Concept Art Diploma

Animation & Video Games

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Get the Skills to Become a Professional Concept Artist

Are you ready to turn your passion for art & design into a rewarding career? The Concept Art diploma offers a rigorous, in-depth curriculum based on suggestions and portfolio requirements from major video game producers and animation companies.

The Concept Art program has been developed to meet the increasing level of proficiency required by the video game and animation industries.

Many of our students have entered the Ubisoft Toronto NEXT Awards competition since it was founded. A lucky few have placed and a couple have been awarded 1st place Finalist in the Concept Art Category. Visit our blog post: Congratulations Sergi Iranzo – 1st place Finalist – Ubisoft Toronto NEXT Awards 2021

Become a Skilled Concept Artist

This unique four-year diploma program includes a mix of fine art, illustration, animation, and cartooning courses, as well as concept art courses and instruction in all necessary computer software from Photoshop to Maya. Graduates of this program are employed by many video game companies, including 4 who are currently Concept Artists for Ubisoft in Toronto.

Students in Year 4 of the Concept Art Diploma program work on a “real-time” assignment for a hypothetical client.


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You can view our KPIs (Key Performance Indicators) from previous years here.

  • Curriculum

    Curriculum

    In order to graduate, you must pass all of the following courses.

    Note that, due to scheduling requirements, courses will sometimes be offered in terms or years different from the schedule below. For complete course descriptions, please consult our course calendar or contact the school.

    First Term

    Beginning Life Drawing 1
    Perspective 1
    Design & Composition
    Colour Theory & Background Painting
    Representational Painting 1
    Principles of Drawing 1
    History of Animation & Animation Production Process

    Second Term

    Beginning Life Drawing 2
    Perspective 2
    Structural Drawing 1
    Representational Painting 2
    Principles of Drawing 2
    Introduction to Concept Art
    Digital Background Painting

  • Tuition

    Tuition

    Tuition at public universities and colleges in Ontario is subsidized by the provincial government for local students, with universities receiving almost the same amount from subsidies as they do from tuition.

    As Max the Mutt is a private career college, we do not receive any tuition assistance from the government, and our fees reflect the full cost of delivering our high-quality programs. Tuition for international students is slightly higher as it goes toward the increased cost of visa processing and marketing outside of Canada.

    At this time Max the Mutt students are not eligible for OSAP student loans. We do, however, provide financial assistance to some qualifying students.

    Max the Mutt Animation School is eligible to receive payment from RESPs and all diploma and certificate program students receive T2202A Tax Receipts for tuition paid.

    See the Scholarships & Student Aid page for more information.

    • Year 1

      $12,500 ($18,000 International)

    • Year 2

      $12,500 ($18,000 International)

    • Year 3

      $12,500 ($18,000 International)

    • Year 4

      $12,500 ($18,000 International)

    In need of financial assistance?

    Max the Mutt offers many options for students who are unable to pay all or part of their tuition due to financial hardship. We are also able to provide contacts at financial institutions for a student line of credit.

    The following financial assistance options are provided through the school:

    Applying for Financial Aid at MTM

    The deadline to submit financial aid applications for the Fall 2016 / Winter 2017 academic year is as follows: 
    • Year 1 Application deadline: April 8th, 2016
    • Year 1 Review & notification of status: April 13th, 2016
    • Years 2-4 Application deadline: April 8th, 2016
    • Years 2-4 Review & notification of status: April 13th, 2016

    For New Students

    New students will need to submit the following items to the admissions department in order to be considered for one of our 1st-year scholarships:

    Note: if you currently reside outside the Greater Toronto Area you may submit items electronically. Please ensure all image files are in JPG or PNG format in a single zipped file.

    • Entire package from your application review (additional items can be included).
    • One additional character reference.
    • An additional essay of no more than 1 page (about 300 words) outlining why you need financial assistance, and any special considerations that are relevant to your financial situation.
    • A link to your online portfolio, if available.
    • An expected budget for the school year including your anticipated monthly costs for rent, transportation, food and living expenses.
    • Evidence of financial need: copies of the Notice of Assessment for the previous tax year both you and your parents.
    • A completed application form

    Please Note: This aid is Not Available to International Students.

    For Returning Students

    Returning Students will need to submit the following to the registrar’s office by the submission deadline:

    • An additional essay of no more than 1 page (about 300 words) outlining why you need financial assistance, and any special considerations that are relevant to your financial situation.
    • An expected budget for the school year including your anticipated monthly costs for rent, transportation, food and living expenses.
    • Portfolio of work of your choosing.
    • A link to your online portfolio, if available.
    • Life drawing sketchbook(s).
    • Two references from current instructors.
    • Evidence of financial need: copies of the Notice of Assessment for the previous tax year both you and your parents.
    • A completed application form
    Line of Credit Info Scholarships and Bursaries
  • Career Opportunities

    Career Opportunities

    Max the Mutt graduates are employed and in-demand. Industry representatives have told us they are impressed by the uniformly high level of quality in our graduate’s work. We assist employers on a regular basis by connecting them with qualified students. We also keep in touch with our graduates and regularly inform them about job openings.

      Possible Careers

    • Concept Artist for Video Games
    • Concept Artist for Animation
    • Character Designer
    • Environment Designer for Video Games
    • Digital Background Painter
    • Colour Key Artist
    • Pre Viz Artist for Animation
    • Matte Painting Artist
    • Game Character Artist: Character Design, Sculpting and Texturing
    • Location Designer for Animation
    • Background Painter (for animation)
    • Environment Design, Modeling and Texturing for Games
    • Layout Artist for Animation
    • Storyboard Artist
    • Prop Designer for Video Games and/or animation
    How to Apply
  • Application Requirements

    Application Requirements

    General

    • Completed APPLICATION FORM and PORTFOLIO REVIEW FEE: Once you book the date for your review, you will receive an email confirming this appointment that includes both a link to a page on our website, and the required password to complete and submit the application form and pay your review fee.
    • A copy of your secondary and/or post-secondary school transcripts. Please provide transcripts from any institution attended in the last five years.
    • A written character reference from a current or past instructor or employer. This should be emailed to admissions@maxthemutt.com. Please ask your reference to write “Character reference for ___________”  in the subject line.

    GENERAL Portfolio Requirements

    • A drawing of your own hand.  
    • 2 still life drawings done from observation ( not from your imagination, and not copied from a photo).  Each drawing should have at least 2 objects ( for example a bottle and an apple) set up on a surface such as a table top, and drawn in relation to each other and the surface they are on. These drawings can be line drawings (no tone required), but attention should be paid to composition and line quality.
    • An observational drawing of part of a room (interior).
    • An observational drawing of what you see outside.
    • Pages from your sketchbook

    Program Specific Requirements for Concept Art

    • Three additional drawings (for a total of five) of objects in an environment. For example: an apple and a bottle on a table, or a toy truck and a toy car on the floor. For the final 3 still life studies, please direct a light source at the set-up and include the tonal pattern you see throughout the drawing. The same set ups could be used for 2 or 3 of  the paintings that are the next requirement!
    • Five painting studies in watercolour, acrylic, gouache, or oil. At least 2 of these painting studies should be done from life: set up a simple still life (one or two objects) on a desk or table top ( best done with a simple backdrop such as a wall, behind the set up), direct a light source  to create tonal pattern. Let the object/s take up most of the space, do thumbnails to decide on the best placement/composition. See the set-up as if it is already painted, a mosaic of shapes of colour. These are studies- we do. not expect you to create ‘realism” but do need to see that you are comfortable with using a brush, mixing colour, and trying to see colour changes in relation to each other. HINT: scan and compare, do not paint the objects first and then “throw in” the background. Every part of your surface is part of the abstract pattern of shapes of colour that come together to create the illusion of 3 dimensional space. 
    • A drawing of a simple object from three different points of view.

    CONCEPT ASSIGNMENT:

    • Decide on a story, or work from one you know.  Write a paragraph about the story and the world you are creating,
    • For this story, create a key imaginary environment. Initial ideas can be hand drawn, but for the final piece please use digital media and colour.
    • Design a character  for your story who is appropriate for the  story  and the environment. Please include thumbnails and process drawings as well as the completed design. The final submission should be done using digital media and colour.  Show back and front views of the character.
    • Design a prop appropriate for the story that we will find in the environment,  or that the character will use. Include process drawings as well as  the final drawing. 

    Additional work that you would like the reviewer to see can be included in separate folder.

    For example:

    • Optional: Examples of digital painting.
    • Optional: Life drawing (figure drawing).

    Written Essay

    Two to three page essay about yourself and why you want to attend this program. Your essay must include:

    • Which animated films and/or video games have concept design that has inspired you? Why?
    • Which historical fine artists do you admire? Why?
    • What are your favourite books?
    • Have you had any team or group experiences
    • Why do you want to be part of this program?

    For 2023 applicants all application interviews will be held online. Once you have booked your review date you will receive the link to submit your application and pay your review fee.  Submit your documents and portfolio at least 2 days before your scheduled Skype review by PDF attachments to emails, or by creating a Google Drive and giving both admissions and your reviewer permission to view. 

    Additional Requirements For International Students

    Before deciding to apply, please be aware:

    • Upon acceptance, you will have to apply for a Study Permit. Therefore, before you begin the application process and invest your time and energy, we suggest that you take the time to be sure that you meet Canadian Immigration guidelines!

    TO QUALIFY FOR A STUDY PERMIT, YOU WILL NEED THE FOLLOWING:

    • An IELTS Academic test overall score of 6.0 or greater
    • Proof of funds to study and support yourself while in Canada
    • A valid Passport of more than 6 months
    • Notarized Copies of transcripts

    If you feel that you meet the above criteria and you have decided to apply… please contact the Admissions Counselor at admissions@maxthemutt.com.

    INCOMPLETE PORTFOLIO REVIEW APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE PROCESSED. PLEASE REVIEW ALL THE REQUIREMENTS CAREFULLY. DO NOT MAIL IN YOUR APPLICATION PACKAGE! MAX THE MUTT IS ONLINE DURING THE COVID CRISIS. 

    How to Apply

Curriculum

In order to graduate, you must pass all of the following courses.

Note that, due to scheduling requirements, courses will sometimes be offered in terms or years different from the schedule below. For complete course descriptions, please consult our course calendar or contact the school.

First Term

Beginning Life Drawing 1
Perspective 1
Design & Composition
Colour Theory & Background Painting
Representational Painting 1
Principles of Drawing 1
History of Animation & Animation Production Process

Second Term

Beginning Life Drawing 2
Perspective 2
Structural Drawing 1
Representational Painting 2
Principles of Drawing 2
Introduction to Concept Art
Digital Background Painting

These are the directions that need to be closely followed because, although we are approved by RBC and Scotiabank, we aren’t an OSAP school. Without following the process they request, your local branch will not find us listed.

ROYAL CREDIT LINE FOR STUDENTS ROYAL BANK FINANCIAL GROUP QUALIFIED* applicants in Greater Toronto Area (GTA) may apply for a Royal Credit Line for students at the Royal Bank Financial Group – Dundas & Spadina Branch, 500 Dundas Street West, please call:
Customer Assistance Officer @ (416) 974-0458 for an appointment with Jennifer Yu.

For applicants from another RBC branch outside GTA, have your Bank Representative contact Jennifer Yu for further information.

SCOTIABANK STUDENT LINE OF CREDIT
Canadian students can apply for a Student Line of Credit at the Bloor St West branch of Scotiabank – 992 Bloor St West, Toronto, ON M6H1L8, please call:
Diego Goya @ (416) 538-5236 x4206

Max The Mutt College of Animation, Art & Design is listed as an approved exception to the Government provided approval list.

Applicants should bring two I.D (e.g. social insurance card, driver’s license, Canadian passport, birth certificate), a statement of income and also the Letter of Acceptance from Max the Mutt. If you have accounts with Royal Bank, bring the RBC client card.

*Applicants without sufficient credit history or a current income will require a cosigner with satisfactory credit history and income. The cosigner also has to bring two I.D. and a statement of income to the branch.

Max The Mutt College of Animation, Art & Design is listed as an approved exception to the Government provided approval list.

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Concept Art Diploma How to Apply

How to Apply

Program Details

Duration

4 Year Diploma Program

Tuition

Year 1 - $12,500 ($18,000 International)

Year 2 - $12,500 ($18,000 International)

Year 3 - $12,500 ($18,000 International)

Year 4 - $12,500 ($18,000 International)

Campus

2944 Danforth Avenue

Toronto, Ontario, Canada M4C 1M5

Map

Need to Knows

This is a FOUR YEAR DIPLOMA, the first year of which is primarily Visual Arts Literacy (VAL). For direct entry into year two or three, students may apply for advanced standing. To qualify for advanced standing, into any year, students must submit portfolios demonstrating skills equivalent to those developed in the year or years preceding the year they are applying for.

How to Apply

Is a Creative and Rewarding Career in Animation, Art or Design Right For You? Get More Info...
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