Designing Animated Characters
Learn to design compelling and memorable animated characters that become the heartbeat of the story in this four-week course.
Through a blend of theory and practical, hands-on exercises, you'll learn how to infuse life into your characters, making them resonate with audiences. The course covers all the key components of character creation, from exploring the foundational principles of shape language, color, and silhouette to mastering the nuances of facial expressions, body language, and accessorizing.
You'll engage in projects that encourage experimentation with design processes, including mind mapping, silhouette sketching, and using mood boards for inspiration. If you're aiming to enhance a project with appealing, original characters, this course offers the tools and insights to strengthen your animation skills, push the boundaries of traditional character design, and deviate from clichés.
What you will learn:
✔ Design characters that resonate with audiences by understanding their role in storytelling
✔ Develop practical research and ideation skills to inform and inspire your designs
✔ Apply fundamental design principles such as shape, color, and form to create visually appealing characters that communicate personality and emotion effectively
✔ Gain hands-on experience in character expression and presentation techniques
Prerequisite skills:
- Completion of Digital Animation 101 or equivalent knowledge or experience is helpful, but not required
Tuition
$299
Rates increases Jan. 1
Ages
Teens: Grades 6-12
Adult Learners: 18+
![]() | Expert guidance Receive direct, personalized feedback from a professional artist. |
| Learn on your own schedule Explore meaningful instruction in about five hours a week, over four weeks. |
![]() | Collaborate Work with your instructor and peers through messaging or optional real-time weekly classes. |
![]() | Real growth Develop artistic skills and projects that are important to you in 30 days. |
- Computer or mobile device with Internet and camera. Internet speed must be at least 1.5Mbps download and 800Kbps upload. For students using a mobile device, download the Canvas mobile app and select “Interlochen Online” as your school.
- You may choose to use drawing software such as Photoshop or Procreate, or work with traditional materials such as pens, pencils, markers, paints, paper, sketchbook, etc. If you choose to use software, you will need either a graphics tablet or pen display.
No, course sections are designed for their respective age groups, either for adults (students 18 and older) or young people (students under 18).
Yes, there are eight sessions of courses per year. View the academic calendar for more session dates.
This is one of three courses needed to complete the:
• Digital Animation Studies certificate program
• Character Design and Comic Art certificate program
Our online arts certificate programs are perfect for...
✔ Adults looking to boost their creative résumé and LinkedIn profile
✔ Teens who want to earn high school credit for their passion
Upon completion of the program, you will receive a physical certificate and a shareable digital certificate. Certificates for students under 18 are accredited by the Independent Schools Association of the Central States (ISACS); high school-age students will also receive an official transcript to share with their current school for consideration for high school credit.
Interlochen Online's Learning Experience
World-class. Inspiring. Flexible.
Questions? Speak with an Advisor.
Email: online@interlochen.org
Phone: 231.276.5990
You can also schedule an appointment.
Start Designing Your Next Character
Get access to Character Design Tips: How to Use Form for Eye-Catching Characters, an exclusive guide developed by Interlochen Online faculty.


