2D Animation Essentials Course | Learn 2D Animation Basics Online

Begin your journey into 2D animation with this beginner-friendly course designed for aspiring animators. Build a strong foundation in animation principles, master hand-drawn techniques, and gain confidence using Toon Boom Harmony, the software behind iconic animated projects. Learn from industry professionals and start creating standout animations that set you on the path to a rewarding career in film, TV, or games.

Master the 12 Principles of Animation: Learn the essential techniques behind smooth and engaging movement.
Hands-On Training with Toon Boom Harmony: Gain proficiency in the industry-standard software used by top studios.
Mentorship from Top Animators: Receive personalized guidance from experts who’ve worked on iconic projects like Klaus and Rick & Morty.
Flexible and Personalized Learning: Study online with options for 1-on-1 or small group classes tailored to your goals.

Learn from professional animators who've worked on classics like Klaus, Rick & Morty, Pocahontas, and Road to El Dorado. They'll show you how to create 2D animations from scratch, frame by frame!

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Our Difference

Master Your Skills. Master Your Future.

Whether straight out of high school, changing careers, or upgrading skills, our career-focused 2D animation courses help you build practical job skills that are required in the industry.

Industry Mentors Learn from the best! Our instructors are seasoned industry pros and bring real-world knowledge to the classroom, ensuring you're equipped with the skills that studios demand.

Outcomes Our goal is to make you job-ready. You'll graduate with technical skills and a deep understanding of the animation industry, making you a valuable asset to any studio.

Community Join an active community and network with peers, mentors, and industry professionals. Our strong industry connections can help you access job opportunities post-graduation.

Course Information

Everything You Need To Know

Quick Overview

Course Structure

What You'll Learn

Tuition & Payment

Your pathway to the film and games industry

This short course is equivalent to term one of the Foundations course. On completion of the Essentials course, if you decide to progress further with your studies, you'll enroll straight into term two of the corresponding Foundations course which means you'll already be one-third of the way through your studies! Continue your learning journey towards an exciting career in the industry by enrolling into the Foundations Career Track.

essentials-career-pathway

Want to take your education higher?

Did you know that the subjects you complete in the career track courses can be used to apply for credit toward our accredited degrees and diplomas in the same discipline?

The skills and knowledge you build in any industry-certificate course can be transferred into academic credits through our Advanced Standing and Credit Transfer process. So, if you decide to take your studies to the next level, know that your prior learning will be recognized.

Compare your options and find out which course is right for you.

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Term 1: 12 weeks

Foundations 1: Essentials of 2D Animation

Starting with the 12 Principles of Animation, you'll learn 2D animation fundamentals step by step and start animating your first 2D pieces: the bouncing ball, flour sack jump, and a walk cycle that brings your animated character to life. You'll discover how to create an animated scene packed with personality and emotion, while also creating the illusion of three-dimensional space; learn key features of Toon Boom and get familiar with drawing tools, posing, timing, spacing, the timeline, and X-sheet.

What You'll Learn

How to make your own 2D animations from scratch
Use Toon Boom Harmony software
Apply the 12 Principles of Animation
Create animated scenes using the most efficient workflows

Weekly Breakdown

2D Animation Introduction and Overview
Bouncing Ball Animation Exercise
Adding a Tail to the Bouncing Ball
Drawing Fundamentals
Flour Sack Animation 01
Flour Sack Animation 02
Flour Sack Animation 03
Animating a Walk 01
Animating a Walk 02
Animating a Walk 03
Animating a Simple Character Take
Animating a Complex Character Take

Monthly

Upfront

SAVE 10%

Group Class

$1,222 USD/mo

$3,333 USD

CG Spectrum’s small group classes provide an ideal learning environment for aspiring artists to grow their skills and connect with peers. With a maximum of 4 students per class, the intimate setting ensures personalized attention from experienced industry mentors.

4 students max class size

Students are assigned mentor

Group interaction & collaboration

Private 1:1

$1,711 USD/mo

$4,667 USD

Learning 1-on-1 with CG Spectrum provides personalized guidance from industry experts, tailored feedback, and flexible scheduling. This focused approach helps students master skills, build competitive portfolios, and prepare for careers in games, film, and animation.

Private dedicated mentor

Students choose their mentor

More dedicated time per week

Scott Claus

While at Disney and DreamWorks Scott animated classics like Pocahontas, Hunchback of Notre Dame and Road to El Dorado. He later won an Oscar for best special effects for Life of Pi.

Known for Hercules

Ben Li

Known for Space Dandy

Alfredo Cassano

Alfredo is a 2D animator and storyboard artist who has worked on feature films like Klaus (Lead Animator on Jesper), Song of the Sea, The Secret of Kells, and several TV shows.

Known for Klaus

Sykosan

Sykosan is a 2D animation filmmaker with expertise covering all stages of the animation process and a unique style of modern western and Japanese influences.

Known for Katy Perry's Cry About it Later

Hubert Lapointe

Montréal-based Hubert Lapointe has worked as an animator and animation supervisor on hit shows like Rick & Morty and The Ollie and Moon Show, and as a software instructor for ToonBoom.

Known for Rick and Morty

Marcel Laurin

Marcel has animated for film, TV and video games since 2003 at studios across Canada and France including Bardel and Gameloft. He was also a Toon Boom instructor at studios and schools around the ...

Known for Go West: A Lucky Luke Adventure

Scott Sackett

Scott has been an animator and storyboard artist working on both feature and TV animation. Currently, he is working as a Supervising Director at Exceptional Minds Studios.

Known for Pinky and The Brain

Jim Richardson

Jim has worked in various animation roles on commercials, film, TV, and games, as well as teaching 2D Animation. He teaches animation online while working at CG Spectrum.

Known for Disney Junior

Todd Jacobsen

Todd is a thirty year veteran of the Hollywood 2D animation industry with extensive experience on features, TV, commercials, and theme park installations.

Known for Prince of Egypt

Richter Lewis

Known for ABC Mouse

Anna Pagliara

Known for Mulligan

FAQ's

Questions? We Have Answers

What are the prerequisites for the 2D Animation Essentials course?

Age Minimum
The general minimum age to be able to enroll in our industry certificate courses is 16. We require parent or guardian consent during the enrollment process for applicants under 18.

Students under 16 will require a further assessment before they can officially enrol. This may include an interview with a course advisor and the creation of a study plan to ensure they have considered how they will manage a college-level workload.

English Proficiency
We expect our students to have a good understanding of written and spoken English. There’s no specific ’level'; however, you must be able to understand video tutorials in English (no subtitles) and speak with your mentor in English during your live Q&A session.

Computer Literacy
To be successful in this program, you will need basic computer skills and a computer that meets the minimum specifications (see next question).

What are the software and hardware requirements?

Software:

You will be required to purchase Toon Boom Harmony Premium. Student discounts are available.

Instructions for how to obtain a license with a student discount will be provided upon enrollment.

Hardware:

You will need a computer that meets the minimum system requirements for Toon Boom, and a graphics tablet (see 2D animation software and equipment).

Please note: as the software we use is regularly updated, please check the specs against the latest available version at the time of enrolling.

What 2D animation careers can I explore post-graduation?

This short course will get you started on your creative journey, but in a competitive industry, we advise continuing your studies with the full career track.

The 2D animation career track includes the 2D Animation Foundations Course and the 2D Cut-out Animator Specialization. It is designed to better prepare you for a job in the industry and help increase your employment opportunities.

The career track ensures you build strong foundational skills before moving on to more complex techniques and workflows. You will also dedicate time to career development and preparing a polished portfolio while you gain invaluable industry insights.

Some of the junior 2D animator jobs you could pursue after completing the full study pathway include:

Discover more about these 2D animator jobs, tips, and salary expectations on our careers page:

EXPLORE ANIMATOR JOBS

2D Animation Essentials

From Sketch to Screen Learn 2D Animation Essentials for Beginners