Associate Certification learning & objectives

To support both learning and practice of our Toon Boom products (Harmony Advanced, Harmony Premium, and Storyboard Pro), we provide the following free online learning as well as clear objectives of what will be taught along the way.

Toon Boom Associate Certification exam information

Earning your industry certification

The Toon Boom Associate Certification exam validates proficiency in industry-standard animation software. Upon successfully passing the assessment, candidates are awarded a time-limited certificate and a digital badge, officially issued by Toon Boom Animation. This documentation confirms the successful completion of the required written assessment and displays the three-year validity date of the certification.

Secure and proctored assessment

Proctoring plays a crucial role in maintaining the integrity and credibility of all Toon Boom Associate Certification exams. It ensures that all candidates are assessed under fair and consistent conditions, confirming that the results accurately reflect each individual’s own knowledge and skills.

To ensure the integrity and validity of your certification, all Toon Boom Animation Certification exams are conducted in a strictly proctored environment and delivered online through our authorized partner, BrightShift (Summit Consulting Group, Inc). While the district or school has the authority to assign proctors, they must not have a conflict of interest in administering the exam. Specifically, any proctor selected by the district or school may not be a teacher who directly instructs the student toward an industry certification exam and is therefore prohibited from proctoring that student’s assessment.

Proctoring is available both on-site and remotely. The following section outlines the responsibilities of proctors in both on-site and remote testing environments.

On-site proctoring:

  • Verify the test taker’s identity and confirm their student ID number.
  • Enable and unlock the exam only after the student’s identity has been confirmed.
  • Provide general oversight of the candidate throughout the testing session, ensuring a secure testing environment. This includes preventing any form of academic dishonesty, such as giving or receiving assistance, using unauthorized materials, or consulting books or notes.

Remote proctoring:

  • The virtual proctor must be a live, qualified individual who monitors the candidate in real time through a camera or video display.
  • Observe the test candidate and the testing environment synchronously to ensure a secure and distraction-free setting.
  • Verify the test taker’s identity and confirm their student ID number.
  • Enable and unlock the exam only after the student’s identity has been successfully verified.

Secure exam delivery:

To maintain the security of the assessment, exam questions are delivered in a secure and digital manner. As there are no physical materials involved, the exam content is not available to the proctor for any extended period of time beyond the duration of the test. Simultaneous usage of the Toon Boom software while completing the exam is not permitted. Exam questions are drawn from a large, randomized item bank to create a secure and varied testing experience, ensuring that no two students receive the same exam. Students may attempt the exam up to three times within the same academic year and must observe a mandatory 20-day waiting period between each attempt.

Assessment details and scoring

Scoring:

All written examinations required for the Toon Boom Associate Certification are scored automatically on the secure BrightShift platform. The scores are then analyzed by Toon Boom Animation, the certifying agency, to ensure consistent and accurate results.

Exam languages:

The certification exam is available in both English and Spanish.

Time limit:

A specific testing time limit has been established for all written assessments required to earn the industry certification:

  • Standard testing time: 45 minutes
  • Extended testing time (for candidates with disabilities): 90 minutes

This time limit applies uniformly to all individuals seeking the certification, with the exception of necessary accommodations provided to candidates with disabilities—see Accommodations.

Passing score:

  • 70% or 18/25 correct answers for the Storyboard Pro exam.
  • 70% or 25/35 correct answers for the Harmony Premium and Harmony Advanced exams.

Question format:

  • Exams are multiple-choice questions
  • Questions are pulled from a large bank of questions and randomized to increase security.

Total questions:

  • Harmony Premium and Advanced: 35
  • Storyboard Pro: 25

Access and eligibility

The Toon Boom Associate Certification exam is available to academic candidates, working professionals, and non-academic candidates.

If you are not currently affiliated with an Academic school and are interested in taking the certification exam, please contact us directly at sales@toonboom.com.

Accommodations

Toon Boom and its authorized testing partner, BrightShift, are committed to providing accommodations that ensure students with disabilities have equitable access to testing alongside their peers. Candidates with documented needs (e.g., Individual Education Plans or 504 Plans) may receive reasonable accommodations as determined by the district or school, provided those accommodations are documented in the student’s IEP or 504 Plan, and do not compromise the integrity of the certification exam. In accordance, the district or school may assign these accommodations at their discretion, without requiring approval or submission of any supporting documentation to Toon Boom. The following accommodations are available, including but not limited to:

  • Extended time: Authorized candidates may receive up to 90 minutes to complete their exam, instead of the standard 45 minutes.
  • Screen reader: Authorized candidates who require their exam to be read aloud may use the following compatible free screen reader.

Exam registration process

The CTE or testing Coordinator (Administrator or Instructor) are responsible for creating test sessions and selecting the appropriate certification exam for their students. This process includes verifying that sufficient testing credits are available within BrightShift, our authorized testing partner’s online platform. Once confirmed, the CTE Coordinator or Instructor can add students to class rosters, assign the exam, and ensure that all approved testing accommodations are properly applied and followed. For more information on testing accommodations, please refer to the Access and Eligibility section.

Learning objectives

The exams contain 1 to 2 questions per learning objective. Study material can be found on the free Toon Boom Learn portal and the StartingPoint courseware.

Harmony Premium

https://learn.toonboom.com/journeys/certification-exam-preparation-premium

ID Category Objective
SHA.01.0 History of Animation Identify the key moments in the history and development of the animation industry.
SHA.02.0 Animation Techniques Assess and recommend different animation techniques based on style, requirements, and advantages.
SHA.03.0 Animation Principles Analyze, assess, and identify the animation principles and how to apply them when animating.
SHA.04.0 Animation Pipeline Deconstruct the animation pipeline and identify the roles involved in the process.
SHA.05.0 Efficiency and Organization Apply critical thinking to organize thoughts, ideas, assets, working files, and deliverables.
SHA.06.0 Project Creation Demonstrate the ability to create and set up a project file fitting the final output requirements.
SHA.07.0 Interface Navigation Demonstrate ability to navigate and customize the user interface to optimize work efficiency.
SHA.08.0 Drawing Tools Demonstrate ability to use drawing tools in vector environments to create artwork suited for all steps in the project.
SHA.09.0 Bitmap Drawing Demonstrate ability to use drawing tools in a bitmap environment.
SHA.10.0 Design Apply artistic skills and processes to create a variety of character and prop designs fitting a consistent style.
SHA.11.0 Layout Apply technical and artistic skills and processes to create location design and background layouts with perspective.
SHA.12.0 Layers Demonstrate ability to create and organize layers based on ordering rules and type.
SHA.13.0 Paperless Animation Apply artistic skills and processes to create frame-by-frame paperless animations based on the animation principles.
SHA.14.0 Timing and Drawing Exposure Demonstrate ability to adjust animation timing and drawing exposure.
SHA.15.0 Visual Reference Tools Identify essential visual reference tools and their purpose in a production context.
SHA.16.0 Colour Styling Analyze mood requirements and apply artistic skills to create colour schemes.
SHA.17.0 Colour Palettes Apply technical skills to create and structure colour palettes.
SHA.18.0 Painting Apply technical skills to paint frame-by-frame paperless animation with efficiency.
SHA.19.0 Rigging Understand the fundamental rigging concepts as well as apply critical thinking and problem-solving skills to breakdown and rig characters to be animatable.
SHA.20.0 Cut-out Animation Apply artistic and technical skills to create coherent and believable cut-out animation based on the animation principles.
SHA.21.0 Library and Templates Demonstrate the ability to structure and share assets through a library.
SHA.22.0 Lip-Sync Demonstrate the ability to animate characters and mouths synchronized with dialog, action, and mood.
SHA.23.0 Sound Demonstrate the ability to import, time, and edit sound.
SHA.24.0 Import Demonstrate the ability to import third-party images and integrate them into a project.
SHA.25.0 Staging Apply technical skills to position elements on the stage and build a composition.
SHA.26.0 Keyframes and Motion Identify and understand the various components and parameters involved in computer-generated trajectories.
SHA.27.0 Camera Move Demonstrate ability to position and animate a camera on a stage in a 2D and 3D environment.
SHA.28.0 Playback Understand the concept of playback range, loops, and frame rate.
SHA.29.0 Compositing and Effects Apply technical skills to composite scenes, bring elements together, light the components, and add effects.
SHA.30.0 Node System Understand the nodal system purpose, flow and how to troubleshoot it.
SHA.31.0 3D Space Understand 3D spatial staging and element positioning.
SHA.32.0 Exporting Demonstrate ability to export a project to share it with others.

Harmony Advanced

https://learn.toonboom.com/journeys/certification-exam-preparation-harmony-advanced

ID Category Objective
SHA.01.0 History of Animation Identify the key moments in the history and development of the animation industry.
SHA.02.0 Animation Techniques Assess and recommend different animation techniques based on style, requirements, and advantages.
SHA.03.0 Animation Principles Analyze, assess, and identify the animation principles and how to apply them when animating.
SHA.04.0 Animation Pipeline Deconstruct the animation pipeline and identify the roles involved in the process.
SHA.05.0 Efficiency and Organization Apply critical thinking to organize thoughts, ideas, assets, working files, and deliverable.
SHA.06.0 Project Creation Demonstrate the ability to create and set up a project file fitting the final output requirements.
SHA.07.0 Interface Navigation Demonstrate ability to navigate and customize the user interface to optimize work efficiency.
SHA.08.0 Drawing Tools Demonstrate ability to use drawing tools in vector environments to create artwork suited for all steps in the project.
SHA.09.A Bitmap Drawing Demonstrate ability to use create illustrations and sketch in a bitmap environment.
SHA.10.0 Design Apply artistic skills and processes to create a variety of character and prop designs fitting a consistent style.
SHA.11.A Layout Apply artistic skills and design background layouts using guide tools.
SHA.12.A Layers Demonstrate ability to create layers and organize a timeline.
SHA.13.A Paperless Animation Apply the 12 principles of animation to create traditional animation from key animation to clean.
SHA.14.A Timing and Drawing Exposure Use critical thinking to apply the timing animation principle to adjust animation rhythm as well as comedic timing.
SHA.15.A Visual Reference Tools Make use of all visual reference tools as well as shift and trace animation to create animation interpolation and clean-up.
SHA.16.0 Colour Styling Analyze mood requirements and apply artistic skills to create colour schemes.
SHA.17.0 Colour Palettes Apply technical skills to create and structure colour palettes.
SHA.18.A Painting Apply technical skills to paint frame-by-frame paperless animation using colour models, colour ambiance palettes, and textures.
SHA.21.A Library and Templates Demonstrate the ability to save assets in a library for reuse possibilities.
SHA.22.A Lip-Sync Demonstrate the ability to breakdown sound animate mouths synchronized with dialog, action, and mood and make use of automated assistance tools.
SHA.23.0 Sound Demonstrate the ability to import, time, and edit sound.
SHA.24.0 Import Demonstrate the ability to import third-party images and integrate them into a project.
SHA.25.A Staging Apply technical skills to stage elements using a linear timeline.
SHA.26.0 Keyframes and Motion Identify and understand the various components and parameters involved in computer-generated trajectories.
SHA.27.A Camera Move Demonstrate ability to position and animate a camera on a stage in a 2D environment.
SHA.28.0 Playback Understand the concept of playback range, loops, and frame rate.
SHA.29.A Compositing and Effects Apply technical skills to light the components and add effects using a linear timeline.
SHA.31.0 3D Space Understand 3D spatial staging and element positioning.
SHA.32.0 Exporting Demonstrate ability to export a project to share it with others.

Storyboard Pro

https://learn.toonboom.com/journeys/certification-exam-preparation-storyboard-pro

ID Category Objective
SSA.01.0 Efficiency and Organization Apply critical thinking to organize thoughts, ideas, assets, working files, and deliverable.
SSA.02.0 Project Creation Demonstrate ability to create and set up a project file fitting the final output requirements.
SSA.03.0 Interface Navigation Demonstrate ability to navigate and customize the user interface to optimize work efficiency.
SSA.04.0 Storyboarding Apply artistic skills and processes to create storyboard panels communicating ideas and concepts clearly.
SSA.05.0 Captions and Script Analyze a script to break it down into visual scenes and populate captions based on key moments, actions, and type.
SSA.06.0 Drawing Tools Demonstrate ability to use drawing tools in vector environments to create artwork suited for all steps in the project.
SSA.07.0 Bitmap Drawing Demonstrate ability to use drawing tools in bitmap environments.
SSA.08.0 Layout Apply technical and artistic skills and processes to create location design and background layouts with perspective.
SSA.09.0 Layers Demonstrate ability to create and organize layers based on ordering rules and type.
SSA.10.0 Panel and Scene Manipulation Demonstrate ability to create and organize panels in a structure fitting the script and actions.
SSA.11.0 Handling Artwork on Multiple Panels Understand the purpose of manipulating artwork on multiple panels simultaneously and demonstrate the ability to execute the operation.
SSA.12.0 Visual Reference Tools Identify essential visual reference tools and their purpose in a production context.
SSA.13.0 Sharing and Libraries Demonstrate the ability to share assets through a library and between panels.
SSA.14.0 Colour Use judgment and critical thinking to apply colour to a storyboard highlighting key elements as well as generating mattes and shading.
SSA.15.0 Timing Use creativity, critical thinking, and problem solving skills to time scenes and action to create a coherent and well rythmed story.
SSA.16.0 Import Demonstrate the ability to import third-party images and integrate them a project.
SSA.17.0 Staging Apply technical skills to position elements on the stage and build a composition.
SSA.18.0 Keyframes and Motion Create layer motion using keyframes to plan scenes and enhance the storytelling clarity.
SSA.19.0 Camera Move Demonstrate ability to position and animate a camera on a stage in a 2D and 3D environment.
SSA.20.0 3D Space Understand 3D space and spatial reasoning to manipulate and stage 3D objects and 2D planes in a 3D environment.
SSA.21.0 Sound Demonstrate the ability to import, time, and edit sound.
SSA.22.0 Basic Effects Apply artistic and technical skills to add basic blur effects to layers to enhance motions and composition.
SSA.23.0 Exporting Demonstrate ability to export a project as print and video media to share it with others.

Publicly available documentation

As the certifying agency, Toon Boom provides comprehensive and publicly available documentation related to the standards and requirements of our certification. This information is downloadable below. Additional information can also be accessed through the following links:

 

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