Program Objectives

The Illustration and Animation Program aims to train people who could work as illustrators or animation artists.

Specialization A: Illustration

Illustrators are visual artists who work in the Communications industry. They develop concepts, design sketches, produce drafts and illustrations. To do this, they choose the materials, mediums and processing techniques according to the desired effect, the nature of the work and the specific needs of the client. They work with computer equipment (computers, printers, scanners, cameras) and specialized software in drawing, image processing, editing, texture creation, modeling, etc.

Specialization B : Animation

Animation artists are involved in the production of commercial animated films, intended primarily for cinema, broadcast television (television series, commercials, documentaries) and video games as well as multimedia (Internet sites, recreational or didactic CD-ROMs, for example). Depending on the nature of the project and the type of work for which they are employed, the animators perform tasks related to the design of places, props and characters. They can also draw linear decors of animation sequences and do character animation related to their dialogues. The development of the storyboard, the design and animation of visual effects are also tasks that can be assigned to them. Finally, animation artists may be asked to process and assemble animation drawings on the computer, animate a three-dimensional character and create a cartoon.

Length of training

Option Specific (hours) Total (hours)
A: Illustration 2070 2730
B: Animation 2070 2730

Total length of training includes general training that is common to all programs for 420 hours, general training for this program for 150 hours as well as complementary general training courses for 90 hours.


Duration of training consists of theory and lab work for courses; personal time that the student invests is excluded.

Program Content

Number or Code Statement of the Competency
014L Represent the anatomy of a living creature
014M Represent a subject in perspective
014N Simplify the representation of a subject
014P Represent a subject’s character traits
014S Generate and use innovative ideas
0151 Produce a storyboard
069P Analyze the occupation of illustrator or animation artist

Specialization A - Illustration

Number or Code Statement of the Competency
069Q Explore different types of visual communication design and their underlying principles
069R Create colour schemes for illustrations
069S Critique illustrations and visual art productions
069T Acquire reference images
069U Use traditional illustration techniques
069V Create raster images
069W Create vector images
069X Produce technical illustrations
069Y Use assemblage techniques to create illustrations
069Z Develop illustration techniques
06A0 Produce advertising illustrations
06A1 Create illustrations for literary works
06A2 Create editorial portraits and illustrations
06A3 Create documentary and scientific illustrations
06A4 Create specialized illustrations and motifs
06A5 Manage their own business
Number of hours alloted to specific training: 2 070

Specialization B - Animation

Number or Code Statement of the Competency
014K Represent movements
014Q Draw characters
014R Represent the anatomy of a living creature in action
014T Animate a character
014U Analyze the cinematographic techniques used in an animated film
014V Create backgrounds and props
014W Represent a subject’s emotions and feelings
014X Create characters
014Y Determine the colours for a project
014Z Draw key poses and background outlines for a sequence
0150 Animate characters based on dialogue
0152 Create and animate visual effects
0153 Digitally process and assemble animation drawings
0154 Animate a 3D character
0155 Produce an animation
0156 Manage their career
Number of hours alloted to specific training: 2 070

Admission Conditions and Prerequisites

To be admitted to the program, a person must meet the general requirements for admission set out in the College Education Regulations, as well as the following special conditions, where applicable:

• no requirements

Educational Organizations Offering the Program

College D/E
Collège Dawson

Illustrator

Illustrators create illustrations for books, magazines, ads, animations, video games, urban murals, etc. They elaborate illustration concepts, create sketches using traditional mediums (such as graphite, charcoal, pencil, brush, ink) and digital mediums (such as drawing software, graphics tablet, camera). This is a creative job that suits people with good drawing skills. A career as an illustrator also requires curiosity, versatility and attention to detail.

Related Training(s)

Graphic Design

Average Salary

Illustrator — $28.99

Job Titles

2D animator
3D animator

Targeted Professions

Find out more about a trade or an occupation on Québec.ca

Graphic arts technicians (5223)
Graphic designers and illustrators (5241)

Labour Market Relation

Information from the MEES

In the work force   (Information from the MEES)

Want to suggest a training? Write to us at [email protected].

Privacy and Cookie Notice

This site uses cookies for functional and analytical purposes. By clicking on "Accept" or continuing your browsing, you agree to the storage of cookies on your device.

Read Privacy Policy