Lesson Library

• Lesson 1:  Looking Ahead

• Lesson 2:  The Animators Way

• Lesson 3:  Career

• Lesson 4:  The Production Pipeline

• Lesson 5:  Specialties & Titles

• Lesson 6:  Job Market

• Lesson 7:  Compensation + Location

• Lesson 8:  Hardware

• Lesson 9:  Software

• Lesson 10:  Popular Content

• Lesson 1:  The Important Stuff

• Lesson 2:
  The History of Animation I: Origins & Innovations
  The History of Animation II: An Era of Invention & Imagination
  The History of Animation II: A Future Untold

• Lesson 3: 
  Design, Philosophy & Composition I
  Design, Philosophy & Composition II
  

• Lesson 4: 
  Color Theory I Foundations
  Color Theory II Application

• Lesson 5:
  Lighting For Motion I
  Lighting For Motion II
  

• Lesson 6:  Depth, Space & Perspective

• Lesson 7:  Anatomy & Biomechanics

• Lesson 8:  Essential Physics

• Lesson 9:  12 Principles of Animation

• Lesson 10:  Camera Operator

• Lesson 11:  Language & Content

• Lesson 12:  Storyboard Ideation

• Lesson 13:  Styleframing & Moodboards

• Lesson 14:  Communication & Decorum

• Lesson 15:  Creative Expression & Style

Module 1:  Overview

This first module summarizes up everything you will be learning within the 2D Animation Curriculum.

Covering what is and is not included if you are enrolled in one of our tailored Journeys, as well as details around what you will be learning at each skill level, the assignments ahead, and expected outcomes for your portfolio.

Module 2:  Intro to After Effects (Level I)

Estimated completion time: 6-8 weeks

This module introduces Adobe After Effects as a powerful compositing and animation tool used across film, television, gaming, marketing, and social media.

We explore how to combine visual elements, effects, and animation into cohesive scenes while emphasizing accessibility and seamless integration with other Adobe software.

We focuses on teaching students a practical 2.5D Animation Pipeline that blends storytelling, character animation, and motion graphics. Students are encouraged to develop both creative and technical skills while learning industry workflows, hardware considerations, and the importance of repetition and experimentation in mastering animation.

• Lesson 1:  After Effects Overview

• Lesson 2:  Interface & Settings

• Lesson 3:  Project Panel

• Lesson 4:  Compositions

• Lesson 5:  Timeline & Layer Controls

• Lesson 6:  Toolbar

• Lesson 7:  Shape Masks & Paths

• Lesson 8:  Effects & Adjustment Layers

• Lesson 9:  Transform Properties

• Lesson 10:  Keyframes

• Lesson 11:  Text

• Lesson 12:  Cameras & 3D Space

• Lesson 13:  Lights & Materials

• Lesson 14:  Paint Tools

• Lesson 15:  Audio

• Lesson 16:  Expressions & Scripts

• Lesson 17:  Rendering & Formats

• Lesson 18:  Clean-Up & Structure

Module 3:  2D Animation Fundamentals (Level I)

Estimated completion time: 6-8 weeks

This module builds on your knowledge of the After Effects interface by teaching the core techniques used to create animated sequences and stories.

Students will learn skills such as using the graph editor for smooth motion, animating text and logos, working with shapes, masks, and paths, preparing graphics for movement with tools like parenting and the puppet tool, using expressions and scripts to streamline workflows, and creating dynamic 2.5D camera movements.

The module also includes hands-on assignments for every lesson, culminating with a portfolio project utilizing all the skills learned during each lesson.

• Lesson 1:  Animation Overview

• Lesson 2:  Graph / Curve Editor

• Lesson 3:  Shapes & Objects

• Lesson 4:  Modifiers

• Lesson 5:  Paths & Lines

• Lesson 6:  Stylization

• Lesson 7:  Transitions

• Lesson 8:  Kinetic Typography

• Lesson 9:  Advanced Expressions

• Lesson 10:  Logo Animation

• Lesson 11:  Tools & Scripts

• Portfolio Project:  Advanced Expressions

Module 4:  2.5D Character Animation (Level II)

Estimated completion time: 6-8 weeks

This module explores professional animation workflows, character rigging tools and scripts, animation controls, walk and run cycles, facial animation, and 'faux 3D' techniques that bring 2D characters to life in a '2.5D' style.

By the end, you’ll combine everything you’ve learned into a polished portfolio project while gaining skills that can be applied to characters and creatures of all kinds.

• Lesson 1:  2.5D Character Animation Overview

• Lesson 2:  Animation Principles

• Lesson 3:  Rigging Systems

• Lesson 4:  Walk Cycles

• Lesson 5:  Run Cycles

   

• Lesson 6:  Animal Cycles

• Lesson 7:  Faux 3D

• Lesson 8:  Facial Animation

• Portfolio Project:  Loops

   

Module 5:  2.5D Pipeline (Level II)

Estimated completion time: 6-8 weeks

This module teaches the complete 2.5D Animation Production Pipeline, guiding students from the initial idea all the way to a finished animation.

We cover every major stage of production — including brainstorming, scriptwriting, storyboarding, styleframes, character creation, animation, sound design, rendering, and post-production — while also explaining how these processes work in both studio and freelance environments.

By the end, students will be able to create full portfolio-quality animations from start to finish, and understand how to repeatedly apply the same professional workflow to future projects.

• Lesson 1:  2.5D Pipeline Overview

• Lesson 2:  Reading The Brief

• Lesson 3:  Writing The Script

• Lesson 4:  Creating Storyboards

• Lesson 5:  Creating Styleframes

• Lesson 6:  Sound Design

• Lesson 7:  Series of Scenes

• Lesson 8:  Creating Characters

• Lesson 9:  Animation

• Lesson 10:  Post-Production

• Portfolio Project:  Portfolio Building

Module 6:  Advanced 2.5D Animation (Level III)

Estimated completion time: 6-8 weeks

This module expands the 2.5D Animation Pipeline into a professional freelance workflow, covering every stage from client onboarding and pre-production to animation, sound design, post-production, and marketing strategy.

Students learn how to develop scripts, storyboards, styleframes, expressive characters, advanced scenery, facial animation, and polished final outputs while understanding how animation fits into broader marketing and business objectives.

Through a repeatable portfolio project, this module emphasizes industry-standard production pipelines, creative problem solving, and building the skills necessary to work as a professional freelance animator.

• Lesson 1:  Advanced 2.5D Animation Overview

• Lesson 2:  Marketing Concepts

• Lesson 3:  Studying The Brief

• Lesson 4:  Targeted Scriptwriting

• Lesson 5:  Proving The Concept

• Lesson 6:  Storyboarding Pro

• Lesson 7:  Advanced Sound Design

• Lesson 8:  Complex Scenes

• Lesson 9:  Character Studio

• Lesson 10:  Facial Animation & Dialogue

• Lesson 11:  Post-Production & Output

• Portfolio Project:  Freelance Portfolio Building

Module 1:  Overview

This first module summarizes up everything you will be learning within the 3D Animation Curriculum.

Covering what is and is not included if you are enrolled in one of our tailored Journeys, as well as details around what you will be learning at each skill level, the assignments ahead, and expected outcomes for your portfolio.

Module 2:  Intro to Blender (Level I)

Estimated completion time: 6-8 weeks

This module provides an A to Z walkthrough of the free open-source 3D software Blender. These lessons focus not only on animation, but introduces students to all other parts of the 3D production pipeline. Such as modeling, texturing, lighting, rigging, and rendering to understand how productions work as a whole.

By the end, students will not simply be able to use the software, but they'll have a deep understanding of all it's capabilities for use in a variety of different industries.

• Lesson 1:  Blender Intro

• Lesson 2:  Basics: Interface Overview

• Lesson 3:  Basics: Viewport Navigation

• Lesson 4:  Basics: Selecting & Transforming

• Lesson 5:  Basics: Object Manipulation

• Lesson 6:  Basics: Collections

• Lesson 7:  Basics: Working w/ Workspaces

• Lesson 8:  Modeling: Toolbox

• Lesson 9:  Modeling: Advanced Tools

• Lesson 10:  Modeling: Construct & Deconstruct

• Lesson 11:  Modeling: Modifiers

• Lesson 12:  Modeling: Useful Shapes

• Lesson 13:  Modeling: Sculpting Tools

• Lesson 14:  Shaders & Textures: Shader Editor

• Lesson 15:  Shaders & Textures: Texture Tools

• Lesson 16:  Shaders & Textures: Unwrapping

• Lesson 17:  Shaders & Textures: Texture Painting

• Lesson 18:  Lighting: Light & Shadow

• Lesson 19:  Lighting: Lighting Setups

• Lesson 20:  Rigging: Parenting & Constraints

• Lesson 21:  Rigging: Armatures

• Lesson 22:  Rigging: Skinning & Weights

• Lesson 23:  Rigging: Meta-Rigs

• Lesson 24:  Rigging: Controls & Customizations

• Lesson 25:  Rigging: Character Rigging

• Lesson 26:  Animation: Frame Rate & Time

• Lesson 27:  Animation: Keyframes

• Lesson 28:  Animation: Dope Sheet

• Lesson 29:  Animation: Nonlinear Animation Editor

• Lesson 30:  Animation: Graph Editor

• Lesson 31:  Effects: Effects & Physics

• Lesson 32:  Cameras: Cameras

• Lesson 33:  Cameras: Movement

• Lesson 34:  Rendering: Settings

• Lesson 35:  Rendering: Passes & Output

• Lesson 36:  Rendering: Styles

• Lesson 37:  Software Parallels: Maya

• Lesson 38:  Software Parallels: Cinema 4D

Module 3:  Intro to 3D Animation (Level I)

Estimated completion time: 6-8 weeks

This module introduces the fundamentals of 3D animation in Blender, shifting the focus from general tools and workflows to the core principles of animation itself.

Students learn how objects behave, move, and react through concepts like physics, weight, timing, anticipation, arcs, follow-through, and exaggeration.

Through lessons covering classic animation principles such as Squash & Stretch, Pose-to-Pose, and Slow-In/Slow-Out, learners develop the skills needed to create believable and visually engaging motion. The techniques taught apply across both 2D and 3D animation, providing a strong foundation for becoming a skilled animator.

• Lesson 1:  3D Animation Overview

• Lesson 2:  Object Characteristics

• Lesson 3:  Object Physics

• Lesson 4:  Principles of Animation: Slow-In & Slow-Out

• Lesson 5:  Principles of Animation: Straight Ahead Action & Pose-to-Pose

• Lesson 6:  Principles of Animation: Timing

• Lesson 7:  Principles of Animation: Arc

• Lesson 8:  Principles of Animation: Follow-Through & Overlapping Action

• Lesson 9:  Principles of Animation: Squash & Stretch

• Lesson 10:  Principles of Animation: Anticipation

• Lesson 11:  Principles of Animation: Exaggeration

• Lesson 12:  Principles of Animation: Appeal

Module 4:  Fundamental Character Animation (Level II)

Estimated completion time: 6-8 weeks

In this module, you’ll transition from animating objects to bringing fully rigged characters to life in Blender.

You’ll learn how character rigs and controls work, practice posing, explore blocking techniques, and create walk & run cycles that evolve from simple lower-body movement to full-body animation with personality and polish.

By the end, you’ll have a strong foundation in character animation and the confidence to apply these techniques to a variety of character rigs.

• Lesson 1:  Character Animation Overview

• Lesson 2:  Working w/ Rigs

• Lesson 3:  Poses

• Lesson 4:  Blocking

• Lesson 5:  Lower Body Walk Cycle

• Lesson 6:  Full Body Walk Cycle

• Lesson 7:  Run Cycle

• Lesson 8:  Personality & Polish

Module 5:  Advanced Body Mechanics (Level II)

Estimated completion time: 6-8 weeks

This module focuses on refining your character animation skills by applying core animation principles to more complex and dynamic movements.

You’ll learn how to use references, improve poses with squash and stretch, create believable motion through anticipation, follow-through, arcs, timing, and secondary action, while also exploring staging, exaggeration, appeal, and dynamic camera work.

Throughout the module, you’ll animate characters in a variety of scenarios to better understand realistic body movement, culminating in a portfolio project that showcases your advanced character animation abilities.

• Lesson 1:  Body Mechanics Overview

• Lesson 2:  The Power of References

• Lesson 3:  Advanced Principles: Arc

• Lesson 4:  Advanced Principles: Anticipation

• Lesson 5:  Advanced Principles: Slow In / Slow Out

• Lesson 6:  Advanced Principles: Squash & Stretch

• Lesson 7:  Advanced Principles: Follow-Through & Overlapping Action

• Lesson 8:  Advanced Principles: Secondary Action

• Lesson 9:  Advanced Principles: Timing

• Lesson 10:  Advanced Principles: Exaggeration

• Lesson 11:  Advanced Principles: Straight Ahead Action & Pose-to-Pose

• Lesson 12:  Advanced Principles: Appeal

• Lesson 13:  Advanced Principles: Staging

• Lesson 14:  Camera as a Character

• Portfolio Project:  Hardcore Parkour

Module 6:  Character Acting (Level III)

Estimated completion time: 6-8 weeks

This module focuses on bringing animated characters to life through emotion, performance, and dialogue.

Students will learn acting principles, subtext, moving holds, pantomime, facial animation, lip-syncing, and multi-character interaction to create believable performances.

By the end, they will complete several polished acting projects that strengthen both their animation skills and portfolio.

• Lesson 1:  Character Acting Overview

• Lesson 2:  Acting & Subtext

• Lesson 3:  Moving Holds

• Lesson 4:  Pantomime

• Lesson 5:  Facial Animation

• Lesson 6:  Dialogue & Lip-Sync

• Lesson 7:  Acting

• Portfolio Project:  Multiple Characters

Module 7:  Creature Animation (Level III)

Estimated completion time: 6-8 weeks

In this module you’ll explore advanced creature animation techniques for quadrupeds and flying creatures.

Throughout the lessons, you’ll study real-world reference material, learn to use creature rigs, and animate four-legged walk & run cycles before diving into wing mechanics and flight animation.

By the end, you’ll combine these skills into a polished creature animation project for your portfolio using the provided creature rigs.

• Lesson 1:  Creature Animation Overview

• Lesson 2:  Research & References

• Lesson 3:  Working w/ Quadrupeds

• Lesson 4:  Quadruped Walk

• Lesson 5:  Quadruped Run

• Lesson 6:  Aviation

• Portfolio Project:  Creature Feature

Module 1:  Overview

This first module summarizes up everything you will be learning within the Motion Graphics Curriculum.

Covering what is and is not included if you are enrolled in one of our tailored Journeys, as well as details around what you will be learning at each skill level, the assignments ahead, and expected outcomes for your portfolio.

Module 2:  After Effects for Motion Graphics (Level I)

Estimated completion time: 6-8 weeks

This module teaches the essential skills needed to begin a professional career in motion graphics. We focus on industry-standard techniques like text animation, greenscreen keying, motion tracking, shot stabilization, and creating dynamic visual graphics.

Throughout the lessons, students will build a versatile creative skill set while producing strong portfolio pieces that demonstrate their ability to solve a wide range of visual challenges for clients, studios, and agencies.

The ultimate goal is to help students become adaptable, in-demand Motion Graphics Artists capable of handling professional projects from concept to completion.

• Lesson 1:  After Effects Overview

• Lesson 2:  Color Control

• Lesson 3:  Chroma Key

• Lesson 4:  Tracking

• Lesson 5:  Masking

• Lesson 6:  Stabilization

• Lesson 7:  Transitions

• Lesson 8:  Collages

• Lesson 9:  Parallax

• Lesson 10:  Effects & Tools

• Portfolio Project:  Tourism Campaign

• Portfolio Project:  Motion GFX Kits

Module 3:  Intro to Cinema 4D (Level II)

Estimated completion time: 6-8 weeks

This module provides an A to Z walkthrough of 3D software Cinema 4D. Students will learn to confidently navigate the software and create professional-quality motion graphics projects for their demo reel.

These lessons build strong foundations in the full 3D production pipeline by focusing on each specific discipline / feature within the platform. Including modeling, texturing, lighting, rigging, cameras, MoGraph, dynamics and more.

Whether coming from a 2D or 3D background or starting fresh, we explore how motion graphics uses conceptual imagery, animation, and sound to communicate ideas, promote brands, and tell visually compelling stories.

• Lesson 1:  Intro to Cinema 4D Overview

• Lesson 2:  Interface

• Lesson 3:  Settings

• Lesson 4:  Viewport Navigation

• Lesson 5:  Objects

• Lesson 6:  Transforms

• Lesson 7:  Modeling

• Lesson 8:  Deformers

• Lesson 9:  Materials

• Lesson 10:  Texturing

• Lesson 11:  Lighting

• Lesson 12:  Constraints

• Lesson 13:  Rigging

• Lesson 14:  Animation

• Lesson 15:  Cameras

• Lesson 16:  MoGraph

• Lesson 17:  Dynamics

• Lesson 18:  Rendering

• Lesson 19:  Compositing

Module 4:  Mixed-Media Motion Graphics (Level II)

Estimated completion time: 6-8 weeks

In this module, we go beyond technical training and focus on developing the creative and professional soft skills that help motion graphics artists succeed long-term, including problem-solving, organization, adaptability, and critical thinking.

Building on your 2D and 3D animation experience, you’ll learn how to combine both mediums into advanced mixed-media projects, create abstract and conceptual animations, and develop data visualizations that communicate ideas clearly and effectively. Whether that means teaching, informing, selling a product, or creating emotional impact.

• Lesson 1:  Mixed-Media Motion Graphics Overview

• Lesson 2:  Building Off A Concept

• Lesson 3:  Cinema 4D to AFX

• Lesson 4:  Blending 2D & 3D

• Lesson 5:  Getting Abstract

• Lesson 6:  Data Visualization

• Portfolio Project:  New Product

• Portfolio Project:  Motion GFX Kits

Module 5:  Advanced Motion Graphics (Level III)

Estimated completion time: 6-8 weeks

This module guides students through the complete motion graphics production pipeline by having them create a cinematic title sequence from start to finish.

We cover every major stage of production, from ideation, storyboarding, and styleframes to asset creation, animation, rendering, compositing, sound design, and final delivery — while teaching students how professional motion graphics projects are organized and executed.

These lessons emphasize creative problem-solving, portfolio development, and building a repeatable workflow that students can continue using throughout their careers, whether freelancing or working in a studio environment.

• Lesson 1:  Project Overview

• Lesson 2:  Source Material & Ideation

• Lesson 3:  Creating Storyboards

• Lesson 4:  Creating Styleframes

• Lesson 5:  Asset Building

• Lesson 6:  Scene Setup

• Lesson 7:  Animation

• Lesson 8:  Rendering & Passes

• Lesson 9:  Compositing

• Lesson 10:  Sound Design

• Lesson 11:  Formatting & Output

•  Portfolio Project:  Portfolio Building

Universal Module:  Demo Reel

Estimated completion time: 1-2 weeks

This module guides students through the process of creating a professional demo reel to showcase their skills for studios, employers, or freelance clients.

Students will learn the basics of Adobe Premiere Pro to organize and edit their best work, select strong portfolio pieces, add titles and sound design, and export a polished final video that functions as a visual resume.

• Lesson 1:  Demo Reel Overview

• Lesson 2:  Software Walkthrough: Premiere Pro

• Lesson 3:  Shot Selection

• Lesson 4:  Editing & Flow

• Lesson 5:  Title Card & Labels

• Lesson 6:  Sound Design

• Lesson 7:  Export & Format

• Lesson 8:  Final Thoughts & Upkeep

• Lesson 1:  Crossroads

• Lesson 2:  Applying to Arts Colleges
  

• Lesson 3:  Online Education
  

• Lesson 4:  Applying for a Job

• Lesson 5:  Freelancing

• Lesson 1:  Welcome

• Lesson 2:  Making The Leap
  

• Lesson 3:  Know Your Why
  

• Lesson 4:  Confidence

• Lesson 5:  Moonlighting

• Lesson 6:  Putting A Plan Into Place

• Lesson 7:  Making The Numbers Work

• Lesson 1:  Becoming A Commercial Artist

• Lesson 2:  Professionalism & Accountability
  

• Lesson 3:  An Abundance Mentality
  

• Lesson 4:  Stacking & Cycles

• Lesson 5:  Search For Market Demand

• Lesson 6:  Leverage Your Strengths

• Lesson 7:  Manifesting Opportunities

• Lesson 1:  Be Your Brand

• Lesson 2:  Nimble Mind
  

• Lesson 3:  Complimentary Skillsets
  

• Lesson 4:  Positioning Your Work

• Lesson 5:  Tools Of The Trade

• Lesson 6:  Resource Vault

• Lesson 1:  Corporations & LLC's 

• Lesson 2:  Death & Taxes
  

• Lesson 3:  Pay It Smart

• Lesson 1:  Setup Business Cloud

• Lesson 2:  Layers of Behavior Change
  

• Lesson 3:  Time Management
  

• Lesson 4:  Project Management

• Lesson 5:  Money Management

• Lesson 6:  Being Profitable

• Lesson 7:  Health & Benefits

• Lesson 1:  Negotiation & Contracts

• Lesson 2:  Hourly, Day & Flat Rates
  

• Lesson 3:  Estimates - Scope of Work

• Lesson 4:  Invoicing & Getting Paid

• Lesson 1:  Establishing Home Base

• Lesson 2:  Analytics & SEO
  

• Lesson 3:  Leveraging Subpages

• Lesson 4:  Company Culture

• Lesson 1:  The Deck

• Lesson 2:  Who Are Your Clients
  

• Lesson 3:  Where Are Your Clients
  

• Lesson 4:  Cold Contact

• Lesson 5:  Be Everywhere

• Lesson 1:  Work - Life Balance

• Lesson 2:  The Ceiling 

• Lesson 3:  Delegation & Expansion