Bachelor of 2D Animation
AIT is well-known for unique specialist 2D Animation courses, with our grads going on to work for some of the biggest Australian and global production houses; just having AIT on your CV puts you ahead of the competition.
- 27 May 2024
- 16 September 2024
- 3 February 2025
Duration & Location
- 3 years full time
- 2 years accelerated
- ⅔ face-to-face on campus | ⅓ online
- Home
- Courses
- 2D Animation
- Bachelor of 2D Animation
- What to expect
- Course Content
- Course Superpowers
- Industry Partners
- How To Apply
What To Expect
As experts in the 2D animation industry, we have designed our animation course to reflect the practices of top professional animation studios. We provide guidance and support as you become part of the next generation to pursue your dream career in 2D animation. With our program, you can confidently step into the animation industry at your own pace and achieve the future you’ve always envisioned with the new skills you’ve learnt at AIT.
Technical Instruction - Experienced knowledgeable educators
Creative Teamwork - Teams of like-minded collaborators
Current Knowledge - Current software, technology and insights
Professional Skills - Embedded employability training
Skills practice - Practical hands-on learning
Project work - relevant project-based assessments
Expert feedback - Broad engagement with industry
Industry input - Work opportunities in professional contexts
Toon Boom Harmony
Toon Boom Storyboard Pro
Adobe Photoshop
Adobe Premiere Pro
Adobe After Effects
Celtx
Technical Instruction - Experienced knowledgeable educators
Creative Teamwork - Teams of like-minded collaborators
Current Knowledge - Current software, technology and insights
Professional Skills - Embedded employability training
Skills practice - Practical hands-on learning
Project work - relevant project-based assessments
Expert feedback - Broad engagement with industry
Industry input - Work opportunities in professional contexts
AIT Campus
Two thirds of your program will be taught on campus in our industry-grade 2D studios, side by side with like-minded creatives.
Lets face it, much of today’s 2D Animation production is about the technology and software you are using – that’s why we invest heavily in providing you the latest professional-grade animation software and hardware. We want you to fully experience it, experiment with it and create masterpieces using it, so your projects are rendered to the highest industry standards.
In our facilities you will have access to dedicated animation studios with high end Alienware computers, our state-of-the-art Post Production studio, green screen rooms and audio studios – so you can fully make your magic.
Our Cloud Campus
All of our course material is hosted on our cloud campus, specifically designed to deliver quality online learning.
Through the cloud campus, you will have access to all content material, videos and interactive activities, discussion boards, video meeting facilities, email facilities, library access, assessment support, study support, technical support services, and welfare services. We know that choosing where to study is a big decision, so we welcome you to come and check it out before you enrol.
Student work: ‘Rose, Revolutionary Leader Sculpt’ by Tarik Takasu
Professional Experiences
While studying at AIT, you’ll be exposed to a number of professional experiences where you will learn the skills you need for your creative career, while also being introduced to the industry.
On campus, your Production Lab Subjects will be heavily practical, project-based, and follow industry-relevant production processes in a studio-like environment. Out of these subjects, you will produce a portfolio that’s ready to present to prospective employers.
In your third year, our dedicated partnerships team will connect you to internship and mentorship opportunities, whilst working with you to raise your profile within the creative technology industries.
- Mentorship from Professional Animators
- Visiting Animation Studios
- Simulated Studio Environments on Campus
- Using Industry-grade Tools
- Professional Guest Speakers
- Year 1 - Learn
- Year 2 - Explore
- Year 3 - Launch
Year 1 - Learn
Creative Drawing Lab
The Creative Drawing Lab subject introduces the primary skills required to create drawings for animation. It explores a variety of theories, styles, elements and practices of drawing and how to apply them to different genres, themes and mediums. You will learn the animation principles as well as the digital tools for telling a story using an animated character.
Key professional skills development:
- Responding to feedback
- Iterative design
- Reflection
- Concept communication
Screen Evolution
Visual Storytelling
Concept Design
2D Animation Mechanics
Screenwriting
Performance Animation Lab
Immersive Animation experience 1
To create compelling animated characters, it’s essential to have a solid understanding of acting techniques. In this subject, you’ll learn how to apply gesture, posture, facial expressions, and voice intonation to bring your characters to life. You’ll research and analyse animated characters, studying their unique characteristics and vocal and visual styles.
Through advanced 2D character design, and storyboard and animatic production, you’ll develop a simple character from concept to completion, responding to briefs and feedback from peers and professionals. You’ll also consider mood, environment, and context when designing your characters, giving you the skills to create truly captivating animations.
Key professional skills development:
- Aspects of planning
- Professional communication
- Problem-solving
- Conflict resolution
- Self-reflection
Student work: ‘Jeff and Henry’ by Nathan Myihtoi and Matthew Deligeorges
Year 2 - Explore
Sound Design
Explore the creative and technical aspects of sound design in digital media. Learn to record and process sounds, and how to implement them in a range of contexts. Applying sound design principles, you’ll discover how to enhance communication, meaning and emotion in your work, whether it’s film, animation, or games.
Develop skills in sound editing, musical score selection, location recording, noise reduction, compression and reverberation, and sound production workflow. You’ll also receive feedback and reflect on your high quality work, making necessary improvements to create dynamic and engaging soundtracks.
Key professional skills development:
- Teamwork and time management
- Copyright and legal considerations
- Critical listening skills
Motion Design
2D Rigging
Animation FX
Animation Layout
Culture and Creativity
Creature Animation Lab
Immersive Animation experience 2
This subject involves the design and animation of creatures. It will explore the unique requirements of animation techniques for various animal motions. Content will include analysis and practical application of animal animation techniques (e.g. animating four-legged animals, birds, sea animals, and snakes). You will collaborate and adapt as you research, review and design creatures together. You will create an animation considering shot framing, composition, timing, and final assembly.
Key professional skills development:
- Creative thinking
- Interpersonal skills
- Conflict resolution
- Reflecting on their own work and responding to feedback
Student work: ‘Jeff and Henry’ by Nathan Myihtoi and Matthew Deligeorges
Year 3 - Launch
Professional Freelancing
The rise of freelancing in media and games has seen it become one of the major forms of employment. Professional Freelancing aims to equip you with essential skills needed to succeed as an independent entrepreneur in the creative industries.
You’ll learn about legal requirements, finance, monetisation, business models, documentation, admin, budgeting, pitching, and promotional skills. The course will analyse successful freelance artists, and you’ll research and identify areas of opportunity within your field.
Key professional skills development:
- Networking
- Professional communication
- Planning and presentation skills
Emerging Insights
Animation Production Lab
Immersive Animation Experience 3
Following a brief and using industry standard production management, you will follow the full production cycle to create a complex 2D animation. This will include script writing, character, environment and sound design, storyboard art, animation illustrations, a final animatic, editing and output, as well as professional documentation and file management procedures.
Key professional skills development:
- Accepting feedback
- Making iterative modifications to your work
- Presenting and discussing your work with an audience
Student work: ‘Jeff and Henry’ by Nathan Myihtoi and Matthew Deligeorges
Your final four subjects are all about taking your place as an industry contributor. You’ve got this!
- Forge 1
Forge 1 is the first half of a two-term subject where you’ll learn to work in a professional team under workplace-like pressure to complete a project to contemporary industry standards.
In Forge 1, you’ll focus on researching client needs and preparing pre-production materials required for an industry project. This course will sharpen your planning and project management skills and help develop pre-visualisation of narrative content to deliver comprehensive planning materials for a substantial production in Forge 2, in the final trimester of study.
- The Professional Internship Program
- Industry Launchpad
- Forge 2
Forge 1 is the first half of a two-term subject where you’ll learn to work in a professional team under workplace-like pressure to complete a project to contemporary industry standards.
In Forge 1, you’ll focus on researching client needs and preparing pre-production materials required for an industry project. This course will sharpen your planning and project management skills and help develop pre-visualisation of narrative content to deliver comprehensive planning materials for a substantial production in Forge 2, in the final trimester of study.
CourseSuperpowersCourseSuperpowers
At the completion of this course:
You could work in the following roles:
- Animator
- FX Animator
- Storyboard Artist
- Concept Artist
- Script Writer
- Motion Graphics Animator
- Animation Layout Artist
- Animation Background Artist
- Animation Production Manager
- Independent Animated Filmmaker
Confidently use software, including:
- Toon Boom Harmony
- Toon Boom Storyboard Pro
- Adobe Photoshop
- Adobe Premiere Pro
- Adobe After Effects
- Celtx
Master technical skills including:
- Pitch creation
- Scriptwriting
- Scheduling/Production Management
- Storyboarding
- Character Posing
- Perspective
- Colour Harmony
- Character and Location Artwork Creation
- Digital Hand-drawn Animation
- 2D Puppet Animation
- Sound Design
- Motion Graphics
- Editing
- Production
Graduate with a Professional Portfolio that includes:
- Character concept designs showing evolution and working to a brief
- Character turnaround artwork ready for production
- Location concept artwork demonstrating evolution and working to a brief
- Script and treatment samples demonstrating development of an idea, conveying a message and following industry protocols
- Background Layouts demonstrating understanding of perspective, depth, composition and camera angle
- Finished Background artwork demonstrating colour harmony and composition
- Storyboard Artwork demonstrating sequential storytelling and construction of a narrative
- Animation samples demonstrating motion graphics applications, character performance and dialogue, creature action, and use of a 2D rig
- A short animated film of your own creation working from a brief
- A short animated film created as a team working from a brief.
Student work: ‘Anxious Embrace’ by Shaleise-Rose Leishman, Jessica Fredricksen , Zachariah Poliseno, Roland Luong, Ammar Mohammed & Ben Shanahan
Imagine being connected to industry while you study. We've worked with...
HearfromourindustrypartnersHearfromourindustrypartners
How To Apply
Here at AIT, we care about your creativity, not your ATAR. If you’re a domestic student, then you can apply directly to AIT or via UAC and VTAC. If you’re an international student, then our registered agent partners can help you to organise everything you’ll need for your AIT application and your application to study in Australia.
Find out exactly what studying at AIT will cost, with our transparent list of student fees plus learn more about the generous scholarships for both international and domestic students.
Student work: ‘Hairy Situation’ by Shaleise-Rose Leishman
What'snext?What'snext?
Not sure what to explore next? Visit our connect page and choose your own adventure. Talk to someone about your study options, book a campus tour and have a look around, chat with a current AIT student or get started on your application.