The School of Digital Arts, Animation and Design at the University of Quebec at Chicoutimi (ÃÂcole des arts numériques, de l'animation et du design de l'Université du Québec àChicoutimi, often referred to as ÃÂcole NAD or ÃÂcole NAD-UQAC) is a university campus in Montreal, Canada, offering academic programs and research in 3D animation, visual effects, design and digital arts.
For over 25 years, ÃÂcole NAD educated thousands of 3D animators working for reputable companies around the world in different industries (or various sectors): film, television and video games. As one of the oldest 3D animation and VFX schools in the Quebec province, it has trained over 2000 students worldwide in the past two decades.
Founded in 1992 by Cégep de Jonquière, the school was formerly called Centre national d'animation et de design (or Centre NAD) and originally a private institution giving college training in 3D computer graphics. This center notably developed the first course content authorized by Softimage.
Since 2008, it has become a campus of the University of Quebec in Chicoutimi (UQAC) and was renamed ÃÂcole NAD-UQAC. It has since then offered public undergraduate and graduate programs in 3D animation and digital design.
ÃÂcole NAD-UQAC trains digital artists who, upon graduation, not only work for the cinema and video game industries, but can also work in the simulation industry and wherever three-dimensional representations are needed: medical domain, flight simulation for pilots, architectural visualization, etc. 80% of graduates are employed within 6âÂÂ12 months of graduation.
Highly involved in Montreal's VFX and game industry, ÃÂcole NAD is partners with film and game companies, such as Rodeo FX, Ubisoft Montréal, Hybride Technologies, etc. NAD participates in many professional activities such as Visual Effects Society and SIGGRAPH chapter activities, MHUG (Montreal Houdini User Group), weekly conferences and reviews by key talent from local companies and instructors.
Starting fall 2019, the campus has moved to the ÃÂlot Balmoral at the heart of Quartier des spectacles in downtown Montreal, sharing the building with the National Film Board of Canada. Together these two organizations occupy more than 2/3 of the space available at the building. With the help of the Ministère de lâÂÂÃÂducation et de lâÂÂEnseignement supérieur, UQAC invested $40M out of its budget of $110M into this move, which was one of the biggest investments in the history of the university. The school now possesses 5 production zones, 7 classrooms, one amphitheater and 3 studios, including one green-screen studio, one lighting/photography studio, and one studio for virtual reality and motion capture.
The school was formerly located at 405 Ogilvy Avenue in Parc-Extension.
NAD offers a 3 years Bachelor of Numerical Arts degree in 3D animation and in digital design consisting of 90 credits. Two concentrations are offered: visual effects for film and television or video game. This program is limited to 64 students by concentration, totaling in a maximum of 128 students per graduating class. Programs are offered in French and open to international students.
The school also offers a short undergraduate 30-credit program for initiation to 3D conceptualization, the Certificate in 3D animation and digital design.
The school offers two graduate programs: Specialized Diploma (Diplôme dâÂÂétudes spécialisées â DESS) in Narrative Video Game Design, plus a Master of Arts orientated towards research and development in 3D animation and digital design.
NAD gives varied training programs.
The school also regularly offers introductory 3D creation day camps in Montreal for children and teenagers. In partnership with Ubisoft, ÃÂcole NAD-UQAC also gives summer camps at Magog in Quebec.
Through its partnership with Tianjin University of Technology in China, NAD's VFX courses have been taught to Chinese students since 2012.
NAD-UQAC offers exchange programs in France and Belgium with various European institutions such as ENJMIN, EMCA, HEAJ, HOWEST and Brassard Schools.