MAPPP Seta has bestowed this honour onto CFAD and presented them an accompanying grant. This will be used to establish an animation production studio – the first in KZN - and enhance their training programme. “We will train animators, storyboard artists, editors, voice-over artists and the like in the art of producing commercial animation, animation for cell phone downloads and for games as well as animated series and long-form animation," explains CFAD academic head, Krish Moodley.

CFAD is a tertiary institution that offers training in fine art, animation (2D and 3D) and graphic design. CFAD was established in 1994 by world-renowned cartoonist, illustrator and journalist Nanda Soobben who, together with academic head Krish Moodley and a team of artists, designers and educators, have transformed the art school into a respected national industry-leader in design and animation training. They have a 98% success rate in placing their graduate students in the market place.

“Our vision is that the studio will be a commercial unit that will dramatically enhance the training and skills of animators, which fits perfectly with CFAD's goal to establish Durban as the animation hub of the country. Being selected as an Institute of Excellence and receiving this grant is a significant achievement as it will allow CFAD to not only train the next generation of animators but also provide them real employment and career opportunities," continues Moodley.

For more info about CFAD, contact Sasha on 031 305 2480, or visit www.cfad.co.za

For the full story, www.artanddesignsa.blogspot.com/2011/02/cfad-declared-institute-of-excellence.html.