The 3D Modeling for Animation & Games diploma program at the Art Institute of Vancouver is dedicated to providing graduates with the relevant skills necessary to enter into and maintain a career in the computer generated animation industry. This goal is achieved by building a foundation of traditional artistic skill, and then providing students with hands on training in its modern application.

The Animation program provides students with the art, design, technical, business, and life skills needed to develop and sustain a career in the fields of animation and related media arts. Multimedia artists and animators are professionals who create special effects, animation, or other visual images using film, video, computer, or other electronic media. The key is to balance technology with the fundamentals of drawing and animation so that students become animators who can bring characters to life while harnessing the capabilities of the computer.

Game artists are the skilled and imaginative individuals who bring a game designer’s concept to life. In this program, your education centers around creating the content — from characters to environment — seen on the computer screen. You’ll learn how to draw, visualize, and use colour. Assignments and projects will include designing game play and back stories; creating characters and related environments; employing 3-D modeling and animation software to create game art; employing 2-D paint software to create backgrounds and 3-D textures; and applying knowledge of video and computer games to evaluate game products. The diploma in 2-D Animation is a prerequisite for this advanced diploma. Contact Admissions for further details. The Game Art & Design advanced diploma program prepares graduates for entry-level positions in the video game industry such as: Game Designers, 2D and 3D Artists, Texture Mappers, or Play Testers Graduates will work as members of development teams to produce video and computer games as well as other types of entry-level positions of interactive entertainment and educational software products.

Images, typography, and design. The coffee logo known around the world. Posters for movies you can't wait to see. Packaging and ads for international corporate giants. Television and film titles. Web sites. They are all the work of graphic designers creating concepts that cut through the clutter to educate and persuade. Our curriculum develops a broad foundation in advertising design, graphic design, and illustration and teaches the production skills that are needed to pursue careers in design. Our goal is to guide and enhance a student’s creative and professional development by providing the skills and basis for lifelong learning. As they progress in their studies, students are guided in the development of a portfolio, which features professional-level work to show prospective employers. The Graphic Design diploma program provides a foundation of knowledge and skills together with training in industry-related practices. Students engage in both conceptual and applied coursework as well as in hands-on technological applications. Students will also learn skills that will help provide them with the professional and business savvy to work in team-based environments for small to large businesses. Upon completion of this program, students will have gained the knowledge necessary to perform tasks such as drawing and design fundamentals, lettering and typography, design layout, and package design. Graduates in the Graphic Design program are prepared for entry-level positions such as Design Assistant, Production Artist, Layout Artist, Assistant Art Director, Designer, Broadcast Graphic Artist, Mock-Up Artist, Salesperson, Spot Illustrator, Digital Artist, Web Page Designer, Desk Top Designer, Presentation Artist, and Graphic Designer. Prereq: Digital Design diploma

The Graphic Design & Foundation for Design diploma program teaches you the basics of design, typography, and color theory. Additional study and class projects in graphics, traditional design, and production tools, such as the drawing board and drawing instruments leads to a well-rounded educational experience. Graduates are prepared to seek entry-level employment such as advertising designer, computer artist, freelance artist, graphic designer, or layout artist.

This program helps to create game programmers. Game Programmers must not only have the artistic talent and abilities, but more importantly be well-versed in the technical aspects of the game, thus capable of comprehending the intent of the artistic creator and the technical needs and challenges in achieving the intended results of the game designers. With that unique understanding, the Game Programmer can customize the programming tools in a computer software application to best meet the needs of an individual game.

The Digital Film & Video Program provides an intensive study of digital production focusing on digital film, corporate and commercial video production. New tools for content creation are continually rising on the digital landscape. Today’s content developer must be able to navigate this world with confidence. This program will provide the student with the skills and organizational thinking necessary for a safe, creative, and productive journey. Expanding digital markets have and will continue to present new challenges for the workforce. With this in mind, the Digital Film & Video program will offer the student an ever expanding curriculum to meet the needs of industry, while creating an environment conducive to helping students grow intellectually and creatively to meet the demands of tomorrow’s marketplace.

Music can set a mood, enliven a movie scene, or stand on its own as entertainment. In the Electronic Music program, you will learn how to use electronic music both on its own and as an element within other media. You’ll utilize industry-related software and equipment as you work alongside other students interested in this growing technology.

In the Independent Recording Arts program, you’ll study audio recording, live sound reproduction, audio for video, independent recording, and broadcast production. You will record, mix, and produce audio in analog and digital formats while gaining an understanding of what it takes to succeed in the audio industry. Graduates are prepared to seek entry-level employment such as audio engineer, radio producer, assistant sound technician, promoter, or sound engineer.

In Professional Recording Arts, you’ll learn within digital and analogue recording studios using linear and non-linear recording technologies. Courses include professional session engineering, microphone techniques, outboard equipment, MIDI, signal flow, critical listening and audio/acoustic principles, and advanced recording techniques. Production, project management, problem-solving, and troubleshooting skills are emphasized. Graduates are prepared to seek entry-level employment such as in foley work, location audio production, and advanced synthesis applications for sound effects creation.

The Professional Recording Arts (LIPA) program is a fully articulated block transfer program. Students aspiring to a higher level of academic work and/or are clear about their desire to transfer to LIPA may apply for the articulated program near the beginning of their studies at the Burnaby location of The Art Institute Vancouver. The program includes all course work in the Professional Recording Arts diploma program with additional academic and project requirements and higher expectations regarding academic achievement. Extra courses include Media Studies and Technology, and Directed Studies. The program requires the completion of a variety of written papers through Directed Studies courses. In addition students are required to complete a major collaborative project.

The VFX diploma program at the Art Institute of Vancouver is dedicated to providing graduates with the relevant skills necessary to enter into and maintain a career in the post-production industry for film and television as VFX artists and technicians. This goal is achieved by building a foundation of traditional artistic skill, a solid knowledge base in film and VFX theory, and by then providing students with hands on training in various modern applications and tools.