Boom certified school
  • Create a polished portfolio that stands out
  • Receive career support and guidance
  • Choose 1-on-1 or small group classes (max. 4)
  • Study online from wherever you are

CG Spectrum is one of just 16 Toon Boom certified schools and the only 100% online 2D animation school. This means our students receive the highest quality education and learn the latest techniques used by major studios.

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Courses

2D animation courses that get you career-ready

Kick-start your career and become a professional animator. These online courses are designed to give you the necessary skill set to prepare you for your animation career.

Short 2D animation courses

Peek inside the world of animation! Choose this short animation course if you want to pick up a new hobby, learn the basics and start animating your first smaller pieces using Maya and Toon Boom Harmony industry softwares.

Course structure

Pathway 1

Dive right into the full study pathway and be industry ready in 18 months.

Pathway illustration for 2D Animation (Full pathway)

Pathway 2

Not quite ready to commit? Start with the intro course and graduate with the option to continue to term 2 of the foundations course.

Pathway illustration for 2D Animation (Part pathway)

Delivery

Online classes, feedback and support

Software

Toon Boom Harmony

Classes

1-on-1 or small group classes (4 students)

Community

Lifetime access to online community of mentors, alumni and students

Mentors

Learn directly from our experienced 2D animation specialists

Access mentoring sessions and live weekly calls with top film and game experts to master your technique. All classes are taught by established animators with years of experience working on films and video games at major studios.

Student Showcase

Explore student work and see what you can learn at CG Spectrum

Our students create high quality work that speaks for itself. We provide you with the tools and resources to help you build a portfolio that gets noticed.

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Studios who hire our students

Our commitment to job-outcomes and focus on career development has helped graduates find work at studios all over the world.

Graduate success

80% employment success rate

We're proud to say that the majority of our advanced graduates are now working in the highly competitive film and games industry.

Our courses and in-house career services are created to give you the essential skills to be job-ready after graduation. Still wondering if CG Spectrum is right for you? Chat with our student ambassadors.

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Benefits

Why study at CG Spectrum

Get a more hands-on education with mentorship from top film and game experts, an industry-approved curriculum and a thriving creative community cheering you on.

By giving you access to the most talented artists in the industry, we help you to become well connected, trained and prepared for life beyond school.

What you get when studying at CG Spectrum:

  • Get job-ready in half the time of an average degree program
  • Personalized job-focused curriculum and training
  • Private 1-on-1 or small group classes (max. 4 students)
  • Live call with your mentor each week + recorded video critiques
  • Flexible schedules & 100% online, study from anywhere!

Progress faster with expert feedback from mentors and join an inspiring and supportive community of industry experts and peers.

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About us

The CG Spectrum difference

Our mission is to make sure our students are best prepared for a successful career when they graduate.

We strive to provide affordable, high quality and personalized education and believe in the power of learning first-hand from industry experts who already established a fantastic career.

What makes CG Spectrum unique:

  • Career services to accelerate your journey
  • Quality education at a fraction of the time and cost of university
  • Software licenses included, no additional costs
  • Direct access to industry mentors with years of film & game experience
  • Supportive and active community of peers, alumni & mentors

As an online school with students and mentors in 90+ countries, we're proud to bring the industry to you - wherever you are in the world!

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Frequently asked questions

FAQs about 2D animation

Is 2D animation hand drawn?

2D animation can be either hand drawn or computer-generated in a hand-drawn style. Traditional 2D animations were drawn frame-by-frame and transferred to clear sheets, called cels, for painting. This was a time-consuming process. Today 2D animations are created digitally using software like Toon Boom Harmony or Adobe After Effects.

Do I need to know how to draw to do 2D animation?

No, you don't need to know how to draw to do 2D animation. Many professional animators use software like Adobe Flash, After Effects or Toon Boom Harmony to animate. However, drawing is a handy skill for expressing ideas and creating original artwork for your animations, so it doesn't hurt to know how to draw!

Should I study 2D or 3D animation?

Choosing between 2D and 3D animation comes down to personal preference. 2D animation tends to suit people who are more artistic in nature, whereas 3D animation often suits those with a more technical mind. 

2D requires a large amount of illustration, as every frame needs to be drawn, either on a digital tablet or by hand. 3D Animation requires creating movement via 'rigs', where a 3D model is essentially given a skeleton that can be manipulated in a virtual 3D space.

Can I learn both 2D and 3D animation?

Yes you can. CG Spectrum offers beginner animation courses in both 2D and 3D animation, however it is not recommended to do both at the same time, unless you can dedicate a minimum of 20 hours per week for each course. 

What jobs can I get if I study 2D animation?

Studying 2D animation will prepare you to become a 2D animator, storyboard artist or clean up artist. Explore other animation jobs.