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, 9 weeks

Study start and city

13 April 2026, Viborg / Online

Course fee

EU Citizens: 23.500,- DKK /// Non-EU Citizens: 40.875,- DKK

Application deadline

8 march 2026

ECTS

15 + 10

Ready to become a 3D character animator? Our intensive 3D Character Animation course teaches you how to animate compelling characters using Autodesk Maya, the leading software used by top studios. Whether you are a beginner or looking to advance your skills, this course offers a very hands-on, professional training experience at The Animation Workshop, VIA in Denmark or live online.

What you will learn

 

In this course, you will:

  • Apply classical animation principles to 3D character movement.
  • Gain proficiency in Autodesk Maya animation tools.
  • Understand and explore body mechanics, physicality, parkour animation, and creature animation.
  • Build a professional animation showreel and earn 25 ECTS credits.
  • Receive personalized feedback from experienced animators.

 

Why Choose This Course?

This is more than just a Maya animation course—it’s your gateway to the animation industry:

  • Industry-relevant curriculum developed with professional animators.
  • Live teaching and mentoring, either online or in Viborg, Denmark.
  • Access to studio-grade software and workstations
  • Join a vibrant animation school community and expand your network.

 

Course structure

In our creative learning environment, you will have the 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 9-week intense course of 25 ECTS points

  • Animation Basics 3
  • Advanced Animation

Through lectures, assignments, and mini-productions, you will progress from foundational techniques to advanced animation concepts. You will learn to translate classical principles into 3D, with a strong focus on body mechanics and physical action. The course gradually advances into more sophisticated concepts including parkour, and interaction, and finishes with an introduction to quadruped movement.

Final exam

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.

Learning format

We recommend attending in person to benefit from the creative environment and feedback from your classmates. However, the course is also available live online, following Danish class hours.

Daily Programme

9:00-12:00: Class
12:00-13:00: Lunch break
13:00-16:00: Class (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. 

Course Options

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.

You can choose the full 9-week programme (recommended) or enroll in individual modules:
Animation Basics

Learn the foundations of 3D character animation.

  • Dates: 13 April – 15 May 2026
  • Fee: 12.900 DKK (EU/EAA citizens) /// 23.325 DKK (non-EU citizens)
  • Advanced Animation
  • Dive into complex techniques like parkour, interaction animation and quadruped movement.
  • Dates: 18 May – 12 June 2026
  • Fee: 10.600 DKK (EU/EAA citizens) /// 17.550 DKK (non-EU citizens)

If you wish to enroll in a single module, please contact the course organizer for a separate application link.

Apply now and start your journey as a professional 3D character animator.

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 is this course for?

This course is ideal for aspiring animators, animation students, and professionals looking to upskill in 3D character animation. We rate animation understanding highly when evaluating applications but applicants with technical skills in 3D software are also eligible.

How to apply?

Please click the link and fill out the few steps in the application portal Nemstudie.

 

Apply Here

When and where

Once accepted, you will receive a written confirmation at the latest immediately 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).

    When admitted to a course, you can cancel your seat up to one month before the first course day. After this one-month limit, cancelation will no longer be possible and you will be obliged to pay for your seat.

     

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

Contact