VanArts is proud to officially announce our latest degree-pathway partnership with Bond University in Queensland, Australia!

This degree-pathway is for graduates of our diploma programs in 2D/3D Animation, Game Art & Design and Visual Effects who can transfer directly into several different BA degree programs.  As graduates of VanArts, students entering Bond University can earn up to two full semesters (80 credit points) of a six semester (240 credit point) Bachelors’ program, and complete their degree in 16 months of additional full-time studies.  Upon completion, graduates can apply for a work permit if they wish to pursue employment in Australia. 

Click here for more information on our Pathway Degree Opportunities >>

For more information about Bond University, visit bond.edu.au and contact us directly for more details on the degree pathway from VanArts. 

VanArts was very honored to receive a visit today from Ken Maruyama, VP of Recruiting & Academic Relations at Sony Pictures Imageworks in Los Angeles, who came to Vancouver and spoke to our students in Character Animation, Game Art & Design and Visual Effects.  Ken gave a presentation about story development, education, demo reels, portfolios, and the IPAX Internship Program at Sony, and answered students' questions about how to break into the industry and what it's like working in production.  There are many exciting developments at Sony, including their own studio here in Vancouver, where features like Hotel Transylvania and The Smurfs were produced. 

Ken Maruyama previously worked for nearly a decade as Director of Animation and Creature Development at Industrial Light & Magic, where he worked with our Head of Animation Wayne Gilbert (pictured at left) and our Head of Games/VFX Wade Howie. Ken has been at Sony Pictures Imageworks since 2005, serving as Director of Digital Production and Artist Management/Animation before moving into his current role.  

Thanks Ken for visiting VanArts and inspiring our students! 

Related Stories: 

VanArts Grad from Sony Imageworks visits VanArts >>

Animator from Sony Imageworks visits VanArts >>

Today's issue of The Province has a Focus on Education as their special information feature, and VanArts is proud to have a featured article on page B3.

The article goes into detail on our No. 1 ranking in Western Canada, the philosophy of our programs, our graduates' success, and our university pathway degrees. 

Click here to read the online version of the article >>

On September 6th 2012, VanArts hosted its largest-ever graduating class, comprosing of grads from Character Animation, Game Art & Design, Visual Effects, Digital Photography, and our first official class for Broadcasting & Web Development! 

A packed house at SFU's Goldcorps Centre for the Arts got to celebrate the graduates' achievements and view their work on the big screen.  Congratulations to everyone!

(Photos by Kelsey Derksen-Hatt and Cindy Bekkedam)

See more photos on Facebook >>

Hallis Blaney is currently working as an Animation Director at Atomic Cartoons here in Vancouver, after having worked in the local industry for the past 6 years after graduation. He has worked an an animator (junior, key & lead), layout artist, compositor, and animation supervisor, at Mercury Filmworks, Big Bad Boo Studios, DHX Media and Bardel Entertainment before his current position at Atomic.  Shows that Hallis has worked on include Ruby Gloom, Gerald McBoing Boing, Grossology, Mixed Nutz, Neighbors from Hell, 1001 Nights, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, and Transformers: Rescue Bots.

Hallis shares with us, "VanArts taught me the fundamental principles of animation: timing, weight, performance, staging and layout. Despite studying classical hand-drawn animation when I studied there, I've only ever worked professionally as a digital animator. My success is due to the foundation VanArts gave me, plus hard work adapting to the changing technology.  Regardless of the program or medium, the animation is always guided by the same principles."

Today we received a visit from VanArts Character Animation graduate Ghaydaa Saleem, who just recently wrapped up an IPAX (Imageworks Professional Academic Excellence) internship at Sony Pictures Imageworks' studio here in Vancouver. Her next animation job is already lined up to start soon at Bardel Entertainment.  Ghaydaa took some time to speak to our current animation students about her experience working in the local industry, and to offer feedback on their projects.

Ghaydaa shares with us, "Without being a student at VanArts, I wouldn't have been able to even dream of this amazing opportunity.  The mentors at VanArts support us, not only as students, but also when we start our journey in the animation industry."