- 1st year (3D)
- 2nd year (3D)
- 3rd year (3D)
Dessinateur 3D
Updated 06/06/2025
To acquire skills in digital illustration, concept art, and 3D image animation for animated film, video games, motion design, and video mapping.
A 3-year program leading to a Level 6 state-recognised diploma (equivalent to a Bachelor's degree).
Keys informations
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State recognition and qualification certification;
Program overview
The Dessinateur 3D diploma (Bac+3 / Level 6) leads to careers in both 3D still imagery (illustration, comics, concept art, etc.) and 3D animated imagery (animation, video games, motion design, video mapping).
Students are guided through the two key foundations of the profession: first acquiring academic drawing skills, then learning how to give volume and stage their work using industry-standard 3D software.
Over the course of the three-year program, students will acquire the following skills:
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Design and produce 3D still and animated images
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Interpret and apply an artistic direction in three dimensions
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Animate, light, and post-produce 3D scenes, ensuring originality and high-quality rendering
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Manage a full 3D production, both individually and as part of a team
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Create efficient 3D workflows based on specific production requirements
To learn more about the skill blocks and validation options, click here.
Students complete a 22- to 24-week internship in a professional studio. At the end of the program, they present their individual final project and internship report in two separate oral defenses before a professional jury.
In addition, the school organises a dedicated recruitment day, helping students transition directly into the workforce.
Details on accessible careers and employment outcomes can be found on our France Compétences listing.
This certification is available through initial training, continuing education, or via the VAE (Validation of Prior Experience) process.
En savoir + sur chaque année
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Year 1 of the Dessinateur 3D program focuses on acquiring the fundamentals of observational drawing, learning 2D/3D digital tools, and developing a general understanding of digital image culture.
The year’s teaching approach is centred on developing the student’s visual awareness, applied to both physical and virtual imagery.
In practice, most exercises begin with a 2D study and continue in 3D. The aim is to train students to work seamlessly between paper and screen. They learn to “switch” between graphic environments, beginning their creative process in 2D and continuing it in 3D — all while maintaining the same level of visual quality and precision.
By the end of the first year, students will have gained key competencies, including:
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Proficiency with Maya, Mudbox, and Photoshop
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Understanding of how to transition between 2D and 3D workflows
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Skills in modeling mechanical and organic objects, texturing, creating textures in Photoshop, and mapping them in 3D
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Foundations in 2D animation, and introductory knowledge in 3D animation, lighting, and rendering
Important: Admission to Year 1 of the 3D Designer program requires prior experience in observational drawing, typically acquired in a foundation or preparatory art program.
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In the second year, students learn to transition from realistic representations of drawn or animated 3D objects to the design of imagined mechanical or organic forms — all in service of storytelling.
2D drawing courses shift toward narrative drawing, focusing on staging environments and characters, whether observed or invented.
3D modeling classes introduce object design as a form of advanced digital sculpture, tailored for video games or animated films. For example, in an adventure game context, students may be asked to design a car without referencing real-world automotive brands, or to create props that reflect a specific artistic movement. The program also strengthens skills in texturing and animation techniques.
Students participate in production exercises for other classes, simulating subcontracted work to learn how to follow an existing artistic direction and contribute to group projects.
Also in Year 2, the use of 3D printing allows students to bring their screen-based creations into physical form, helping them better understand volume, proportion, and perspective.
By the end of the year, students have acquired the technical skills needed to undertake a personal project in their final year.
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In the final year, students carry out a graduation project that showcases their drawing skills and presents a personal creative work in one of the following fields: video games, animated film, web, comics, or illustration.
Project supervision plays a central role in the schedule, particularly production management, which is a key step in the creation of 3D images or animations. During the final presentation, students must clearly communicate their creative process, artistic approach, and the technical methods they used.
A portion of the third-year curriculum is also dedicated to professional development and communication: preparing for job interviews, building a portfolio, sharing work online, understanding professional statuses (freelance, employee, etc.), and learning how to issue quotes and invoices.
The final year includes a mandatory six-month internship in a professional studio.