3D Modeling & Animation
Overview
Create 3D models, animations, and game-ready assets using Blender — the same free, industry-standard software used by professional studios. You'll learn the full 3D pipeline from modeling and sculpting through animation, materials, and rendering.
Projects include designing original characters and environments, 3D printing your creations, building game assets for Unreal Engine 5, and producing a professional demo reel. The course starts with visual design fundamentals and builds through increasingly complex 3D techniques.
Career Opportunities
- 3D Modeler — Creating characters, props, and environments for games, film, and product design
- 3D Animator — Bringing characters and objects to life with motion and expression
- Game Artist — Designing and building visual assets for video games
- VFX Artist — Creating visual effects for film, television, and advertising
- Motion Graphics Designer — Producing animated graphics for video, web, and social media
- Architectural Visualization Artist — Rendering realistic 3D images of buildings and interiors
- Product Designer — Modeling and prototyping physical products in 3D before manufacturing
- 3D Print Technician — Preparing and producing physical objects from digital 3D models
- Texture / Material Artist — Creating realistic surfaces and materials for 3D objects
- Freelance 3D Artist — Working independently for clients in gaming, advertising, and e-commerce
Post-Secondary Programs
NAIT — Game Development: Animation & Game Design Diploma
www.nait.ca
NAIT — Game Development: Game Programming Diploma
www.nait.ca
Red Deer Polytechnic — Bachelor of Applied Arts in Animation & Visual Effects
rdpolytech.ca
Alberta University of the Arts — BFA, Animation Concentration
www.auarts.ca
University of Lethbridge — New Media BFA
www.ulethbridge.ca
University of Alberta — Bachelor of Design
www.ualberta.ca
Sheridan College (Ontario) — Honours Bachelor of Animation
www.sheridancollege.ca
Transferable Skills
- Spatial reasoning — Thinking in three dimensions to solve design and layout problems
- Creative problem-solving — Finding visual solutions within technical constraints
- Attention to detail — Refining models and animations to a professional standard
- Project management — Planning and completing multi-stage creative projects on deadline
- Technical adaptability — Learning new software and tools as the industry evolves
- Portfolio development — Curating and presenting your best work to employers or schools
Gallery
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