CFA | IADT | Certificate in Digital Sculpting | ESF+ 2026

• This course has closed.

THIS PROGRAMME IS CO FUNDED BY THE GOVERNMENT OF IRELAND AND THE EUROPEAN UNION (EUFUNDS.IE)

A collaboration between Cultural & Creative Industry Skillnet and IADT, this programme is offered to eligible creative professionals (see CCIS Membership Support below) at a special CCIS partnership rate of €600 (normally the fee for this course would be €1,100 in 2026).

Overview

Learn how to generate sketch ideas and to progress a character design from initial concept to completed digital mesh. Utilising a subdivision digital sculpting workflow, you will create your digital character/creature as a digital sculpt in a final pose.

Learn about the Digital sculpting process and about the importance of blocking out, the mesh surface, level of detail, mesh preparation and presentation. You will design and produce a 3D printable humanoid or creature character bust using digital sculpting software.

Aims & Objectives

At the end of the course, you will:
• Understand the basic requirements and workflows required for using digital sculpting software to create your own 3D models. Both organic and hard surface modelling techniques will be explained and explored.
• Evidence competency in the design and digital sculpting of a human or creature character.
• Synthesize the various technical elements required to produce a 3D print.
• Evaluate and demonstrate an understanding of a variety of roles and processes required of a 3D digital artist.

Materials & Equipment

Each student must provide their own drawing tablet – examples include:

The Huion Inspiroy H950P or the Huion New 1060 Plus (both available for approx €57 online).

Alternatives might be the Wacom One (approx. EUR59 online), or for those with a budget to spend and who want a professional version would be the Wacom Intuos 5 (approx. €400).

Entry Requirements

For artists who wish to produce high quality concept art, Game and animation characters, collectible toys, 3D printed props, scenic elements and more.

You will need to have a recognised undergraduate degree, issued at Level 8 on the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ).

Applicants without a Level 8 qualification may be considered based on their prior experience and learning through our RPL (Recognition of Prior Learning) process.
As part of the RPL process, applicants in this category will be required to present a qualifying statement of a standard that demonstrates their ability to undertake work at Level 9.

A CV detailing your professional experience is required.

Experience using a drawing tablet is a big plus but not essential.

Dates and times of the course

Online 5pm – 8pm

Location

THIS COURSE IS REMOTE

Costs/fee

The fee for this course is €600 per person for qualifying candidates (normally €1100).
Payment will be due in full before the course commences.

CCIS Membership Support

Who Qualifies:
INDIVIDUALS

• Sole traders or Freelancers who are Resident in the ROI are eligible as Member Companies.
• Private company (SME) or Enterprise employees.

COMPANIES

• Private Enterprise & SMEs based in the Republic of Ireland.
• Commercial semi-state companies providing that income contributed to a Network is not sourced from the public purse (must provide a letter).
• Social enterprises that trade as commercial social enterprises, and are companies registered with the CRO

Who Does Not Qualify:

INDIVIDUALS

• Applicants who are not Resident in the Republic of Ireland
• Applicants who are Unemployed and in receipt of Unemployment Benefit
• Applicants participating on a CE Scheme
• Applicants in receipt of a BURSARY, SCHOLARSHIP OR GRANT AID toward fees for this course from another government agency or programme.

COMPANIES

• Skillnet Ireland funding is not available to public sector bodies or organisation that are publicly funded such as community-based not-for-profit companies or charities.
• Social enterprises that are solely constituted as charities do not currently meet the eligibility criteria.

All programmes are provided without discrimination. This includes discrimination based on gender, race or ethnic origin, religion or belief, disability, age, or sexual orientation. An inclusive environment that welcomes participants from diverse communities is promoted.

This course is part funded by ESF+.

ESF+ stands for European Social Fund Plus. It is a European fund that focuses on lifelong learning through improving employment and education opportunities.

In addition to the CCIS support application, Cultural & Creative Industries Skillnet is required by Government to collect ‘Special Category Data‘ from those who wish to avail of ESF+ supports for this programme. Given the sensitive nature of this data, strict controls over access have been implemented.

Your Rights and Choices
The mandatory form will ask for general and special category data about you. You can choose if you want to share the special category information in questions 13 to 18. If you do answer these questions, we will handle answers with utmost care.

You have the right to access your data, get us to correct it if we get your details wrong, and ask us to delete your data. You can also choose to opt out or withdraw at any time (*I Do Not Consent). However, if you withdraw, we will not be able to provide you with access to the Professional Skills Certificate in Digital Sculpting course until you reapply.

At the end of this questionnaire, we will also ask you to declare that the information you have provided is true. If you would like to take part in the ESF+ course, you must answer all the questions even if they do not apply. 

Further data will be collected at the following milestones.

• the course certification date
• 6 months post certification

If you wish to use your rights to access or change your information, or are concerned about anything on your participant form, please email dpo@skillnetireland.ie. 

For more information on ESF+ data processing and your rights, please see the ESF+ Data Privacy Notice.  You can find this on the Skillnet Ireland website or email your postal address and we will post it to you. 

Application process

This is a 3-Step Application.

1. Complete the Special Category Data Participant Questionnaire below (Scroll for the QR Code or Link)
2. Fill out the Cultural & Creative Industries Skillnet membership application form below (Green ‘Apply’ button)
3. If your CCIS Membership application is successful, you will be notified and given access to the IADT Course application link. You may also access this link via the IADT or CFA website. Complete your IADT Course Application.
   
   If your Course Application is successful you will be notified by IADT and given access to a CCIS Registration/Payment Link. Refunds cannot be issued once the course has commenced in line with IADTs refund policy.
   
   DOWNLOAD APPLICATION STEP BY STEP GUIDE HERE

STEP 1
Special Category Data Questionnaire

PLEASE FILL OUT THIS FORM OR ACCESS VIA THE QR CODE BELOW.

STEP 2
CCIS Membership Application

CCIS Membership Application Deadline: Rolling but before course commences.

If you experience any difficulties with your CCIS membership application please contact susantalbot@furthr.ie with a Subject Heading of : IADT | CCIS Application | [Course Name]

STEP 3
Course Application

Important: All Course Applications To Be Made Separately via IADT. Deadline February 20th.
A link to this application will be sent to you if your CCIS membership application is successful. Alternatively you can access the course application here and submit if you haven’t already done so.