Product design
Create an object from scratch
Modeling, materials and studio lighting.
Course for beginners · Phase 1
Cinema 4D
for beginners · Phase 1
Discover 3D motion design from the basics of Cinema 4D and Octane Render. Phase 1 lasts six months and adds After Effects for compositing and post-production.
3D Modeling
Materials & Textures
Octane Render Lighting
Animation & Camera
AI & Art Direction
After Effects · compositing
Start date Wednesday, November 18, 2026 — Limited spots to ensure personalized support.
Learn. Create. Experiment.
Bring your ideas to life.
Why AfriPercept
A course focused on your progress
We identify each learner's strengths and develop them through hands-on projects. Our goal: that you leave with a solid portfolio ready to show.
Instructors who work in the industry
Our instructors work in the industry every day: they bring you closer to real work and to what the market demands today.
Personalized courses
Each learner moves at their own pace. We strengthen your strengths and support your final project with one-on-one tutorials.
A flexible format
Most lessons are recorded: watch them whenever and wherever you want. Live sessions complete the program and answer your questions.
Who is this course for?
You are starting from scratch, you are self-taught, or you are changing careers: this course is for you.
Absolute beginners
No prior 3D knowledge required. We start with installing the software and go step by step to your first professional render.
Self-taught learners
YouTube tutorials gave you some basics, but nothing fits together? The course method structures your knowledge and fills the gaps.
Career changers
Graphic design, video, architecture… You are aiming for 3D animation or motion design: this program gives you a credible portfolio to land your first assignments.
The program
Phase 1: six months to build your first 3D projects.
A six-month beginner program with about 40 sessions. Each module ends with a concrete project for your portfolio. Click a module to see the details.
M1
Fundamentals & 3D Modeling
Sessions 1–8 · Month 1
First steps in Cinema 4D: interface, navigation, coordinate system. You learn to model with polygonal tools (box modeling), splines and mesh editing, following an industry-standard production workflow.
Your project: a complete product scene modeled from scratch (e.g. a bottle or an everyday object), ready to be lit.
M2
Materials & Textures
Sessions 9–14 · Month 2
The Cinema 4D shader from A to Z: PBR materials, procedural and bitmap textures, UV mapping. You learn to create glass, metal, fabric and realistic surfaces without relying only on asset libraries.
Your project: a set of realistic materials (at least 5 surfaces) + a “still life” render of your Module 1 scene.
M3
Lighting & Rendering with Octane Render
Sessions 15–22 · Month 3
Light is 80% of the render. Study of three-point lighting, HDRI, physical lights, then hands-on with the Octane Render engine: optimization settings, firefly management, high-quality final renders.
Your project: 3 different lighting setups (studio, HDRI exterior, night) of the same scene — the basis of a portfolio sheet.
M4
Animation & Camera
Sessions 23–30 · Month 4
Motion curves, keyframes, camera constraints (look-at, dolly), product animation and an introduction to physical effects (X-Presso). You learn to give an image rhythm, not just make it move.
Your project: a 10–15 s product motion (rotation, reveal, camera) rendered in HD.
M5
AI & Art Direction
Sessions 31–36 · Month 5
AI as an accelerator, not a crutch: moodboards with generative AI tools, texture and asset generation, render upscaling. You also learn to define an art direction — the skill that sets a software user apart from a 3D artist.
Your project: an art direction board (moodboard + 3 concepts) for a fictional client project.
M6
After Effects, Post-Production & Portfolio
Sessions 37–40 · Month 6
Compositing and post-production of your renders with After Effects: shot integration, titling, finishing and web export. You then edit a showreel and gather the best projects from the six modules into your portfolio.
Your project: an online portfolio (3–5 projects) + a 60 s showreel. You are ready to work.
At the end of the course
What you take away, concretely.
A portfolio of 3 to 5 3D projectsRenders, motions and art boards created during the course — not disposable exercises.
Cinema 4D, Octane Render & After EffectsModel and animate with Cinema 4D, light and render with Octane, then composite and post-produce in After Effects.
A 60-second showreelThe first document a client or studio looks at. It is ready to send at the end of Module 6.
Access to the AfriPercept communityInstructor feedback, project critiques and freelance opportunities shared among learners.
The course atmosphere
A supportive environment, real projects.
No empty theory: every session is designed so you leave with visible progress. You work on your own projects, from the first polygon to the final render — supported by an instructor and the learner community.
- Individual follow-up: your projects are reviewed, not just graded
- An active AfriPercept community between sessions (WhatsApp)
- Projects that end up in your portfolio, not in a bin
3D Inspirations
Model, light, bring to life.
A few examples of scenes that Cinema 4D and Octane Render make it possible to explore: from product design to 3D environments.
Motion design
Play with movement
Shapes, reflections and a balanced composition.
3D environment
Build an immersive scene
Depth, architecture and luminous atmosphere.
Inspiration visuals created to illustrate the course; they do not represent learner projects.
6
Modules from A to Z
6 months
Phase 1 · beginners
C4D + Octane
Industry tools
Pricing & registration
A transparent price, flexible options.
Starts Wednesday, November 18, 2026
120 000 FCFA
(approx. 180 €) — one-time payment at registration
- All 6 modules (≈ 40 sessions, 6 months)
- All guided portfolio projects
- Access to the AfriPercept community
- Certificate of completion
Limited spots to ensure personalized support.
Accepted payment methods
Choose this option — pre-registration
Mixx by Yas
PayPal
Flooz
Western Union
MTN MoMo
Orange Money
Moov Money
Airtel Money
Wave
Ecobank
PI-SPI
Frequently asked questions
Everything you need to know before you start
Do you need to know Cinema 4D already to enroll?
No. Phase 1 is designed for beginners and lasts six months. We start with the basics of the interface and go to your first animated projects. A preliminary questionnaire lets us adapt the pace to the group.
How do the classes work?
Most lessons are recorded and available whenever you want. Live sessions let you ask questions, and our instructors remain available for feedback.
What equipment do I need?
A computer with at least 16 GB of RAM (32 GB recommended) and a recent graphics card. Cinema 4D is available as a trial version for the entire course — we guide you through installation.
Can I ask the instructors questions?
Yes, that is central to our method. Live, via WhatsApp and through one-on-one tutoring on your final project: we stay by your side until you submit your portfolio.
What happens after I pre-register?
We contact you on WhatsApp within 48 hours to confirm your spot, answer your questions and agree on the session start date.
What payment methods are accepted?
One-time payment of 180 € or 120 000 F CFA — pay via Mixx by Yas, PayPal, Flooz, Western Union, MTN MoMo, Orange Money, Moov Money, Airtel Money, Wave, Ecobank or PI-SPI. Payment details and the necessary instructions will be sent to you on WhatsApp after pre-registration.
They have already taken off
Our learners are already working
By the end of the course, our graduates join studios and work freelance on real projects. Here is what they say about AfriPercept.
“I started from zero in 3D. Within three months I already had a first render to show, and the instructors' feedback on my portfolio made all the difference when I applied.”
Awa K.3D Generalist — studio Abidjan
“What convinced me was the method: real projects from day one and instructors who work in the industry. I signed my first freelance contract before the end of the session.”
Serge D.Freelance C4D — Dakar
“The recorded format let me follow the course while working. The live sessions and the WhatsApp support filled every gap in my progress.”
Mariam N.Motion Designer — Cotonou
Challenge AfriPercept
The end-of-course competition
To close the program, each learner presents a project created during the course. Three winners will be recognized based on three criteria: creativity, technical mastery and presentation quality.
Huion Kamvas 13
13.3-inch Full HD display tablet — for 3D practice and digital creation.
XP-Pen Artist 12 Pro
Professional graphics display — precision and comfort for your renders, illustrations and animations.
XP-Pen Artist 12 Pro
A second unit to win.
The three winners will be recognized at the end of the course.
News
Latest from the Academy
Interviews, behind the scenes of student projects and AfriPercept community announcements.
From first click to first assignment: the journey of a young AfriPercept graduate at an agency (to be customized)
September 15, 2026 Read the article →Projects from the previous session: renders, animations and portfolios created in class (to be customized)
August 28, 2026 View the projects →November 2026 session: full program and remaining spots (to be customized)
September 5, 2026 Learn more →Pre-Registration — Limited Spots
Cinema 4D for Beginners — Phase 1
Complete your application
Welcome to the pre-registration form for the Cinema 4D for Beginners — Phase 1 course!
This six-month Phase 1 guides you step by step through Cinema 4D, Octane Render and compositing with After Effects. The questionnaire helps us prepare your learning path and adapt the program to your level.
💡 Why these questions? — They let us understand your goals, your equipment and your availability, so we can offer you the best learning format (online or in person).
A question before you register?
Message us on WhatsApp — +33 7 45 57 25 82 · reply within 48 h.
💡 Why these questions? — They let us understand your goals, your equipment and your availability, so we can offer you the best learning format (online or in person).
Fields marked with an asterisk * are required.
🎬 Pre-registration received!
Thank you for your trust. The AfriPercept Academy team will contact you on WhatsApp within 48 hours to confirm your spot in the Cinema 4D for Beginners — Phase 1 course.