Admissions procedures, Character Animation

General procedures
When you apply for the bachelor programme in Character Animation, you must use KOT - the Danish Ministry's official application portal. You can find the relevant information, forms and guides here.
You will have to hand in an application form either electronically or along with a portfolio, showing your work. Please note that the application form is only online from February 1st til March 15th.

After the application deadline on March 15, an admissions committee will select applicants for interviews and test. The interviews and test will take place in April/May, and by June, the committee will notify the applicants of the results of the admissions tests.

Once admitted to the Bachelor Programme in Character Animation, you can apply for accomodation in Viborg.

If you do not pass the admissions test, the 1st year coordinator will provide you with individual critique and feedback on both portfolio and admissions test results.

If you are not selected for the admissions test, we will invite you to participate in a workshop where you will receive individual feedback and guidance in order to help you develop your skills.

Admission Criteria
There are 3 different criteria which must be met in order to apply for the bachelor programme in Character Animation:

• Educational background

You must hold the equivalent to a high school diploma/A-levels (in Danish: STX, HTX, HH, HF).


• English skills

All international non native English speakers must together with the application send an English language test certificate from IELTS, TOEFL or other tests of equivalent standard.

All Danish students must have English on B-level according to the level system in Danish secondary schools, or equivalent proof of English skills. For an explanation, please go to this site.


• Drawing skills

The Character Animation programme is a talent based education, which means that it is exclusively your skill level and potential demonstrated in your portfolio which will determine your chances of being admitted.

The specific requirements for the portfolio are listed below.

Before applying for the bachelor programme in Character Animation, many applicants find it useful to attend the semester course in classical drawing at The Drawing Academy located on campus; The Drawing Academy offers courses of 20 weeks intensive high end classical drawing. More information about the semester course at The Drawing Academy.

Portfolio requirements when applying for Character Animation
Purpose
The aim of the portfolio is to demonstrate your skills within all the different categories listed below.

In general, we are looking for solid drawings expressing volume, weight and 3-dimensionality. Furthermore, excellent skills within life drawing and perspective are crucial. Finally, we are looking for a unique, personal style.

We strongly encourage you to submit your portfolio electronically using a blog or website. Please send your letter of intention directly to the school and in the letter inform us of the link where we can view your work. Please make sure that your work is well-organized and to list clearly with all of the requirements mentioned below. Please also make sure that your blog or website functions properly; if it does not function at the time of the admissions review, we will disregard your application.

If you are unable to submit your portfolio electronically, we do accept paper copies of your work:

Format
A well-organized portfolio with bound drawings of A4 or A3 size is accepted. Anything over A3 or material in tubes etc., loose pieces of paper and generally unorganized content will not be accepted. Please label the outside of the portfolio with your name, address, phone number and email, as well as any CDs or DVDs inside the portfolio. Please make sure that any loose items are glued down or in other ways attached properly to the portfolio.

Finally, we strongly urge you to never send any original material. Normally, we will return your portfolio to you upon the admissions procedure, but The Animation Workshop will not be held responsible for any damages to your works, or for any missing pieces.


Content requirements for portfolio, Character Animation:

• Drama/acting (min. 6 drawings):

Drawings in this category should depict characters who are expressing emotion/feeling. From reading the character's body language the viewer should be able to tell what the character’s mood or feelings are.

• Movement (min. 6 drawings):

Drawings in this category should depict characters who are in motion; walking, jumping, dancing or doing sports; in short, any situation where the character is in a movement.

• Storytelling (min. 5 panels / drawings):

Make a sequence of drawings that visually tells a story or a sequence of events. Consider staging, camera angle and posing of the character to tell the story.

• Life drawing (min. 8 drawings):

Drawings that show proper anatomy, size proportions, understanding of shape, body dynamics and weight of the figure.

• Perspective (min. 4 drawings):

Drawings of buildings, landscapes and/or objects, demonstrating an understanding of perspective.

• Freestyle (min. 8 drawings):

Submit some of your best, most interesting and imaginative drawings, showing us your favourite drawing style/styles

• Letter of Intention:

Please write a brief description about why you would like to study Character Animation: What are your influences and inspirations? What are your ambitions for the future work? What are your favourite stories, films and/or games and why? List any related work or educations you have been involved in.

• Optional:

If you have done some animation, please submit a show reel on a DVD, CD or website – however, please double check that they work! If your work is not viewable, we will disregard this part of your portfolio.

You may also submit other material that shows your creativity, like other sorts of graphic work, project descriptions, and original story ideas.

Deadlines
The deadline for handing in the KOT-form and the portfolio is March 15 at 12:00.

Education number (Optagelsesområdenummer)
50610 Bachelor in Character Animation
(This number is for both programmes. You must write in your letter of motivation which programme you are applying for).

Find application form here: www.optagelse.dk

Download portfolio requirements here

Admission for international students