What Tin You Practise With an Animation Degree?

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Published on November 16, 2020 · Updated on Apr 28, 2022

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What Can You Do With an Animation Degree?

  • An blitheness major lets you lot hone key difficult and soft skills, including estimator literacy.
  • Most animation degree-holders work in the motion-picture show, Television receiver, and video game industries.
  • Animation degrees piece of work well in an online format since most animation is done digitally.
  • A chief's degree in animation can be useful for those seeking leadership roles.

Over the decades, animation has changed from kids' stuff to entertainment trendsetter. Today's blitheness industry is booming, only animated films and TV shows wouldn't be where they are at present without the skilled creatives behind them.

Many of these professionals completed rigorous training through an animation degree program. Students can pursue a bachelor's caste in animation at a traditional four-yr higher or art school. Upon obtaining a BFA in animation, graduates tin expect for animation positions or use their skills in other industries, such every bit publishing and advertising.

One major benefit of getting an blitheness caste is that it allows you to network with agreeing individuals while honing your technical and creative skills. Having an undergraduate caste also opens you up for better career advancement and higher earning potential.

At the aforementioned fourth dimension, animation jobs are welcoming lots of competition. So is an animation caste worth pursuing, or not?

What Will You Acquire in an Animation Major?

An blitheness or computer animation degree program gives you the opportunity to develop and hone your creative skills. You'll learn from industry professionals and written report an assortment of topics, including basic animation principles, the production pipeline, character and groundwork pattern, storyboarding, and modeling.

As an animation major, you'll grow your creative abilities by working with motion graphics, 2D and 3D visual effects, and video editing. Y'all'll besides develop skills like typography, screenwriting, camera management, pre- and post-product planning, time management, and computer literacy.

Many of your classes will require you to use industry-standard software, such as Toon Boom, Autodesk Maya, and Adobe Artistic Deject.

Mutual Classes in an Animation Major

Life Drawing: Helps you lot hone your basic drawing skills Design: Enhances your understanding of formal elements and blueprint principles Principles of Animation: Teaches you how to utilise the principal principles of animation Storyboarding: Introduces the concept and exercise of visual storytelling 2d and 3D Graphic symbol Animation: Focuses on the practices of character animation Storytelling: Goes over how to write for animated films and TV series

Movement/Acting: Teaches you emotions and movements for animated content 3D Modeling: Focuses on the nuts of 3D computer modeling History of Animation: Provides background on the history of animation and film Concept and Development: Prepares yous to arts and crafts a thesis picture Picture Production: Allows y'all to focus on creating your thesis film Post-Production: Gives you the opportunity to put finishing touches on your thesis picture show

Sources: SCAD, Art Institute of Atlanta, CalArts

What Jobs Tin Y'all Get With an Animation Caste?

Animation degree-holders can pursue long and fruitful careers. Many choose to stay within the animation field by working positions dealing with 2nd and 3D animation, storyboarding, or design. Some graduates may pursue related jobs in motion design and visual furnishings, while others delve into graphic design and advert then they can utilise their technical prowess and creative skills for agencies and clients.

Animation, gaming, broadcast blueprint, and special furnishings are some of the most popular career paths for animation graduates. A studio animator designs and storyboards blithe content for film and Boob tube, whereas gaming and special effects animators create characters and visual effects for video games, movies, and Tv set shows. Some may also work with prop and background design and technical management. Finally, broadcast designers create titles, graphics, and more for TV shows, news, and special events.

Other avenues for animation graduates include advertising, graphic design, and illustration. An animator working in advertizement creates, directs, and produces blithe ads. Graphic design and analogy, by contrast, give animation degree-holders the adventure to create comics (strips, books, etc.), consumer products, and brand designs.

According to the BLS, the median annual salary for multimedia artists and animators is $75,270, or about $35,000 to a higher place the median income for all occupations.

Co-ordinate to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median almanac salary for multimedia artists and animators is $75,270, or about $35,000 above the median income for all occupations. Jobs for animators are projected to grow four% — right around average — between 2019 and 2029.

Most animation-related jobs crave candidates to have a bachelor's degree. An animation degree can help you learn more about the industry and its practices, and signals to employers that y'all sympathize what the position entails, especially when it comes to managerial and directorial roles.

Even without a degree, you can still fix and train for a job in animation using things like online tutorials and animation books. Industry acquaintances, apprenticeships, and social media have all become major tools for getting your foot in the door in blitheness.

Blitheness Jobs and Salaries
Job Median Salary Job Growth Rate (2019-29)
Art Director $94,220 -ii%
Animator $75,270 four%
Character and Groundwork Designer $75,270 4%
Special Effects Artist $75,270 4%
Game Designer $65,000 —
Motion Graphic Designer $lx,000 —
Graphic Designer $52,110 -4%
Illustrator $50,550 (all fine artists) 1% (all fine artists)

Sources: Bureau of Labor Statistics, PayScale

Can You lot Earn an Blitheness Degree Online?

If you're hoping to get an animation degree online, yous're in luck. Because most blitheness these days is done digitally, the subject works well as an online offering. Though you lot won't be sitting in a classroom, you lot'll still get that crucial easily-on experience through your computer.

Every bit y'all would in a traditional in-person plan, y'all'll work with sure animation software and applications to develop and hone your skills. Students typically complete weekly assignments as well every bit a larger end-of-term project or terminal.

Because most animation these days is done digitally, the subject works well as an online offering.

Before you apply for an online animation caste program, make sure the school is accredited. In addition, don't limit your search to animation programs only — many online programs in areas similar graphic blueprint and media arts offering concentrations in blitheness or a related field.

Consider as well how the program allows you to collaborate with your instructors, how many credits are required to complete the degree, and what kind of digital learning platform and animation software you lot'll exist expected to employ.

Should You Go to Graduate School for Blitheness?

While many animation majors go their BFA and then head right into the workforce, some may need a main'south degree to accelerate their careers.

Graduate degree-seekers can choose from an array of MA and MFA programs that specialize in animation. Many well-known colleges and universities offer master's degrees in animation with varying lengths and form loads. Hither are some examples:

  • California Found of the Arts' MFA in experimental animation
  • DePaul University'due south MFA in animation
  • The Ohio State University's MFA in digital blitheness and interactive media
  • Pratt Constitute's MFA in digital animation and motion arts
  • Rochester Institute of Technology's MFA in moving picture and animation
  • Savannah College of Art and Design'south MA in animation
  • Academy of Southern California's MFA in animation and digital arts
  • Academy of South Florida's MFA in studio art with a concentration in animation and digital modeling

Generally, blitheness master'southward caste-seekers want to advance their careers or concentrate on a certain specialization. Mid-level senior animators and directors may earn a master's caste so they tin motility into studio executive positions. The same goes for intermediate artists and designers looking to get animation and technical directors.

Others, meanwhile, may desire a master's in blitheness then they can teach courses at the higher level.

Is an Blitheness Degree Worth It?

Like whatsoever other caste, an animation degree'south worth can be measured by its impact on not only the educatee only too their career.

With a available's degree in animation, you'll get fourth dimension to perfect your creative efforts and interact with artists across multiple disciplines. Taking a multifariousness of art courses exposes you to different mediums and techniques, giving yous a sense of flexibility for your future career.

Some other perk of majoring in blitheness is the opportunity to receive guidance from industry professionals. Their career advice tin help when information technology comes to seeking and obtaining internships and animation jobs; they can too offer aid to students interested in attending graduate schoolhouse.

Research shows that the animation market place has grown two-iii% yr over year. This growth is tied to the virtual reality and augmented reality boom.

Every bit animation'south presence grows, the job outlook for caste-holders has improved. According to Business organization Wire, enquiry shows that the animation market place has grown 2-3% year over year. This growth is tied to the virtual reality and augmented reality smash, as well as the heightened demand for qualified animators.

The BLS also notes that the increment in smartphone apps' popularity has profoundly contributed to this demand for high-quality blitheness. Due to students' growing involvement in establishing careers in animation, at that place is projected to exist stiff competition for animation jobs in the coming decade.

If you lot're set on becoming an animator — and particularly interested in working with mobile devices — an animation major will brand you more than qualified for specific jobs and aid you lot earn a steady income. Just know that contest for these positions will exist tough, and you lot may demand a master's degree to help you stand up apart from other candidates.

Ultimately, though, your success as an animator will come downward to your talent and drive.

Resources for Blitheness Majors

A guide to the various career paths you lot can pursue in blitheness.

Learn what to expect in an blitheness bachelor's caste plan.

A listing of the top online undergraduate animation programs in the U.Due south.

Characteristic Image: Cavan Images / Cavan / Getty Images

Want to earn your available's in animation? Larn about caste requirements and notice how studying animation tin advance your career. Want to launch an animation career? Larn more about 3D animator skills, education requirements, animator jobs, and animator salary potential in this guide. Majoring in Blitheness tin can open and so many doors to the creative globe. Explore your options here.

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