2D Animation
Create engaging 2D animations
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Early Admission
until March 31, 2026 -
Discount
€400 off the tuition fee
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Free Workshop
Career guidance from industry professionals
Early Admission
until March 31, 2026 
Discount
€400 off the tuition fee 
Free Workshop
Career guidance from industry professionals Тhe Program
The 2D Animation program is designed for everyone who wants to develop skills in animation and visual storytelling and apply them in a professional creative environment. It covers the full animation production process—from story development and storyboarding, through character animation, to layout design and background painting—following the practices of leading animation studios. The program is structured around hands-on practice and real projects, with ongoing guidance and feedback from professionals actively working in the animation industry.
The program is delivered in a hybrid format, combining on-campus classes with selected courses led by international lecturers, who begin their teaching on-site and continue online.
2D Animation
Animation is an art form many of us grow up with—it carries emotion, visual atmosphere, and memorable stories told through movement, music, rhythm, light, and strong characters.
2D Animation is focused on creating animations that tell stories and emotionally engage audiences. Through work with rhythm, movement, camera, light, and atmosphere, it transforms ideas and narratives into complete animated experiences.
2D animators combine artistic skills and technology to create animated content with the power to convey ideas, moods, and stories across film, games, advertising, and digital media.
Watch the video and meet Jim Van Der Keyl – the Director of 2D Animation program.
Benefits
ARC Academy provides you with a broad set of skills and practical knowledge in 2D animation and visual storytelling. Throughout the program, you receive personal feedback and mentorship while working on hands-on animation projects. You will work in fully equipped rooms, using professional software and tools to develop, refine, and present finished animated work.
Certificate recognized in creative industries
Lecturers with hands-on experience
Practical projects and teamwork
A strong portfolio when applying for a job
For Whom
The program develops skills in animation, visual storytelling, and character performance, preparing you for work across animation, games, advertising, and digital media.
It is suitable for those who:
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Want to create animated projects focused on movement, timing, and storytelling;
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Enjoy drawing and visual expression and want to apply them in a professional animation context;
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Aspire to work in animation and creative studios or develop independent animated projects.
Approach
The on-campus programs are designed for motivated individuals who want to immerse themselves in a creative environment and grow through intensive, hands-on projects and teamwork. They are suitable for both beginners and those with some prior experience looking for career-oriented training.
Format: Classes take place in person at ARC’s campus in Sofia, within a dynamic and inspiring atmosphere.
Schedule: 8–10 hours per week of lectures and practical exercises, plus around 10 hours of independent work on assignments and projects.
Support: Direct mentorship from industry professionals, regular feedback, and access to an active community of students, alumni, and experts.
Skills
During the program, you will deepen and expand your skills in drawing, animation, and working with professional software. The learning process includes mastering new tools, techniques, and production approaches used in contemporary animation pipelines.
You will learn to:
- Create visual concepts for animated characters, scenes, and narrative-driven projects
- Work with software used in the creative industries to express your ideas and present the stories and concepts that excite you
- Understand the full process of creating an animated project — from initial idea to finished animated piece
- Apply Soft and Hard skills – teamwork, attention to detail and creative thinking.
- Create and develop stories through animation and visual storytelling techniques, shaping a clear and engaging experience for your audience
- Мeet industry demands as artists and how to start a successful career
Curriculum
The 2D Animation program is a two-year program divided into four semesters. The course guides you through the skills and techniques needed to bring stories and characters to life through movement, enabling you to express ideas and narratives in a clear and impactful way.
First semester
The first semester introduces students to the fundamentals of animation and visual storytelling, covering key topics and building a solid foundation of skills that support further development in animation and production workflows.
- Principles of Animation (Intro)
- Visual Storytelling Fundamentals
- Color Theory and Composition
- Perspective
- Anatomy
- Digital Painting
- Live Drawing
Second semester
In the second semester, students deepen their knowledge of animation and visual storytelling while becoming familiar with key technical aspects of the animation pipeline. They explore new methods, techniques, and software, applying them directly to their ideas through hands-on projects.
- Storyboarding for Animation
- Character Animation I
- Life Drawing II (Gesture & Acting)
- Character Design for Animation
- Rigging (Intro)
- 3D Animation (Intro)
Third semester
The third semester focuses on animation production and the development of complete animated scenes. Students begin to develop more complex animated projects by combining everything they have learned so far into a structured production process. At this stage, they move from isolated exercises to planning and executing complete animated scenes and projects, following a professional animation pipeline.
- Character Animation II (Acting & Performance)
- Layout Design for Animation
- Background Painting for Animation
- Animation Production Pipeline
- Motion Design for Animation
- Creative AI Tools
Fourth Semester
The program concludes with a practical studio phase in which students apply everything they have learned by working on original animated projects. Individually or in teams, they have the freedom to take on creative challenges that reflect their artistic identity, interests, and personal style. This is the stage where ideas are brought to life and acquired knowledge is transformed into complete animated works, developed within a professional production environment.
- Project Studio: Working on Individual and Team Projects
- Building a Professional Portfolio
- Career Preparation: Training for Job Applications and Interviews
- Final Project Presentation to Industry Professionals
Lecturers
Our classes are taught by experienced professionals who are eager to pass on industry know-how to the younger generation. The learning process is interactive and mostly hands-on. Therefore, lecturers closely monitor each student’s progress and provide personalized feedback.
Students artwork
Partners
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If you would like to find out more about preliminary, campus or distance learning programs, whether they are right for you and how they can help, contact us.
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