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Foundations of 2D Animation
Preliminary Program
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Duration February 2026 – June 2026
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Format Online
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Level Beginner
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Language English
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Tuition fee € 1 500 (or in installments)
About the Program
From classic animated films to contemporary series and games – animation has been part of our entertainment for years.
“Foundations of 2D Animation” is a 5-month preliminary program for everyone who wants to enter the world of animation. Whether you are driven by curiosity or planning to continue your education in an art specialty, the program gives you a solid foundation, practical experience, and portfolio.
Within 90 study hours, you will learn the principles of animation, master the basics of animation software, create characters and worlds, and build your own project.
Who is the program for?
We believe that anyone with curiosity and a desire to experiment can discover the magic of animation. You don’t need to know how to draw to start the program.
It’s for you if you:
- Have an interest in drawing, illustration, and visual storytelling
- Love comics, animated films, and graphic novels
- Plan to continue your education in an art specialty (at ARC Academy or another university)
- Want to develop your creative possibilities in animation
Benefits
We created “Foundations of 2D Animation” as a first step for anyone who wants to understand how animation is created and discover their place in this promising profession.
The program will introduce you to the basic principles of animation and help you develop practically applicable skills:
Animation Principles
Master the rules that make movement convincing.
Professional Tools
Work with software used in studios.
Flexible Learning
Live online classes, access to educational materials and recordings.
Mentorship Support
Personal feedback throughout the entire training.
What Will You Learn?
In the program, you will take your first steps in creating moving images and understand how animated stories are born. Through practical projects and with the help of a mentor, you will develop knowledge, skills, and practical experience.
Module 1: Introduction to Animation
Get acquainted with the history of animation, different styles and techniques, key roles in animation studios. You will learn to work with software and develop skills for creating characters and worlds.
- Introduction to animation
- Basic principles
- Working with software
- Character and world design
Module 2: Practical Skills and Project
Focuses on the process of creating animation projects. You will learn how to plan, create storyboards and realize your ideas, apply techniques for animating characters and their emotions, and build your own animation project.
- Pre-production
- Character animation
- Post-production (effects, editing)
- Creating a personal project
Education
Classes include theoretical preparation and its practical application in projects and assignments. Teachers will give you advice, recommendations, and guidance to build your skills. They will help you build a portfolio and be confident in your ability to work with software to create quality and authentic works.
Schedule: Total 90 hours, 5 months, 2 times weekly (1 weekday and 1 weekend)
Format: Combination of live online lectures, practical assignments, feedback, and access to lesson recordings
Support: Personal feedback from mentors
Self-study: 2-4 hours weekly for steady progress
Skills
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Creative Skills
Storytelling through storyboard and animation. -
Technical Skills
Working with animation software. -
Character Design
Creating characters and animating their movements and emotions. -
Project Work
Experience in creating first independent developments.
Continue Your Education at ARC
In addition to preparing yourself and your personal portfolio, the "Foundations of 2D Animation" program will give you the opportunity to apply at ARC for the specialties Game Art (distance learning program), 3D Art, and Visual Arts.
Application
You will go through the following steps:
Step 1:
Application
Complete an online form that includes information about you, CV, and your motivation for studying at ARC.
Step 2:
Meeting
This is an opportunity to tell us about yourself, and for us to introduce you to the programs.
Tuition Fee
The program price is €1,500.
To reserve your place upon enrollment, you pay €750 in advance, and the remaining €750 – 1 month before the program starts.
If you are interested in installment payments, you can contact our team at +359 886 925 303 or welcome@arc.academy
FAQ
Who is the program suitable for?
The main goal of the preliminary programs is to create a portfolio that will give you confidence to continue your education in various art specializations (at ARC Academy or other universities).
It is suitable for young people and beginner artists who want to acquire skills and immediately apply them practically in projects, exercises, and assignments. The programs are comprehensive and include several disciplines that will give you an artistic perspective and teach you to work with the necessary software.
Is previous experience required?
No. The program is specifically designed for beginners. If you do have some experience in drawing, 3D modeling, or digital art, that will be an advantage. We’ll use it as a starting point and help you reach the next level.
When do classes take place?
You have 2 classes per week, each lasting 2 hours (120 minutes) – one on a weekday evening and one on the weekend before noon.
Additionally, we recommend 2-4 hours of weekly self-study for steady progress.
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Do the classes fit with students'/working people's schedules?
Yes, the program is designed to accommodate the needs of students and working professionals. Weekday classes are in the evening, and you also have one on the weekend, making the program flexible.
If you miss a class, you’ll have access to a recording of every session. However, we recommend attending live whenever possible for the best results.
What is the application and admission process?
The process is very simple – you just need to fill out the application form. After that, our team will contact you to arrange a meeting. During the meeting, you’ll tell us about yourself, and we’ll introduce you to the different programs in detail.
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What do I need to prepare for the meeting?
Nothing special! The meeting is completely informal – we’ll just get to know each other and we’d love to hear about yourself and your interests. You don’t need to have a portfolio or any other materials prepared.
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What software will you need?
In the Game Art and Design and Digital Arts programs, you’ll mainly work with two software applications for drawing and modeling.
Adobe Photoshop (for digital drawing) – a paid program that you’ll need to acquire yourself. We can help you get preferential conditions when purchasing it.
Blender (for 3D modeling) – completely free software.
Krita – free software for digital drawing and animation. We recommend downloading and installing it for the Animation program.
Unreal Engine – free but heavy program (not mandatory to have, we’ll show you how it works). It is applicable for the Foundations in Game Art and Design program.
How do I take advantage of the 2-installment payment option?
We provide the option to pay the fee (€ 1 500) in 3 equal installments, with a minimal price increase.
*If you are interested in or have any questions about installments, contact our team at +359 886 925 303 or welcome@arc.academy.
Have any questions?
Book a free consultation with the ARC team
If you’d like more information on the application process, admission requirements or enrollment, feel free to write to us and a team representative will get in touch with you shortly.
Contacts