Entertainment Concept Design Diploma
A one-year entertainment design program built around Blender and a finished production design project.
- Credential
- Diploma
- Length
- 12 months, 4 terms
- Study mode
- Full-time, on campus
- Courses
- 21
- Next intake
- September 2027
- Apply by
- March 1, 2027 (early)
July 1, 2027 (regular) - Tuition
- $24,400 domestic, $32,400 international (full program)
- Campus
- Richmond, British Columbia
Environment concept painting of a citadel seen through red forest trunks at sunset. Student work, NPC College.
About the program
The Entertainment Concept Design Diploma at NPC College of Arts & Design is a 12-month, full-time entertainment design program in Richmond, British Columbia. Over four terms and 21 courses, students learn perspective, figure drawing, digital painting, character, environment and prop design, and 3D in Blender, then complete a production design project and a portfolio for entry-level roles in film, animation and games.
The one-year Entertainment Concept Design program builds core skills in perspective, character and environment design, prop design, digital painting, and storytelling for film, animation, and games. Students learn industry workflows, develop a strong portfolio, and gain expert mentorship. This intensive program prepares graduates for entry-level roles.
Learning objectives
- Drawing foundationsPerspective, design sketching, and figure and anatomy drawing.
- Digital paintingPhotoshop from first hot keys to finished digital designs.
- 3D for concept artistsThree terms of Blender: modelling, texturing and lighting for props and environments.
- Character, environment and prop designDesign to a brief and to a script, on paper and in Photoshop.
- Visual communicationComposition, lighting and mood used to direct attention to the story.
- Production design and portfolioA senior design package, plus resume, website and interview preparation.
Work from our studios
Curriculum, term by term
21 courses over 4 terms. Every course is listed below with its description.
Term 1
6 courses
Intro to Blender
Blender is a remarkable platform that empowers concept artists to bring their ideas to life by creating stunning assets such as props, environments, and characters. This class has been specifically designed to help aspiring artists learn the essential basics of Blender and master its diverse functionalities to enhance their creative process and craft exceptional concept designs.
Intro to Perspective
It is as easy as 1, 2, and 3 point perspectives. 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.
Figure Drawing & Anatomy Drawing
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.
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.
Design Sketching
Employers in the field of media arts and design need to hire artists who can 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 sketchbook. By the end of this course, you will be able to utilize your visual library for future projects.
Intro to Digital Painting
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.
Term 2
6 courses
Blender 2
In the pursuit of helping students enhance their concept designs, Blender 2 offers advanced training in modeling, texturing, and lighting techniques to create intricate environments, hard surface objects, and props. With a focus on building higher-level skills, students can utilize Blender's advanced features to bring their concepts to life with greater detail and complexity.
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.
Clay Modeling
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.
Environment Design
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.
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.
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.
Term 3
5 courses
Blender 3
Building on the skills developed in Blender 2, Blender 3 introduces advanced modeling techniques to enable students to create high-quality props and environments for their concept designs. The focus of this course is to provide students with the tools and techniques needed to create fully textured and lit environments at a professional level. By the end of this course, students will be able to create complex environments that are visually appealing and seamlessly integrated with their concept designs.
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.
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.
Studio Practice
Studio Practice is a vital course for students to work on and to prepare their Project and portfolio. It represents the synthesis of the previous studios/course work in the Entertainment 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.
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.
Term 4
4 courses
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 color.
Interview / 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.
Production Design
Building upon Viscom 3, 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 Blender, ZBrush, Substance Painter. This course and project will provide you with an opportunity to prepare for your senior project.
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 Entertainment 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
- Blender
- ZBrush
- Substance Painter
- Autodesk Maya
- KeyShot
- V-Ray
Named in the course descriptions for this program.
Admission requirements
Age
- Applicants 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
Interview with Admissions, or IELTS 6.0, TOEFL 70, or a Duolingo English Test. Details for international students
Tuition and fees
| Fee | Domestic students | International students |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition | $24,400 | $32,400 |
| Application fee | $100 | $100 |
| Assessment fee | $100 | — |
| Administrative fee | $100 | $100 |
| Material fee | $980 | $980 |
| Graduation fee | $140 | $140 |
| Total of listed fees | $25,820 | $33,720 |
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
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
What is entertainment design?
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How is it different from the Concept Design Diploma?
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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.