The programme aims to nurture aesthetic and art sense associated with professional knowledge and hands-on skills, with a goal to prepare students to become animation and visual effects professionals. The programme provides training regarding state-of-the-art knowledge of animation, art direction, character design, scene design, visual effects design and storytelling skills, enables students to adapt to new trends for their career development and articulation.
The programme is designed with an emphasis on generic, language and communication training, whole-person development and workplace experience to better prepare students for further studies and employment after graduation.
Students may choose one of the following streams so as to enhance professional knowledge and skills in specific areas:
• Higher Diploma in Animation and Visual Effects (Art Direction)
• Higher Diploma in Animation and Visual Effects (Character Animation)
• Higher Diploma in Animation and Visual Effects (Visual Effects)
The 1st semester is a common semester. Students will progress to the streams in the 2nd semester, subject to their stream choice, academic performance and study place availability in specific streams.
Please refer to General Entrance Requirement
Graduates may be employed from entry level to become animator, art director, motion graphic designer, graphic designer, character designer for animation / film, visual effect artist, producer assistant, video editor, etc.
Graduates may articulate to the Degree programmes offered by Technological and Higher Education Institute of Hong Kong (THEi):
• Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Cinematic Arts and Technology
Graduates may apply for admission to relevant Degree programmes of local universities:
• City University of Hong Kong: BA Creative Media
• Hong Kong Baptist University: BCOMM (Hons) in Game Design and Animation
• Hong Kong Metropolitan University: BFA (Hons) in Animation and Visual Effects
• The Hong Kong Polytechnic University: BA (Hons) in Digital Media / BA (Hons) Scheme in Design
Upon admission to relevant Degree programmes, graduates may apply for credit exemption. The level of exemption will be considered on individual basis.
Students are eligible to apply for student or affiliate membership of the Hong Kong Association of Motion Picture Post Production Professionals (AMP4), the Hong Kong Designers Association (HKDA), the Hong Kong Digital Entertainment Association (HKDEA) and the Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers (Hong Kong Section).
Semester 1:
• Aesthetics and Semiotics
• Animation Principles
• Cinematography Workshop
• StoryForge
• Character Drawing
• Essential Workplace Communication: Effective Oral Interaction
• Whole Person Development - MindShift: Achieving Personal Growth & Effectiveness
• IT Essentials - Smart Living
Semester 2:
Higher Diploma in Animation and Visual Effects (Character Animation) :
• Cultural Studies
• Story Development
• Character Creation
• Futuristic Character Portrait
• Character Stylization Workshop
• Vocational Chinese Communication: Putonghua Conversation and Reports
• Essential Workplace Communication: Digital Written Correspondence
• Whole Person Development - Collaboration, Teamwork & Social Engagement
Higher Diploma in Animation and Visual Effects (Visual Effects):
• Cultural Studies
• Story Development
• Sci-Fi Props and Scenes
• Digital Aging Environment
• Movie Set Extension
• Vocational Chinese Communication: Putonghua Conversation and Reports
• Essential Workplace Communication: Digital Written Correspondence
• Whole Person Development - Collaboration, Teamwork & Social Engagement
Higher Diploma in Animation and Visual Effects (Art Direction):
• Cultural Studies
• Story Development
• Sci-Fi Movie Look Development
• Anime Layout Design
• Creative Scene Crafting
• Vocational Chinese Communication: Putonghua Conversation and Reports
• Essential Workplace Communication: Digital Written Correspondence
• Whole Person Development - Collaboration, Teamwork & Social Engagement
Semester 3:
Higher Diploma in Animation and Visual Effects (Character Animation):
• Creative and Design Thinking
• Previsualization
• Character Posture Creation
• Professional Workplace Communication: Storytelling and Job Search
• Enrichment Module A
Higher Diploma in Animation and Visual Effects (Visual Effects):
• Creative and Design Thinking
• Previsualization
• VFX Proposal and Shooting Plan
• Professional Workplace Communication: Storytelling and Job Search
• Enrichment Module A
Higher Diploma in Animation and Visual Effects (Art Direction):
• Creative and Design Thinking
• Previsualization
• Props and Scene Design
• Professional Workplace Communication: Storytelling and Job Search
• Enrichment Module A
Semester 4:
Higher Diploma in Animation and Visual Effects (Character Animation) :
• Project Development for Animation and Visual Effects
• Fighting Scene Motion Design
• Combat Animation Production
• Vocational Chinese Communication: Putonghua Presentations and Promotional Text Writing
• Professional Workplace Communication: Proposal and Report Writing
• Enrichment Module B
Higher Diploma in Animation and Visual Effects (Visual Effects) :
• Project Development for Animation and Visual Effects
• Mechanical Scene Visualization
• Elemental Magical VFX
• Vocational Chinese Communication: Putonghua Presentations and Promotional Text Writing
• Professional Workplace Communication: Proposal and Report Writing
• Enrichment Module B
Higher Diploma in Animation and Visual Effects (Art Direction):
• Project Development for Animation and Visual Effects
• Mise-En-Scene
• Story Motion
• Vocational Chinese Communication: Putonghua Presentations and Promotional Text Writing
• Professional Workplace Communication: Proposal and Report Writing
• Enrichment Module B
Semester 5:
Higher Diploma in Animation and Visual Effects (Character Animation) :
• Post-Production for Animated Film
• Graduation Project for Animation and Visual Effects
• Professional Workplace Communication: Pitching and Persuasive Presentation
• Whole Person Development - Enhancing Competencies in the 21st Century Workplace
Higher Diploma in Animation and Visual Effects (Visual Effects) :
• Post-Production for Visual Effects Film
• Graduation Project for Animation and Visual Effects
• Professional Workplace Communication: Pitching and Persuasive Presentation
• Whole Person Development - Enhancing Competencies in the 21st Century Workplace
Higher Diploma in Animation and Visual Effects (Art Direction):
• Post-Production for Animation and Visual Effects
• Graduation Project for Animation and Visual Effects
• Professional Workplace Communication: Pitching and Persuasive Presentation
• Whole Person Development - Enhancing Competencies in the 21st Century Workplace
Modules Across Semesters:
• Industrial Attachment