Start your journey towards becoming a 2D animator with personalized training from industry mentors who have worked on your favorite films and TV shows! Learn how to animate from scratch with Toon Boom software, build your portfolio, and be job-ready in 12 months.
Why study 2D animation online at CG Spectrum:
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Ready to become a 2D animator? Get your career off to a great start at CG Spectrum online 2D animation school.
CG Spectrum is one of just 16 Toon Boom certified schools, and the only 100% online 2D animation school. This means CG Spectrum students receive the highest quality education and learn the latest techniques used by major studios.
Progress faster with mentorship from professional 2D animators who will share their valuable industry insights as you build valuable job skills and develop a polished portfolio to show employers. Enquire today!
Get a more personalized education with an expert 2D animator as your mentor! Graduate with the skills to pursue your dream career.
Plan studies around your work and family commitments
Learn from experts who have worked on blockbuster films
Build practical and relevant job skills studios are hiring for
Pursue your passion and start working sooner
Get more out of your education! Get access to an industry-approved curriculum, live weekly sessions with your mentor, personalized feedback on your work, plus support, industry insights, and networking through our amazing online community.
CG Spectrum's online 2D animation courses are a complete study pathway to help you become an animator for film and TV! In less than a year, you'll learn techniques used by top animation studios and get industry-ready with mentorship from world-class artists.
3 MONTHS
Course summary:
Learn the basics using Toon Boom Harmony in this short 2D animation course for beginners. Focusing on hand-drawn or 'cut-out' style, this introductory course covers the 12 Principals of Animation and classic exercises like the bouncing ball, walk cycle, and character take. Before you know it, you'll know how to make 2D animations from scratch!
Note: This short course is also the first term of the Foundations of 2D Animation Course, so you’ll be one-third of the way through this course if you choose to continue!
6-9 MONTHS
Course summary:
Build on your character animation skills by creating more exciting and complex scenes for your portfolio. You'll study the greats and discover what makes their work so captivating, learn body mechanics and anatomy, and gain speed creating thumbnails and key poses. This 2D animation training also covers model sheets, timing and poses, 2-person dialogue scenes, and how to add FX to your animation. You'll learn Toon Boom shortcuts along the way, plus other practical job skills to speed up your workflow.
Note: The Introduction to 2D Animation Certificate is embedded in this course. If you complete the 3-month introductory course, you'll be one-third of the way through this course.
Build on your 2D fundamentals in this advanced 2D animation course! Learn Toon Boom Harmony’s peg and node animation system, then move onto complex physical animations, rigging and animating bipeds and quadrupeds. With your mentor's guidance, you'll learn acting for feature/episodic animation; master poses, timing and spacing; apply advanced movement techniques; and understand how to use Harmony's compositing and FX tools.
You will develop a strong understanding of advanced cutout style animation techniques, and have confidence in rigging and animating characters and creatures. Finish the course by polishing your animation demo reel, exploring career options with your mentor, and working with CG Spectrum's in-house Career Development Manager.
2 YEARS
Course summary:
Prepare to dive into an exciting and dynamic world of creativity with our Bachelor of Digital Art, specializing in 2D Animation. In this immersive program, you'll unleash your artistic potential and explore the fascinating realm of 2D animation. With expert guidance, you'll learn the intricacies of character design, motion, and storytelling, all while honing your skills in the digital arts.
Whether your dream is to create captivating animated stories for film, television, or interactive media, this program will empower you to transform your passion into a fulfilling and rewarding career. Your journey to becoming a skilled 2D animator starts here, and your future in animation is full of boundless possibilities!
Learn from passionate industry veterans with years of real-world experience.
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.
Manager of Animation
Known for Hercules
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.
Mentor of 2D Animation
Known for Klaus
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.
Mentor of 2D Animation
Known for Katy Perry's Cry About it Later
Based in Tokyo, Misu has worked as a storyboard artist for Pokemon Sun & Moon, Vinland Saga, Overlord II and Bleach Brave Souls.
Mentor of 2D Animation
Known for Pokemon Sun & Moon
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 world.
Mentor of 2D Animation
Known for Go West: A Lucky Luke Adventure
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.
Mentor of 2D Animation
Known for Pinky and The Brain
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.
Mentor of 2D Animation
Known for Rick and Morty
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.
Mentor of 2D Animation
Known for Disney Junior
With a focus on illustration portfolio preparation, we help students build their competitive edge with high quality work that gets noticed.
It's been extremely helpful for my portfolio and my confidence as an artist!
I've learned so much about not only animation, but the thought process an artist goes through when creating a piece.
I landed a job immediately after finishing the course.
When I started CG Spectrum's animation program, I wasn't sure what to expect. Now, I can surely tell that choosing CG Spectrum was the best decision I've ever made. My mentors were incredibly knowledgeable, dedicated and supportive.
CG Spectrum got me my dream job!
After a lot of research, I found CG Spectrum. The curriculum is wonderful, and the school is very accommodating. The mentors actually go through the files of your assignments. This contributes tremendously towards understanding your mistakes and HOW you can correct them. The mentors are extremely helpful, encouraging, kind and most importantly, always available for help.
So much more than I expected.
CG Spectrum is a very fun and relaxed online community where other students and mentors communicate in a refreshingly open way. The Mentors really make these courses a unique experience; they share anecdotes and advice that will stay with me for many years.
If you’re looking to enhance your specialist skills to industry level, CG Spectrum is the place to be.
Having never done an online course, I didn’t expect to receive this level of personalised learning and quality teaching. The amount of 1-on-1 is second to none. The techniques not only improved my animation skills by leaps and bounds, they taught me to be a better storyteller.
CG Spectrum has been an instrumental part of my growth.
CG Spectrum has helped me sharpen my skills, acquire new ones and strengthen my character animation abilities. This is an invaluable experience for anyone looking to take their skills to the next level.
Getting access to industry mentors is huge.
There's a world of information out there, but nothing compared to talking to someone in the know. CG Spectrum was one of those places. I really liked the 1-on-1 format. It was the first time I had an experienced animator open my scene file. It was what I needed to get over some technical hurdles.
CGS ultimately led me to my first opportunity as an animator at Sony Imageworks.
I was able to create a demo reel and build connections with professionals. I have to give a HUGE shout-out to CG Spectrum’s Career Development Manager. She was the person who guided me through the entire application process. I honestly believe I would not have gotten this opportunity without her help.
Email: hello@cgspectrum.com