Diploma in Media Practices Specialising in 3D Animation
The world of 3D animation involves the creation of moving images in a 3D dimensional space.
Passionate about video games, comics, figurines and animated shows? This dynamic field combines artistic creativity with technological expertise to bring characters, environments, and visual effects to life. Students are inducted into the art of modelling, texturing and lighting; animate, create VFX and produce augmented reality experiences; learn how to conceptualise and develop characters/creatures in 2D & 3D; study digital painting, storyboarding, anatomy and sculpting.
This major covers the CGI process, from concept to creation. Combined with additional media subjects, students develop pertinent skill sets from the growing media and entertainment industry.
This diploma is offered at Boston Media House Sandton.
Due to the technical and creative demands of this field, someone talented in drawing and technical problem solving is best suited.
The industry’s diverse nature still allows for a heavy lean of either skillset.
Only good at drawing? Become a concept or storyboard artist.
Only good at technical hurdles? Become a rigging artist.
Good at both? Choose your path!
Entry Requirements
A minimum requirement for admission in to the diploma is a:
- National Senior Certificate (NSC), with English as one of the subjects passed and with endorsement for admission to Diploma study; or
- National Certificate (Vocational) (NC(V)), with English as one of the subjects passed and with endorsement for admission to Diploma study; or
- Prior to 2009, Senior Certificate with English as one of the subjects passed.
Alternative Entry Requirements
A number of higher education qualifications may meet the requirements for admission into the diploma:
- Certificate programme, NQF Level 5 (OQSF/HEQSF), minimum Credits 12; or
- Diploma programme, NQF Level 5 (OQSF), minimum credits 240; or
- Higher Certificate, NQF (HEQSF) Level 5, minimum credits 120; or
- Advanced Certificate, NQF (HEQSF) Level 6, minimum credits 120; or
- Diploma. NQF (HEQSF) Level 6, minimum credits 240 or 360; or
- Equivalent qualification from an international higher education institution, see section on International Applicants
Personality Profile
- A healthy attitude to constantly learn and grow
- Ability to receive critique and work in a team
- Understanding human anatomy is helpful for character artists
- A keen eye for observation
- Design and art fundamentals
- Strong sense of visual literacy
- Passion & perseverance
- Academic Literacy
- Animation 1
- Art/Drawing 1
- Creativity
- Photography
- Computer Skills (MS Excel, MS PowerPoint, MS Windows, MS Word)
- Animation 2
- Art/Drawing 2
- Academic Literacy 2
- Design Thinking
- Sound Engineering
- Animation 3
- Art/Drawing 3
- Entrepreneurship
- Experiential Learning
- Media Law
Frequently Asked Questions
The clinical answer is: the illusion of simulating movement using successive images.
The preferred answer: Breathing life, intent and emotion into real or unreal objects, people or creatures. Even a leaf blowing in the wind can capture the essence of a particular emotion. The leaf is not real but we can capture the essence of something. This is not limited only to the animation of the leaf but also how the movement is framed and focused with a camera; how the light is utilized to stage and direct the audience; how colour influences the mood; all of this contributes to the experience and interpretation of the animation.
Limiting the Animation specialisation to the discipline of animating is wrong. The word ‘animation’ describes the movement of the character and ‘animated feature’ can also describe a genre of film. In any production; video games, short films, and animated feature or series; a lot more goes into the production pipeline than just the job of animating. Similarly, a lot more is taught throughout this 3-year diploma.
In a nutshell, we teach students art, illustration and design fundamentals coupled with 2D and 3D tools and software to produce 3D characters, vehicles, environments, AR experiences, imagery and stories using a range of relevant industry skills.
Both specialisations utilise art fundamentals to produce content for very different markets and job descriptions. There is an overlapping and borrowing of skills across these disciplines, however, the final product and job responsibilities distinguish them.
Need someone to animate a dog running into a meadow of flowers? Get an animator
Need a website or interface designed for a mobile app? Get a graphic/UX designer.
Need an explainer video with some motion art and characters, get an animator that understands graphic design
- Advertising agencies
- Animation production houses
- Video game studios
- Architectural firms
- Film studios
- Video and VFX/post-production houses
- Sculpting Studios
- 3D printing and additive manufacturing
- Autodesk Maya
- Blender
- UNITY game engine
- Vuforia Augmented Reality for UNITY
- Adobe Substance Painter
- Adobe Photoshop
- Arnold Renderer
- Adobe After Effects
- Adobe Premier