Certificate Program

The first eight months of the two-year program is for aspiring artists, designers and gamers who want to pursue visual arts programs. Applicants must have an interest developing their skills and creative sense in drawing, painting and design concepts. A creative studio environment will allow students to develop critical thinking in the arts. The Visual Arts program is skills based and provides an opportunity to learn artistic mediums, while learning at a university entrance level.

Career Opportunities

After graduation, you can choose to study and develop at McKenzie College or at another art and design school. These programs can lead to an exciting career in the animation industry, working as part of the creative team for an advertising firm, in a TV/film production company or a digital media house. This program is meant to help students develop as artists and designers and expose them to a variety of opportunities using their visual arts skills. Various artistic styles and innovative designs help build confidence in the student to produce a competitive portfolio for further study, scholarships and mentorship opportunities.

Studio Projects

Self directed studio time is needed for completion of various drawing, art and design projects. Students are required to practice balance in their personal commitments and creative development. A material list will be provided for students.

Entrance Requirements

Minimum requirement: high school graduation diploma or equivalent.

Visual Arts Portfolio Exercise

Visual Arts Foundation Modules

Drawing Fundamentals

Drawing Fundamentals / Advanced Drawing / Life Drawing Students are introduced to concepts in creating realistic and creative drawings focusing on theory involving edges, shading, backgrounds, one, two and three point perspectives. Study of proportion, scale and proximity are incorporated in projects to show realism and illusion. Life drawing includes structure, form, mass, volume shading and gesture using real life and still models.

Color Theory

Students will study how the mind perceives color and how to visually communicate feeling through the use of color. A variety of techniques, and understanding primary, secondary and complementary colors will explored.

Visual Design

Students will be introduced to creative consciousness and visual literacy. They will be instructed on novice to intermediate levels of layout and manipulation techniques, and composition of drawings in a creative fashion.

Character Development / Classical Animation

Students will learn how to create realistic, fluid motion in a visual environment through effective use of body language, movement, posing and facial expression. Animation techniques such as stretch, squash, arch and path of action is taught, and are then captured by digital imaging to process into a short film.

Note: Subject matter, tuition fees, course materials and/or length of program are subject to change in accordance with program revisions.