How cool would it be to see your name in the credits of the latest Pixar film or Electronic Arts game? Turn the fantasy into reality by getting a first-rate education at an animation school near you.
Click here to find the best animation schools in the US.
Animation schools offer certificates and associate degrees as well as bachelor’s and master’s degrees, depending on the level of knowledge and skill you wish to attain. Animation courses include visual effects, 3D modeling, character animation, storyboarding, visual development, background painting, and more.
One of the key benefits of attending animation schools is having the opportunity to create a professional-quality demo reel and portfolio. With those assets, you’ll be able to compete for animation careers such as 2D or 3D animator, 3D modeler, visual effects artist, compositor, storyboard artist, concept artist, character designer, stop motion animator, and more.
In animation programs, you will acquire traditional skills as well as storytelling abilities to be applied to digital technology. You will become well-versed in animation technology and software. But to become an animator, you’ll need to learn more than one or two software platforms – you’ll need training in animation programs to discover the true art of animation. Animation schools offer a complete, well-rounded education in all aspects of animation.
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At animation schools, you’ll learn the history of the animation industry and ways that the past informs present and future trends. Animation programs help you develop creativity and not just copy what’s already been done; they teach the critical thinking skills necessary to create something new in the world of animation. Animation schools provide the tools you need to make effective, creative choices.
Animation schools help you develop professional skills in the art of visual storytelling. You will learn how to frame each scene to provide maximum impact on the audience and tell a compelling story. You will become familiar with film language and camera language, including camera angle, scale, and focal length.
You will also work on your drawing skills, honing your ability to create convincing poses, expressions, character designs, thumbnails, and storyboards. To do so, you’ll need to develop your understanding of human anatomy and movement as well as composition, color, design, and perspective.
Click here to find the best animation schools in the US.
At animation schools, you will attain specialty animation skills, which involve understanding and applying principles of animation, including walk/run cycles, two-legged and four-legged, lip-sync, staging, squash and stretch, overlapping and follow through, line of action, silhouette, sense of timing, straight ahead, and pose to pose. You will learn how to depict human emotions through animation, and you will learn how to convey motion and interaction of moving objects.
If you know how to work with software but you don’t know how to work with people, you’ll have a tough time getting and keeping a job. At animation schools, you will gain an understanding of the animation process and production. Animation programs offer a broad view so you can understand how your work fits into the grand scheme of a project.
Meeting deadlines within the scope of a larger project and collaborating with concept, design, production, and management teams is essential in the animation industry. You’ll also need to be able to communicate effectively and make professional presentations. Flexibility is especially important, since you may need to revise your work upon client request.
Animation schools also introduce the concept of lifelong learning and developing a curiosity about new advances in the animation industry. To become a successful animator, you’ll need to demonstrate inquisitiveness about the field.
Ready to become an animator? Start at one of the accredited animation schools near you.