MONTREAL, Canada –Toon Boom Animation has partnered to pair student licenses of their industry-standard software, Harmony Premium and Storyboard Pro, alongside XPPen‎’s pen display tablets. Animation studios around the world choose Harmony Premium to produce high quality 2D animation, while Storyboard Pro allows filmmakers to hit the ground running in pre-production. XP-PEN is an ideal partner for this collaboration, with a 15-year history dedicated to the research, design, and production of graphics tablets. 

The new bundles allow students pursuing careers in animation and game development to hone their craft using the same tools relied on by professional creators around the world. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the number of artists entering the domestic animation industry is projected to increase 16% by 2030. This projected growth in animation and related fields (including game development and VFX) is above the national average across occupations. These new bundles, from Toon Boom Animation and XPPen, lower the barrier for entry by making production-grade tools available at prices attainable on a student’s budget. 

“North America has always been an important market for XPPen,” stated Lydia Zhang, North America Sales Director, XPPen. “These new bundles provide more support for students learning animation, and I am very glad to be working with Toon Boom Animation. XPPen aims to be the tablet of choice for emerging talent pursuing careers in the animation industry.” 

“Learning is the first step in creating a solid foundation for a career for the future. Creating accessible bundles of the industry’s top professional-grade 2D animation software and hardware helps tighten the transition from school to studio — allowing the animators of tomorrow to hit the ground running.” stated Stephanie Quinn, Head of Marketing, Toon Boom Animation. “These all-in-one student bundles offer a one stop shop for students, making it easier and more cost effective than ever to equip for the school year.”

The initial student bundles each include a choice of three XPPen pen display tablets paired with annual student licenses for Harmony Premium and Storyboard Pro. Each tablet includes a responsive and accurate drawing stylus, supporting 8192 pressure levels and 60 degrees of tilt, which allows aspiring artists to discover their drawing style with textured brushes in Harmony and Storyboard Pro. The XPPen Artist 12 Pro tablet is the most economical option, while featuring an 11.6” 1080p screen capable of displaying 100% of the sRGB color space. For artists who prefer working with a larger display, XP-PEN’s 2nd-generation Artist 22 tablet includes a 21.5” 1080p screen. The premium option, XP-PEN’s Artist Pro 16TP tablet, is ideal for creating and previewing 4K animation at the final production resolution.

“Learning is the first step in creating a solid foundation for a future career. Creating accessible bundles of the industry’s top professional-grade 2D animation software and hardware helps tighten the transition from school to studio — allowing the animators of tomorrow to hit the ground running.” stated Stephanie Quinn, Head of Marketing at Toon Boom Animation. “These all-in-one student bundles offer a one-stop-shop for students, making it easier and more cost effective to find equipment for the school year.” 

These bundles will initially be offered in the United States and Canada available through both XPPen and Toon Boom’s online stores, with availability in other regions in the coming months. Toon Boom Animation’s development team worked closely with XPPen to ensure that students can expect Harmony and Storyboard Pro to support the full capabilities of the included tablets. In addition, existing XPPen customers may qualify for fully-featured 45-day trails for Harmony and Storyboard Pro. For full details on the student bundles and 45-day trial, visit Toon Boom Animation’s website: https://www.toonboom.com/hardware-software-bundles-for-students

About Toon Boom Animation Inc:

Toon Boom Animation Inc.’s award-winning software is the global standard for animation, storyboarding and pipeline management. Storyboard Pro and Harmony solutions provide everyone from enthusiasts to professionals with the artistic freedom to create in any style and efficiently publish anywhere, while Producer provides real-time management for animated projects. Customers who chose Toon Boom animation software for the development and creation of their productions include Disney Television Animation, Amazon, Fox Television Animation, Nelvana, Toei Animation, The SPA Studios, Xilam and Boulder Media, to name a few. The technology is currently available in English, Spanish, Japanese and Simplified Chinese. For more information, visit: toonboom.com

About XPPen:

Originated from 2005, XPPen is now one of the top brands under HANVON UGEE, integrated with digital drawing products, content and service as a globally notable digital brand of digital art innovation. Headquartered in Shenzhen, China, XPPen boasts 6 overseas subsidiaries (branches) and more than 50 agents, covering over 130 countries and regions with its products. By virtue of its progressive digital handwriting technology after more than 10 years’ accumulation and innovation, XPPen believes that innovative, trendy and leading products and ecosystem can bring more abundant visionary inspiration to the new generation artists and enthusiasts, encouraging them to courageously pursue dreams and realize their authentic self-expression. For more information, please visit: xp-pen.com

Media contact (press only):

Mike Schnier
Content & Social Media Manager
Toon Boom Animation Inc.
content@toonboom.com

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