Digital Animation Studies Certificate Program

interlochen online digital animation studies certificate program

Next session begins Jan. 12

Tuition Rate: $799

Rates increase Jan. 1

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FAQs

Master foundational animation skills and learn to create characters that burst with personality. Through hands-on exercises and expert guidance, you'll develop techniques to design appealing, original characters and bring your animated visions to life for film, games, or personal projects.

Taught by a world-class faculty of animators and educators, our Digital Animation Studies certificate program offers a unique opportunity to deepen your craft, earn a valuable credential, and receive credit from Interlochen. This program is designed for both adults and teens and consists of three four-week courses that must be taken in sequential order.

Digital Animation 101

✔Master fundamental animation skills, allowing for immediate application in creating animations
✔Develop proficiency in using animation software and confidently navigate interfaces and drawing tools effectively
✔Analyze existing animated media so you can apply similar techniques directly to your own animation projects
✔Build a diverse portfolio of animation projects, including character turnarounds, dynamic movements, and expressive gestures, demonstrating a practical understanding of the 12 principles of animation

Designing Animated Characters

✔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

Digital Animation Techniques: Expressions and Movement

✔Rotate simple polyhedrons by breaking them down into planar forms, creating the illusion of 3D space in a 2D medium
✔Create a wide range of facial expressions, focusing on the eyes and mouth, and combine these features to convey complex emotions in characters
✔Use timing and multiple breakdowns to create dynamic and emotionally resonant animations
✔Animate realistic walk cycles and other forms of locomotion for characters, applying unique movement styles that reflect the character's mood and personality
Courses

Tuition

$ 897   $799

Ages

Teens: Grades 6-12

Adult Learners: Ages 18+

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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.
For all students:

✔ A respected credential from Interlochen Online
✔ Physical and shareable digital certificate upon completion
✔ A portfolio of completed, polished projects
✔ A strengthened résumé, college application, or LinkedIn profile

For middle school and high school students:

✔ An official transcript awarding high school credit
✔ Accreditation by the Independent Schools Association of the Central States (ISACS)

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.

Meet the Faculty

Our faculty of seasoned animators and artists bring a wealth of expertise and passion to guide aspiring filmmakers. With our faculty’s mentorship, students unlock their potential and create masterful animated works.

Kenna Marar headshot 400x600

Kenna Savitri Marar

Instructor of Visual Arts

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.

A girl sitting at a desk and drawing on a tablet