From the release:

MAKE has opened applications for its 2026 Commercial Animation Workshop, an immersive two-semester program designed to give emerging animation students a taste of what it actually takes to make commercial work.

Selected students are placed into two teams, with one focused on 2D production and the other on 3D. Each team receives a unique, realistic commercial brief and works with a MAKE mentor to develop a 15-second, character-driven spec spot from concept and storyboards through animation and final delivery.

Instead of simply walking away with another polished portfolio piece, the workshop is designed to recreate the pace, collaboration and problem-solving of a professional studio environment. Students will respond to feedback, work within specialized roles and figure out how to build something ambitious together.

Last year’s workshop showed just how far that approach can go. The 2D team used real crayons in every frame, embracing the texture and imperfections of the medium, while the 3D team built a high-energy piece inspired by the larger-than-life personality of classic kids’ commercials.

For MAKE, the takeaway was watching students learn to work like a professional creative team, push beyond familiar techniques and trust the production process. “It’s always great to see these students use their creativity in our commercial medium, working as a team, and growing both as artists and colleagues. It’s a perfect way to gain a taste of what commercial work is like, and I think it’s a great fit for many of these students,” said Danny Robashkin, Creative Director at MAKE.

Participants commit approximately six hours per week and meet with MAKE mentors for bi-weekly work-in-progress reviews. Applications are evaluated based on portfolio strength, application quality, individual skill set and overall team fit.

Applications are now open and will close on October 11, 2026, at 12 a.m. ET. Selected participants will be notified on October 13, with the kickoff call scheduled for October 17. The workshop is open to junior and senior BFA/BA students in animation programs worldwide.

To learn more and apply, visit https://makevisual.com/make-commercial-workshop-info