Sheridan College’s Faculty of Animation, Arts & Design (FAAD) in Ontario, Canada delivers unparalleled creative education through 60+ specialized programs spanning digital media, visual arts, performing arts, craft disciplines, and emerging technologies.  Renowned globally for its industry-leading animation programs, cutting-edge design curriculum, and comprehensive arts training, Sheridan has established itself as a top-ranked international destination for aspiring animators, illustrators, designers, filmmakers, photographers, and creative professionals seeking transformative career preparation.

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No. 1 Animation school in Canada

Sheridan College Faculty of Animation, Arts & Design: Premier Creative Education Hub

Historical Excellence and Global Reputation

Founded in 1967 with animation programming launching in 1971, FAAD has cultivated a five-decade legacy of excellence. Its animation program consistently ranks #1 globally by industry publications like Animation Career Review, earning the “Harvard of Animation” moniker. The faculty has received 12 Academy Awards from alumni and faculty, including Domee Shi (Oscar-winning director of “Bao” at Pixar). This reputation extends across disciplines, with illustration programs winning Society of Illustrators medals and design programs receiving Red Dot Awards.

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State-of-the-Art Campuses and Facilities

FAAD operates across two campuses featuring industry-grade infrastructure:

• Trafalgar Campus (Oakville): Animation Wing with 30+ dedicated labs, 3D printing suites, stop-motion studios, and 24/7 access workstations
• Hazel McCallion Campus (Mississauga): Soundstage complex with motion-capture technology, black box theatres, and broadcast-quality control rooms
• Specialized facilities include virtual reality labs, textile fabrication workshops, professional-grade ceramics kilns, and film production equipment cages with ARRI cameras
• Dedicated drawing studios, digital sandbox labs, and 360-degree projection environments

Comprehensive Program Portfolio

FAAD delivers 65+ programs across credential levels with signature offerings:

• Bachelor of Animation: Rigorous 4-year degree with classical foundations and digital pipelines
• Honours Bachelor of Game Design: AAA studio production methodology
• Industrial Design: Industry-sponsored projects with companies like Umbra
• Performing Arts Preparation: Musical theatre performance intensives
• Advanced Photography: Commercial photography with Phase One equipment
• Craft & Design: Specialized ceramics, textiles, and furniture streams
• Graduate certificates in digital creature animation, visual effects, and UX/UI design

Pedagogical Approach and Industry Integration

FAAD employs a studio-based pedagogy emphasizing:

• Portfolio development through iterative critique cycles
• Mandatory co-op placements (12,000+ annual partnerships)
• Industry-led capstone projects with studios like Guru, Cuppa Coffee, and Ubisoft
• Visiting artist masterclasses with creatives like Glen Keane (Disney legend)
• Cross-disciplinary collaborations mirroring professional workflows

Career Outcomes and Alumni Network

Graduates achieve exceptional placement:

• 98% employment rate for animation graduates within 6 months
• Alumni leadership at Pixar, Nelvana, Sony Imageworks, and DreamWorks
• Notable alumni: Jeff Jackson (Netflix Animation Director), Michelle Grady (Framestore EVP), and Tim Cheung (Adobe Design Lead)
• Annual Industry Day connects 200+ recruiters with students

Student Support Ecosystem

Comprehensive development services include:

• Portfolio clinics with faculty review panels
• Material Resource Centre with equipment loans
• Dedicated International Student Creative Advisor
• Creative Campus Galleries showcasing student work
• Wellness counsellors specializing in creative professions

Admissions Pathways and Preparation

FAAD maintains selective admissions with portfolio requirements:

• Animation programs: 5% acceptance rate with foundational year prerequisites
• Portfolio Essentials Sessions and Pre-Animation Certificate pathways
• International student portfolio reviews in 20+ countries
• Summer animation and design preparatory intensives

The faculty actively shapes creative industries through applied research initiatives like the Screen Industries Research and Training Centre (SIRT), partnerships with TIFF, and prototyping labs for emerging media. With continuous curriculum evolution addressing fields like virtual production pipelines and immersive experience design, FAAD maintains its position at the forefront of global arts education.

Bachelor Degree Programs

Honours Bachelor of Animation

Four-year intensive program blending classical foundations with digital pipelines. Students master character design, storyboarding, and 3D computer animation through 1,800+ hours of studio practice. Features industry co-op terms and culminates in a professional demo reel. Graduates pursue careers as character animators, layout artists, and visual development specialists.

Honours Bachelor of Game Design

Comprehensive four-year degree focusing on AAA game production methodologies. Covers gameplay programming, level design, and narrative systems using Unreal/Unity engines. Includes mandatory 14-week co-op and final-year industry capstone project. Prepares graduates for roles as technical designers, producers, and gameplay programmers.

Honours Bachelor of Illustration

Four-year visual storytelling program emphasizing sequential art, editorial illustration, and digital painting techniques. Integrates traditional media (printmaking, oil painting) with digital tools (Procreate, Adobe Suite). Features New York studio trip and professional portfolio development. Career outcomes include book illustration, concept art, and advertising.

Advanced Diploma Programs

Advanced Television & Film

Three-year hands-on training in all production phases: screenwriting, cinematography (using ARRI Alexa), and post-production (DaVinci Resolve). Includes location shooting, soundstage work, and industry internships. Graduates work as directors of photography, editors, and production managers.

Interior Design

Three-year CIDA-accredited program covering residential/commercial spaces, sustainable materials, and Building Information Modeling (BIM). Features real client projects and NCIDQ exam preparation. Includes 420-hour field placement. Graduates become interior designers, space planners, and lighting consultants.

Furniture Design

Three-year intensive training in woodworking, metal fabrication, and digital prototyping (CNC routers, 3D printing). Curriculum includes business practices, material science, and historical context. Features industry mentorship and graduate exhibition. Prepares students for careers in studio furniture, product design, and manufacturing.

Diploma Programs

Art Fundamentals

One-year foundation studies covering drawing fundamentals, color theory, and 3D design. Serves as prerequisite for competitive BFA programs. Includes observational drawing marathons and digital literacy components. Portfolio development emphasized throughout.

Performing Arts – Preparation

Two-year intensive training in acting, vocal technique, and dance (ballet, jazz, tap). Features showcase performances, agent auditions, and industry masterclasses. Prepares students for further training or careers in musical theatre.

Visual Merchandising Arts

Two-year program combining retail design, window display techniques, and experiential marketing. Includes CAD training, prop fabrication, and trend forecasting. Features field placements with major retailers. Graduates become visual coordinators, event stylists, and display directors.

Graduate Certificates

Computer Animation

One-year intensive for graduates with prior animation training. Focuses on advanced character rigging, creature animation, and pipeline integration. Uses industry-standard Maya workflows. Includes collaborative short film project.

Visual Effects

Eight-month program teaching compositing (Nuke), digital matte painting, and FX simulation (Houdini). Covers on-set VFX supervision and stereo conversion. Features studio visits and reel development.

User Experience Design

Eight-month human-centered design program covering usability testing, interaction design, and service design. Teaches Figma, prototyping, and design sprint methodologies. Includes industry client projects and portfolio development.

Craft & Design Specialties

Ceramics

Two-year intensive exploring wheel-throwing, glaze chemistry, and kiln operation. Features wood-firing workshops and gallery exhibition opportunities. Graduates establish studio practices or work in production pottery.

Textiles

Two-year program covering weaving, screen-printing, and digital textile design (Kornit). Includes natural dye processes and business development. Features craft show participation and designer collaborations.

Industrial Design

Three-year program focused on product development, ergonomics, and manufacturing processes. Teaches SolidWorks, Keyshot rendering, and model-making. Includes industry-sponsored projects with companies like Umbra and Husqvarna.

Media & Communications

Journalism – New Media

Two-year digital-first training in mobile journalism, data visualization, and podcast production. Includes CBC internship and real-world reporting assignments. Graduates work as multimedia journalists and content producers.

Advertising & Marketing Communications

Two-year program covering brand strategy, campaign development, and media planning. Features live client briefs, national competition entries, and agency placements. Uses real-time analytics tools and social media platforms.

Performing Arts

Music Theatre – Performance

Three-year triple-threat training with daily technique classes in acting, voice, and dance. Features four mainstage productions and agent showcase. Includes masterclasses with Broadway professionals.

Technical Production for the Performing Arts

Two-year hands-on training in stage management, lighting design (GrandMA consoles), and scenic construction. Includes festival operations and touring preparation. Partners with Stratford Festival and Toronto Fringe.

Pre-Animation & Portfolio Development

Animation Portfolio Preparation

One-year certificate building foundational drawing skills and digital literacy. Focuses on perspective, figure drawing, and composition. Includes portfolio review by animation faculty. Required for Bachelor of Animation applicants.

Design Fundamentals

One-year multidisciplinary introduction to graphic, interior, and industrial design principles. Covers typography, model-making, and digital tools. Prepares for advanced design programs.

Contact Sheridan Faculty of Animation, Arts & Design (FAAD):

Trafalgar Campus (Oakville)
Located in the lakeside town of Oakville, Trafalgar Campus is home to our Faculty of Animation, Arts and Design, as well as a number of programs in science and technology and health and community studies.

Address:
1430 Trafalgar Road
Oakville, Ontario L6H 2L1
Phone: 905-845-9430