Bachelor of 2D Animation

Ait is well-known for unique specialist 2d animation courses, with our grads going on to work for some of the biggest australian and global production houses; just having ait on your cv puts you ahead of the competition. 

What To Expect

• As experts in the 2D animation industry, we have designed our animation course to reflect the practices of top professional animation studios. We provide guidance and support as you become part of the next generation to pursue your dream career in 2D animation. With our program, you can confidently step into the animation industry at your own pace and achieve the future you’ve always envisioned with the new skills you’ve learnt at AIT.

Software we'll provide

• Toon Boom Harmony
• Adobe Photoshop
• Adobe After Effects
• Toon Boom Storyboard Pro
• Adobe Premiere Pro
• Celtx

AIT Campus

• Two thirds of your program will be taught on campus in our industry-grade 2D studios, side by side with like-minded creatives.
• Lets face it, much of today’s 2D Animation production is about the technology and software you are using – that’s why we invest heavily in providing you the latest professional-grade animation software and hardware. We want you to fully experience it, experiment with it and create masterpieces using it, so your projects are rendered to the highest industry standards.
• In our facilities you will have access to dedicated animation studios with high end Alienware computers, our state-of-the-art Post Production studio, green screen rooms and audio studios – so you can fully make your magic.

Our Cloud Campus

• All of our course material is hosted on our cloud campus, specifically designed to deliver quality online learning.
• Through the cloud campus, you will have access to all content material, videos and interactive activities, discussion boards, video meeting facilities, email facilities, library access, assessment support, study support, technical support services, and welfare services. We know that choosing where to study is a big decision, so we welcome you to come and check it out before you enrol. 

Professional Experiences

• While studying at AIT, you’ll be exposed to a number of professional experiences where you will learn the skills you need for your creative career, while also being introduced to the industry.
• On campus, your Production Lab Subjects will be heavily practical, project-based, and follow industry-relevant production processes in a studio-like environment. Out of these subjects, you will produce a portfolio that’s ready to present to prospective employers.
• In your third year, our dedicated partnerships team will connect you to internship and mentorship opportunities, whilst working with you to raise your profile within the creative technology industries. 

Year 1 - Learn

Creative Drawing Lab

• The Creative Drawing Lab subject introduces the primary skills required to create drawings for animation. It explores a variety of theories, styles, elements and practices of drawing and how to apply them to different genres, themes and mediums. You will learn the animation principles as well as the digital tools for telling a story using an animated character.

Key professional skills development: 

• Responding to feedback
• Iterative design
• Reflection
• Concept communication
• Screen Evolution
• Visual Storytelling
• Concept Design
• 2D Animation Mechanics
• Screenwriting

Immersive Animation experience 1

• To create compelling animated characters, it’s essential to have a solid understanding of acting techniques. In this subject, you’ll learn how to apply gesture, posture, facial expressions, and voice intonation to bring your characters to life. You’ll research and analyse animated characters, studying their unique characteristics and vocal and visual styles.
• Through advanced 2D character design, and storyboard and animatic production, you’ll develop a simple character from concept to completion, responding to briefs and feedback from peers and professionals. You’ll also consider mood, environment, and context when designing your characters, giving you the skills to create truly captivating animations.

Key professional skills development:

• Aspects of planning
• Professional communication
• Problem-solving
• Conflict resolution
• Self-reflection
• Student work: ‘Jeff and Henry’ by Nathan Myihtoi and Matthew Deligeorges

Year 2 - Explore
Sound Design

• Explore the creative and technical aspects of sound design in digital media. Learn to record and process sounds, and how to implement them in a range of contexts. Applying sound design principles, you’ll discover how to enhance communication, meaning and emotion in your work, whether it’s film, animation, or games.
• Develop skills in sound editing, musical score selection, location recording, noise reduction, compression and reverberation, and sound production workflow. You’ll also receive feedback and reflect on your high quality work, making necessary improvements to create dynamic and engaging soundtracks.

Key professional skills development: 

• Teamwork and time management
• Copyright and legal considerations
• Critical listening skills
• Motion Design
• 2D Rigging
• Animation FX
• Animation Layout
• Culture and Creativity

Immersive Animation experience 2

• This subject involves the design and animation of creatures. It will explore the unique requirements of animation techniques for various animal motions. Content will include analysis and practical application of animal animation techniques (e.g. animating four-legged animals, birds, sea animals, and snakes). You will collaborate and adapt as you research, review and design creatures together. You will create an animation considering shot framing, composition, timing, and final assembly.

Key professional skills development:  

• Creative thinking
• Interpersonal skills
• Conflict resolution
• Reflecting on their own work and responding to feedback
• Student work: ‘Jeff and Henry’ by Nathan Myihtoi and Matthew Deligeorges

Year 3 - Launch
Professional Freelancing

• The rise of freelancing in media and games has seen it become one of the major forms of employment. Professional Freelancing aims to equip you with essential skills needed to succeed as an independent entrepreneur in the creative industries.
• You’ll learn about legal requirements, finance, monetisation, business models, documentation, admin, budgeting, pitching, and promotional skills. The course will analyse successful freelance artists, and you’ll research and identify areas of opportunity within your field.

Key professional skills development: 

• Networking
• Professional communication
• Planning and presentation skills
• Emerging Insights

Immersive Animation Experience 3

• Following a brief and using industry standard production management, you will follow the full production cycle to create a complex 2D animation. This will include script writing, character, environment and sound design, storyboard art, animation illustrations, a final animatic, editing and output, as well as professional documentation and file management procedures.

Key professional skills development:  

• Accepting feedback
• Making iterative modifications to your work
• Presenting and discussing your work with an audience
• Student work: ‘Jeff and Henry’ by Nathan Myihtoi and Matthew Deligeorges

Year 3 - Launch

• Your final four subjects are all about taking your place as an industry contributor. You’ve got this!

Forge 1

• Forge 1 is the first half of a two-term subject where you’ll learn to work in a professional team under workplace-like pressure to complete a project to contemporary industry standards.
• In Forge 1, you’ll focus on researching client needs and preparing pre-production materials required for an industry project. This course will sharpen your planning and project management skills and help develop pre-visualisation of narrative content to deliver comprehensive planning materials for a substantial production in Forge 2, in the final trimester of study.

The Professional Internship Program

Option 1: The Professional Internship Program

• You will be placed in a professional industry organisation where you will develop relevant skills oriented toward your chosen career. It will provide you with an opportunity to apply what you know, be mentored, receive feedback and seek opportunities for development in a real-world setting, as well as be exposed to emerging trends and technology impacting your industry.
• Prior to commencement of the internship, AIT will determine a suitable placement company based on your individual needs and interests.

Option 2: Professional Project

• You will complete an industry project of your choosing, related to your area of study. While support and feedback will be provided, in this subject you will experience working independently on a creative project off campus with minimal academic interaction. It may be completed independently or in collaboration with peers.
• The project will be conceived and developed for a relevant contextual setting, and be presented as a proposal of a specific task, or solution to a problem or opportunity faced by an organisation or industry. The subject is an opportunity for you to develop and demonstrate self-regulated, independent research and study skills, time and project management and professional communication.

Industry Launchpad

• Here we help you search for and prepare yourself for employment. We provide guidelines for how to prepare effective resources that enhance your employment prospects.
• You will be introduced to interview techniques and personal branding while building a professional internet and social media presence. You will also learn how to produce effective presentations of your highest-grade work for future employers.

Forge 2

• The Forge 2 is part two of a subject that runs across two terms, where you will complete your final 2D animation major work. The production, to be completed in teams, will be presented to industry representatives at the completion of the project. A key aim of the subject is to develop your speed and efficiency in a collaborative work environment.
• The process of briefing, planning, executing, presenting and reflecting will help you become accustomed to professional project-based work. The subject will also challenge you to innovate, learn from both success and failure,“know yourself”, and learn how to work with others. You will be mentored, critiqued and assessed during this process, with industry experts providing feedback on project outcomes.

You could work in the following roles:

• Animator
• FX Animator
• Storyboard Artist
• Concept Artist
• Script Writer
• Motion Graphics Animator
• Animation Layout Artist
• Animation Background Artist
• Animation Production Manager
• Independent Animated Filmmaker

Confidently use software, including:

• Toon Boom Harmony
• Toon Boom Storyboard Pro
• Adobe Photoshop
• Adobe Premiere Pro
• Adobe After Effects
• Celtx

Master technical skills including:

• Pitch creation
• Scriptwriting
• Scheduling/Production Management
• Storyboarding
• Character Posing
• Perspective
• Colour Harmony
• Character and Location Artwork Creation
• Digital Hand-drawn Animation
• 2D Puppet Animation
• Sound Design
• Motion Graphics
• Editing
• Production

Graduate with a Professional Portfolio that includes:

• Character concept designs showing evolution and working to a brief
• Character turnaround artwork ready for production
• Location concept artwork demonstrating evolution and working to a brief
• Script and treatment samples demonstrating development of an idea, conveying a message and following industry protocols
• Background Layouts demonstrating understanding of perspective, depth, composition and camera angle
• Finished Background artwork demonstrating colour harmony and composition
• Storyboard Artwork demonstrating sequential storytelling and construction of a narrative
• Animation samples demonstrating motion graphics applications, character performance and dialogue, creature action, and use of a 2D rig
• A short animated film of your own creation working from a brief
• A short animated film created as a team working from a brief.
• Student work: ‘Anxious Embrace’ by Shaleise-Rose Leishman, Jessica Fredricksen ,Zachariah Poliseno, Roland Luong, Ammar Mohammed & Ben Shanahan