Associate Degree of Animation

SAE Animation graduates have been involved with many creative media companies, including Big Ant Studios, The Voxel Agents, Trickster Games, CSIRO, Australian Regenerative Medicine Institute, Monash University, Ignition Studios, VR Solutions, Chroma, Buzinga, Firemonkeys, Learning Seat, Thales Australia, Visual Playground and Iloura.

Our Associate Degree of Animation is all about building your character and credentials by giving you hands-on experience in a broad range of topics related to the Animation and Computer Graphics industries, such as Character Animation (2D/3D), Visual Storytelling, 3D Modelling & Computer Graphics, and applying focus to an industry specialisation role. Develop and apply advanced techniques and strategies to use industry software like Autodesk Maya, Autodesk 3ds Max, ToonBoom Harmony, Substance Painter, Unreal Engine 5, SideFX Houdini, Foundry Suite, Pixologic ZBrush and Adobe Creative Suite – to help bring your ideas to life.

In preparation for an industry that commands agility and adaptability, you’ll cut your creative teeth on projects in partnership with your course peers. By the end of your course, you could be collaborating with students across all SAE disciplines.

Areas of study

2D and 3D character animation, 3D modeling, animation, business and leadership skills, computer-generated visual effects, drawing and composition, employability skills in screen industry contexts, histories and theories, media and cultural studies, production for screen and games, project management, realtime and offline rendering, screen industry best practices, texturing and shaders.

Career opportunities

3D generalist, character artist, 2D and/or 3D animator, media industry specialist, motion graphics designer, concept artist, storyboard artist, 3D asset modeller, 3D character modeller, junior rigging TD, surfacing artist, junior lighting TD, production coordinator, junior assembly and layout artist.

Practical experience

SAE offers hands on, practical and project based education – it’s what makes us unique. We recognised this back in 1976 and that’s why we pioneered our hands-on, industry focused, and personalised curriculum. You will truly sharpen your skills by doing, not watching. From day one, you’ll be in small classes, using the latest equipment. The more prac work the better – that’s our theory. Upon completion, you will have built a portfolio of work to share with potential employers or first clients.

Fees and charges

SAE offers a range of options to help students fund their studies. Current SAE fee information.