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Introducing AnimDojo: The Online Animation Gym

Last updated: Feb 24 2026

AnimDojo - Learn

Overview​

AnimDojo is a new online animation "gym" established to support artists with a basic understanding of Autodesk Maya to become industry-ready pro animators capable of meeting the needs of today's working studios. Created by Tom Box and Badar Badruddin from Blue Zoo, this innovative training program is specifically developed to address an industry-wide skills shortage in the animation sector.

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AnimDojo is designed for learning by doing, where artists can build skills in-line with real-world, practical animation studio insight through regular mini-assignments and peer review.

Features​

  • Industry-Ready Training: Courses designed to impart foundational animation understanding through vocational practice
  • Real-World Experience: Learn with character rigs and animation challenges from actual industry projects
  • Professional Critique: Opportunity to have work critiqued by industry professionals
  • Weekly Live Sessions: Interactive live sessions hosted on the AnimDojo site
  • Peer Review System: Guided critiquing using an AnimDojo "Animator's Checklist"
  • Professional Network: Active discussion forums to build professional connections

What You'll Learn​

  • Industry-standard animation techniques using Autodesk Maya
  • Practical animation skills through vocational practice
  • Self-evaluation techniques using the AnimDojo Animator's Checklist
  • Professional networking through active discussion forums
  • Real-world animation challenges from industry projects

How It Works​

AnimDojo participants take part in animation challenges, work with character rigs and learn from interactive live sessions which are hosted on the AnimDojo site weekly. Guided critiquing of fellow students' work is encouraged using an AnimDojo "Animator's Checklist", designed to consistently improve self-evaluation techniques.

Among other resources available are active discussion forums where AnimDojo members can build up a professional network and engage in meaningful conversation.

Requirements​

  • Basic understanding of Autodesk Maya
  • Computer capable of running Autodesk Maya
  • Internet connection for accessing course materials and live sessions
  • Animation portfolio (recommended for advanced feedback)

Installation​

Autodesk Maya​

  1. Download and install Autodesk Maya from the official website
  2. Sign up for AnimDojo membership
  3. Access the character rigs and challenges through the AnimDojo platform
  4. Join weekly live sessions
  5. Participate in peer review using the Animator's Checklist

System Requirements​

Minimum Requirements:

  • Operating System: Windows 10 (64-bit), macOS 10.13, or Linux
  • RAM: 8 GB or more
  • Graphics Card: DirectX 11.0 compatible graphics card with Shader Model 5.0
  • Disk Space: 6+ GB for Maya installation Recommended Requirements:
  • Operating System: Windows 10 (64-bit), macOS 10.14+, or Linux
  • RAM: 16 GB or more
  • Graphics Card: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 or AMD Radeon RX 580
  • Disk Space: SSD with 10+ GB free space

Pricing​

  • Monthly Membership: £15 per month with no minimum contract
  • Additional Bolt-ons: Showreel feedback and accreditation options available
  • Not Limited To: Students and graduates only

Instructors​

AnimDojo was created by:

  • Tom Box: Co-founder of Blue Zoo animation studio
  • Badar Badruddin: Animation director at Blue Zoo, a multi BAFTA-winning London-based animation studio

Studio Support​

AnimDojo has already gathered support from some of the UK's largest studios, who have backed the platform's core mission to arm a new wave of students with practical animation experience for employability.

Philosophy​

One of AnimDojo's core philosophies is to facilitate constant improvement as much as initial learning. The platform is designed not just for initial skill acquisition, but for continuous professional development in the animation industry.

"AnimDojo provides animators with a method to gain additional skills to those covered in traditional learning settings. Simply put, there's a lot of work for animators out there, but not enough animators with the level of skill required to work at the speed and quality that the studios demand. We hope to change that with AnimDojo."

  • Tom Box, AnimDojo
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