Digital Film Design – Animation & VFX
Why Study Digital Film Design & Animation?
Animation, VFX, CGI, and AI — shape the visual worlds of tomorrow!
Want to bring characters to life, build digital worlds, and blend real film footage with visual effects? Passionate about animation, film, 3D, and emerging creative technologies? This Digital Film Design degree program combines artistic design, storytelling, and professional digital production.
You’ll learn how an initial idea develops into a visual story, from concept and storyboarding through 3D modeling, character animation, and simulation all the way to VFX, compositing, and post-production. You’ll work with industry-standard software and apply the latest AI tools strategically in creative production processes. Your skills will open doors for you in the fields of film and television, advertising, gaming, social media, digital brand communication, and many other industries.
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Duration
ECTS points
Degree
Start
Language
Campus
Berlin (EN)
Düsseldorf (DE)
Format
Düsseldorf (On site)
Monthly fees
Your Program
Your VFX & Animation Journey
Here, you'll discover the full range of 3D animation, film design, and visual effects. You'll bring characters, objects, and entire digital worlds to life, animate movement, and blend real footage with computer-generated magic. Along the way, you'll combine creative storytelling with CGI, compositing, simulation, real-time technology, and AI-powered workflows.
Seven focus areas will shape your journey:
1. Film, animation, and digital design
You'll bring together film design, 3D animation, visual effects, and digital technology — building both a strong creative eye and the technical skills to make your ideas real.
2. Learning by doing, from day one
You won't wait years to create something real. You'll work on your own film, animation, and VFX projects early on — blending real footage with digital elements, taking on real team roles, and carrying productions from first idea to final result.
3. Industry software, powered by AI
You'll get hands-on with the tools the pros use — Autodesk Maya, Adobe After Effects, Nuke, and Houdini. On top of that, you'll learn to use AI tools for idea generation, visual development, previsualization, image and video production, and streamlining your creative workflow.
4. Real teamwork, real production
Film and animation are never a solo act. Alongside your creative and technical skills, you'll build communication, project management, and real collaboration — working the way professional production teams actually do.
5. From character design to final composite
Your studies cover it all: concept, camera, lighting, 3D modeling, texturing, character design, animation, simulation, rendering, compositing, and visual effects. You'll get to explore every role in a production and find where your own passion fits best.
6. AI, real-time, and the future of media
You'll dive into what's next — artificial intelligence, virtual reality, augmented reality, game engines, and real-time technology. And you'll learn to use these tools creatively, critically, and responsibly in your own work.
7. Your demo reel, built step by step
Throughout your studies, you'll build something real: a portfolio and demo reel that shows exactly what you can do. Your professors, lecturers, and our Career Service will be right there with you — helping you present your work professionally and get ready for your first step into the creative and media industry.
You can look forward to:
VFX & Animation Studies in Berlin and Düsseldorf
You can complete your Digital Film Design – Animation & VFX degree at Mediadesign University in Berlin or Düsseldorf. At both locations, you'll work in a creative environment, building your own films, animations, and digital worlds together with fellow students.
You'll learn from experienced industry professionals who bring their real-world knowledge — in Animation, CGI, Visual Effects, Film, Advertising, and Digital production — straight into the classroom. At Campus Düsseldorf, you'll work alongside Prof. Michael Klein, an animation pioneer, CGI specialist, and founder of the award-winning studio Virtual Republic. He combines years of hands-on experience with the latest developments in artificial intelligence, real-time animation, and modern production workflows.
Both campuses give you professional workstations and modern technology for 3D Production, Animation, Film, Editing, and Post-production — so you can bring your own ideas to life and start building work for your personal portfolio and demo reel while you're still a student.
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Why Study Digital Film Design at mdh?
Because here, your creative ideas don't just stay ideas - You bring them to life, the professional way! Your studies blend film design and storytelling with 3D-Animation, CGI, Visual Effects, Compositing, and the latest AI tools.
Alongside fellow students, you'll create your own film, animation, and VFX projects — working in teams that feel just like real production studios. Your instructors stay by your side every step of the way, from your very first idea through design and technical execution, all the way to presenting your finished project.
You'll learn from instructors with years of real experience in the creative and film industries. The program's network includes names like Prof. Michael Klein, founder of Virtual Republic, and Prof. Michael Coldewey, co-founder of the internationally acclaimed VFX studio TRIXTER. Their careers show exactly how creative vision, technological skill, and real production experience come together.
By the end of your studies, you won't just have a degree — you'll have your own creative voice, a professional portfolio, and a demo reel that shows what you can do. And when it's time to take the next step, mdh's Career Development Centre is right there to help you move from student life into your professional career.
Alumnus Markus Frank - Digital Film Design (B.A.)
Head of VFX-Department / VFX-Supervisor, Cine Chromatix, Berlin
"The mdh is characterized by its practice-oriented teaching concept. The lecturers are experienced professionals from the industry who pass on their expertise with great enthusiasm and commitment. They gave me valuable insights into the different areas of media and helped me develop my own skills."
Alumna Patricia Feldmann - Digital Film Design (B.A.)
Chief Operating Officer, Cine Chromatix, Berlin
"I benefited in many ways from my studies at mdh. Above all, it was important for me to go through each area once. This was possible due to the many different projects. Our student teams were structured like they are in the real working life. That helped me a lot to find my way."
What our partner companies say
Trixter
"The students of the mdh have a broad range of basic knowledge. Furthermore, their ability to work in a team and adapt quickly allows them to be integrated into ongoing productions. Therefore, we gladly accept mdh students as interns and, following their studies, as junior artists in our team."
Christina Caspers-Roemer, Head of Studio & Business Development
Trickstudio Lutterbeck
"The students of mdh are well qualified. We look forward to hiring more!"
Christian Asmussen, Production Manager
Application requirements
Enrollment Requirements
- Higher Education Entrance Qualification (Abitur) or equivalent diploma, i.e. IB or A-levels (check with our counseling department whether your diploma qualifies)
- Proof of English: CEFR B2, PTE 52, TOEFL IPT 543, TOEFL IBT 60, IELTS 5.5, Duolingo 95, MOI/English Proficiency Letter.
Information for applicants from abroad: You have the possibility to check your international certificates independently in advance via uni-assist and to inform yourself about the requirements for your admission: TO UNI-ASSIST
>> International applicants who have not met the necessary HZB requirements need to complete the MDH preparatory programme for admission to a higher education programme at MDH.
Personal Requirements
- Creativity and imagination
- A feel for aesthetics and an eye for design quality
- Interest in filming trends and audiovisual media
- Being a team player
Your personality and talents are more important than top grades!
Please apply via e-Mail (or regular mail). This is what we need from you:
- A motivation letter (tell us what inspires you – ca. 1 page)
- Representative work samples (Sketches, pictures, collages or early work, etc…)
- Relevant grade reports as well as a resume with your current photo
- You may apply during the school year (even before secondary school graduation)
- Graduation diploma can be submitted after completion of your secondary school
Tuition Fees
- Campus Berlin: English language program: EU citizens: 3.540,00 EUR/Semester | Non-EU citizens: 6.300,00 EUR/Semester (with foundation programme 6.700,00 EUR/Semester)
- Campus Düsseldorf: German language program: EU-Citizens: 3.540,00 EUR/Semester | Non-EU citizens: 6.300,00 EUR/Semester
For all courses we charge a one-time registration fee of 490,00 EUR and a one-time examination fee of 1.050,00 EUR.
For non-EU citizens, the one-time examination fee of 1.050,00 EUR is included in the tuition price.
What You'll Learn in the Digital Film Design Bachelor – From First Sketch to Wow Effect!
In Digital Film Design, you'll build the creative, cinematic, and technical skills you need for professional animation and visual effects. You'll start with the fundamentals — drawing, typography, visual composition, and storytelling — then work your way into 3D modeling, Character Design, Animation, Simulation, Lighting, Rendering, and Compositing.
You'll get hands-on with professional software like Autodesk Maya, Adobe After Effects, Nuke, and Houdini. Alongside that, you'll learn how to use the latest AI tools and AI-powered production methods — discovering how they support idea development, visual development, previsualization, creating variations, and image and video production, all while working alongside classic CGI and VFX techniques.
You'll put your knowledge to work right away, in exercises and real projects. Together with your team, you'll develop film and animation projects, blend real footage with digital elements, and work through every phase of a professional production: Concept, Planning, Design, Technical execution, Post-production, and final Presentation.
Throughout your studies, you'll build your own personal Portfolio and Demo reel — your chance to show studios, agencies, and future employers not just your technical skills, but your unique creative voice.
Core skills you'll gain along the way include:
* 3D animation and 3D modeling
* Film design and visual storytelling
* Visual effects and compositing
* Character design and character animation
* Texturing, lighting, and rendering
* Simulation and technical animation
* Camera, lighting, sound, and editing
* AI-powered creative production processes
* Virtual reality and augmented reality
* Game engines and real-time applications
* Project development and team production
* Portfolio and demo reel development
Insights
Our showreel
Exhibition Hall
"Pink Pals" (Digital Film Design)
This bachelor film was created within only 12 weeks.
"Pink Pals" (Digital Film Design)
Bachelor thesis in the form of a group work.
Odysseus (Digital Film Design)
Science Fiction Film in Space
Home (Digital Film Design)
"Home" calls for better protection of our planet and all its inhabitants.
Hoverbike (Digital Film Design)
Tech Project from the 4th semester.
Viral (Digtial Film Design)
This graduation film takes a critical look at our social media consumption.
Still Life (Digital Film Design)
Still life from the 1st semester.
Still Life (Digital Film Design)
Digital still life, 1st semester
Who is the Digital Film Design program intended for?
Are you passionate about Films, Animations, Visual Effects, and Digital Image Design? Would you like to develop your own characters and stories, or enhance live-action footage with 3D, CGI, and VFX? Then Digital Film Design offers you the opportunity to combine your creative passion with modern technology.
At mdh, we look forward to welcoming:
- creative talents, who enjoy designing, drawing, photography, filmmaking, or developing stories,
- technically curious individuals, who want to learn more about 3D software, animation, visual effects, and AI tools,
- visual storytellers, who want to create their own characters, worlds, and moving images,
- team players, who want to collaborate on larger film and animation projects.
You don’t need to have professional-level knowledge of 3D or VFX software before starting your studies. What matters most are curiosity, creativity, an interest in moving images, and a willingness to familiarize yourself with creative and technical processes.
Your career prospects
Your Career Path After Studying Visual Effects & Animation
With a degree in Digital Film Design, you can work anywhere moving images, animation, digital worlds, and visual effects come to life. That means film and VFX studios, advertising agencies, game studios, media companies, social media teams, and the digital communication departments of major brands.
Your studies prepare you for real production work — from 3D modeling and animation to lighting, simulation, and compositing, all the way through post-production, real-time applications, and AI-powered workflows. Your projects and your own demo reel become your proof — showing future employers exactly what you can create, both technically and creatively.
mdh graduates have already worked on internationally known productions like Cloud Atlas and All Quiet on the Western Front. Alumnus Markus Frank now works as Head of VFX and VFX Supervisor at Cine Chromatix. His career is proof of what's possible when creative talent, technical skill, and real teamwork come together.
And film is just the beginning.
Advertising, digital marketing, and corporate communication are all hungry for great video content, motion design, 3D animation, and visual effects. Brands need striking visuals for campaigns, product launches, social media, events, and digital platforms — and that's where you come in.
Your skills also open doors in gaming, product and architectural visualization, automotive, e-learning, virtual reality, and real-time production. New AI tools are expanding these fields even further, but they'll never replace the creative judgment you bring: the ability to evaluate ideas, develop them, and bring them to life professionally.
Career paths you could take:
* 3D Artist
* 3D Animator
* VFX Artist
* Compositor
* FX Artist
* Motion Designer
* CG Generalist
* Lighting and Look Development Artist
* Technical Artist
* Postproduction Artist
* Video Content Creator
* VFX Coordinator
Where You Could Work: Industries & Companies
Classic employers:
1. Film, animation, and VFX studios
2. TV and streaming productions
3. Post-production companies
4. Advertising, creative, and social media agencies
5. Game studios and interactive media companies
Future-focused fields:
1. Real-time and virtual production studios
2. Automotive and industrial companies
3. Product and architectural visualization
4. Virtual reality and augmented reality
5. E-learning and digital corporate communication
6. AI-powered creative production
Your studies build a well-rounded skill set that blends creativity, storytelling, and technical expertise. Your portfolio and demo reel become your strongest asset for launching your career — showing exactly what kind of visual worlds you can create.
Got your Digital Film Design Bachelor in the bag?
Time to produce your sequel with the right Master's degree!
After finishing your Digital Film Design Bachelor's (B.A.), you're already set up for a strong career in the industry. But your story isn't over yet — the sequel is here, with a Master's in Design! In the Design program, you'll combine your limitless creativity with cutting-edge technology to build a complete understanding of the creative process. Just like many fellow graduates from Media Design, you can use this program to add valuable new skills to your toolkit — the kind that keep you one step ahead of the competition. Ready for your own sequel? The Master of Design awaits you!
Lecturers Showreel
FAQ
1. What is Digital Film Design – Animation & VFX?
Digital Film Design brings together film design, 3D animation, CGI, and visual effects. You'll learn how a single idea grows into a full scene or animation, through storyboarding, modeling, animation, simulation, and compositing. Along the way, you'll work with both classic professional tools and the latest AI-powered production methods.
2. What do you learn in the VFX and Animation program at mdh?
You'll build real skills in 3D animation, modeling, texturing, lighting, rendering, compositing, character design, and visual storytelling. You'll also get hands-on with software like Maya, Houdini, After Effects, and Nuke — and learn how to bring AI tools, game engines, and real-time applications into your creative projects.
3. Do I need prior knowledge for the program?
Not at all. You don't need any professional background in animation or VFX. What matters is creativity, a genuine interest in visual media, and the drive to learn new creative and technical tools. You'll build everything you need, step by step, throughout your studies.
4. Is the VFX program more technical or creative?
Both. You'll develop a real eye for imagery, movement, and storytelling, while also mastering professional 3D, animation, and VFX tools. Even when working with AI, your own creative judgment stays at the center. You decide what works, refine it, and shape it into something production-ready.
5. Why study Animation & VFX in Berlin?
Berlin is a hotspot for animation, film, and digital media. The city is home to numerous studios, post-production companies, and creative agencies – perfect for internships, part-time work, and networking. At mdh Berlin, you study in the heart of the capital, close to film festivals, industry events, and innovative projects. You benefit from hands-on learning and instructors with direct connections to the film and VFX scene.
6. Why study Animation & VFX in Düsseldorf?
Düsseldorf is a growing media hub with strong potential for creative careers. The city offers exciting opportunities, particularly in advertising, motion design, and digital production. mdh is located directly in the MedienHafen, one of Düsseldorf’s most creative areas – surrounded by agencies, studios, and start-ups. This provides ideal conditions for hands-on learning and building your first professional contacts in the region.
7. What jobs can I get after studying Animation/VFX?
After completing a Digital Film Design degree, you can work as a 3D artist, animator, VFX artist, motion designer, or compositor – in film studios, advertising agencies, game studios, or social media teams.
Our graduates have contributed to productions such as Cloud Atlas and All Quiet on the Western Front.
Even outside the film industry, your skills are in demand, for example, in automotive, architecture, advertising, or e-learning. Animation and VFX are essential in nearly all areas of digital communication today.
8. How can I finance my studies at mdh – and why is it worth it?
mdh is privately funded, but there are many support options, such as government grants (BAföG), student loans, installment plans, or bonus programs. The investment pays off because you work hands-on with modern technology and professional software, build a strong portfolio, and gain direct access to the media and film industry. Personalized guidance, a strong career network, small learning groups, and industry contacts prepare you specifically for your career entry.
You can get individual advice from our student counseling team anytime!
