Digital Animation Studies Certificate Program

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 college credit, high school credit, or both. 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

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

$ 1197 $999

Ages

Teens: Grades 6-12

Adult Learners: Ages 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.

For all students:

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

For middle school and high school students:

✔ An official Interlochen transcript awarding 0.5 high school credit
✔ Accreditation by the Independent Schools Association of the Central States (ISACS)
✔ Credit that may transfer to hundreds of high schools nationwide

For adults and high school students:

✔ An official college transcript awarding 3 college credits
✔ Accreditation by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
✔ Credit that may transfer to hundreds of college and universities nationwide

Eligible high school students may earn both high school and college credit through the same certificate program.

Yes, Interlochen Online certificate programs are accredited for both high school and college credit.

High school credit is available to teens and accredited by the Independent Schools Association of the Central States (ISACS).

College credit is available to adults and current high school students and accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).

Accreditation from Independent Schools Association of the Central States (ISACS) and the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) are widely recognized and accepted by thousands of institutions across the country. However, we encourage students and families to consult with their school counselor or registrar in advance to determine how the credit may be applied toward graduation requirements.

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.