Concept Design Diploma
Characters, environments, props and vehicles for film, games and animation.
- Credential
- Diploma
- Length
- 15 months, 5 terms
- Study mode
- Full-time, on campus
- Courses
- 28
- Next intake
- September 2027
- Apply by
- March 1, 2027 (early)
July 1, 2027 (regular) - Tuition
- $24,923 domestic, $32,400 international (per year)
- Campus
- Richmond, British Columbia
Environment concept painting of a dense city of stacked shops and hanging lanterns in green and red light. Student work, NPC College.
About the program
The Concept Design Diploma at NPC College of Arts & Design is a 15-month, full-time program in Richmond, British Columbia that trains concept artists for film, animation and games. Students take 28 courses over five terms in perspective, figure drawing, digital painting, character, environment, prop and vehicle design, and 3D, and graduate with a professional portfolio. The program is taught by working industry artists and is the diploma covered by the transfer agreement with College for Creative Studies.
The Concept Design program trains students in digital painting, character and environment design, and visual storytelling for film, animation, and games. Taught by industry professionals, it focuses on skill development and portfolio building to prepare students for the entertainment industry.
Learning objectives
- Foundational drawing and designMaster perspective, anatomy, and composition for entertainment design.
- Digital painting and renderingDevelop proficiency in Photoshop and industry-standard digital techniques.
- Character and creature designCreate compelling, functional designs with storytelling depth.
- Environment and prop designDesign immersive worlds with strong visual narratives.
- Visual storytelling and compositionLearn cinematic framing, storytelling techniques, and dynamic keyshots.
- Industry workflow and productionUnderstand pipeline processes for film, animation, and game development.
- Portfolio developmentBuild a professional portfolio tailored for top art schools and industry careers.
What you learn
Figure drawing
Students master gesture, anatomy, and proportions to create dynamic, lifelike characters. Through live model studies and structural breakdowns, they develop strong line work, form, and movement, essential for character design and storytelling in entertainment art.
Vehicle design
Students learn to design functional and visually compelling vehicles for film, games, and animation. Emphasizing perspective, form, and mechanical structure, the course covers sketching, ideation, and rendering techniques to create futuristic, sci-fi, and real-world vehicle concepts.
Prop design
Students learn to design functional and visually compelling props for film, games, and animation. Emphasizing form, materials, and storytelling, the course covers sketching, ideation, and rendering techniques to create detailed and believable prop concepts.
Perspective
Students develop a strong foundation in 1-point, 2-point, and 3-point perspective to create accurate and dynamic environments. Through technical exercises and creative applications, they learn to construct buildings, vehicles, and props in space, essential for professional concept art.
Traditional sketching
Students develop observational skills, line confidence, and quick ideation using sketchbooks. Focusing on gesture, form, and composition, they practice freehand sketching, thumbnailing, and design exploration, building a strong foundation for concept art.
Storyboarding
Students learn to create dynamic visual narratives for film, animation, and games. Focusing on composition, camera angles, and storytelling, they develop sequenced frames, cinematic shots, and expressive character actions to bring stories to life.
Traditional line work
Students refine line quality, precision, and control to create clean, structured drawings. Emphasizing form, depth, and composition, they practice contour, cross-contour, and technical line work, building a strong foundation for design.
Digital painting and rendering
Students master light, color, and form using industry-standard tools like Photoshop. They learn brush techniques, material rendering, and composition to create polished, professional-quality illustrations for concept art and entertainment design.
3D environment modelling
Students learn to create detailed and immersive environments using Blender. Focusing on blocking, texturing, and lighting, they develop efficient modeling techniques to build assets for games, film, and animation.
Character design
Students learn to create original, compelling characters for film, games, and animation. Focusing on silhouette, anatomy, expression, and storytelling, they develop believable designs that showcase personality and functionality in a professional pipeline.
3D character modelling
Students learn to create high-quality character models using Blender and ZBrush. Focusing on anatomy, form, and detail, they develop sculpting, topology, and texturing skills to bring characters to life for games, film, and animation.
Cinematic environment
Students learn to create dynamic and visually compelling compositions for film, games, and animation. Focusing on camera angles, lighting, mood, and storytelling, they develop keyframe illustrations that enhance narrative impact and immersion.
Environment design
Students learn to create immersive and visually compelling worlds for film, games, and animation. Focusing on composition, perspective, lighting, and storytelling, they develop environments that enhance narrative depth and realism.
Interior design
Students learn to create functional and visually engaging interior spaces for film, games, and animation. Focusing on perspective, composition, lighting, and storytelling, they design immersive environments that enhance narrative and world-building.
Curriculum, term by term
28 courses over 5 terms. Every course is listed below with its description.
Term 1
6 courses
Build a strong foundation in traditional drawing skills, focusing on perspective, form, composition, and digital drawing techniques.
Drawing Fundamentals
Developing strong fundamental drawing skills that will support your entire career trajectory. In this course you will learn the fundamental techniques and principles for sketching and drawing for a wide range of roles in the animation, game, and film production industries. In addition, you will be introduced to digital drawing using Wacom Cintiqs/Tablets. Master the basics—you will utilize your fundamental skills again and again in future coursework to solve more complex design problems.
Intro to Perspective 1
It is as easy as 1, 2, and 3 point perspective. Deep and strong understanding of perspective is a fundamental component in all concept design. In this course you will gain confidence and familiarity using perspective techniques to draw vehicles, objects, and architectural environments. By the end of this course you will be prepared to select and utilize appropriate perspective techniques in future coursework.
Visual Communication 1
Students in this course will learn the fundamentals of composition, lighting, and design principles. Working from a design brief that encompasses a character, an environment and a vehicle or object, you will aim to communicate a story to the viewer. Practice using composition, lighting, and mood to direct the viewer’s attention to key story elements. This course and project will provide you with an opportunity to enhance your storytelling skills for future and more complex projects in Visual Communications 2.
Intro to Digital Painting 1
Photoshop is one of the concept designer’s most essential tools for professional work in animation, games, and film. From learning hot keys to making your first digital designs, this course provides a strong foundation for future course work and industry practice.
Design Sketching
Employers in the field of media arts and design need to hire artists who are able to draw efficient and compelling designs. Whether you have lots of experience drawing or very little, this course will help you build confidence sketching from visual references and develop your visual library. From military gear to simple objects, you will practice drawing efficiently from life and images in your sketch book. By the end of this course you will be able to utilize your visual library for future projects.
Figure & Anatomy Drawing 1
A fundamental understanding of anatomy is essential for human and creature design in production. From stick figures to complex characters, in this course you will be introduced to the basics of human and animal anatomical structures. By the end of this course you will be able to block out basic character shapes, forms, structures and identify and describe basic anatomical features.
Term 2
6 courses
Expand visual storytelling skills by developing environments, props, and character sketches with an emphasis on ideation and exploration.
Visual Communication 2
Students in this course will further enhance their skill and practice with the fundamentals of composition, lighting, and design. Working from an intermediate-level design brief you will design characters, environments, vehicles, and/or props. You will aim to create industry-level designs that communicate a story to the viewer. Through the proper use of composition, lighting, and mood you will direct the viewer’s attention to story elements. This course and project will provide you with an opportunity to enhance your storytelling skills for future and major projects.
Intro to 3D Modeling
Maya is one of the concept designer’s most essential tools for professional work in animation, games, and film. From learning hotkeys to rendering your first 3D designs, this course provides a strong foundation for future course work and industry practice.
Figure & Anatomy Drawing 2
Building on Figure & Anatomy Drawing 1, you will further develop your understanding and skill representing human and animal forms and their anatomical features. You will explore more complex action-poses and character development from model poses. By the end of this course you will be able to further enhance your skills/approaches for blocking out animal and human characters. You will produce studies focusing on quality of line work, weight, proportion, and use of colour.
Prop Design 1
Explore the relationship between form and function through design assignment briefs for original props. Utilizing drawing, perspective, and design skills that you learned in previous course work, you will create simple props with the aim of representing accurate and different views as well as close-up beauty details. Assignments will emphasize points of view including orthos, texture callouts, final detailed renders, and narrative elements provided by your industry instructor. By the end of this course you will be able to render props on paper and in Photoshop in preparation for more advanced coursework.
Character Design 1
From Tomb Raider to Skyrim, characters are the backbone of storytelling in creative media. Concept Artists must be able to efficiently design appealing characters. Utilizing the design process and the skills that you learned in figure drawing, in this course you design various human and animal characters. By the end of this course you will be able to gain confidence in the character design process and be ready to tackle more complex character assignments in future coursework.
Environment Design 1
From Uncharted to GTA, environments are an incredibly vital part of storytelling in open world games, film, and animation. Concept Artists must be able to design appealing environments. Utilizing the design process and the skills that you learned in perspective, drawing fundamentals, and design sketching, in this course you will design various simple environments. By the end of this course you will be able to gain confidence in the environment design process and be ready to tackle more complex environment assignments in future coursework.
Term 3
6 courses
Strengthen design thinking through advanced perspective, vehicle and architecture design, and introductory 3D techniques.
Character Design 2
Utilizing the design process and the skills that you learned in Character Design 1, in this course you design more complex human and animal characters on paper and in Photoshop. In this course you will create your designs in service to a script provided by your instructor. You will participate in group critiques as well as pitch your design concepts. By the end of this course you will be more confident in your character design process and be ready to tackle more complex project work.
Environment Design 2
Build an environment based on a story provided by your instructor and enhance the design skills that you learned in previous course work. In this course you will design various intermediate to advanced level environments in Photoshop, Maya, and SketchUp. By the end of this course you will gain greater familiarity and practice with the environment design process and be ready to tackle major projects.
Advanced Figure & Anatomy Drawing
Building on Figure & Anatomy Drawing 1, you will further develop your understanding and skill representing human and animal forms and their anatomical features. You will explore more complex action-poses and character development from model poses. By the end of this course you will be able to further enhance your skills/approaches for blocking out animal and human characters on paper and in Photoshop. You will produce studies focusing on quality of line work, weight, proportion, and use of colour.
Prop Design 2
In this course you will further explore the relationship between form and function through the creation of original props. Working from design briefs and utilizing drawing, perspective, and design skills that you learned in previous course work, you will create more complex prop designs. Assignments will emphasize points of view and narrative elements provided by your industry instructor. By the end of this course, you will be able to render props on paper, in Photoshop, as well as in Maya and illustrate a variety of perspective, orthographic views, and turntables in preparation for more advanced coursework.
Visual Communication 3
Produce a fully finished, professional quality design package from a script that you will author. Working from your own script design you will design characters, environments, vehicles, and/or props. You will aim to zero in on specific details in your narrative and create compelling designs that focus the audience's attention on key story elements. Your final output will be polished and fully rendered using a range of techniques such as Maya, ZBrush, KeyShot, and V-Ray rendering software. This course and project will provide you with an opportunity to prepare for future coursework and the development of finished portfolio work.
3D Modelling 2
Building on Intro to 3D Modeling, you will continue to develop your modelling skills in Maya and prepare for the scenes, textures and lighting covered in Advanced 3D Modelling.
Term 4
6 courses
Apply functional design principles to create polished environment and prop concepts, integrating storytelling and mood.
Character Design 3
Utilizing the design process and the skills that you learned in Character Design 2, in this course you design advanced human and animal characters on paper, in Photoshop, Maya, and ZBrush. In this course you will create your designs in service to your own script. You will participate in group critiques as well as pitch your design concepts. By the end of this course you will become more confident in your character design process and create a fully finished/professional character package.
Environment Design 3
Build an environment based on a story that you have authored. In this course you will write your own script and design an advanced environmental design package in Photoshop, Maya, and SketchUp. By the end of this course you will be ready to tackle your senior entertainment project.
Prop / Vehicle Design 3
In this course you will develop a fully finished, industry-level prop package using your drawing, Photoshop and 3D skill sets. Working from a script provided by your instructor, you will develop prop assets in service to story from a game or film. By the end of this course you will be better prepared to tackle major portfolio projects and will have an enhanced appreciation for the nuances of strong prop design.
Advanced 3D Modelling
Gain fluency in Maya, and develop more advanced models, and be able to fully render textured and illuminated scenes using V-Ray and KeyShot. Guided by your industry professional instructor you will become proficient in the 3D design pipeline. You will render out models from Maya, bring them into Photoshop, and then augment your designs with detailed textures and lighting elements. In this course you will also be introduced to ZBrush and Substance Painter and their vast capabilities as a design tool. By the end of this course you will be more prepared for the 3D demands of your senior project.
Entertainment Design
Building upon Visual Communication 3, in this course you will augment and enhance your design process by incorporating professional quality 3D assets in the development of a major entertainment design package. Working again from your own script you will create additional objects, characters, and environmental breakdowns to develop a pro package. Enhance your interpretation of the story to highlight specific details in the narrative. You will create compelling designs that focus the audience's attention on key story elements. Your final output will be polished and fully rendered using a range of techniques such as Maya, ZBrush, Substance Painter, KeyShot, and V-Ray rendering software. This course and project will provide you with an opportunity to prepare for your senior project.
Clay Modelling
Have you ever wanted to model an action figure from your favorite movie or game, but were not sure where to start? Explore the techniques, principles and acquire the skills needed to create your own original sculptures. Working from your own concept designs you will build armatures, learn additive and subtractive sculpting approaches, create details, textures, and improve the form of your sculpture in the round. By the end of this course you will have a fully finished professional maquette that you can add to your design portfolio.
Term 5
4 courses
Develop industry-standard concept art portfolios, refining designs and learning professional workflows in Photoshop and 3D.
Entertainment Senior Project
Building upon Entertainment Design, in this course you will undertake a design senior project that you will use to showcase to present to your peers, and to use for career/job search. Working again from your own script you will create additional objects, characters, and environmental breakdowns to produce a pro package. Enhance your interpretation of the story to highlight specific details in the narrative. You will fully complete compelling designs that focus the audience's attention on key story elements. Your final output will be polished and fully rendered using a range of techniques such as Maya, ZBrush, Substance Painter, KeyShot, and V-Ray rendering software. This course and project will provide you with an opportunity to prepare for your senior project.
Portfolio Preparation
For emerging concept designers, a strong portfolio is key to professional opportunities and employment. In a world that relies increasingly on digital formats, a portfolio works to represent both the designer and the person, which is why it is important to make the best impression possible.
This course emphasizes both portfolio production and assembly in studio as well as classroom tutorials outlining important industry standards for communicating effectively with prospective employers, and the public. This includes learning how to craft compelling artist statements, a resume and bio, a cover letter, and making their own website.
Students will have the opportunity to create new designs in-studio and prepare themselves for work in the competitive entertainment industry. Students will also experience portfolio development as a process of continuous enhancement of self-awareness, learning and development.
Presentation / Interview
Presenting yourself and your professional capacities in an interview is an artform in itself. In this course you will explore how to research companies and interview successfully. This course emphasizes portfolio presentation, company research practices, and interview strategy development. This includes strategies for how to insert your artist statements, resume highlights, key biographical details, and your concept designs into interviews as well as in networking scenarios.
Students will have the opportunity to refine written professional resources, enhance their web portfolio/profile, and practice interviewing in preparation for their practicum placement.
Studio Practice
Studio Practice is a vital course for students to work on and to complete their Senior Project and portfolio. It represents the synthesis of the previous studios/course work in the Concept Design program curriculum. This is the stage at which students are expected to work on their Senior Projects independently as well as support their peers. Success in this course will require students to apply the knowledge, skills, and abilities that they have acquired in previous course work.
Software you will use
- Adobe Photoshop
- Autodesk Maya
- ZBrush
- Blender
- Substance Painter
- KeyShot
- V-Ray
- SketchUp
Named in the course descriptions for this program.
Admission requirements
Age
- Applicants must be at least 16 years of age.
- International applicants must be at least 19 years of age and hold a high school diploma.
- Students seeking BC Student Aid must be high school graduates or at least 19 years of age (mature status). To show high school completion, submit a high school diploma, including transcripts from any secondary or post-secondary institutions attended in the last five years, or a piece of government-issued identification that shows your birth date.
Academic
- A copy of your high school transcript with a minimum of 70% in English class
- A transcript from a post-secondary institution, if applicable
Assessment
Prospective students must pass the general assessment test in the online application. The test assesses computer knowledge, internet knowledge, English reading, and writing skills.
Portfolio
Applicants submit a portfolio of original artworks to demonstrate their current creative interests and skill levels. The same portfolio requirement applies to all three programs.
- Two personal creative pieces Any medium.
- One observational piece Painting, acrylic or sketch.
- One perspective drawing A simple line drawing without shading is fine.
- One digital artwork Made in any digital painting or drawing tool.
That makes at least five original artworks across a range of practices and media. A sketchbook is also accepted.
English language
IELTS Academic 5.5, TOEFL iBT 60, or Duolingo 85 to 90. Details for international students
Tuition and fees
| Fee | Domestic students | International students |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition | $24,923 | $32,400 |
| Application fee | $100 | $100 |
| Assessment fee | $150 | $150 |
| Administrative fee | $100 | $100 |
| Material fee | $1,660 | $1,660 |
| Total of listed fees | $26,933 | $34,410 |
| Fee | Domestic students | International students |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition | $24,923 | $32,400 |
| Administrative fee | $100 | $160 |
| Graduation fee | $140 | $140 |
| Material fee | $1,660 | $1,660 |
| Total of listed fees | $26,823 | $34,360 |
All fees are in Canadian dollars, as published in October 2026. Confirm current fees with Admissions before you apply. Financial aid and scholarships
Careers
Upon graduation, students are capable of working as entry-level concept artists in the animation, film, TV and game industries. Jobs include:
- Character Designer
- Environment Designer
- Prop and Vehicle Designer
- Creature Designer
- Concept Art Generalist
- Art Director
- Color Key Artist
- Costume and Set Designer
- Matte Painter
- Illustrator
- Storyboard Artist
Pathway and credit transfer
By completing the program at NPC College, students gain a strong foundation in artistic fundamentals, portfolio development, and technical expertise. With dedicated mentorship and guidance, they become well prepared to transfer their credits and transition into renowned institutions such as CCS (College for Creative Studies), SVA (School of Visual Arts), and more.
The NPC and CCS degree pathwayIf I knew this program before I would have taken this instead of spending 4 years in college, this is what you need to become a concept artist.
Who teaches
Andrew AnArt Director on WondLa at Skydance Animation and designer on The Addams Family 2.
Sabrina HemeonLead and Senior Designer at Atomic Cartoons; designer on The Addams Family 2 at Cinesite.
Zach McLeanConcept artist, illustrator and art director; founder of Poiesis Studios.
Jianjun AnArtist and designer with over twenty years of experience; founder of NPC.
Dorothy WangCharacter designer at Bardel Entertainment on The Dragon Prince and The Ice Age Adventures of Buck Wild.
Keeny NgArt director in animation; graduate of Sheridan College classical animation.
Questions about this program
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Start your application
Applications for the September 2027 intake are open. The early admission deadline is March 1, 2027 and the regular deadline is July 1, 2027.