For students aiming to apply to top animation schools in Canada—such as Sheridan College, Seneca, or OCAD—Layout Design is a term that often sparks uncertainty. Many applicants are comfortable with figure drawing and background painting, but when it comes to layout, they find themselves asking: What exactly is this? Why is it required? How do I even start?
This article breaks down the fundamentals of layout design for animation portfolios, addresses common questions, and highlights what top Canadian schools are truly looking for.
What is Layout Design in Animation?
In the animation pipeline, Layout Design sits between the storyboard and key animation stages. It's a technical and creative process that defines space, composition, perspective, and character positioning within a scene.
In simpler terms:
Layout = Scene Composition + Character Staging + Camera Angle
A well-executed layout combines line art, grayscale, or even color to guide animators and background artists. It ensures characters move naturally within the environment and that scenes flow with strong visual storytelling.
Why Do Art Schools Like Sheridan Emphasize Layout Design?
Sheridan College, widely considered one of the best animation schools in North America, explicitly requires layout design as part of its portfolio submission. This requirement reflects how integral layout thinking is to professional animation training.
When admissions teams review your portfolio, they’re not just checking whether you can draw well—they’re looking for how you think. A strong layout portfolio piece shows that you:
- Understand how to stage characters in believable space
- Can apply cinematic principles (camera angles, depth, etc.)
- Are aware of how perspective affects storytelling
- Can integrate characters with environment meaningfully
In short: Layout design demonstrates visual intelligence.
Heidi, Girl of the Alps, Hayao Miyazaki and Isao Takahata were the first to introduce the Layout process into the production of Japanese TV animation.
Ghost in the Shell, early hand-drawn layout design of Japanese animation
Layout vs. Storyboard vs. Background Design
Here’s how you can distinguish between them:
|
Element |
Purpose |
|
Storyboard |
Acts as a visual script or scene outline |
|
Background |
Provides painted/stylized scene environment |
|
Layout |
Technically implements the storyboard with spatial logic, camera angles, and character placement |
Think of it this way:
If storyboards are like concept sketches for a home renovation, and backgrounds are the final paint jobs, then layout design is the detailed blueprint—complete with furniture placement and lighting specs.
What Makes a Good Layout Design for Portfolio?
Top Canadian animation schools want to see layouts that are clear, logical, and cinematic. Your layout doesn't have to be fully rendered—what matters is the design clarity. Include:
- 1-point or 2-point perspective grid (showing your structural understanding)
- Well-staged characters: Clearly interacting with the space
- Intentional composition: Leading the viewer’s eye to the action
- Camera logic: Eye level, tilt, zoom—all used to enhance narrative
- Lighting cues: Even with flat grayscale, values suggest mood and depth
▶️ Pro Tip: Treat layout like filmmaking. Ask yourself: Where is the camera? What is the viewer meant to feel or focus on?
Most Common Questions from Animation Portfolio Students
Q1: How many layout samples should I include?
Most schools ask for 2–3 finalized layouts, often based on a script or storyboard excerpt. More is not better—quality and clarity are key.
Q2: Should my layout be in color or black & white?
Black-and-white or grayscale layouts are standard. Focus on line clarity, depth, and structure—not polish or color rendering.
Q3: Do I need to show thumbnails or process work?
Yes—especially for schools like Sheridan. Include thumbnails, perspective guides, and roughs. This proves your design thinking process.
Q4: What's the best software for creating animation layouts?
- TVPaint, Toon Boom Storyboard Pro, Clip Studio Paint, and Photoshop are widely used in industry and schools
- Don’t rely too much on 3D tools for perspective—hand construction is valued more
Q5: How do I improve at drawing backgrounds and perspective for layout?
- Practice with 1-, 2-, and 3-point perspective scenes
- Study film stills and anime layouts (like Studio Ghibli or Ghost in the Shell)
- Take life drawing and environment sketching seriously—observational drawing improves spatial intuition
Final Thoughts: Start Practicing Layout Early
Layout design isn’t something you master in a weekend. It involves spatial reasoning, staging, and storytelling—all essential animation skills. The earlier you begin, the more intuitive these decisions become when building your portfolio.
If you're applying to Sheridan College’s Bachelor of Animation, or similar competitive programs, your layout pieces can make or break your portfolio. They demonstrate whether you think like a visual storyteller or just a skilled renderer.
Want to Strengthen Your Layout Design Skills Before Applying?
If you're planning to apply to schools like Sheridan, OCAD, or Seneca—or you’re just starting to explore animation seriously—professional guidance can save you time and frustration.
At LFA Portfolio Program, we offer two highly tailored options:
Course Highlights:
- Beginner-friendly: Learn the basics of layout, from drawing perspective to character staging
- Technical skills: Understand how to create space through perspective, composition, and layering
- Narrative focus: Use layout as a visual storytelling tool in animation and comics
- Creative output: Complete a final layout project to showcase in your animation portfolio
Who Should Join:
- Students applying to Sheridan, OCAD, or Seneca’s animation programs
- Anime, comic, or animation enthusiasts interested in scene design
- Artists who want to strengthen their storytelling through drawing
Course Curriculum:
Lesson 1: Introduction to Layout & Perspective Basics
- Overview of animation workflow
- 1-point and 2-point perspective drawing
Lesson 2: Composition & Visual Balance
- Rule of thirds, golden ratio
- How to create depth and guide viewer attention
Lesson 3: Space & Camera Angles
- Layering, spatial logic, and shot types (wide, mid, close-up)
Lesson 4: Indoor & Outdoor Scenes
- Designing believable environments
- Foreground, middleground, background strategy
Lesson 5: Storytelling Through Space
- Character placement to enhance personality
- Environmental cues for emotion and pacing
Lesson 6: Lighting, Mood, and Final Layout
- Natural vs. artificial lighting
- Finalizing and refining your complete layout piece
Schedule & Location:
- Total Duration: 6 lessons, 2.5 hours each
- When: Saturdays or Sundays between 10:00am – 4:00pm
- Where: 5635 Yonge St. Unit 202, Toronto, ON
Tuition & Registration:
✅ Option 1:
Visit www.lovefunart.ca and sign up online.
We accept all major payment methods—no PayPal required.
✅ Option 2:
Send an E-mail transfer to LoveFunART01@gmail.com
Set the password to 1234 or 123456
In the message, include:
- Your full name
- Course name + session time
-
Your email address
Note: Please add Ontario tax (13%)
️ What to Bring:
- Pencil, red/blue pencil, eraser, ruler, sketchbook
- OR iPad / Laptop with a digital drawing tablet
Student Work Showcase
About LoveFunART
Founded in 2015, LoveFunART is one of Toronto’s leading international art education institutions. We offer creative courses in:
- Fashion Design
- Architecture
- Interior Design
- Graphic Design
- Film Production
We’ve helped over 680 students enter top art schools around the world, earning $2.8 million+ in scholarships. We believe everyone has a unique style—our mission is to help you discover and express yours.
Ready to Boost Your Animation Portfolio in Toronto?
Don’t let your animation dreams be limited by missing layout skills.
Join our Layout Design course and take your first step toward Sheridan or any top animation program in Canada.