Find Now

Animation Programs

Animation is a blend of entertainment industry and technology. The realm of commercial animation is as diverse as the styles and techniques of animation itself. These days, animators can find work in various fields such as feature films, television, Internet, CD-ROM production, as well as product design/visualization, and interior design. And within each of those industries, animators can perform a variety of roles. Animation isn't limited to the film and game industries; you could also seek a career in architectural drafting, interactive user interface design, pipeline design for the oil and gas industry, three-dimensional medical imaging, or even military flight simulator design. The possibilities are endless!

Featured Schools

Animation Education Programs
It's easy to start off with a major in general computer animation, and then hone your area of expertise further down the road. While more and more animation schools are moving towards four-year animation programs or above, some schools or technical institutions only offer two-year or certification programs.

Short Term Programs/Courses:
these sorts of animation programs help those who already have some basic knowledge and want to enhance their marketability. They are good for an entry level job in animation in areas like Digital Designing, 3D Modeling, Rigging, Texturing, Lighting or Compositing.

Long Term Courses:
these have better scope than short term courses if you want to make a career in animation. Therefore, those who are new to this field of study should enroll for a long term course as they should go through all the processes of animation film making to make them complete animators. Finding the Right Tools
While computer animation has dominated Hollywood's box office the past few years and have become an increasingly large part of animation education, they're no substitute for the fundamentals - learning the nuances of drawing, shading, lighting, and storytelling. Undoubtedly, the most important element of an animator's education is a solid foundation in drawing. All the computer skills in the world can't mask a bad artist, so make sure that you find a program where you'll spend long, necessary hours honing your craft.

Ideally, you'll want a program that offers a combination of drawing opportunities including life drawing, layout animation, and fundamental drawing studies. In addition to that, students will need a program that covers the requisite animation skills like storytelling, layout, character design, direction, design, editing, acting and visual communication.

If you intend to pursue a job animating for television or film, then you should probably look for a program that focuses on traditional skills like drawing, painting, and sculpture, as well as "film knowledge" such as cinematography and composition. Likewise, if you want to focus on producing multimedia animation, you should find a program that covers the constraints and peculiarities of producing animation for the web, CD-ROM, and various other media. For people who want to become character animators, there are institutes which train students in a real-world environment so they are ready to step into a production job with a demo reel upon graduation!

Careers in Animation Education Programs
Usually students after graduating become animators and/or character animators. An animator creates movement for characters, objects, and natural phenomenon in a game, commercial, TV show, or animated feature. Other options may be a video game design career, computer game designer, 2d and 3d animator, 3d modeler, visual effects artist, compositor, storyboard artist, concept artist, character designer, stop motion animator, etc.

Salaried animators and multi-media artists (grouped together) are earning an average of about $44,000. In the video and motion picture industry the median salary is higher, at around $60,000. As with every career, the salaries animators earn vary greatly with their employer and their region.

Other Useful Resources

Best Animation Schools in America

Frequently Asked Question(s)

Q:Are there any Online Animation Program offered?

A:Yes. Many universities and institutes listed on our website offer a comprehensive Online Animation Program. The most renowned ones are, Academy of Art University and Full Sail University.

Q:What are the types of short term online animation programs that are offered to students?

A:There are a number of short term online animation programs that students can earn through online schools. Some popular short courses and diplomas include: 3D Max, MAYA, windows game programming basic, windows game programming web and mobile, broadcast animation, and classical animation. The length of these programs is normally 6 months and these programs are offered by most online animation schools.

Q:What is being taught in animation programs online?

A:In the animation programs available online, the individuals are taught the skills that will help them in fields of film making, video making as well as game designing. The course is broken down in a way that it blends the traditional way of arts with the mediums of digital art.

Q:What is the benefit of taking the animation program online?

A:There are a number of Animation Programs being offered online. Students enrolled in the online animation programs have a number of benefits. They can make their own class schedule and complete the degree in as much time as they see fit. They do not have to rush through the course to match the speed of the classmates.

Q:What are the contents of the course on Systems Analysis & Design in the online Animation programs?

A:The Online Animation Programs in the United States have dedicated course on Systems Analysis & Design. This course is worth 2 credits in total and is designed to provide students with ample understanding of the development of the environment of the computer systems in the modern society. Students are also provided with understanding of application operations and implementations.

Q:What topics are covered in 3d animation programs Washington DC?

A:There are a number of courses covered in 3d animation programs Washington DC. Students enrolled in these programs will get an opportunity to study basic concepts, navigation of user interface, working with objects, basic modeling, building compound objects, modeling using referenced images and advanced production tutorials. These are just some of the topics covered, for more information students are requested to search our website.

Q:What are the advantages of enrolling in online animation degree programs?

A:Online animation degree programs are offered by a number of distant schools. There are a number of benefits that come with online education. Students can avoid extra expenses such as transportation costs and book costs. Online programs have an easier course structure. On the other hand, there are no time restraints; one can study at any time according to their convenience.

Q:I am planning to enroll in an animation program but cannot afford the tuition fees. What shall I do?

A:You can apply for federal aid programs and receive monetary assistance. Most of these plans are need based and easy to apply for, all you have to do is fill out a FAFSA form online. The application form can be found online at the official website and is absolutely free of cost. The various aid programs such as loans, grants, scholarships, and work-study programs.

Q:What will I study in cartoon animation programs?

A:There are plenty of cartoon animation programs as this field has emerged as a promising one. 3d movies and games have become quite popular and the job opportunities for this field have increased. The programs not only focus on technical skills but you have to study the art of building a character, designing, texture, and lighting.

Q:Do online animation degrees impart any valuable skills or will I be better off by just learning on the job?

A:The art and design institutes and schools of today have very well-rounded online animation degree programs that will instruct you in a range of essential animation software and techniques. Most of the animation studios now expect their new recruits to be adept at using the latest technologies and software. So go for online animation programs such as bachelor in information management with a specialization in digital design and animation.

Q:Since I am on a low budget and cannot afford college, will online animation programs be more suitable?

A:If you are interested in becoming an animator, you can pursue this goal with the help of an animation program online. The best feature about online programs is that they are less expensive and help you save up on costs related to textbooks and travelling. You can study with ease from the comfort of your home.

Ask your Question

* All Fields are Required