Illustration & Storytelling for Sequential Arts Diploma

Showreel

×

Get the Skills to Become a Professional Illustrator

 Illustration & Storytelling for Sequential Arts (ISSA), a unique, enhanced 4-year diploma program, has replaced the 3-year Illustration for Sequential Arts program!

Are you interested in becoming a talented Illustrator, where you will create artwork for various companies or industries? Max the Mutt’s 4-year Illustration & Storytelling Sequential Arts program will provide you with the skills, hands-on training, and career support you need to begin a career as an Illustrator upon graduation.

You will graduate with a solid portfolio, a web page, the skills to write a cover letter and résumé, and the ability to conduct themselves professionally in a job interview. Our annual Industry Open House is well-attended by representatives from publishing, animation and gaming companies. Feel confident that you’ll be receiving the industry support you need to succeed in the design industry.

Become a Skilled Illustrator

This program was designed with input from leading Canadian artists in the field. It gives you a broad, updated skill base that includes 21st century skills using digital media, creating mobile comics, knowledge of the entire Adobe Suite, essential graphic design and illustration for advertising skills, story boarding for film and advertising….and a fourth-year 2-semester graphic novel development course that will leave each graduate with a package that can be pitched to publishers.

Core courses from the 3-year diploma remain part of the new diploma program. These include all the basics of creating, penciling and inking comics, storytelling and scripting for comics, and children’s book illustration.

The high level of drawing and design skills that graduates from Max the Mutt are already known for, combined with new skills that take graduates to entry level as graphic designers, storyboard artists and multimedia artists, are designed to supplement income as young graduates establish themselves as freelance illustrators, comic book and graphic novel artists.


Is Creative Career Training Right for You?
Take the Animation, Art & Design Career Training Readiness Quiz

The fun, online quiz takes 3-minutes to complete and you’ll get a personalized report. Identify your strengths and social style plus the training and positions you’re best suited for. Once you know your personal art profile, check out our various art workshops in Toronto and choose one that interests you. Get your Creative Career Training Readiness score now!


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 & Water Based
    Representational Painting 1
    Principles of Drawing 1
    Introduction to Comic Book Layout

    Second Term

    Beginning Life Drawing 2
    Perspective 2
    Structural Drawing
    Representational Painting 2
    Principles of Drawing 2
    Constructive Figure Drawing

  • 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

    • Comic Book Artist
    • Character Designer
    • Digital Background Painter
    • Color Key Artist
    • Illustrator
    • Penciller
    • Graphic Arts Designer
    • Graphic Novelist
    • Comic Book Artist
    • Inker
    • Cover Designer
    • Storyboard Artist
    How to Apply
  • Application Requirements

    Application Requirements

    General

    • Completed APPLICATION FORM and PORTFOLIO REVIEW FEEOnce you book the date or 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.
    • 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

    A pencilled page showing the following:

    • A character approaches a building.
    • The character finds the entrance to the building.
    • The character enters the building.
    • Another character meets the first character.
    • They interact.

    A drawing showing the following:

    • A drawing of a simple object from three different points of view.

    Written Essay

    A 2-3 page essay about yourself and why you want to attend this program. Your essay must include:

    • What graphic novels, comic books, or illustration artists have inspired you and why?
    • What are your major interests and influences?
    • What are your favourite books?
    • Have you had any team or group experiences?

    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 PAGE 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. IF YOU ARE MAILING IN YOUR APPLICATION PACKAGE, PLEASE SEND IT VIA COURIER, REGISTERED MAIL, OR BY E-MAIL.

    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 & Water Based
Representational Painting 1
Principles of Drawing 1
Introduction to Comic Book Layout

Second Term

Beginning Life Drawing 2
Perspective 2
Structural Drawing
Representational Painting 2
Principles of Drawing 2
Constructive Figure Drawing

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.

Application to apply for a line of credit

×

Get the Details!

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Illustration & Storytelling for Sequential Arts 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 Ave
Toronto, Ontario M4C 1M5

Map Link

Need to Knows

This is a FOUR YEAR DIPLOMA, the first year of which is 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...
If you're interested in learning more about careers in Animation, Art or Design and exploring whether Max the Mutt is right for you, contact us today to receive more information.
For immediate questions, call 1-877-486-MUTT or 1-416-703-6877

Get Info Now!