Toonboom Harmony Course Starts 28 March

Escape Studios is launching a brand-new 12 Week 2D Animation Short Course in Toonboom Harmony starting on 28 March 2022.

Learn the to become an animator using Toonboom Harmony, one of the leading software packages for the creation of 2D animation.

In recent years 2D animation has experienced a significant revival, both in the UK and overseas, as Studios such as Blue Zoo, Aardman Animation, and Brown Bag Films adopt the software.

Artwork by Blue Zoo

Toonboom Harmony
2D Animation is experiencing a big comeback, with many 2D productions being animated in the UK.

In particular, Blue Zoo, Aardman Animation, and Brown Bag Films in Manchester all use Toonboom Harmony as their principal 2D animation platform.

Flexible Software
Toonboom Harmony is a very flexible software package, that allows the user to combined 2D rigged puppet-style animation with the ability to add hand-draw elements in the traditional way. 

Animation Basics
The course will cover the locomotion and mechanics in animation, and also 2D rigging, and aims to get students familiar with the software, to enable them to apply for the many studios in the UK and overseas that are embracing this software package.  No prior knowledge of the software is required.

Tutor - Iliana Franklin

Iliana Franklin

The Harmony class is taught by Iliana Franklin, a veteran animator and storyboard artist who has worked in the animation industry for over 30 years.  Iliana's feature credits include The Tale of Desperaux, A Monkey’s Tale (1999) and The Princess and the Pea (2002).  

Iliana also runs her own production company Mediaframe, a UK based creative consultancy, specializing in content development and production for illustrative, interactive and screen based media.

Toonboom Harmony licenses
Toonboom have agreed an exclusive arrangement for Escape students - an extended period over and above the usual trial period for a Harmony license.  This means that our students can download the software and practice at home what they have learned in class over the full period of the course.

Jobs for 2D Animators
2D Animation is experiencing a big revival, with many productions  being animated right here in London. Blue Zoo in particular has been recruiting junior animators with Harmony experience.  We also have had invaluable support from London's Karrot Animation, who have provided us with character rigs for use in the course.

Course outline

Toonboom Harmony Class at Escape Studios

Week 1 - Introduction and assessment

Week 2 - Animation basics

Week 3 - Basic rigging and vectorizing

Week 4 - Animation with rig, starting up

Week 5 - Animation with rig, walk cycle

Week 6 - Animation with rig, acting 

Week 7 - Advanced character animation

Week 8 - Animation reel groundwork

Week 9 - Animation reel work and feedback (1st pass)

Week 10 - Animation reel work and feedback (2nd pass)

Week 11 - Basic comping 

Week 12 - Animation reel work polish and feedback

Industry Mentor

DNEG - Industry Mentor

We are delighted that DNEG are confirmed as our industry mentor for this course. 

Where and When
Start date: 28 March 2022
Mode of study: Full time
Programme duration: 12 weeks

Official page

To sign up, follow this link. 

Free Toonboom Harmony License and Online resources
In the meantime, check out some of the online Harmony resources available here.  Toonboom have released a free home version of their software for student use, initially for 30 days, but this was extended for the duration of the pandemic.

Birds Connect Our World
Finally, to see what kind of animation can be done in Harmony, watch the short film "Birds Connect Our World" created by Escapee Lilian Fu, who took our evening class in Harmony in 2020.





The Escape Studios Animation Blog offers a personal view on the art of animation and visual effects. To find out more about our new BA/MArt, now recruiting for September 2022, follow this link.   To apply, visit the offical page here.