The Ontario College of Art and Design University (OCAD U) is a renowned institution located in Toronto, Canada, dedicated to fostering creativity and innovation through art, design, and digital media education. As Canada's largest and oldest university specializing in art and design, OCAD U offers a diverse range of programs, including undergraduate and graduate degrees, as well as continuing studies and research opportunities. With a strong emphasis on interdisciplinary collaboration, OCAD U provides a dynamic and inclusive learning environment where students can explore their artistic passions, engage in critical discourse, and develop the skills necessary to make a meaningful impact in the creative industries.

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Learn the skills to bring your imagination to life in OCAD University’s new Experimental Animation program. OCAD U has a long history of graduating successful animators in art and film including George Dunning who directed The Beatles’ Yellow Submarine and Richard Williams who was animation director for Who Framed Roger Rabbit. More recently, alumni include computer animator Trudy Elmore and emerging VR artist Jawa El Khash. Shary Boyle, who represented Canada at the Venice Biennale, has achieved great success with her mesmerizing performances using hand-animated imagery. In this program, you’ll develop a personal artistic vision and push the boundaries of animation as a contemporary art form. You’ll mix traditional and digital media using 2D, 3D, stop-motion, digital compositing and augmented/virtual reality. During the Experimental Animation program, you’ll have a lot of flexibility to take elective art and design courses beyond animation. The program has growing relationships with other schools around the world and many connections with Toronto’s growing animation industry. OCAD U alumni have worked at Industrial Light & Magic, Yowza, Guru, Jam-Filled, Stoopid Buddy, The Stop Motion Department, StereoD and Moment Factory, among others. The program’s full-time faculty are active practitioners in contemporary art and animation and show their work internationally. Show less

First Year
You will have a ton of choice in taking different kind of classes to get a good base for future years. A few are mandatory, such as Introduction to Experimental Animation, but the rest of your classes could include:

Sculpture Concepts
Form and structure
Wearable art
Photography
Painting
The Moving Image: Production I
3D Animation and Modelling
Painting & Digital Imaging
Sonic Art
XR Playground
Body and technology
Printmaking
Art and code

Second Year
In second year, you’ll start developing core storytelling and technical skills. You will be exposed to many different animation practices, approaches and theories. You’ll take Animation Reframed, a course covering the state of animation art today and a Visual Storytelling course to learn about storyboarding and building meaningful concepts. You’ll also take a Hybrid Animation Workshop to focus on expanded animation like installations, game engines and virtual/augmented reality. You can also take three animation electives of your choice, such as:

Compositing & Digital Animation
3D Modelling and Animation
Intermediate Animation
Stop-Motion Material Mashup
Character Design & Animation
You’ll also take a Contemporary Issues seminar and two Liberal Arts electives of your choice.

Third Year
In third year, you’ll work on a year-long project. You’ll take Advanced Animation Studio 1 and 2 to develop your personal vision, research and core media and animation skills. You’ll also have a choice of electives that could include:

3D Modelling & Animation 2
Advanced 2D Character Animation
Stop-Motion Puppet Show
Advanced Compositing
Sound Design

You’ll also choose an experimental learning course that will help you prepare for your career:
Professional Practice
Learning in the Field
Independent Study

Fourth Year
In fourth year, you’ll take an Experimental Learning course. You could work with one of OCAD U’s many partners. Past projects have included making animations for billboards at Yonge-Dundas Square or the Metro Toronto Convention Centre, developing projections for the Toronto Youth Wind Orchestra, projection mapping animations on buildings for the City of Toronto with AVA Animation, teaching workshops or assisting professional animators at the Toronto Animated Image Society.

Everything else is up to you. You’ll be able to choose your focus and do a deep-dive on a personal, year-long project in the EXAN Thesis Course. This is a six-hour a semester course where you will work closely with your classmates and faculty to develop your vision into a final project that you will be able to show in festivals and venues around the world.

At the end of the year, you’ll showcase your work at GradEx, OCAD U’s Graduate Exhibition, the biggest free art and design exhibition in Toronto with more than 40,000 visitors.

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OCAD University, formerly known as the Ontario College of Art and Design University, is a leading institution dedicated to fostering innovation, creativity, and critical thinking in the fields of art, design, and digital media. Located in Toronto, Canada, OCAD U has a rich history dating back to its founding in 1876. It offers a comprehensive range of undergraduate and graduate programs, as well as continuing studies, research opportunities, and professional development courses. As Canada's largest and oldest university specialized in art and design, OCAD U is renowned for its forward-thinking approach to education and its commitment to preparing students for the rapidly evolving creative industries. The university embraces an interdisciplinary approach that encourages collaboration and exploration across disciplines, enabling students to gain a well-rounded understanding of the creative process. OCAD U boasts a vibrant and diverse community of students, faculty, and staff, who contribute to the rich tapestry of artistic expression and innovation on campus. The university provides state-of-the-art facilities, including specialized studios, labs, and exhibition spaces, where students can experiment, create, and showcase their work. At OCAD U, students have the opportunity to engage with renowned faculty members who are accomplished artists, designers, and scholars in their respective fields. Through a combination of rigorous academic instruction, hands-on studio work, and critical discourse, students develop the necessary skills and knowledge to become leaders and change-makers in their chosen creative fields. Beyond the classroom, OCAD U actively promotes community engagement and collaboration. The university encourages students to connect with the vibrant arts and design scene in Toronto, forging meaningful partnerships with industry professionals and cultural organizations. This emphasis on real-world experience prepares students for successful careers and entrepreneurial endeavors in the global creative economy. With its rich heritage, commitment to innovation, and emphasis on interdisciplinary collaboration, OCAD University continues to be at the forefront of art, design, and digital media education. It nurtures and empowers the next generation of creative thinkers, pushing the boundaries of artistic expression and making a significant impact in the cultural landscape of Canada and beyond.

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You will need to book the accommodation after you have been accepted.

You can choose to live on campus or off campus in private accommodation.

How to book:

• Make a booking online after you have been accepted (in this case please let us know your choice when you apply).
• Register when you arrive - its not possible to reserve a room before arriving. You can arrive a few days before and book it

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