Next Start DateOct 6, 2025

Overview

Program overview

Taught in person at our state-of-the-art campus, this program offers small classes, hands-on workshops, and one-on-one mentorship to prepare students for a career in Film, TV, or Games.

Specializing in your chosen focus, you’ll develop a portfolio that is catered towards a particular career, and often, a specific studio. With advice from your experienced instructors and personal mentor, you’ll develop a wealth of industry insights and connections that will help you confidently take the next step.

Joining us in North Vancouver means you’ll learn in the heart of the creative industry. You’ll find that top studios, industry professionals, and well-regarded recruiters are frequent visitors to campus. It’s our goal to prepare you to both engage and elevate this community.

Who it's for

This program is for artists new to CG who seek a comprehensive education that places them alongside top studios and industry leaders. Students must be ready to dedicate at least 40-60 hours a week to their studies. Working while studying is not recommended.

Software we'll provide

Mari
Maya
Photoshop
V-Ray
Substance Designer
Substance Painter
ZBrush
Nuke
Marmoset
Marvelous Designer
R3DS Wrap
Unreal Engine

You’ll choose your specialization in Term 2

While developing a broad skillset that enables you to pursue a variety of career paths, this program lets you focus on a unique specialization that will help define you as a CG Artist:

Characters & Creatures for Film

Characters & Creatures for Games

Props & Environments for Film

Props & Environments for Games

See all 12 specializations Plus sign

Program Breakdown

Term by term

Term 1

Start with the basics. From texturing, lighting, compositing, rendering, asset creation and more…this term is designed to train you in the most essential facets of 3D modeling. In addition, you’ll be introduced to (and ultimately do a deep dive in) the software tools you’ll be using when working in the industry.

The courses you’ll take in this term will emphasize and enhance your organization, flexible thinking and problem solving skills. In just 16 weeks, you’ll become an extremely well-rounded artist, with a strong inkling towards what will become your area of specialization.

Courses *

/ Introduction to Maya
/ Life Skills
/ 3D Animation
/ 3D Modeling
/ Digital Sculpting
/ Introduction to Texturing
/ Production Pipeline
/ Experiential Learning Lab
/ Final Project

Student Art: Ivan Lim - Click to learn more

Term 2

The fundamental courses started in Term 1 continue, becoming more intense, complex, and demanding. You’ll be presented with more in-depth, creative techniques and tools which will allow you to produce more complex and detail-oriented work.

In addition to these more advanced lessons, you’ll start to focus on your area of specialization. As this term concludes, you’ll be expected to present your portfolio plan. This will help both you and your advisors determine the best mentor possible for you as you move into the production focused half of the program.

Courses *

/ 3D Animation
/ Game Engines
/ Acting for Animation
/ Advanced Texturing
/ Compositing & VFX
/ Rigging
/ Digital Sculpting
/ Advanced 3D Modeling
/ Advanced Lighting
/ Environment Production
/ Character Production
/ Production Pipeline
/ Experiential Learning Lab
/ Final Project

Student Art: Nasim Jenabi - Click to learn more

Term 3

At the beginning of this term you’ll select your area of specialization, and with help from your Think Tank advisors, be paired with a personal mentor who is an expert in your field-of-interest. Your courses will now focus on those advanced tools, workflows and techniques that relate to your specialization.

A hallmark of this term is developing a plan to produce your eventual portfolio. Things will start to get very real, as you’re required to maintain this full-production schedule under the guidance of your instructors and mentor while advanced stream courses continue.

Courses *

/ Traditional Sculpting
/ Advanced Tools
/ Production Pipeline
/ Experiential Learning Lab
/ Final Portfolio Pre-Production

Student Art: Halldóra Hilmarsdóttir - Click to learn more

Term 4

As the foundational piece of the portfolio production process, this mentor-focused term has you making definitive creative decisions on your pieces–such as finalizing shots, completing lighting, rendering, and compositing to produce what will become the final cut.

Alongside the advice of your instructors and mentor, you’ll take lessons focusing on presentation skills, portfolio packaging, career preparation and job search which will provide invaluable direction on preparing resumés and cover letters, as well as industry practices and ethics.

Courses *

/ Presentation Skills
/ Portfolio Packaging
/ Job Search
/ Production Pipeline
/ Experiential Learning Lab
/ Final Portfolio Production

Student Art: Hong Low - Click to learn more

* Specialization may affect course selection

Apply for this program

Ready to take the next step? The application process is simple, and our Admissions Team are happy to answer any questions you might have.

We offer flexible, interest-free payment plans to make tuition more manageable.

All prices are CAD. Use conversion calculator to estimate tuition fees in your currency

Oct 6, 2025 - Jan 30, 2027
/2025 DOMESTIC $48,750INTERNATIONAL $65,750
Get on the list
Full
Feb 9, 2026 - May 29, 2027
/2025 DOMESTIC $48,750INTERNATIONAL $65,750
/2026 DOMESTIC $50,750INTERNATIONAL $67,750
Get on the list
limited seats
Jun 8, 2026 - Sep 25, 2027
/2026 DOMESTIC $50,750INTERNATIONAL $67,750
Get on the list
limited seats
Oct 5, 2026 - Jan 29, 2028
/2026 DOMESTIC $50,750INTERNATIONAL $67,750
Get on the list
limited seats

FAQ

Got a question?

Apply now

Reach out today

Does this program require previous experience?
Do I need to submit a portfolio for this program?
What are this program's admission requirements?
Basic Admission Requirements:
- Must have graduated from high school (or equivalent) or be at least 19 years of age.
- Provide a valid piece of government photo identification.
- Attend an interview (in person or virtual) with an Admissions Advisor.
Program Specific Requirements:
- You must submit examples of your artwork and a short paragraph essay that displays your commitment to the program.
English Language Requirements:

Applicants must meet at least one of the following English language proficiency requirements:
- Completion of 3 years of full-time secondary education (Grades 8-12), or 2 years if the Grades are 10, 11, or 12, have been successfully completed from a country where English is one of the principal languages, or...
  
  Completion of 2 years of full time post-secondary experience at an accredited institution where English is the language of instruction, or...
  
  Provide verified results for one of the English language proficiency tests listed below. Test results must be dated no more than two years before the start date of the program.
  
  Recommended English language proficiency tests:
  • Duolingo English Test: minimum overall score of 95 or higher.
  
  Note: This is the most affordable and convenient test (available online with quick results!)
  Other Accepted Tests:
  • International English Language Testing System (IELTS): minimum overall score of 5.5 or higher.
  • Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) IBT: minimum overall score of 46 or higher.
  • Canadian Academic English Language (CAEL) Test: minimum overall score of 40 or higher.
  • Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic: minimum overall score of 43 or higher.
What hardware and software will I use in this program?
Think Tank supplies all course materials required to successfully complete the program, including:
- High-performance Windows workstation, assigned based on your program needs, with minimum specs of:
  • CPU: 3.5 GHz, 8-core processor
  • Memory: 64 GB RAM
  • Graphics: NVIDIA RTX 30XX, 40XX, or higher, with a minimum of 8 GB VRAM.
- Dual monitors, keyboard, and mouse
- Wacom tablet for digital sculpting and painting
- Portable backup drive, which is yours to keep
Note: Campus systems typically feature RTX 30XX or 40XX series GPUs. The NVIDIA GTX 1070 is typically only used in Term 1.

All required software is pre-installed and fully configured to support your coursework from day one of the campus experience.
What kind of workload can I expect in this program?

There are over 1,670 instructional hours in this program. For every instructional hour, there is approximately 30 minutes of homework. Think Tank students can expect a workload between 40-60 hours per week.

Please Note: to succeed, we recommend forgoing all employment to adequately attend to the programs full-time schedule. This will prepare you for the demands of working in a fast-paced, intense, and highly rewarding industry.
When can I apply to this program?
What is the 26 in 26?

Find Your Program

3D Animation, Visual Effects & Game Art

Program overview

Who it's for

Software we'll provide

You’ll choose your specialization in Term 2

Characters & Creatures for Film

Characters & Creatures for Games

Props & Environments for Film

Props & Environments for Games

Program Breakdown

Term 1

Courses *

Term 2

Courses *

Term 3

Courses *

Term 4

Courses *

Apply for this program

Got a question?

Get tutorials, tips on creativity and VIP access to our online workshops.