A digitally animated bird-like creature, created by Sheridan grad Yue Hong

Ontario College Graduate Certificate

Digital Creature Animation – Technical Direction

Duration

1 yr (3 semesters)

Location

Trafalgar Campus

(Oakville)

Develop an in-demand computer animation skill.

Program Overview

Create characters and creatures audiences will remember

Working in the Sheridan Centre for Animation and Emerging Technologies (SCAET), you'll advance in your ability to create memorable characters/creatures, from script to storyboard to modelling and advanced rigging, all the way through to post-production.

Develop career-ready skills

  • Study advanced computer animation techniques
  • Study and apply physically accurate and technical animation
  • Study advanced rigging and modelling
  • Expand your portfolio
  • Showcase your technical skills and creativity

Earn your master's in 3D animation studying abroad

Sheridan has an arrangement with the Dun Laoghaire Institute of Art and Design (IADT) in Ireland. Graduates of Sheridan’s Digital Creature Animation post-grad certificate program from 2009 or later can apply to IADT to earn their master's degree in 15 weeks.

Industry professionals as your professors

Sheridan's professors, all longtime veterans of the industry, will do more than work with you on your skills. They'll also teach you good work habits as well – the little things that can make the difference between mediocre work and outstanding creature computer animation, modeling and rigging.

Additional information

Sheridan's Digital Creature Animation program offers you advanced training in a specialized, highly sought-after computer animation skill. Designed in response to industry demand, this post-graduate program offers an exciting opportunity: With just ten months of study and the proper amount of dedication, creature computer animation school graduates and young industry professionals can launch or advance their careers.

Image credit: Yue Hong, Class of 2021

Houdini Certified School Logo

Sheridan is a proud partner of SideFX — the company behind the Oscar-winning 3D animation software Houdini.

PCDCA

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Faculty

Faculty of Animation, Arts & Design

Designation

Ontario College Graduate Certificate

Duration

1 yr (3 semesters)

Location

Trafalgar Campus

1430 Trafalgar Road,  Oakville


Helpful links

Program Summary

Check for Credit Transfers


Courses

Creative, innovative learning is at the core of all Sheridan’s courses. Here are the courses you’ll take in this program.

Courses subject to change.

Current students should refer to their ⁠Academic Requirements in myStudentCentre to track their academic progress and outstanding course requirements.

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Have questions? Get answers.


Faculty

Faculty of Animation, Arts & Design

Designation

Ontario College Graduate Certificate

Duration

1 yr (3 semesters)

Location

Trafalgar Campus

1430 Trafalgar Road,  Oakville


Helpful links

Program Summary

Check for Credit Transfers


Admission Requirements

Program Eligibility

  • Sheridan's Computer Animation program.

or

  • A postsecondary diploma or degree in art and/or design.

or

  • Demonstrated competence through relevant educational and/or work experience.

Credentials earned at less than the equivalent of an Ontario College Diploma will not be considered as having met the academic entrance requirements.

Applicant Selection

Candidates to the program are selected on the basis of one of the following:

  • Applicants from Sheridan's Computer Animation certificate with a minimum program GPA of 3.0 at the time of the application submission will not require a portfolio.
  • Applicants from Sheridan's Computer Animation certificate with a GPA less than 3.0 at the time of the application submission will be required to submit a portfolio. The Office of the Registrar will update your application in the Sheridan Application Portal to include the portfolio requirement.
  • Applicants without Sheridan's Computer Animation certificate who have demonstrated competence through other relevant educational and/or work experience will be required to submit a portfolio. The Office of the Registrar will update your Sheridan Application Portal to include the portfolio requirement.

Applicants who do not meet the admission requirements for this program may be advised individually regarding other related programs.

Domestic applicants

  • Postsecondary transcripts indicating courses completed to date must be submitted to ontariocolleges.ca at the time of application.
  • Domestic applicants with education outside of Canada must have their transcripts assessed for equivalency through ICAS or WES. A comprehensive (course-by-course) postsecondary credential assessment is required.
  • Private career college courses and/or credentials are not accepted as admission requirements for Sheridan programs.

International applicants

  • Official postsecondary transcripts, indicating courses completed to date, and credential must be submitted at the time of application. In case the transcripts/certificates are not in English, note that these documents must be accompanied by a notarized, official translation into English. Translated copies must also be accompanied by a copy of the original transcript.
  • International applicants need to follow the international application process.

English Language Proficiency

All applicants whose first language is not English must meet Sheridan's English proficiency requirements.

Book a campus tour

Have questions? Get answers.


Faculty

Faculty of Animation, Arts & Design

Designation

Ontario College Graduate Certificate

Duration

1 yr (3 semesters)

Location

Trafalgar Campus

1430 Trafalgar Road,  Oakville


Helpful links

Program Summary

Check for Credit Transfers


Career Opportunities

Graduates of our program have a specialized, highly marketable skill that translates directly to the workplace. They enjoy career opportunities in such industries as: film, television, advertising, video gaming and web animation. Students often find work in character modelling/rigging.

Sample job titles of our graduates include:

  • Animation Director
  • Designer
  • Rigger
  • Creature Animator
  • Modeler
  • Video Game Artist
  • TD Supervisor
  • Technical Director

Book a campus tour

Have questions? Get answers.


Faculty

Faculty of Animation, Arts & Design

Designation

Ontario College Graduate Certificate

Duration

1 yr (3 semesters)

Location

Trafalgar Campus

1430 Trafalgar Road,  Oakville


Helpful links

Program Summary

Check for Credit Transfers


Program Fees

Fees shown here are estimates only. Fees are in Canadian dollars and include tuition, health insurance and ancillary charges.

The fees shown here are for the 2025–2026 academic year, and are subject to change. The fees displayed are for the first two (2) academic semesters of study at Sheridan unless otherwise noted; fees for subsequent semesters are not reflected on this website.

Fees For Canadian Students

Fees for Canadian students

$13,412.72

Notes: Fees shown are for three academic terms.

Fees for International Students

Fees for International students

$26,437.72

Financial Aid & Awards

Your education is a big investment, and we're here to help! Keep an eye on our Financial Aid & Awards page for regular updates, and check out these important links:

International Entrance Scholarship

International students beginning their full-time postsecondary studies at Sheridan may receive an entrance scholarship. A separate application is not required. Visit the International Entrance Scholarship page for details.

Book a campus tour

Have questions? Get answers.


Faculty

Faculty of Animation, Arts & Design

Designation

Ontario College Graduate Certificate

Duration

1 yr (3 semesters)

Location

Trafalgar Campus

1430 Trafalgar Road,  Oakville


Helpful links

Program Summary

Check for Credit Transfers


Learning Outcomes

  • Apply appropriate principles of animation to the articulation of a CG creature/character including realism.
  • Convey personal style through design elements.
  • Operate a computer animation pipeline system including file management, shell scripting and troubleshooting.
  • Produce 3D animated sequences through technical direction including planning and problem resolution.
  • Create advanced creature tools such as scripting for the purpose of enhancing the deformation, simulation or appearance of a CG creature.
  • Create an animated CG creature/character with an emphasis in rigging and articulation.
  • Employ advanced rigging technique to articulate a creature according to natural kinesiology.
  • Utilize hardware and software protocols specific to the field of animation.
  • Integrate computer generated imagery and live action elements.
  • Match plate – create an effective lighting environment.
  • Simulate hair and cloth dynamics.
  • Meet project deadlines.

Book a campus tour

Have questions? Get answers.


Faculty

Faculty of Animation, Arts & Design

Designation

Ontario College Graduate Certificate

Duration

1 yr (3 semesters)

Location

Trafalgar Campus

1430 Trafalgar Road,  Oakville


Helpful links

Program Summary

Check for Credit Transfers


Earn your Masters degree

Why pursue your master's degree?

Earning your master's in 3D animation can open up a world of exciting and promising career possibilities.

It demonstrates a high calibre of academic and professional achievement, and will be an asset to finding employment in the industry. A master's degree is also necessary for those who want to pursue an academic career, such as teaching at the post-secondary level.

What is Sheridan and IADT’s master's agreement?

Sheridan is proud to offer an agreement with the Dun Laoghaire Institute of Art and Design (IADT), near Dublin, Ireland—the first of its kind in Ontario.

Sheridan graduates who hold a post-graduate certificate in Computer Animation or Digital Creature Animation from 2009 or later can apply to IADT and earn their master's degree in a 15-week study abroad program.

What are the application requirements?

Students wishing to study 3D animation abroad must apply to IADT with:

  • Transcript indicating successful completion of the Computer Animation and/or Digital Creatures Postgraduate Certificate (2009 or later)
  • Standard IADT postgraduate application form (Download PDF form) (Download .docx form)
  • A cover letter (500-600 words explaining why the applicant wants to study at IADT, their areas of interest and why they are a prime candidate)
  • Portfolio of previous work
  • Two references, including one academic
  • A full resume
  • Send the completed form to eileen.macnamara@iadt.ie or admissions@iadt.ie

IADT may call shortlisted candidates for interview via Skype.

Applicants with English as a second language must demonstrate a competency in English.

Do I need a visa to study in Ireland?

Students are responsible for securing the appropriate visa for their study period. IADT will produce a letter which confirms the student is registered in order to help secure the necessary visa.

For more information on how to apply, please contact Noel Hooper (noel.hooper@sheridancollege.ca) or Sherra Murphy (sherra.murphy@iadt.ie).

Book a campus tour

Have questions? Get answers.


Faculty

Faculty of Animation, Arts & Design

Designation

Ontario College Graduate Certificate

Duration

1 yr (3 semesters)

Location

Trafalgar Campus

1430 Trafalgar Road,  Oakville


Helpful links

Program Summary

Check for Credit Transfers


Program availability

Domestic
International

Ontario College Graduate Certificate

Full-time 1 year Program code: PCDCA

Ontario College Graduate Certificate
Start date Campus Delivery Status
Sep 2025 Trafalgar Campus (Oakville)
In Person
Domestic Available
International Available

Student work reel

The talent of our students and graduates says it all. Check out this sample of work from students in our Digital Creature Animation – Technical Direction program.

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We’re happy to help with any questions you may have. Give us a call at any of these numbers and select Option 4 after the prompt, or simply fill out the contact form and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible.

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