Character Design For Animation Production

with Ryan J Neal

This one week course explores character design in the context of professional 2D animation production. Through practical exercises, design challenges, and professional-style character briefs, students will learn how audience, animation method, and production requirements influence the design process.

Covering pre-school, children’s, and adult animation, the course focuses on creating designs in Clip Studio Paint that not only look appealing, but also support performance, storytelling, animation, and production workflow. Students will analyse and improve existing designs before developing original characters of their own.

Explore character design across pre-school, children’s, and adult animation productions.

Learn how design choices affect animation, rigging, performance, and production workflow.

Develop critical design skills through analysis, critique, and redesign exercises.

Create portfolio-ready character development work, including a turnaround model sheet and expression sheet.

Work and receive in-person training in an established production studio setting from an experienced industry professional.

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Course Details

26th – 30th October 2026

9.30AM – 4.30PM

£750 (inc. VAT)

The Course Leader

Ryan has nearly 25 years of experience in the animation industry, including time working professionally in comics. He has contributed to projects for clients including the BBC, RTÉ, Adult Swim, Panini, Crayola and Games Workshop, and to franchises such as Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, He-Man, Marvel, Ben 10 and Warhammer 40,000.

Having worked across most areas of the 2D animation pipeline, Ryan has particular expertise in animation, character design and CelAction rigging. Since 2020, he has worked predominantly as a Director, most recently as Assistant Director on Pablo: Next Level.

Key Information

How long is the course?

The course will run for 5 days in-house from 9.30am to 4.30pm, with a break for lunch.

Where is the course hosted?

Our course is run from our Animation Studio right in the heart of Cardiff City Centre. We’re easy to find on Google Maps and 10 minutes from Cardiff Central if you’re journeying via bus or train.

If you’re driving, there are a number of car parks to choose from, you can get all day deals in some such as St. David’s and the Capitol Centre.

Who is this course for?

This is for people who wish to further develop their understanding of the programme/skill in a production environment. Where a specific software is required, having some basic knowledge of the programme or experience with another animation software may help you get the most out of the course.

Is financial assistance available?

Depending on your circumstances, you may be eligible for Professional Development Funding. Please see the Support section below.

What if I can’t make all of the days?

This course is taught in-person at our Cardiff-based studio. We have lots of courses planned throughout the calendar year, so don’t worry if you can’t make this one. Please keep an eye on social media for forthcoming dates.

Do you offer refunds?

We cannot offer refunds except in exceptional circumstances and this is at the discretion of the Academy.

Support

We aim to keep our courses as affordable as possible. Whilst the Creative Wales Bursary is currently unavailable, you may be still eligible for other Professional Development Funding. Follow the link to learn more about the external funding opportunities that are available, which may provide additional support if you meet the relevant criteria.

Cloth Cat Academy was established with support from the Welsh Government via Creative Wales.

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