Australian College of the Arts

Australian College of the Arts, operating under the name Collarts, is an independent tertiary education provider based in Victoria and New South Wales. Originating in 1993 as AusMusic, the institution has expanded across creative disciplines including visual effects, 2D animation, game design, and screen production. Operating as an Institute of Higher Education, Collarts delivers diplomas and bachelor's degrees using an accelerated trimester calendar that allows students to complete a three-year bachelor's qualification in two years of full-time study, or an eight-month diploma.

Digital Production and Animation

Collarts approaches digital arts training through hands-on technical pipelines and mentorship from active practitioners.

The Animation and VFX pathway focuses on 3D computer graphics, character modeling, texturing, and digital compositing. Technical instruction is anchored in industry-standard tools, with students developing practical workflows in Maya for modeling and rigging, Nuke for node-based compositing, and Houdini for procedural simulation and visual effects. The curriculum is delivered in collaboration with CG Spectrum, connecting students with working artists from studios such as ILM, Weta Digital, Blizzard, and Disney.

The Bachelor of 2D Animation concentrates on frame-by-frame movement, visual storytelling, and character expression for broadcast television, independent gaming, and digital media. Training includes direct interaction and masterclasses with industry figures, including directors from Princess Bento Studio.

Interactive Entertainment and Game Design

Collarts structures its game design qualifications around both digital engines and analog game systems. The curriculum spans three primary streams:

• Contexts: Examines player cultures, game history, and the broader social and ethical dimensions of play.
• Principles: Explores core mechanics, interactive narrative structure, and rule design.
• Practice: Develops technical user experience (UX) workflows, interface design, level design, and playable digital prototypes.

Students design physical board games, card games, and live-action role-playing rules alongside digital video game projects. This mixed approach emphasizes systems thinking, balance, and player feedback before advancing into digital engine implementation. Student prototypes are also showcased externally at major events including PAX AUS and The Games Expo.

Interdisciplinary Production and Campus Facilities

Interdisciplinary collaboration is integrated directly into student projects. In collaborative initiatives like "The Sound of Collarts"—a cinema advertisement produced for the Melbourne International Film Festival—animation students collaborate alongside cinematographers, sound designers, and project managers to simulate studio production pipelines.

Collarts operates across multiple campuses tailored to distinct media specializations:

• Cromwell Street (Collingwood): Houses screen media, animation, and game design facilities with open collaborative spaces and dedicated computer labs.
• Wellington Street (Collingwood): The flagship Melbourne hub featuring live performance spaces, audio suites, and professional recording studios.
• George Street (Fitzroy): Provides studio spaces designed as cross-disciplinary meeting points for performing arts and design.
• Brunswick Street (Fitzroy): Outfitted for music production and audio engineering with dedicated rehearsal and mixing spaces.
• Waterloo Campus (Sydney): Located near central Sydney, this dedicated screen production facility includes professional sound stages, screening rooms, and production spaces.

Study options include on-campus, blended, and fully online study modes across several degrees, supporting both local and remote students.