Summer School / Toon Boom Harmony 2D Animation

This course will hone your skills in animating 2D characters using the industry-standard software, Toon Boom Harmony – a favourite among creators of animated TV-series. Our primary focus is on refining your ability to create believable character movements through a very hands-on and guided approach. 

Dark dark woods Dark Dark Woods

Dark Dark Woods (2017, bachelor production)

The Animation Workshop The Animation Workshop

The Animation Workshop

The Animation Workshop The Animation Workshop

The Animation Workshop

Type and duration

Summer school, 3 weeks

Study start and city

11 - 29 August 2025, Viborg

Course fee

EU-citizens: DKK 8.500 (approx. EUR 1.140), Non-EU citizens:  DKK 15.450 (Approx. 2.070 EUR)

Application deadline

1 May, 2025

ECTS

10 ECTS points

What you will learn

Unleash your creativity and dive into the captivating world of digital 2D Character Animation. The course is based on the programme element “Animation Basics 2”, which relates to the core area: 2D Character Animation Theory, Methods and Techniques” of the renowned bachelor in Character Animation at The Animation Workshop.

The content of the programme element is executed through a series of exercises with focus on animation physicality, acting and movement cycles in Toon Boom Harmony. The summer school is primarily for students of animation as well as animation professionals and others with some animation experience.

You will be practicing your ability to animate characters in 2d walking, implementing the principles of physicality and acting. You will gain insight into how to develop believable and consistent characters through 2d animated performance.

Throughout the course, you will be animating in Toon Boom Harmony, which will be introduced at the beginning of the course. Given that this software is the industry standard for animated TV series, the course offers valuable practical experience tailored for individuals who aspire to enter this field of work.

In general, the course is very practical and hands-on. Our teaching approach is a dynamic blend of lectures, assignments and constructive feedback - individually and in groups, aimed at pushing each student to reach as high a skill level in 2d animation as possible.

The course finishes with a graded exam based on the topic of the course. This is a “portfolio exam” for which the student collects his/her 3 best exercises done during the course.

Daily programme

  • 9-12: Class time
  • 12-13: Lunch break
  • 13-16: class time

As part of VIA’s summer school programme, additional activities are organised after school hours such as trips or social activities. In addition, the workload of the course is relatively high, so extra work on assignments outside of course hours is to be expected.

Open Education

The summer school in Toon Boom Harmony 2D Animation is an Open Education programme, part of the Bachelor in Character 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.

Exam

The course finishes with a graded exam based on the topic of the course. This is a “portfolio exam” for which the student collects his/her 3 best exercises done during the course.

 

Secure your spot now and experience the Summer vibe at The Animation Workshop.

Lecturers

Christian Kuntz

  • Christian Kuntz

  • Storyboard Artist, Character Designer, Animator Director
    • Participated in are The Ole Lund Kirkegaard-trilogy
    • The Children's World
    • First film as a director, Mops & Ollie
See more from Christian

  • Lho Brockhoff

  • 2D Animator
    • Animation lead on Høj (2024)
    • Animator on Roselil & Stentrolden (2023)
    • Animator on Dead End: Paranormal Park (2022)

See more from Lho Brockhoff

Ready to apply?

Who can apply?

The course is open for professionals and students who have studied for at least one year at a Bachelor's degree programme or have some professional experience in visual arts. Applicants should already have acquired basic knowledge of animation, either because they already study animation or another subject, where an introduction to animation was taught, or because they learned it elsewhere, for example as part of their professional work or in a course. Additionally, good drawing skills are needed to be able to follow the class.

How to apply?

  • A CV
  • Proof of study if relevant
  • A portfolio (online link or PDF) including information about your animation experience, for example links to exercises or films that you made, or a course/university diploma transcript proving course participation.
How to apply

The application process

The application is first-come-first-serve, and we review the applications as they come. In the event of a successful application to the course, you will receive an acceptance letter within 1-2 weeks after applying. When the course is full, we will have to reject your application even though you meet the admission criteria. However, rejected, qualified applicants are put on a waiting list, and they will be offered a seat in case of cancellations.

The Animation Workshop, VIA University College reserves the right to cancel the course should there not be enough participants by the application deadline.

The application form

In order to access the application form, you need to create your own password to sign in.

Please state Toon Boon Harmony 2D Animation as your first priority in the application form.

You will also be asked to choose between certain options about you education status or background. If you cannot find a relevant option please choose the closest and make sure to explain your actual background in your CV.

Need more information?

  • Housing is not included in the course fee, but here are some suggestions for how and where to find accommodation:

    The student dorm Camp Logos

    For the duration of the course, one option is to rent a room in the nearby student dorm “Camp Logos”, which is run by the company “Boligselskabet Sct. Jørgen”. They offer various types of rooms furnished with a bed, a table and a chair. You can choose to purchase a duvet and pillow through VIA, so you will only need to bring bed sheets, towels and kitchen utensils. Also, you will need to clean your room very thoroughly before leaving. All tenants are, for hygienic reasons, advised to buy a top mattress (300 DKK / 40 EUR). If you have any questions in relation to housing during your course, please contact taw.housing@via.dk

    Please note: It is only possible to rent a room for 1 month.

    One-room flat with private kitchen, bath and toilet: 505 EUR (3.760 DKK)

    Single room in a flat shared with one other student (shared kitchen, bath and toilet): 430 EUR (3.200 DKK)

    Please apply for housing at Camp Logos by sending a mail to: taw.housing@via.dk

    Facebook group

    In the Facebook group “Animation Workshop Housing Forum” you can get in contact with other students who might have a free room in their flat over the summer.

    Bed and Breakfast, camping etc.

    Here is a list of other affordable short-term housing options in Viborg:

    Klosterpensionen

    Oasen

    Lisely

    Danhostel Viborg

    DCU Camping Viborg Sø

  • Food

    Food is not included in the course fee, but breakfast and lunch can be purchased in the VIA cantina. Bakeries and supermarkets offering take-away meals, and restaurants can be found close to the school. Please note that many of the housing options include cooking facilities.

    Cancellation

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

  • PC and Software provided
    Use of the software Toon Boom Harmony (the newest license available) for the duration of the course is included in the course fee. The 2025 course will run in the fully equipped Professional Training classroom, which means that you will be allocated your own powerful workstation with 2 monitors and Wacom board in the classroom. You can bring your own device if you wish, as well as your own drawing tablet, but the workstation (PC) is available for you with Toon Boom Harmony already installed.

    If you wish to bring your own device, the specs below will be a good starting point:

    System requirements

    Windows:

    • Version: Windows 7 (64-bit, excluding Starter and Home Basic), Windows 8.1 (64 bit) or Windows 10 (64 bit)
    • Processor: Minimum: Intel Core i5 minimum, recommended: Intel Core i7, Xeon or better
    • Memory: Minimum: 8 GB, recommended: 32 GB
    • Monitor: Minimum: 1280 x 800 minimum, recommended: 1920 x 1080, 4K monitors with scaling up to 200% supported
    • Video card: Minimum: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 560, recommended: NVIDIA Geforce GTX 1060, best: NVIDIA Geforce RTX 2070
    • Drawing tablet: Wacom Bamboo, Intuos or Cintiq
    • Disk space: 1 GB

    MacOS:

    • Version: macOS 10.13.6 High Sierra, macOS 10.14.6 Mojave, macOS 10.15.4 Catalina, macOS 11.0.1 Big Sur Intel Processor
    • Processor: Minimum: Intel Core i5, recommended: Intel Core i7, Xeon or better
    • Memory: Minimum: 8 GB, recommended: 32 GB
    • Monitor: Minimum: 1280 x 800 minimum, recommended: 1920 x 1080. Retina display supported
    • Video card: Minimum: Intel Iris Pro Graphics 6200 1536 MB, recommended: Radeon Pro 560, best : Radeon Pro Vega 64
    • Drawing tablet: Wacom Bamboo, Intuos or Cintiq
    • Disk space: 1.25 GB

Contact

  • Per Kristensen

  • Project Manager, Talent & Skills Development
  • T: +45 87 55 49 55