2D Animation & Visual Development Diploma

Every student must apply to CapU through EducationPlannerBC (EPBC), a website for applying to universities and colleges across British Columbia.

Visit Apply Now to make sure you're ready to fill in your application.

• When you submit your application, you will need to pay an application fee of $50, which gives you the opportunity to apply for 2 programs. 
• You will need to upload a digital (PDF) copy of your transcripts and supporting documents at this time.
• If you are currently in Grade 12, you must request that the Ministry of Education submit your transcript directly to Capilano University.
• Documents must be in the original language of issue and translated into English by a recognized translator, if required.

After submitting your application on EducationPlannerBC you will receive an acknowledgement message from us to your personal email.

• This email will include your Student ID number and your myCapU account and email address.
• Instructions on how to track your application will also be included.
• All future messages from us will be sent to your myCapU email.
• If you're applying to CapU as a new student, you can use your myCapU account to apply for entrance awards.

Submit an online application to Capilano University, this is required before you submit your portfolio.

Applicants must submit their portfolio through the online portal SlideRoom.

upload to SlideRoom

Your portfolio should consist of 15–24 images. There are specific areas that you should cover in terms of what you are drawing. These areas, in order of importance, are:

1. Life drawing
   We'll look for your ability to draw the human form accurately. This means proper proportions. Also, the more you draw, the more confident your line will look. Show structure as well as the outline.
2. Sketches of people (about as important as life drawing)
   This will consist of drawings of a wide variety of people at rest, at work, at play. Again, go for drawing accuracy. Sketches may be long studies of people at rest or quick "memory" drawings (where you quickly grasp the essential lines of a figure in motion and "fill it out" after the person has moved on). The best places for sketchbook drawing are cafes, airports, markets, skateboard parks, buses...anywhere you can find a lot of people doing different things.
3. Sketches of locations (there can be people in the drawings too)
   This shows us again, your ability to draw from life but also shows us your perspective drawing. Places that are interesting or challenging for you to draw: architecture, staircases, exteriors, interiors, technical drawings (a motorcycle parked at the curb or a bicycle against a gate...etc.).
4. Life drawing of animals
   Rather than draw an entire zoo, just pick two or three different animals and really get to know them well. Learn their anatomy and proportions, then sketch them in different poses or from different angles.
5. Your "cartoony" stuff
   Original character designs, doodles, comics and cartoons. Best to show a variety of styles. Creating two or three characters that fit the same style is good. Once you have a character, draw them in different situations...falling down, climbing a ladder, getting attacked by a little dog, etc.
6. Anything else you think would support your application
   Animation or motion graphics, 3D work, fine art, experimental work. While not as important as the first five categories, feel free to post miscellaneous work to your online portfolio.
7. Animation experience
   If you have work experience in animation or have taken courses elsewhere, or if you have a specific interest that would help your application, feel free to write it in the comments section of the online portfolio submission form.

Traditional and hand-drawn work should be scanned. If you don't have access to a scanner check your local library or school. In a pinch a digital camera will work, however, the quality will likely not be as good due to lighting issues (like using a flash). Photographing artwork on an overcast day without a flash will give better results.

Once you create your account in SlideRoom you can begin uploading your portfolio and other requirements. Take your time; you may edit your submission as much as you like but remember that we can review it only after you click the SUBMIT button!

What not to include in your portfolio

Originality is vital. Do not submit work that is not your own. If you have to include drawings you made from an anatomy book or any kind of group project, make sure you label what is not yours and whose work it is. If we see work that is not yours but looks like you're trying to pass it off as yours, it will reflect poorly on the whole portfolio.

Drawing from photographs is less impressive than drawings from life because, with a photo, much of the work is done for you already (and it usually looks flat and lifeless anyway). If you have to send us drawings you copied from photos, make sure you still have lots of examples of life drawing and sketchbook work.

Good Luck!

Important Dates and Deadlines

Fall 2025

• Apply to Capilano University before submitting your portfolio to SlideRoom. 
• Portfolios submitted without a corresponding University program application will not be reviewed. 
• The deadline for uploading a portfolio is 11:59 p.m. on March 11, 2025.
• Only portfolios uploaded to SlideRoom will be reviewed. 

Applicants are encouraged to attend one of our free open house sessions before applying in order to see the facilities, talk to students, observe their work and ask questions about our programs.

For students who have previously attended post-secondary, even though you submitted a digital copy of your transcripts on EducationPlannerBC, you must submit official university or college transcripts for transfer credit.

Please send all official documents to:

Registrar's Office
Library Building, Room LB152
2055 Purcell Way
North Vancouver, BC
V7J 3H5

Official documents may include:

Once you've been accepted into a program, you'll need to start planning your courses.

• You will be notified of your acceptance through your CapU email and your myCapU account.
• View our page for admitted students to learn how to prepare for your first day.
• If you wish to receive transfer credits, please submit official university/college/International Baccalaureate (IB)/Advanced Placements (AP) transcripts either electronically or by mail:

   

  Registrar's Office
  Library Building, Room LB152
  2055 Purcell Way
  North Vancouver, BC
  V7J 3H5

Most CapU programs need proof that you:

• Have completed or are in the process of completing secondary school. View our International Secondary School Equivalencies (pdf) for more information.
• Meet our English language proficiency requirement.
• See Admission Requirements.

Every student must apply to CapU through EducationPlannerBC (EPBC), a website for applying to universities and colleges across British Columbia.

Visit Apply Now to make sure you're ready to fill in your application.

• When you submit your application, you will need to pay a non-refundable application fee of C$135, which gives you the opportunity to apply for 2 programs.
• You will need to upload a digital (PDF) copy of your transcripts and supporting documents at this time.
• If your original transcripts and supporting documents are not written in English, please submit a translated copy.

After submitting your application on EducationPlannerBC you will receive an acknowledgement message from us to your personal email.

• This email will include your Student ID number and your myCapU account and email address.
• Instructions on how to track your application will also be included.
• All future messages from us will be sent to your myCapU email.
• If you're applying to CapU as a new student, you can use your myCapU account to apply for entrance awards.

Submit an online application to Capilano University, this is required before you submit your portfolio.

Applicants must submit their portfolio through the online portal SlideRoom.

upload to SlideRoom

Your portfolio should consist of 15–24 images. There are specific areas that you should cover in terms of what you are drawing. These areas, in order of importance, are:

1. Life drawing
   We'll look for your ability to draw the human form accurately. This means proper proportions. Also, the more you draw, the more confident your line will look. Show structure as well as the outline.
2. Sketches of people (about as important as life drawing)
   This will consist of drawings of a wide variety of people at rest, at work, at play. Again, go for drawing accuracy. Sketches may be long studies of people at rest or quick "memory" drawings (where you quickly grasp the essential lines of a figure in motion and "fill it out" after the person has moved on). The best places for sketchbook drawing are cafes, airports, markets, skateboard parks, buses...anywhere you can find a lot of people doing different things.
3. Sketches of locations (there can be people in the drawings too)
   This shows us again, your ability to draw from life but also shows us your perspective drawing. Places that are interesting or challenging for you to draw: architecture, staircases, exteriors, interiors, technical drawings (a motorcycle parked at the curb or a bicycle against a gate...etc.).
4. Life drawing of animals
   Rather than draw an entire zoo, just pick two or three different animals and really get to know them well. Learn their anatomy and proportions, then sketch them in different poses or from different angles.
5. Your "cartoony" stuff
   Original character designs, doodles, comics and cartoons. Best to show a variety of styles. Creating two or three characters that fit the same style is good. Once you have a character, draw them in different situations...falling down, climbing a ladder, getting attacked by a little dog, etc.
6. Anything else you think would support your application
   Animation or motion graphics, 3D work, fine art, experimental work. While not as important as the first five categories, feel free to post miscellaneous work to your online portfolio.
7. Animation experience
   If you have work experience in animation or have taken courses elsewhere, or if you have a specific interest that would help your application, feel free to write it in the comments section of the online portfolio submission form.

Traditional and hand-drawn work should be scanned. If you don't have access to a scanner check your local library or school. In a pinch a digital camera will work, however, the quality will likely not be as good due to lighting issues (like using a flash). Photographing artwork on an overcast day without a flash will give better results.

Once you create your account in SlideRoom you can begin uploading your portfolio and other requirements. Take your time; you may edit your submission as much as you like but remember that we can review it only after you click the SUBMIT button!

What not to include in your portfolio

Originality is vital. Do not submit work that is not your own. If you have to include drawings you made from an anatomy book or any kind of group project, make sure you label what is not yours and whose work it is. If we see work that is not yours but looks like you're trying to pass it off as yours, it will reflect poorly on the whole portfolio.

Drawing from photographs is less impressive than drawings from life because, with a photo, much of the work is done for you already (and it usually looks flat and lifeless anyway). If you have to send us drawings you copied from photos, make sure you still have lots of examples of life drawing and sketchbook work.

Good Luck!

Important Dates and Deadlines

Fall 2025

• Apply to Capilano University before submitting your portfolio to SlideRoom. 
• Portfolios submitted without a corresponding University program application will not be reviewed. 
• The deadline for uploading a portfolio is 11:59 p.m. on March 11, 2025.
• Only portfolios uploaded to SlideRoom will be reviewed. 

Applicants are encouraged to attend one of our free open house sessions before applying in order to see the facilities, talk to students, observe their work and ask questions about our programs.

You've already sent digital copies of your transcripts to EducationPlannerBC as part of your CapU application, but we also need physical copies of your official high school, college or university transcripts.

If you're applying to CapU as a new student, you can use your myCapU account to apply for entrance awards.

Please send your official documents to:

Capilano University
Centre for International Experience, Room LB127
2055 Purcell Way
North Vancouver, B.C.
V7J 3H5

Official documents may include:

If you are accepted into a program, you will receive a letter of offer in your myCapU email inbox.

• You will need to confirm your acceptance into the program by paying a tuition deposit outlined in your letter of offer.
• This deposit will go towards your first-semester tuition once you are registered for courses at CapU.

After paying your tuition deposit, you will receive a letter of acceptance in your myCapU inbox. This may be used to apply for, or renew, a study permit.

• Depending on your citizenship, you may also need to apply for an entry visa.

Once you've been accepted into a program and have applied for your study permit, you'll need to start planning your courses.

• You will be notified of your acceptance through your CapU email and your myCapU account.
• View our page for admitted international students to learn how to prepare for your first day.