Winter Workshops
Digital arts workshops for artists on the autism spectrum
Step 1 (optional): Take a virtual or in person tour
Step 2: Fill out application
Step 3: Register for workshops
Winter workshop schedule


Course descriptions
SESSION 1
Dive into the creative and technical process of designing 3D characters using Maxon's ZBrush, the industry-standard digital sculpting software. Participants will explore core sculpting techniques and character development workflows to bring original concepts to life in three dimensions. Through guided demonstrations and individual practice, students will learn how to model, refine, and detail expressive characters suitable for animation, games, and digital art portfolios.
This workshop introduces students to the art of storyboarding for animation. Using Photoshop, students will learn framing, composition, shot sequencing, and visual storytelling techniques to bring their ideas to life. Ideal for students interested in directing, animation, comic/manga design, or visual storytelling.
Cartoon Saturday is a fun and immersive special workshop designed to introduce students to the art of animation using Adobe Animate. Held over five engaging 4-hour sessions (including a lunch break), this 20-hour program guides participants through the fundamentals of creating original animated cartoons. From concept and character design to motion, timing, and storytelling, students will learn how to bring their drawings to life using key animation principles.
Explore the art of visual storytelling through the creation of comics and manga. Over five two-hour sessions, participants will learn the fundamentals of character design, panel composition, pacing, and narrative flow, while studying the distinct styles and techniques that define both Western comics and Japanese manga. Guided by creative exercises and step-by-step instruction, students will develop their own short comic or manga sequence. This the perfect additions to their animation and illustration portfolios.t can also be used as a for intermediate creation.
In this workshop, the nuts, bolts and best practices of prepping for a job search are explored. From expanding and honing your resume to portfolio and demo reel building and preparing the perfect LinkedIn profile, this workshop helps students nail down the essentials before applying for jobs. Available in-person or online.
Sketch, draw, sketch, repeat. This intensive drawing workshop, led by our talented animation faculty, challenges the student to draw outside of their comfort zone. Using visual prompts from the world of nature and animals, students cycle through drawing exercises to bring their craft to the next level. A perfect workshop to build your portfolio.
Design and animate characters and environments using Adobe Animate. Beginners will learn how to utilize the program to make their own simple animations and bring ideas to life. This popular class provides an overview of Adobe Animate and the animation process, giving students a foundation in animation principles, timing, movement, and storytelling.
This workshop introduces students to the exciting world of 3D animation using Blender, a powerful open-source software widely used in the animation and visual effects industry. Through guided, hands-on instruction, participants will learn the fundamentals of 3D modeling and keyframe animation while developing their own short animated sequence. Each session builds on practical skills—from navigating Blender’s interface to animating objects and cameras—encouraging creativity and technical confidence. This workshop is recommended for students experienced in 2D animation.red to neurodiverse needs. Participants will explore how to build confidence in networking, handle client relationships, and navigate workplace expectations while maintaining authenticity and creative integrity. Through personalized guidance and supportive discussions, this workshop empowers autistic creators to thrive professionally, fostering both their talents and their understanding of workplace professionalism.
Immerse yourself in the art of editing and the language of visual storytelling. This workshop demonstrates foundational theories of picture editing as students create, combine, and manipulate various audio clips and images into an impactful story. This workshop is great for beginners as it focuses on fundamentals using Adobe Premiere Pro and using multiple tracks and audio in a non-linear timeline.
Good news! You no longer need a radioactive spider bite or secret government serum to turn yourself into a superhero. This workshop will give you the powers you’ve always dreamed of. Students will add visual effects to footage like those seen in movies and television shows. This includes entities such as glows, laser blasts, and swinging sabers. Students will utilize the Saber plugin and After Effects tracking system to complete several short assignments showing the understanding of these visual effects techniques.
Find your voice! This workshop explores voice acting techniques, script interpretation, and performance styles for animated characters. Students will record and edit their own voice lines using Adobe Audition, learning how to bring personality and emotion into their performances. A great course for aspiring voice actors and animators alike!
This workshop offers the opportunity for students to create, combine, and manipulate various visual and audio clips into a story or message of their choosing. This workshop is great for beginners as it focuses on fundamentals using Adobe Premiere, but can also be used as a for intermediate creation.
SESSION 2
In this workshop, participants will dive into the art of bringing characters to life through expressive movement and realistic dialogue syncing. This is an intermediate workshop that covers the fundamentals of 2D animation, including keyframe techniques and timing, while placing a special focus on the mechanics of lip syncing for dialogue. Attendees will learn how to create smooth, believable animations and sync mouth shapes accurately with audio, making their characters feel dynamic and authentic.
Sound makes animation come alive! In this workshop, students will learn the fundamentals of sound design for animation, including recording, layering, and editing sound effects using Adobe Audition. Explore how sound shapes mood, enhances storytelling, and adds realism to animated projects.
Learn the fundamentals of digital sculpting in ZBrush Core Mini. In this workshop, students sculpt simple organic forms in their computers with either a mouse or tablet . After learning the basic techniques, students will have the opportunity to bring their own characters or creatures to life. Open to beginner and intermediate students.
This introductory workshop explores the ethical use of artificial intelligence in creative process across digital media fields including animation. Aimed at artists, editors, designers, and content creators, this session introduces a range of AI tools from imbedded tools in Adobe Photoshop to stand alone Large Language Models like ChatGPT. Participants will learn how these tools are being integrated into workflows to boost productivity, spark new ideas, and streamline post-production. Whether you're curious about using AI ethically to assist your creative or looking to stay ahead of the curve, this workshop offers a practical and inspiring entry point into the evolving world of AI in media production.
For students new to digital art-making or with a project in progress, this class serves as a place where creators can work alongside one another to accomplish their 2D Animation goals in Adobe Animate. Instructors will assist with students who are working on developing portfolio pieces, passion projects, and foundational animation and digital drawing exercises. This class is for all levels. This class can be taken multiple times and will be customized to the student skill level.
This engaging hands-on workshop introduces students to the foundational principles of animation through the use of Adobe Animate. Participants will explore key animation concepts such as squash and stretch, timing, anticipation, and movement to bring their drawings and ideas to life. Each session combines creative exercises with technical instruction, guiding students through the process of planning, storyboarding, and animating short sequences. By the end of the workshop, students will have created their own animated project while developing a strong understanding of how the principles of animation shape dynamic and expressive motion in digital media.
This workshop introduces students to the art of storyboarding for animation. Using Photoshop, students will learn framing, composition, shot sequencing, and visual storytelling techniques to bring their ideas to life. Ideal for students interested in directing, animation, comic/manga design, or visual storytelling.
This introductory workshop in audio editing and sound design explores essential techniques for enhancing sound quality of creative projects. Participants will learn how to edit dialogue, sound effects, and add background music, ensuring seamless integration with visual content. Through hands-on exercises, the workshop covers key skills, layering audio tracks, and applying effects to create immersive soundscapes to make your projects more engaging and professional.
This workshop is designed for animation students looking to strengthen their understanding of perspective drawing and enhance their portfolios. Students will explore the fundamentals of one-, two-, and three-point perspective, learning how to construct believable environments, architecture, and spatial depth in their artwork. Through guided demonstrations and practical exercises, participants will apply these concepts to create dynamic compositions that support storytelling and character placement in animation and storyboarding.
Students will learn how to take original characters and develop them into unique and memorable designs. Using Photoshop, students will explore gesture, posing, anatomy, and composition to create compelling character concepts. This course– a must for aspiring animation artists– focuses on shape language, silhouette, and storytelling through design
Rooted in neurodiversity-affirming practices, this workshop weaves hands-on creative work with emotional and behavioral practices that foster personal well-being. The dynamic is achieved by using two facilitators, one an animation instructor, the other a behavior analyst. Each session blends technical animation skills with social-emotional strategies, creative exercises, and peer collaboration to help students build confidence, resilience, and communication skills in a fun, supportive environment.
Design and animate characters and environments using Adobe Animate. Beginners will learn how to utilize the program to make their own simple animations, bringing ideas to life! This popular class provides an overview of Adobe Animate and the animation process, giving students a foundation in animation principles, timing, movement, and storytelling.
Explore the fundamentals of motion graphics using Adobe After Effects. In this workshop, participants will learn how to combine text, images, and video to create engaging animated compositions for film, television, and digital media. The workshop covers essential techniques such as keyframing, masking, compositing, and visual effects, while emphasizing design principles and storytelling through motion. By the end of the workshop, students will have produced their own animated motion graphics project, gaining practical experience and creative skills applicable to animation, advertising, and multimedia production.
Immerse yourself in the art of editing and the language of visual storytelling. This workshop demonstrates foundational theories of picture editing as students create, combine, and manipulate various clips and images into an impactful story. This workshop is great for beginners as it focuses on fundamentals using Adobe Premiere Pro and using multiple tracks and audio in a non-linear timeline. (Online and in-person.)