CalArts' Character Design Portfolio Development Workshop is an eight-week online intensive designed to help you incorporate techniques in character design to enhance your application portfolio for college animation programs. Participation in this workshop does not imply an admissions advantage to CalArts or any other institution.

In this workshop a CalArts Animation faculty member will lead you through exercises and critiques to coach you on what kind of content makes an effective animation portfolio. The focus here is less on making perfect drawings and more on giving you an open arena to explore and learn to love drawing while broadening creative ideation and output.

Here's a link to the class overview, video and enrollment: https://calarts.edu/extended-studies/pdw/character-design

The course is supported on Tenlegs, a networking site and collaboration space for artists, which gives you immediate access to a peer group of like-minded artists for feedback and exchange, and can continue on the platform after the class has ended.

Each week, the instructor will introduce different character design styles from comic book, animation, live action, and video game examples to inspire new work and teach you about visual composition and storytelling through character design. Weekly assignments based on these resources give you the opportunity to produce work that integrates costume, gesture, shape, story, and character. You will work on your assignments on your own time and upload them to the class module on Tenlegs by a set deadline. At the end of the week, the instructor will give you direct feedback on submitted assignments with a video critique.

1. Apply
Enrollment in this workshop is based on the instructor’s review of your current work. Submit five examples of drawings or paintings as digital image files (JPG only, 72 dpi, longest side 1000 pixels maximum) to extension@calarts.edu by the application deadline listed above. You are highly encouraged to include life drawing examples as part of your application.
Note: You must be 14 years old or older to take part in this workshop.

2. Register and pay
If accepted, you will be sent an email with a link to register and payment instructions.

3. Sign up for Tenlegs
To access the online classroom and participate in critiques, students need to set up a user profile/account on Tenlegs. There is no additional cost to set up an account.

4. Check technical capabilities and purchase materials
For your work in this class, you will also need the following:

Technical capabilities

• Computer with an internet connection
• Scanner or decent digital camera (uploaded images need to be at least 72 dpi, and measure at least 1000 pixels on their longest side)
• Adobe Photoshop is a plus, but not essential

5. Course Materials and Equipment List:

Art and drawing supplies

• Drawing pens (no ballpoint pens; no pencils or erasers)
• A sketchbook
• A pad of large drawing paper
• Any small watercolor set
• A bottle of water proof black or India ink
• Two paint brushes suitable for watercolors or ink: one small, one medium size
• Chalk pastels (optional)
• A three-ring binder with 100 plastic sleeves

CalArts Extended Studies Class Enrollment will take place June 1st thru June 25th, 2015 (space is limited)