2D VFX Animation

Level(s) of Study: Short course
Course Fee:
£425
Start Date(s): 2 December 2026, 9 June 2027
Duration: Wednesday to Friday 10 am - 4 pm, three days
Study Mode(s): Part-time
Campus: City Campus
Entry Requirements: More information

Introduction:

How do you convey a gust of wind? How do you describe a water droplet? These are the VFX elements that will make your art feel alive!

A big fan of sparkles and explosions? This screen arts course is ideal for VFX artists, animators, and creative practitioners looking to develop skills and enhance your work by incorporating elements of visual effects using ToonBoom Harmony, TVPaint and Adobe After Effects.

This course lays all the foundational skills that are needed to build a strong 2D VFX portfolio; from learning how to conceptualise a VFX design to the necessary animation skills to bring the magic to life and leave with a solid VFX demo reel.

You will have guidance on how to create an effective and eye-catching demo reel for VFX work within the animation industry
With a limited class size, you'll have the one-to-one time with your tutor for in-depth feedback and guidance that will help you successfully implement VFX into your artwork, film, and illustration.
Benefit from learning with an experienced animator who has established links to the profession and significant experience in directing, leading and animating within the animation industry.
On successful completion of the course you will receive a certificate of attendance.

What you’ll study

This course is designed to help those who want to add another layer of life into their work (film, illustration, graphic work), as well as those who want to pursue 2DVFX as a career option.

You will be taught how to effectively design VFX in any style and then be taught foundational animation skills to make it all move! VFX has been a very favourably desired skillset within not just the animation industry but the design and film industry too.

During this course, you will:

Explore a variety of different VFX styles and aesthetics (cartoon, anime, realistic) and consider how to choose what’s right for you.
Learn VFX design principles and how to conceptualise and design many VVFX elements (fire, smoke, water, magic, wind).
Get foundational animation skills necessary for VFX animation.
Learn how different elements behave and how to animate them.

Here’s a breakdown of what you’ll study during the course.

Theories and principles for designing VFX
Exploring different VFX styles and aesthetics
What makes a good VFX demo reel?
Individual feedback and drawovers (a red-lined drawing on top of your animation as a form of feedback)

Foundational principles for VFX animation
Spacing & timing
Ease In & Out
Overlap & Follow Through

Studying the nature of fire and smoke
Understanding the nature of liquids
Studying the nature of Light
Combining learned elements to craft a spell / magic VFX

Tutor profile:

Bao Vo Phan is an animator and director with five years of experience in the animation industry.

He has worked on multiple TV and Feature Film projects, including: Zack Snyder’s Twilight of The Gods on Netflix (key animator), A Magnificent Life (key animator), Submarine Jim on BBC (lead animator), Tales of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (animation supervisor) and Disney’s The Doomies (VFX supervisor).

On top of his industry experience, Bao also holds a Master’s Degree in Animation and is currently a lecturer at Nottingham Trent University within the Animation department, teaching both Character and VFX Animation.

Careers and employability

This course is designed to help artists and illustrators branch out and explore VFX to elevate their work and lay a strong foundation should you want to pursue 2DVFX as a career.

You will also be given some guidance on how to make yourself stand out within the animation industry as well as forming and maintaining industry connections.

Certificate of attendance and digital badge

Upon successful completion of the course, you will receive a digital certificate of attendance and a digital badge powered by Accredible.

Your digital credential is more than just a certificate. It’s secure, verifiable, and protected against fraud through encryption and blockchain technology.

They also come with detailed metadata, including an overview of the skills you have achieved on the course, evidence of completion, and assessment criteria if appropriate.

Share your achievements seamlessly with friends, customers, and potential employers online, and proudly add your badge or certificate to social media platforms such as LinkedIn, so all the right people can see it.

Campus and facilities

You will be based in the Nottingham School of Art and Design on the City Campus.

You’ll find collaborative working spaces where you develop your concepts, Mac and PC suites equipped with industry standard software and hardware including Adobe After Effects, ToonBoom Harmony and TVPaint.

You will receive an email one week before the course starts with joining instructions on where to go for the first day.

You’ll also have access to our library to use outside of your short course; whilst you can’t reserve or take away books, you are welcome to use them as a resource for research and referencing.

Entry requirements

Level: Intermediate artists and beginner animators

Entry requirement: You should have a proficiency in any animation programme (the course will be taught on ToonBoom Harmony), an ability to use any drawing software (Adobe Photoshop, Procreate, Clip Studio Paint) and you should be able to draw on a foundational level.

You must be over the age of 18 in order to attend this course.

Fees and funding

The fee for this course is £425.

Payment is due at the time of booking - ask us if you'd prefer an invoice sent to your company.

Your course fees cover the cost of studies and include great benefits such as the use of our modern library and free use of the IT equipment and software on the campus during your course.