Celebrate International Animation Day by discovering how you could turn your love of animation, character design and visual storytelling into a future in the creative industries.
From the films we watch and the games we play to the adverts that catch our attention, animation is everywhere. It brings characters to life, tells powerful stories and turns imaginative ideas into something people can see, hear and experience.
International Animation Day, celebrated on 28 October, is the perfect opportunity to shine a spotlight on this exciting creative industry and the opportunities that aspiring animators can pursue at NKC Dartford College.
Turn your creativity into practical skills
You don’t have to travel far to start exploring a future in animation. Based just outside the town centre, NKC Dartford College offers specialist courses designed to help students develop their creative talents while building the technical skills needed to progress in the industry.
The Level 3 Next Gen Animation and Visual Storytelling course is designed for students who want to take their first steps towards a career in animation. Across the two-year programme, students explore the fundamentals of drawing, character design, environments, anatomy, perspective and storytelling, gradually developing their own creative style.
There’s also a Level 2 Creative Digital Design course for those who want to explore different creative pathways before specialising. Students can develop their skills across areas of design and illustration before progressing towards a Level 3 pathway, including 2D Animation and Concept Art.
Learn from experienced professionals
A great creative education is about more than learning techniques. It’s also about understanding how the industry works and what it takes to turn an idea into a finished project.
At NKC Dartford College, students learn from experienced professionals and work in specialist animation studios equipped with industry-standard software and technology.
Students can develop their skills through practical workshops and project-based assignments, exploring the animation process from initial ideas and character development through to bringing their creations to life.
And learning doesn't stop at the classroom door. Opportunities to work on live client briefs, engage with guest speakers from the animation industry and gain work experience help students understand the expectations of professional creative environments.
Where could animation take you?
Animation offers a range of possible career paths, depending on your interests, skills and the experience you develop.
You might find yourself drawn to character design, 2D animation, concept art, storyboarding or visual storytelling. You could explore opportunities in film, television, advertising, gaming or other areas of the creative industries.
Some students may choose to progress to university or further specialist study, while others may work towards apprenticeships or entry-level industry roles.
Whichever direction appeals to you, developing technical skills, creative problem-solving and the ability to communicate ideas visually can help you take your next steps.
A creative future, closer to home
If you love drawing, designing characters, telling stories or bringing ideas to life, why not explore where those interests could take you?
Discover animation and creative design courses at NKC Dartford College and take your first steps towards a creative future.