Creative Technology

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Creative Technology is among BC’s fastest-growing and highest-paying sectors. This rapid growth means that demand is high for qualified candidates, and micro-credentials can help you start, or advance a career in creative tech. Due to the high demand, the BC government has made substantial tuition assistance available to BC residents 19 and older.

All our Creative Tech courses are on this page, and you can register today without an application process.

Registration Policies

Start Browsing Courses

See which courses are scheduled for Fall 2023 (PDF)

More About Creative Tech & Micro-Credentials

About Creative Technology in BC

The creative tech scene in British Columbia (BC), including video games, animation, visual effects (VFX), and the up-and-coming extended reality (XR), is a bustling playground for tech enthusiasts. With around 135 companies contributing significantly to the BC economy, the industry provided nearly 10,000 jobs in 2019 and showed resilience even in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic. BC boasts of quality talent, but there's always room for more, especially during peak demand periods. So, if you're considering a career in this field, BC offers rich opportunities for growth.

About Micro-Credentials

We learned from our industry partners that the most sought-after hires in creative tech possess three kinds of skills: technical, creative, and collaborative. We are excited to offer training in these core areas. With multiple entry points, our flexible course options can lead to different pathways into Animation, Game Development and VFX. You will earn a Skills Badge for each course you complete that can be displayed on LinkedIn and resumés to make your new training stand out.

Get Tuition Support

All Creative Technology micro-credential courses are eligible for tuition support.

  • Submit a separate application for each course you would like to take.
  • Apply for assistance before you register for a course. Tuition subsidies cannot be applied retroactively.

Option 1: StrongerBC future skills grant

The StrongerBC future skills grant is open to BC residents aged 19 years or older – regardless of financial need – and covers up to $3,500 in eligible short-term skills training at public post-secondary institutions.

Learn More and Apply

Option 2: Creative Technology 50% Tuition Support

This grant is applicable to BC residents who cannot afford full tuition, and who self-identify as belonging to one or more under-represented groups in the creative technology industry (including Indigenous peoples of Canada; racialized communities; women; LGBTQ2+ community and non-binary people; and people with disabilities).

Learn More and Apply

Browse Courses

If you’re new to Creative Tech, start with Software Essentials to establish foundational skills with industry-standard tools. If you’re familiar with the tools or already practicing, level up with Experience Design, Collaboration and Leadership. If you know the creative direction you want, look at our Animation, Visual FX, and Game Dev courses.

If you're not sure where to start, book a chat with an advisor.

Software Essentials Courses

Animation Courses

Game Development Courses

VFX Courses

Experience Design Courses

Collaboration + Leadership Courses

Registration Tips
  • Be sure to know our policies about registration deadlines, cancellation, and withdrawal.
  • If you're seeking tuition support, be sure to apply before you register.
  • If you're registering without tuition support, when you see a course you like, click the course number to view registration information:
Course info link
Click the Section Name or Title to view course registration info

Software Essentials Courses

Learn the basics of popular software used in Animation, Game Design and Visual Effects industry.

Introductory Adobe Photoshop

Adobe Photoshop is industry-leading software for the creation and manipulation of raster artwork.

Introductory Adobe Premiere Pro

Adobe Premiere Pro is a comprehensive video editing software used for videos, commercials, film and television.

Introductory Adobe After Effects

Explore the fundamentals of time-based graphics with a strong emphasis on design principles such as composition, typography and rhythm.

Introductory Maya

Learn Maya, the industry-standard 3D software used for live action and animation visual effects for films, television, and leading game studios worldwide.

Introductory Blender

Learn the fundamentals of Blender's set of tools to create your own basic 3D models and animations.

Introductory Houdini

Learn basic FX concepts, manipulation, simulations, and rendering using industry-standard software Houdini.

Introductory Windows for Optimized Workflows

Learn about keyboard shortcuts and systematizing workflows in Windows, the primary operating system for industry and business.

Introductory 3DS Max

Course coming soon. Subscribe to our mailing list to be the first to know upcoming registration dates.

Introductory Unity

Course coming soon. Subscribe to our mailing list to be the first to know upcoming registration dates.

Animation Courses

Apply your software skills in animation, and be inspired to create something new.

Principles of Animation

Learn the fundamentals of classical animation including principles, timing and techniques.

Introductory 3D Modeling for Animation (Maya)

Become versed in the essential 3D Modeling capabilities of Maya, and create, animate and render your own 3D models.

Introductory 3D Modeling + Animation (Blender)

Learn to model, light, render, and animate your characters to create compelling 3D visual storytelling.

Introductory 3D Animation (Maya)

Create high quality 3D animations for characters, environments and props used in film, television and gaming industries.

Environment + Concept Art

Learn industry-relevant techniques to create compelling environment and concept designs for film and gaming projects.

Character Design + Development

Learn to create original and appealing character concept art for the gaming and film industries.

Creative Writing

Learn to express yourself creatively through prose, poetry, fiction, non-fiction, and screenwriting to help you express yourself creatively.

Story: An Introduction

Learn the principles of story with a focus on animation, TV and film

Storyboarding

Learn the fundamental principles and techniques used by professional visual storytellers

Scriptwriting

Learn essential scriptwriting elements, from character development to understanding budget impacts on creative decision-making.

Game Development Courses

A unique blend of creativity, technical skills, and problem-solving, learn how to design and create engaging interactive game experiences.

The Following Game Development Courses are Coming Soon

Subscribe to learn about new courses and registration dates as they launch.

Principles of Game Development

Gain the foundational knowledge necessary to formulate a vision for a video game

Innovations in Game Development

Journey through the game industry to learn about major milestones, trends, and innovations.

Industry Intro: Game Development

Learn about diverse career paths available to designers within a variety of industries, and organizations.

UI/UX for Games

Build on your knowledge of UX and UI to discover unique considerations of the look, feel and experience of games.

Scripting for Unity

Learn to write simple scripts in Unity and create basic prototypes and interactive menus.

Design Thinking for Games

Combine research, design evaluation and pitching to develop and test an idea for a new game

Introductory 2D Game Development (Unity)

Learn to use Unity to animate characters and develop your own 2D game.

Introductory 3D Game Development (Unity)

Discover how to use 3D specific aspects of Unity to build your game.

VFX Courses

Explore the intersection of art and technology with Visual Effects (VFX). Learn to create mesmerizing, high-quality effects for film, TV, and other media. Using industry-standard software and expert guidance, unleash your creativity and bring stunning, immersive worlds to life.

Industry Intro: Visual Effects

Discover different ways visual effects are used in the Film, TV and advertisement industry and possible career paths to pursue.

Innovations in Visual Effects (VFX)

Discover the latest trends and become versed in the issues affecting the evolving VFX industry.

Adobe CC for Visual Effects

Develop skills and techniques used in visual effects and post-production pipelines.

Introductory Motion Graphics

Learn the basis of motion graphics with Adobe After Effects and Cinema 4D.

Video Editing + Effects

Create dynamic, moving images and develop your digital storytelling skills.

The Following VFX Courses are Coming Soon

Subscribe to learn about new courses and registration dates as they launch.

Procedural Art with Houdini

Building off of introductory Houdini, learn to build a Visual Effects design system.

Videography and Editing

Create professional title sequences for a variety of projects.

Experience Design

Experience Design is a valuable skillset for Animators, Game Developers, and Visual FX Artists. Incorporating user-centered principles and the latest technologies, you can create memorable experiences that show your potential in developing innovative products, experiences, and services.

Innovations in Design

Gain greater insight and context into the history and future of design as a practice.

Industry Intro: Design

Learn about diverse career paths available to designers within a wide variety of industries, and organizations.

Design Thinking

Use design thinking to help ideate, collaborate, and creatively engage to solve problems.

Designing for Accessibility

Explore accessibility design to ensure equality and inclusion of access and experience for differently abled bodies.

Introductory UX Design

Learn UX design fundamentals, including the design process, user research methods, audience analysis, information organization, and wireframe design.

Introductory UI Design

Learn UI design principles to build responsive and useful interfaces for any device.

Human Centered Design

Apply human-centered design approaches to problem-solving.

The Following Experience Design Courses are Coming Soon

Subscribe to learn about new courses and registration dates as they launch.

Digital Tools for Prototyping

Explore digital tools that make UX design, development, and screen/user experience design accessible, collaborative, and efficient.

Intermediate UX Design

Create impactful experiences and become a key contributor to a variety of projects.

Intermediate UI Design

Leverage UI design principles, responsive design, and accessibility to create impactful interfaces.

Collaboration + Leadership Courses

Knowing how to collaborate with and lead a team can help you stand out in a dynamic job market. From building a professional portfolio to developing leadership and management techniques, courses in this area will help you get ready to take on bigger roles.

Portfolio Websites

Increase your visibility as a creative professional with an online portfolio

Applications: Grants, Residencies + Exhibitions

Learn strategies for preparing and submitting applications for grants, residencies, or exhibitions in this project-based workshop.

Interview Preparation + Networking Skills

Learn industry professionalism, networking and communication skills.

Business Planning for Creative Practitioners

Learn strategies and techniques for turning your creativity and skills into a marketable service.

The Following Collaboration + Leadership Courses are Coming Soon

Subscribe to learn about new courses and registration dates as they launch.

Financial Practices for Independent Practitioners

Learn to price projects, identify potential markets and manage business expenses.

Workplace Culture + Community

Learn how leadership and management styles can influence workplace culture and the community of workers.

Effective Communication through Storytelling

Become a captivating storyteller, with strategies and techniques introduced through interactive exercises and improvisation

Data Driven Design

This course teaches the value and measure of data, tools for analytics and storytelling, and data interpretation.

Representation + Inclusion

For aspiring or current leaders, hiring managers, and teams to learn how to develop, promote and support diverse and inclusive cultures.

Client Relations + Partnerships

Discover partnership types, communication best practices, and success metrics via group activities and role-playing.

Leadership Visioning

Transition from an individual contributor to a leader role or refine existing leadership approach.

Project Management

Develop project management skills for organizing increasing demands or leading new projects.

Developed in partnership with DigiBC and with support from BC’s Ministry of Advanced Education and Skills Training.