History

The National Animation and Design Centre is a training centre and a research and development establishment in 3D animation, visual effects, design and digital arts. In 1992, The NAD Centre opened its doors in Montreal, launching one of Canada's major training centres for new technologies and new media. A self-financed subsidiary of the Cégep de Jonquière, the NAD Centre offered from the start innovative and comprehensive training programs: beginning with 3D Animation, and adding Canada's first gaming design program to its roster in 1997. The NAD Centre became in 2008 the result of an innovative partnership between the Cégep of Jonquière and the University of Quebec in Chicoutimi and now offers private and undergraduate programs.

Maintaining strong ties with the industry, the NAD Centre is home to current and future television, film and electronic entertainment professionals who share their expertise, unique approaches and job market knowledge. Every year, students are immersed in the world of 3D computer imagery and draw on the broad experience of working professionals in film, television and video games.

Since its inception the Centre has trained more than 1000 CGI professionals who currently work in the film/television post-production and gaming industries for renowned companies around the world such as: Electronic Arts, Ubisoft, A2M, Bioware, ILM, Digital Dimension, CAE, Buzz Image Group, Beenox Activision, etc.

The first school world-wide to provide SOFTIMAGE software training, the NAD Centre is one of a select handful of SOFTIMAGE|XSI, an Avid DS Authorized Training Centre (ATC), and an Autodesk Training Centre for 3ds Max, Character Studio and Combustion. It also offers several classes to industry professionals notably on Autodesk MAXScript, Avid Xpress DV/Pro and Media Composer, and Eyeon Software's Fusion.

It has also opened NADIA (NAD Centre Internet Academy) in 2004, launching the first interactive real time distance learning program dedicated to 3D content creation software Softimage|XSI.

With more than 15 years of training experience, R&D, knowledge transfers and consulting services to individuals, corporations and education facilities, the NAD Centre enjoys an enviable reputation locally as well as in Venezuela, France, Italy, Russia, Spain, the United States, Japan,the United Kingdom, etc.