Bachelor of Animation (Honours)

For 50 years, Sheridan has been considered one of the best animation schools in the world.

Professional, hands-on instruction and creative freedom

In our Animation degree program, you’ll learn from industry professionals, using the same techniques and tools that you'll eventually need in the workplace. Using state-of-the-art software and hardware, you’ll create your own stories, designs, characters and layouts, and produce your own films.

From story pitch to finished film

Sheridan’s animation program emphasizes classical principles of animation in a variety of forms, including 2D digital, 3D and stop motion. You’ll learn the art of storyboarding and hone your life drawing, layout and digital painting skills. Working collaboratively or individually on productions, you’ll have the opportunity to explore all aspects of animation filmmaking.

Career connections

After Year 3, you’ll gain professional experience during a three-month work placement. And at our annual Industry Day, employers will fly in from across North America to meet you, see your work and conduct interviews.

A reputation for excellence

Students come from all over the world to study animation at Sheridan. That’s because our Animation program has such a strong reputation. Michael Hirsh, co-founder of Nelvana, refers to Sheridan as the “Harvard of Animation.”

Our graduates go on to work in television and feature animation at major studios throughout North America.

Sheridan Animation courses are held in Oakville, Ontario.

Learning Outcomes

Program Critical Performance:

By the end of the program, the graduate will have demonstrated the ability to create quality animation performance through a creative and professional portfolio using principles of animation, drawing, design, cinematic storytelling, artistic expertise and innovation. The graduate will have exhibited a personal and professional commitment to artistic growth and cultural literacy that conveys passion, confidence, a collaborative and independent spirit, refined communications skills, and the adaptability to work within a dynamic animation community.

• Create animated sequences from the development of the original concept through design to final film or video production.

• Communicate ideas, believable action and emotion effectively by employing principles of animation and performance in all aspects of drawing.

• Integrate the concepts, principles and theories involved in the physics of animation in all aspects of drawing.

• Refine personal narrative voice that holistically integrates the elements of storytelling and performance in order to actively engage the audience.

• Create 2D and 3D characters and environments that reflect the integration of graphic clarity, design principles, performance principles and theoretical constructs.

• Design layouts and backgrounds that incorporate principles of composition, perspective and colour, with speed, accuracy and dexterity, using a variety of media.

• Create an animated film incorporating a range of artistic styles and techniques, reflecting the principle that form follows function.

• Coordinate and manage the production of a student film, including the aspects of cinematography, art direction and editing.

• Collaborate effectively with peers on film projects.

• Use critical thinking skills and problem solving strategies in all dimensions of development and production.

• Manage targets within the production schedule to effectively achieve completion of required tasks.

• Communicate ideas, emotion and intent effectively in visual, oral and written forms.

• Generate work that reflects initiative, creativity, adaptability and personal style.

• Create animation that incorporates the basic principles of constructive anatomy and drawing using economy of expression.

• Incorporate technology effectively in the development of animation projects.