De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde

De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde (DLS-CSB), commonly known as Benilde, is an autonomous, private Catholic college in Manila, Philippines. Operating within the De La Salle Philippines network, the institution distinguishes itself by focusing on applied arts, digital media, interactive entertainment, and learner-centered instruction tailored to diverse talents.

Creative media programs are concentrated within the School of New Media Arts (SNMA), based primarily at the dedicated Design and Arts Campus. The college provides foundational and specialized production training across animation, interactive entertainment, and visual design.

Creative Academic Programs

• Bachelor of Arts in Animation: Spanning 10 trimesters, this program covers the full animation pipeline from concept art and visual development to 2D/3D asset generation and post-production. Recognized as a Toon Boom Center of Excellence, it emphasizes industry-standard 2D production techniques alongside 3D character animation. Practical training is reinforced through studio collaborations, including initiatives with local commercial studios such as Toon City Animation.

• Bachelor of Science in Game Design and Development: Structured across 10 trimesters, the BS-GDD degree divides into two distinct tracks: Game Programming (focused on game mechanics, physics, AI, and engine scripting in Unity and Unreal Engine) and Game Art (concentrating on 2D/3D art pipelines, environment modeling, sculpting, and UI/UX design using Maya, Blender, ZBrush, and the Substance 3D suite). Both pathways incorporate game business, studio pipeline practices, and project management.

• Bachelor of Arts in Multimedia Arts: A 9-trimester interdisciplinary degree established over 25 years ago, integrating graphic design, motion media, photography, video, and web development.

• Professional Diploma in 3D Animation Production: Offered through the School of Professional and Continuing Education (SPaCE), this targeted modular track covers 3D asset modeling, lighting, rendering in Autodesk Maya, and virtual garment visualization using Clo3D.

Studio Facilities and Technology

Instruction takes place primarily at the Design and Arts Campus on Pablo Ocampo Street in Malate. Designed by Lor Calma & Partners, the 14-storey architectural facility incorporates open gallery spaces, light-filled studios, and high-ceiling work areas designed to facilitate studio critique and collaborative production.

Computing infrastructure includes Alienware and Acer Predator workstations configured for real-time engine workflows, 3D rendering, and simulation. The school integrates Wacom Cintiq displays, Toon Boom Harmony rigs, extended reality headsets (HTC Vive and Meta Quest), and campus-wide access to the Adobe Creative Cloud suite.