School of Animation
Online Certificate Course
Introduction to Character Design
Introduction to Character Design is a focused VFS Short-Track course for beginners and developing creatives looking for focused, part-time training in character design. Ever wondered how famous characters like Batman are created?
Course Details:
Dates: Thursdays, March 27 to May 8, 2025
Duration: 7-week course, one online class per week
Time: Thursdays, 5:30p.m. – 8:30 p.m. PST (Vancouver Time Zone)
Cost: $950
Course Snapshot
| Level | Use verified level or prerequisite status |
|---|---|
| Delivery | Dynamic: online, on-campus or both |
| Duration | Dynamic course-instance field |
| Tuition | Dynamic course-instance field |
| Software / equipment | See verified requirements below |
| Portfolio / practical outcome | An original character concept; A structured character sheet; A portfolio-ready presentation of shape, clothing, props and colour choices |
| Instructor | Dynamic instructor profile |
What to Expect from This Course
- An original character concept
- A structured character sheet
- Create and organize character sheets – an important piece of the puzzle.
- Learn about the industry pipeline.
- A portfolio-ready presentation of shape, clothing, props and colour choices
Coursework builds toward an original character concept and organized character sheets suitable for a developing portfolio.
This course is a strong fit if:
- You want a beginner-friendly character design course.
- You want to develop characters for animation or games.
- You are prepared to sketch, revise and respond to critique.
Choose another course or pathway if:
- You are mainly looking for frame-by-frame animation training.
- You want an advanced production-design or concept-art specialization.
- You do not have access to a drawing setup suitable for online participation.
Character design translates story, personality and function into a visual system. Animation and game teams use character sheets to align artists, animators and production departments before assets move deeper into production. Why study it through a VFS Short-Track course? The course connects a defined skill to guided exercises, feedback and a verified practical output within a focused, part-time format. The page should support this claim with the actual instructor, feedback method, course work and student examples for the active intake.
Learning Experience
Live demonstrations, drawing exercises, peer critique and instructor feedback support a process of research, iteration and refinement.
- Live instruction or guided sessions
- Course-specific exercises and project milestones
- Instructor and/or peer feedback
- Revision based on notes
- A final output or presentation
What You'll Learn
- Identify what makes a character stand out and be memorable.
- Learn how design choices are made to enhance a character’s effectiveness.
- Create and organize character sheets - an important piece of the puzzle.
- Learn about the industry pipeline.
- Learn how to draw with intent.
- Explore how to give critiques and constructive feedback to your peers.
- Create stories for your character and design a basic character to use as part of your portfolio.
Identify what makes a character stand out and be memorable.
Learn how design choices are made to enhance a character’s effectiveness.
Create stories for your character and design a basic character to use as part of your portfolio.
Learn how to draw with intent.
Create and organize character sheets - an important piece of the puzzle.
Learn about the industry pipeline.
Explore how to give critiques and constructive feedback to your peers.
Portfolio and Practical Outcomes
The course output should be described precisely, without implying that one short course produces a complete professional portfolio. Show what participants leave with, what stage of completion it represents and how it can support further practice or a developing application portfolio.
- An original character concept
- A structured character sheet
- A portfolio-ready presentation of shape, clothing, props and colour choices
Software, Hardware and Requirements
- Computer with dual monitors (recommended), microphone, and camera
- Stable Internet connection (wired connection recommended)
- Sketchbook and sketching materials (pen, eraser)
- Something to sketch on (i.e., a notepad, iPad, tablet, pen & paper)
- Drawing tablet/Cintiq/iPad (i.e., some sort of drawing tablet)
- Adobe Photoshop or drawing program of your choice (Procreate, Infinite Painter, ClipStudio Paint, Fresco, etcetera) Prerequisite details must be confirmed for the active intake.
Where This Skill Is Used
This course develops a skill used across the following creative contexts. The section explains relevance without promising a job or implying that the short course alone qualifies a learner for a professional role.
- Animation
- Video games
- Illustration
- Visual development
- Publishing and branded entertainment
Continue Your Learning
Suggested learning path
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this course suitable for a complete beginner?
Use the verified prerequisites and expected starting level. State any age, language, software or prior-experience requirement before registration.
What will I create by the end of the course?
List only the verified output for this course: An original character concept, A structured character sheet, A portfolio-ready presentation of shape, clothing, props and colour choices.
How much time should I plan outside class?
Publish the expected weekly practice or assignment time after confirmation from the course team.
Are software, equipment or materials included?
Separate what VFS provides from what the participant must purchase, install or bring.
How do live classes and feedback work?
Describe the actual session format, critique process, assignment review and access to recordings, if applicable.
What happens if I miss a class?
Link to the current attendance, recording and make-up policy. Do not imply that all sessions are recorded.
Will I work individually or with classmates?
State where the curriculum uses individual exercises, peer critique, scene partners, teams or group presentation.
Can I use the final work in a portfolio?
Explain the verified output and its level of completion. Avoid claiming professional readiness unless a portfolio reviewer has defined that standard.
Will I keep copies of my work?
State the current file-access, recording or project-download policy for this course.
What should I study next?
Use the learning path above and link to the most relevant next Short-Track course or full-time VFS program.
Does this course guarantee admission or employment?
No. Explain any documented pathway or application benefit without making guarantees.
How does this course compare with related VFS courses?
Use the comparison section above to guide the learner by skill, output, level and software rather than claiming one option is universally better.
Are online and on-campus intakes separate pages?
No. Use one evergreen canonical page with separate visible course-instance blocks.
What happens when no intake is open?
Keep the evergreen page live and provide a next-intake notification or admissions-contact option.
Where can I confirm the latest dates and tuition?
Use the dynamic intake module on this page as the current source of truth.
Shermond Wong
2D Artist | Truly Social Games
Shermond is a Concept Artist working in the video game industry. Previously, he has worked in animation as a character designer. Though Shermond specializes in digital art, he was trained in traditional art. Having achieved a Master’s in Fine Arts (Concept Art) from Academy of Art University, he is well versed in creating characters, creatures, environments, and props for video games & animated feature films.