3D Animation & Visual Effects
DIPLOMA | 12 MONTHS | FULL TIME | ON CAMPUS
OPTIONAL HYBRID LEARNING MODEL
Learn to build 3D shots end-to-end — from 3D modelling and surfacing to animation, compositing,
and FX — in an accelerated, 12-month studio pipeline.
Program Overview
Learn from industry VFX and animation supervisors while developing a studio-ready demo reel showcasing character animation skills, texturing, rigging, lighting, compositing, and FX work.
Duration:
12 months (6 terms, full-time)
Location:
Vancouver, Canada (Campus)
Credential:
Diploma, 3D Animation & Visual Effects
Grad Deliverable:
Polished, studio-ready demo reel/portfolio
Specializations:
Animation / 3D Modeling / Visual Effects
Core Tools:
Maya, Houdini, Nuke, ZBrush, Redshift, Substance Painter, MotionBuilder
What You’ll Graduate With:
A multi-piece production portfolio, with a polished short animated film serving as your signature piece.
Start Dates:
Jan / Mar / Jun / Aug / Oct annually
Tuition:
Domestic students: C$35,950
International students: C$54,000
Career Paths:
3D Animator, 3D Modeler, Compositor, Character or Asset Artist, Look Dev, Lighting Artist, Junior FX Artist
START YOUR TRAINING
Program Specializations
Choose 3D Animation if you want to perform through movement. You’ll focus on:
- Body mechanics, timing/weight, arcs/silhouette
- Acting for animators (reference, pantomime, performance choices) Advanced motion challenges
Your reel includes: dialogue acting shot + action/body mechanics + creature/stylized performance.
If you’re interested in building characters/props/worlds with production-ready topology and surfacing:
- Sculpting/detail (ZBrush), clean edge flow
- UVs, baking, textures/materials, look-dev presentation
- Building assets other departments rely on
Your portfolio includes: hero character & environment/modular set & prop set with look-dev & lighting.
Choose VFX if you’re interested in creating “movie magic” through CG integration & simulations:
- Nuke compositing: layers, keying, roto, grading, integration
- Houdini FX: particles/volumes/destruction, exported + integrated into final shot On-set thinking: plates, tracking, HDRI/reference for realism
Your reel includes: full VFX shot with breakdown & Houdini sim & comp integration example.
Empathy
Created by Mateus Kurzhals
From Here To
Created by Darynn Bednarczyk
Reaching for the Moon
Created by Laura Buccinna
What You’ll Learn
- Master the 3D pipeline in Maya — from asset to final shot
- Work “reference → proxy → final asset” under deadlines, reviews, and studio-style approvals
- Create 3D models (props, environments, characters)
- High-poly / low-poly workflows + retopology + clean topology
- HUV mapping + baking + production-ready asset prep
- Build textures/materials (surfacing/look dev) and present assets professionally
If you’re interested in building characters/props/worlds with production-ready topology and surfacing:
- Animate objects and complex scenes
- Animate characters (walk/turn/lift/run/pose) + body mechanics
- Acting for animators: shoot reference, stage performance, polish shots
- Procedural/crowds concepts (where relevant) and advanced motion challenges
Your portfolio includes: hero character & environment/modular set & prop set with look-dev & lighting.
Choose VFX if you’re interested in creating “movie magic” through CG integration & simulations:
- Rigging foundations → constraints/controls, production-minded setups
- Character rigger pathway awareness (some graduates target rigging roles)
Your reel includes: full VFX shot with breakdown & Houdini sim & comp integration example.
If you’re interested in building characters/props/worlds with production-ready topology and surfacing:
- Nuke compositing: layer CG/live action, keying, roto, grading, integration
- Houdini FX: destruction/volumes/particles; export + integrate back into shots
- On-set data acquisition thinking (plates, tracking, lighting reference)
Your portfolio includes: hero character & environment/modular set & prop set with look-dev & lighting.
SPEAK WITH A VFS ADVISOR TODAY
Career Outcomes After Graduation
VFS’s signature, hands-on training starts from day 1. By the time you graduate, you’ll have developed an industry-ready skill set that will prepare you for a variety of careers:
- FX Artist – Film
- 3D Animator
- Character Rigger
- Look Dev Artist
- VFX Lighting Artist
- Compositor
- Digital Matte Painter
- Character Artist
- Environment Artist
- Arch Viz 3D Artist
- Previs Animator
- 3D Modeler
- Asset Artist
- Texture Artist
Faculty
VFS’s Faculty consists of the most highly trained professionals in the creative industries. While our full-time instructors provide more one-on-one time with students than any other school, our part-time instructors are pulled right from the heart of the industry, equipped with the most current, relevant industry experience and credits.
Course Content
- History of Animation + VFX
- 3D Modeling 1
- Surfacing 1
- Lighting 1
- Animation 1
Outcome: Model, surface, and light a simple asset; animate basic motion studies.
- Previs/layout
- 3D Modeling 2
- Surfacing 2
- Rigging 1
- Animation 2
- Compositing Foundations
Outcome: Contribute to a small 3D sequence as a team (layout, assets, basic rig/animation, and compositing).
- Choose your specialization: Animation, 3D Modeling, or VFX
- Plan your final reel project (animatic, design, and research)
Outcome: Approved plan and clear specialization direction.
- Dailies cadence
- Milestones
- Mentor feedback loop
- Reel production starts
Outcome: Project is in active production, with weekly notes.
- Animation: Acting and facial/dialogue focus
- Modeling: High-detail sculpt and advanced look-dev
- VFX: Advanced Nuke and Houdini FX integration
Outcome: Reel starts looking “hireable”.
- Final polish
- Edit and breakdown
- Industry Mentor
- Showcase
Outcome: Final reel and launch plan.
SPEAK WITH A VFS ADVISOR TODAY
Program Delivery
ON-CAMPUS
Our 1 year, fully in-person production-based experience, preparing you for the industry’s current practices and technologies.
VFS’s School of Animation Production Centre is located at 151 W. Cordova Street in Vancouver, BC, Canada. Our state-of-the-art facilities include a 64,000 cubic ft. motion capture volume, a 180-degree green screen room, a render farm, and much more.
HYBRID
Access our 3D Animation & VFX program through a combination of online & on-campus learning. Curriculum is divided into three stages, with select stages available entirely online OR on campus.
Portfolio Outcomes
Your Portfolio by Graduation
Every reel includes a breakdown mindset: what you did, how you did it, and how it fits a real pipeline.
The VFS Advantage
The future belongs to creative thinkers who practice hands-on and collaborate in production environments – while also learning & embracing the rapidly-developing technologies used by the industry and changing how productions work.
PRODUCTION FACILITIES MATCHING INDUSTRY:
Go beyond computer labs and classrooms. VFS’s Production Centre gets you creating & collaborating in a real studio environment from day one, working with industry-level tools in pro-grade spaces: motion capture volume, render farm, 180° green screen studio, & more.
MUCH GREATER OPPORTUNITIES FOR CROSS-PROGRAM COLLABORATION:
Many schools offer only one program/discipline. At VFS, you’ll create alongside students from our Film, Game, Acting, & other Animation programs – giving you the full scope of a 3D & VFX pipeline.
UNMATCHED INDUSTRY INTEGRATION:
We define ourselves as being the school that industry comes to first. VFS works directly with the industry to ensure students are training to current, real-world standards from day one. Our curriculum and Production Centre are shaped by active industry practices, workflows, and expectations. Through partnerships with the world’s leading companies, students gain meaningful exposure to professional pipelines and environments.
A 3D Animation & Visual Effects VFS Education
In 12 months you will graduate with:
- A 3D Animation & VFX diploma
- A master demo reel of your final project
- Access to the VFS Alumni Directory & Job Board
- Attain industry connections that will help guide your career
Course Content
VFS’s 12-month diploma programs have always centered around immersing you in production, for a hands-on experience that closely reflects real industry environments and workflows. For flexibility, we have added options that allow you to select different delivery models – either fully in-person over 12 months or an online/on-campus hybrid experience.
PRODUCTION FUNDAMENTALS
See if animation is the right career path for you. Learn animation fundamentals and all you need to know to get started as a creative entrepreneur.
Term: 1
PRODUCTION STUDIO
Choose your specialization (3D Animation, Modeling, or VFX) and build a professional production portfolio that proves to studios you’re ready to be hired and start working.
Terms: 2-4
STUDIO COLLABORATION:
Collaborate with your cohort to make your film and experience how real studios operate – with guidance every step of the way from our veteran industry faculty and mentors.
Terms: 5-6
SPEAK WITH A VFS ADVISOR TODAY
Program Overview
Term 01
Learn the basics of the pipeline for 3D & VFX production to gain insight into the different areas of production.
Term 02
Apply your 3D skills to storytelling in our Pre-visualization class as you further advance your knowledge of the craft.
Term 03
Narrow your focus by choosing one of three streams: animation, modeling or VFX while you plan your final reel in the pre-production classes.
Term 04
Enter into the studio component of the program and start production on your demo reel alongside industry mentors who will guide you to the finish line.
Term 05
Work with faculty and engage in the production process as you iterate and refine your shots. One on one feedback and regular group reviews make for a true studio experience.
Term 06
Light, render and composite as you put the final tweaks on your project for industry night - your debut to local industry and beyond.
Admissions Info
To make sure you have accurate admissions information please select your region based on country of citizenship.
Tuition
Start Dates
Requirements
You will be asked to submit one of the following along with your application. Your advisor can help with selecting the best option.
Send samples of your work that include life (preferred), still, or character drawings, and 3D computer work (maximum 12 pieces total). When you apply to the 3D Animation & Visual Effects program, we expect that you have some 3D experience. If you don’t have sufficient 3D experience you may be given conditional acceptance based on the strength of a combination of your other computer artwork (e.g. Flash, Photoshop, Illustrator, etc.) and your drawing skills. You'll find information on how to send your portfolio in the application form, or you can ask your Advisor.
When you talk to your Advisor, let them know that you've completed the Foundation program and they will put a copy of your diploma in your file for you.
Student Work
While training at VFS, students are immersed in the Animation and Visual Effects industry, and spend a lot of hands-on time creating professional-quality work. And, nothing is a greater testament to the incomparable industry resources and career preparation that define VFS’s education model, than the top quality work our students produce. Here, a portfolio of outstanding work is just the beginning. Just take a look.
Program FAQs
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