The Animation Workshop

The Animation Workshop/VIA University College (TAW) is located in Viborg, Denmark. It is a part of VIA University College’s School of Business, Technology and Creative Industries. It is Scandinavia’s leading animation institution and has expertise in the areas of education, culture, communication and business development. To this effect, it benefits from a strong international network of artists, professionals, companies, funding institutions and partner schools.

History

TAW was founded in 1988. Here aspiring animators came together to make short clips for TV. In 1993 the EU Media program made TAW a “Specialized European Animation Training Centre”. This was also the year that brought about KIKA – a one-year course in animation.

The Drawing Academy was founded in 1997, teaching students the craft of classical drawing. In 1998, the “Centre for Animation and Education” (now Animated Learning Lab) was formed, focusing on integrating animation-based pedagogics in the educational system.

In 2000 we added Professional Training courses to our division, and a year later Open Workshop opened up to its first artists in residence.

2003 saw the light of our first bachelor program in Character Animation. TAW was now a nationalized educational institution, and four years later we added Computer Graphic Arts as a specialized line of study within the Bachelor in Animation program. The newest add-on is the four-year Bachelor in Graphic Storytelling, from 2013.

Vision

TAW strives to be a positive driving force at the forefront of the creative industries, by exploring and developing new formats, technologies, production practices and ethical aspects within the work environment.

Study programs

Character Animation: the classical principles of animation through the study of both physicality and acting in the mediums of hand-drawn, 2D, and 3D in Maya are the focus of the program. All aspects of animation filmmaking are touched upon from storyboarding and character design to layout and backgrounds.

CG Artist: exploring the work methods of a CG production from start to finish, from concept design and storyboard through all aspects of the 3D pipeline including modelling, rigging, texturing, shading, lighting, rendering and compositing.

Graphic Storytelling is a four-year study program for people wishing to learn how to create graphic stories and universes at the highest level. The program teaches all the areas of working with graphic storytelling: drawing, sequential storytelling, lay-out, scripting, storyboarding for films and cross media, and development of original graphic universes.

Additionally, the Talent and Skills Development department offer professional training courses and workshops within the fields of production, animated documentaries, 2D and 3D animation, vfx, simulations, storyboarding, and illustration. All bachelor and professional training programs are taught by guest professionals.

Other activities include the Open Workshop film workshop and artist residency, the Drawing Academy, the youth education Visual HF, and VAF – Viborg Animation Festival.

Structure

The Animation Workshop is composed of 4 different departments: The Bachelor of Arts in Character Animation and CG Art, the Bachelor of Arts in Graphic Storytelling, Talent and Skills Development, and the Research & Development department: Center for Animation, Visualization & Digital Storytelling.

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