The Department of Animation was established at the Estonian Academy of Arts in 2006 and since 2007 it has offered a two-year MA in Animation (taught in English) curriculum. The main goal of the programme is to successfully educate creators of animated films, providing them with theoretical knowledge and practical skills. The further aim is to contribute to the global development of animation as an art form.

Animation is a thriving medium and developing at greater pace than ever before. It has become a part of mass culture as well as one of its principal forms. Animation can be seen in digital screen graphics, computer games, music videos, films, etc.

As our master students come from very different parts of the world and have different educational backgrounds we try to encourage their individual approach to filmmaking. The films vary from narrative to more experimental. Most of the works are executed in traditional 2D or stop motion techniques. Recently we have started to offer more thorough CGI courses as well. We invite several well-known animation artists to give workshops where they offer their inspiration and different approaches to animation.

Upon completion of the MA in Animation programme, students have acquired in-depth theoretical and practical animation skills. Students can specialise in specific animation techniques and create individual projects in the appropriate technique. After graduation, our students are qualified to realise themselves as animated film creators, professionals in creative industries or teachers in their field. Students who have completed the master’s programme are also qualified to continue their studies and pursue a doctoral degree.

The goals of the animation curriculum are:

• To provide an academic education in animation, and training for work as a director of animated films, or as a member of the creative team in an animation studio
• To create a systematic concept of the nature of animated films, and of the application possibilities of animated films as a specific media form
• To prepare students for scientific research in the field of animation
• To teach practical skills for working in fields related to animated films: scriptwriting, editing, film sound recording, screen graphics, illustration, caricature
• To create a new academic generation for schools of higher education in Estonia abroad

What skills will I acquire?

• The capability to successfully work in the field of animation as a scriptwriter, artist or director
• The ability to work in an animation studio as a member of a creative team and/or its director
• The ability to conduct academic research in the field of animation
• The ability to work in fields related to animated films: scriptwriting, editing, film sound recording, screen graphics, illustration, caricature
• Upon completion of the programme, the ability to successfully continue studies at other universities and educational institutions.

What jobs will be available after I graduate?

• Director of animated films
• Artist of animated films
• Scriptwriter of animated films
• Caricaturist
• Web designer
• Puppet maker / set designer
• Animator
• Producer