Art and Design

Diploma in Animation and Digital Media Technology

The Diploma in Animation and Digital Media Technology is a programme that equips students with skills in digital animation, multimedia design and digital media production. Offered at Pan Africa Christian University through the PAC Institute of Technology and Social Studies, the programme combines creative design skills with technical competencies in animation and digital media.

The curriculum covers 2D and 3D animation, digital illustration, character design, storyboarding, motion graphics, video editing, visual effects, digital photography, graphic design, web design, sound design, interactive media, game design basics, scriptwriting, project management, communication skills, ICT and entrepreneurship. Students develop both creative artistic skills and technical digital media competencies.

Kenya's growing creative economy and digital media sector require skilled animators and digital media designers who can create content for film, television, advertising, gaming, education and online platforms. The programme responds to the need for creative professionals who can produce digital media content using modern animation and design tools.

The programme is delivered through lectures, computer laboratory sessions, studio practicals, project-based learning and industrial attachment. Students gain hands-on experience in animation production, digital design, video editing and multimedia development through extensive laboratory sessions and creative projects.

Graduates pursue careers as animators, motion graphics designers, video editors, graphic designers, digital media producers, multimedia developers, content creators and visual effects assistants in advertising agencies, media houses, production companies, gaming studios, educational content developers and freelance practice. They can also progress to a Bachelor of Arts in Film, Animation or related degree programmes.

Prospective students should have creative ability, visual aptitude and interest in digital technology. The programme is suitable for students seeking a practical foundation in animation and digital media for employment or further study.

Duration: 2 years
Public, up to: Ksh 110,330
Private, up to: Ksh 200,000
Job market: Moderate

The programme

What you study, how long it takes, and how it is delivered.

Practicalities

Study mode: Full-time
Attachment: 3 months
Average class: 20 students
Award: Diploma

What you study

8 subjects

2D and 3D Animation
Digital Illustration and Character Design
Motion Graphics and Visual Effects
Video Editing and Digital Photography
Graphic Design and Web Design
Sound Design and Interactive Media
Storyboarding and Scriptwriting
Project Management and Entrepreneurship

Modules

8 in the programme

Animation Fundamentals and Digital Illustration
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers animation principles, 2D animation basics, digital illustration, character design, storyboarding and introduction to animation software.
Graphic Design and Web Design
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers graphic design principles, typography, layout design, digital imaging, web design fundamentals and user interface design.
3D Animation and Motion Graphics
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers 3D modelling, texturing, rigging, 3D animation, motion graphics, kinetic typography and compositing techniques.
Video Editing and Visual Effects
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers video editing techniques, colour correction, visual effects, compositing, green screen techniques and post-production workflows.
Sound Design and Interactive Media
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers sound design, audio editing, music for media, interactive media design, game design basics and user experience design.
Scriptwriting and Digital Photography
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers scriptwriting for animation, narrative structure, digital photography, cinematography basics and visual storytelling.
Project Management and Entrepreneurship
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers project management for media projects, entrepreneurship in creative industries, freelancing, client management and business planning.
Industrial Attachment and Portfolio Project
Year 2Semester 26 creditsCore
A three-month industrial attachment at a media house, production company or advertising agency, assessed through an attachment report and a portfolio of creative work.

Specialisations

3D Animation
Focuses on 3D modelling, rigging, animation and rendering for careers in 3D animation studios and game development.
Motion Graphics
Specialises in motion graphics, visual effects and compositing for careers in advertising and broadcast media.
Video Production
Focuses on video editing, post-production and visual storytelling for careers in film and video production.
Interactive Media
Specialises in interactive media design, game design and user experience for careers in game development and digital media.

A day as a student

A typical day begins with a morning lecture on animation principles or character design, followed by a computer laboratory session using animation software such as Maya or After Effects. Afternoon sessions may include a practical exercise on motion graphics, a group project creating a short animated sequence, or a studio session on digital photography. Students also work on storyboarding assignments and video editing projects.

The trade offs

In its favour

The programme combines creative and technical skills, preparing graduates for the growing digital media and creative economy in Kenya.
The programme includes hands-on training with industry-standard software, ensuring graduates are job-ready with practical skills.
Graduates can work as freelancers, offering flexibility and entrepreneurship opportunities in the creative sector.

Against it

The programme is offered at only one university, limiting study location options.
The creative industry can be competitive, requiring a strong portfolio and continuous skill development to secure good opportunities.

What it costs

Tuition at both ends of the market, and how to pay for it.

What it costs, and where

Against 73 art and design courses

Public67k to 110k

67k at Okame Technical and Vocational College110k at Kenyatta University (Diploma in Digital Animation)

Private200k to 200k

200k at Africa Digital Media Institute200k at Africa Digital Media Institute

Annual tuition in Kenyan shillings, rounded. The upright tick is the median for this field, so a bar sitting entirely to its right is an expensive programme by the standards of its own subject.

The fine print

ADMI 200K/yr private. KU 110K/yr, Okame TVC public (ku.ac.ke, kenyaplex).

Students can access HELB loans. PAC University may offer internal financial aid for qualifying students.

Funding options

HELB Loan

Scholarships

1 recorded

HELB Loan
LoanKsh 40,000Kenyan
Kenyan students enrolled in accredited programmes at recognised institutions

Getting in

The grades, the alternatives, and who accredits the award.

What you need

KCSE mean grade: C-
Alternative entry: Certificate in a related field from a recognised institution.

How you are assessed

4 components

Continuous Assessment Tests
Written examination20% of the mark
Mid-semester and end-of-semester written tests covering animation theory, design principles and digital media concepts.
Practical Projects
Practicum50% of the mark
Assessment of laboratory practical sessions including animation exercises, design projects and video editing assignments.
Portfolio Project
Project50% of the mark
A comprehensive portfolio of creative work demonstrating skills in animation, design and digital media production.
Industrial Attachment Report
Practicum100% of the mark
Assessment of performance during industrial attachment at a media house, production company or advertising agency.

Accreditation

Offered at PAC Institute, a constituent college of PAC University, registered under the TVET Act. Assessed by TVET CDACC.

Accredited by

TVET CDACC
AcademicRequired
Offered at PAC Institute, a constituent college of PAC University, registered under the TVET Act. Assessed by TVET CDACC.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

4 roles

Animator
Moderate demandKsh 40,000 to Ksh 150,000
Creates 2D and 3D animations for film, television, advertising, educational content and online platforms using industry-standard software.
Motion Graphics Designer
Moderate demandKsh 38,000 to Ksh 130,000
Creates motion graphics, animated content and visual effects for advertising, broadcast media and corporate communications.
Video Editor
Moderate demandKsh 35,000 to Ksh 120,000
Edits video content for film, television, online platforms and corporate media, handling post-production including editing, colour and sound.
Digital Media Producer
Low demandKsh 42,000 to Ksh 140,000
Produces digital media content including animations, videos, graphics and interactive media for organisations and media platforms.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates work as animators, motion graphics designers and video editors in advertising agencies, media houses, production companies and freelance practice.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

Adobe After Effects
ToolPrimary
Autodesk Maya
Tool
Adobe Premiere Pro
Tool

Certifications

TVET CDACC — Competency-Based Certification

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Animation is just about drawing cartoons.
Animation encompasses 2D and 3D animation, motion graphics, visual effects, character design, storyboarding and interactive media, requiring both artistic and technical skills.
There are no career opportunities for animators in Kenya.
Kenya's growing creative economy, advertising sector, film industry and digital media platforms create demand for skilled animators and digital media designers.
You need to be a great artist to study animation.
While artistic ability is helpful, the programme teaches digital design skills, software proficiency and creative techniques that can be developed through practice and instruction.
Animation and digital media is a hobby, not a career.
Animation and digital media is a growing professional field with career opportunities in advertising, film, television, gaming, education, corporate communications and freelance practice.