The Bachelor of Animation is designed to develop highly skilled professional animators through a combination of storytelling, visual design, 2D animation, 3D animation, VFX, game art, and interactive media training. The programme combines artistic creativity with technical production skills and industry-style collaboration.

Key Reasons International Students Choose This Programme

• Comprehensive training in both 2D and 3D animation
• Choice of specialist majors in Year Three
• Strong portfolio and showreel development
• Hands-on studio learning with industry-standard software
• Exposure to game development and interactive storytelling
• Practical capstone production projects
• Small class sizes and mentor-based teaching
• Opportunities to connect with industry professionals
• Access to recognised animation technologies including Toon Boom and Houdini
• Internationally recognised creative education environment

Programme Structure / Subjects Offered

The programme progressively develops artistic, storytelling, technical, and production skills across three years.

Year One – Animation Foundations

Students study:

• Principles of Storytelling
• Film & Animation Concepts
• Visual Communication Design
• Life Drawing
• Reflection & Critique
• 2D Animation
• 3D Modelling
• Introductory Animation Production
• Cultural & Historical Influences in Animation

Students begin learning:

• Character movement
• Animation timing
• Storyboarding
• Visual storytelling
• Animation pipeline basics

Year Two – Advanced Animation & Production

Students progress into:

• Interactive Narrative
• Advanced Drawing
• 3D Graphics
• Visual Effects
• Interactive Production
• Professional Practice
• Ethics & Project Management
• Team-based Production
• Digital Compositing
• Game Storytelling

Students also explore:

• Interactive media creation
• Production pipelines
• Transdisciplinary collaboration
• VFX compositing

Year Three – Specialisation & Capstone Project

Students select one major specialisation:

Available Majors

Story and Character

Focuses on:

• Character animation
• Story development
• Performance animation
• Narrative storytelling

World-Building and Visual Effects

Focuses on:

• Environment design
• VFX production
• Advanced compositing
• CGI environments

Interactive Media and Games

Focuses on:

• Interactive storytelling
• Game art
• Game environments
• Digital experiences

Students complete:

• Team-based capstone production
• Investigative animation project
• Exhibition-ready portfolio/showreel

Optional Honours Year

Students may continue into an optional honours programme involving:

• Independent research
• Animation thesis project
• Advanced professional practice
• Research methodologies
• Specialist investigation

Software & Equipment Used

Students gain experience with industry-standard software and equipment including:

Software

• Adobe Photoshop
• Illustrator
• InDesign
• Premiere Pro
• After Effects
• Audition
• Animate
• Character Animate
• Autodesk Maya
• Autodesk Mudbox
• Substance Painter
• SynthEyes
• GitKraken
• XNormal
• Sculptris
• Audacity

Equipment

• DSLR cameras
• Sound recording equipment
• Green screen studio
• Lighting systems
• Video production rooms

Additional Benefits & Recognition

Toon Boom Centre of Excellence

Yoobee is one of only two New Zealand institutions recognised as a Toon Boom Centre of Excellence, providing strong industry-level 2D animation training.

Houdini Certified School

Students using Houdini may receive access to commercial software licensing opportunities after graduation.

Rookies Certified School

Yoobee is internationally recognised through The Rookies accreditation system for high-quality creative industry training.

Career Outcomes

Graduates may pursue careers including:

• 2D Animator
• 3D Animator
• Character Animator
• VFX Artist
• Game Artist
• Storyboard Artist
• Environment Artist
• Motion Graphics Designer
• Compositor
• Lighting Artist
• Texture Artist
• Concept Artist
• Interactive Media Designer
• Game Environment Designer

Graduates may work in:

• Animation studios
• Film & VFX companies
• Game development studios
• Advertising agencies
• Digital media companies

Highlights of the Programme

Studio-Based Learning

Students spend significant time creating industry-style projects instead of traditional lecture-heavy study.

Strong Industry Exposure

Yoobee regularly hosts industry engagement sessions with studios such as W?t? FX.

Portfolio & Showreel Development

Students graduate with professional-quality showreels and portfolios designed for industry employment.

Collaborative Creative Environment

The programme encourages teamwork across animation, storytelling, and game development disciplines.

Latest Updates / Special Requirements

Current Updates

• 2026–2027 intakes are open
• Yoobee continues promoting animation pathways with “Zero Fees” scholarship campaigns
• Industry partnerships and studio visits remain part of student engagement activities

Important Requirements

Students should prepare:

• Strong creative portfolio
• Personal laptop/workstation
• Drawing and design practice
• Time commitment for studio projects
• Collaborative teamwork skills

Visa Requirements for International Students

International students generally require:

• Valid New Zealand Student Visa
• Offer of Place from Yoobee
• Proof of tuition fee payment
• Proof of sufficient living funds
• Medical and travel insurance
• English language proficiency evidence
• Valid passport

Final Summary

The Bachelor of Animation at Yoobee College of Creative Innovation is a highly practical, industry-focused Level 7 degree designed for students who want careers in animation, VFX, interactive media, and game art.

The programme is especially suitable for international students seeking:

• Strong 2D and 3D animation training
• Industry-standard software experience
• Professional portfolio and showreel development
• Collaborative production projects
• Specialisation opportunities in storytelling, VFX, or games
• Connections to New Zealand’s growing creative industries