3D Character Animation

Join our specialized course in Autodesk Maya and dive into the exciting world of 3D Character Animation. Whether you’re looking to enhance your skills or start a new path, this course is designed to take your talents to the next level. Everyone with a passion for 3D character animation is welcome.
3DCA Course Showreel - 2023 3DCA Course Showreel - 2023

3DCA Showreel 2023

Ride of Passage Ride of Passage

Ride of Passage (2012)

Run by Sara Juric and Yu-Tong Pan, 3DCA 2022. Rig: Avatar: The Last Airbender. Nickelodeon Animation Studio Run by Sara Juric and Yu-Tong Pan, 3DCA 2022. Rig: Avatar: The Last Airbender. Nickelodeon Animation Studio

Run by Sara Juric and Yu-Tong Pan, 3DCA 2022. Rig: Avatar: The Last Airbender. Nickelodeon Animation Studio

The Animation WorkshopThe Animation Workshop

The Animation Workshop

Nadia BurgnaraNadia Burgnara

Nadia Burgnara

CharadesCharades

Charades

Type and duration

Professional Training Course, 10 weeks

Study start and city

22 April 2025, Viborg / Online

Course fee

EU Citizens: DKK 21.000 (Approx. 2.800 EUR) /// Non-EU Citizens: DKK 38.375 (Approx. 5.140 EUR)

Application deadline

(Seats still available)

ECTS

15 + 10

What you will learn

In our highly creative learning environment, you will have the unique opportunity to learn from active professional animators and develop both your technical and artistic skills in the art of 3D character animation.

The 3D Character Animation course combines the following key programme elements from the BA in Character Animation into a 10-week course of 25 ECTS points: “Animation Basics 3”, and “Advanced Animation”. The 10-week 3D Character Animation course takes you through a series of lectures, assignments and mini productions, increasing in complexity, in the field of 3D character animation - from concept to polish. You will be introduced to the industry standard modelling and animation software Autodesk Maya and to 3D character animation. You will be guided through a series of exercises designed to transfer the classical animation principles into 3D character animation. The curriculum places a strong focus on understanding body mechanics and physical action during animation basics, gradually advancing into more sophisticated concepts including parkour, and interaction, and finishing with an introduction to 4-legged creature animation.

The course finishes with a portfolio exam with consists of a showreel that you compile from the completed exercises. Additionally, you will be required to craft a 2-4 page written paper, critically analysing and reflecting on your learning process. The exam is graded.

Here's what you'll get:

  • Updated and industry-oriented curriculum: Join an intensive course that has been thoughtfully developed in collaboration with professional animators to teach you the craft of character animation in 3D.
  • Industry instructors: Learn from instructors who bring real-world, production-tested expertise to the classroom. Benefit from their invaluable insights and guidance to develop your skills.
  • Become proficient in Autodesk Maya: Develop a strong proficiency in Autodesk Maya, the cornerstone of 3D software used by leading studios worldwide. Learn the essential skills that form the foundation for any proprietary software you may encounter in the future.
  • Hands-on learning: From morning till afternoon, every day, you will test your skills with hands-on exercises that reinforce your understanding and skills.
  • Personalized Feedback: Receive draw-overs and feedback on your animations to help you advance quickly.
  • Powerful Workstation: Round-the-clock access to the classroom and your personal workstation, equipped with industry-standard software.
  • Support Beyond the Classroom: We're here to provide housing and travel guidance.
  • Build a Professional Network: Create valuable and personal connections with other animators and artists and become part of the TAW community.
  • Live teaching and mentoring. The training activity is conducted live whether you attend physical or online.
  • Earn Academic Recognition: Receive 25 ECTS credits upon successful completion of the course, further enhancing your credentials and career opportunities.

 

We recommend taking full advantage of the course by attending physically to benefit from the creative environment and feedback from your classmates. If this is not possible, the course can also be taken live and online, following Danish class hours.

Daily Programme

9:00-12:00: Class time

12:00-13:00: Lunch break

13:00-16:00: Class time (ends at 15:00 on Wednesdays and Fridays)

Open Education

The 3D Character Animation course is an Open Education programme, part of the Bachelor in Animation at The Animation Workshop, VIA University College (TAW). Open Education is a wide range of educational programmes in Denmark offered to adults who wish to undergo further training. It is open to anybody who has successfully passed our admission criteria.

The Professional Training Course 3D Character Animation combines the programme elements “Animation Basics 3”, and “Advanced Animation” from the BA in Animation into a combined course of 25 ECTS points. At the end of the course, each module will be examined.

It is also possible to only join one of the two course modules “Animation Basics” or “Advanced Animation” and pay a fee reduced accordingly.

The “Animation Basics” module runs from 22nd April to 23rd May 2025. The fee to join this module only is DKK 12.600 for EU citizens or DKK 23.025 for non-EU citizens.

“Advanced Animation” module runs from 26th May to 27th June 2025. The fee to join this module only is DKK 8.400 for EU citizens or DKK 15.350 for non-EU citizens.

If you wish to take part in only one of the modules, please get in contact with the course organizer (contact info below) to receive a separate application link for that specific module. We recommend taking part in the entire course.

Lecturers

  • Christoffer Andersen

  • Senior Animator at TeamTO, France
    • Hotel Transylvania 3: Summer Vacation (2018)
    • Skylanders Academy
    • Barbar & The Adventures of Badou – Season 3
    • See more from Christoffer
Eric Schmidt

  • Erik Schmidt

  • Animation Supervisor at Sun Creature
    • Has been in the animation industry over 30 years
    • Black Panther (2018)
    • Shark Tale (2004)
    • The Road to Eldorado (2000)
    • See more from Erik
Henrik Malmgren

  • Henrik Malmgren

  • AV Generalist, CEO and founder of Good Joob Studios
    • The Guest (2010)
    • Elu Herman H. Rottiga (2015)
    • Out of a Forest (2010)
    • See more from Henrik

See more lecturers

Ready to apply?

Who can apply?

We rate animation experience highly when evaluating applications but applicants with high technical skills in 3D software are also eligible.

How to apply?

click the link, then select “Educational programmes”, “Continuing and further education”, and then search for “3D Character Animation” in the top right corner.

Apply Here

When and where

Still Available seats

Once accepted, you will receive a signed acceptance letter within 1-2 weeks after the application deadline.

Need more information?

  • We offer to help you find accommodation during your stay.

    We aim at locating housing options that are furnished and located close to the school and which provide you with the opportunity to live with other adult course participants from the same course programme.

    The prices range between 400-700 EUR (3.000-5.000 DKK) per month.

    You will be offered a specific accommodation option by the housing organizer shortly after you have been accepted into the course. Rooms offered are typically located in the dormitory Camp Logos, which is right next to The Animation Workshop. Please note that TAW cannot guarantee that you get the specific room type you have requested. In some cases, we have to accept what is currently available from the housing organizer.

    Practical information

    All rooms in Camp Logos are furnished with a bed, bedside table, bedside lamp, room divider, desk, chair, and kitchenette. Please note that there are no kitchen utensils for the kitchenette in the room, but you can buy utensils at second-hand shops in Viborg. You can choose to purchase a duvet and pillow through VIA, so you will only need to bring bed sheets and towels. There is also a shared kitchen and common area at your disposal. If you have any questions in relation to housing during your course, please contact taw.housing@via.dk. 

    If you have any questions in relation to housing during your course, please contact taw.housing@via.dk

  • The Animation Workshop/VIA University College (TAW) reserves the right to cancel the course should there not be enough participants.

    Please note that you will be asked to pay the fee before the course starts.

    Unfortunately, we cannot offer scholarships for this course.

    Details on materials: All students will work in a fully set up computer lab on powerful workstations with Autodesk Maya installed. This is included in the course fee. The room is set up with dual monitors and a Wacom tablet (optional to use).

  • Please consult your national film institute, film fund, or employer for possibilities that may apply to you. Funding opportunities within Denmark include:

Contact