What Can Yous Exercise With an Animation Degree?

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by Staff Writers

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 strop central hard and soft skills, including computer literacy.
  • Most animation degree-holders work in the film, Television, and video game industries.
  • Animation degrees work well in an online format since almost animation is done digitally.
  • A master's degree in animation can be useful for those seeking leadership roles.

Over the decades, animation has changed from kids' stuff to amusement trendsetter. Today's animation manufacture is booming, but animated films and Television set shows wouldn't exist where they are now without the skilled creatives behind them.

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

1 major benefit of getting an blitheness degree is that it allows you lot to network with like-minded individuals while honing your technical and artistic skills. Having an undergraduate degree also opens you up for better career advocacy and higher earning potential.

At the same time, blitheness jobs are welcoming lots of contest. So is an animation degree worth pursuing, or not?

What Will Yous Learn in an Animation Major?

An animation or reckoner animation degree program gives you the opportunity to develop and hone your artistic skills. You'll acquire from industry professionals and report an array of topics, including basic blitheness principles, the production pipeline, character and background design, storyboarding, and modeling.

As an animation major, you lot'll abound your artistic abilities by working with motion graphics, second and 3D visual furnishings, and video editing. You'll also develop skills similar typography, screenwriting, camera direction, pre- and post-production planning, time management, and reckoner literacy.

Many of your classes will require you lot to employ industry-standard software, such as Toon Boom, Autodesk Maya, and Adobe Creative Cloud.

Mutual Classes in an Animation Major

Life Cartoon: Helps you hone your basic drawing skills Pattern: Enhances your understanding of formal elements and design principles Principles of Animation: Teaches yous how to use the main principles of blitheness Storyboarding: Introduces the concept and practice of visual storytelling second and 3D Grapheme Animation: Focuses on the practices of character animation Storytelling: Goes over how to write for animated films and Idiot box series

Movement/Acting: Teaches yous emotions and movements for animated content 3D Modeling: Focuses on the nuts of 3D reckoner modeling History of Blitheness: Provides groundwork on the history of animation and film Concept and Evolution: Prepares y'all to craft a thesis picture show Pic Production: Allows you to focus on creating your thesis motion-picture show Post-Production: Gives you the opportunity to put finishing touches on your thesis film

Sources: SCAD, Art Institute of Atlanta, CalArts

What Jobs Can You Get With an Animation Degree?

Blitheness caste-holders can pursue long and fruitful careers. Many choose to stay within the animation field by working positions dealing with 2D 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 advertising so they tin can utilize their technical prowess and artistic skills for agencies and clients.

Animation, gaming, circulate design, and special effects are some of the most popular career paths for animation graduates. A studio animator designs and storyboards animated content for movie and Goggle box, whereas gaming and special furnishings animators create characters and visual furnishings for video games, movies, and TV shows. Some may also work with prop and background design and technical direction. 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 advertising creates, directs, and produces animated ads. Graphic design and analogy, by dissimilarity, give animation degree-holders the chance to create comics (strips, books, etc.), consumer products, and brand designs.

Co-ordinate to the BLS, the median almanac salary for multimedia artists and animators is $75,270, or most $35,000 above the median income for all occupations.

According to the Agency of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median annual bacon for multimedia artists and animators is $75,270, or about $35,000 higher up the median income for all occupations. Jobs for animators are projected to abound 4% — right around average — between 2019 and 2029.

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

Fifty-fifty without a degree, you can even so prepare and train for a job in animation using things like online tutorials and blitheness books. Manufacture acquaintances, apprenticeships, and social media have all go major tools for getting your foot in the door in animation.

Animation Jobs and Salaries
Chore Median Salary Chore Growth Rate (2019-29)
Art Director $94,220 -2%
Animator $75,270 4%
Character and Background Designer $75,270 4%
Special Furnishings Artist $75,270 4%
Game Designer $65,000
Motility Graphic Designer $60,000
Graphic Designer $52,110 -iv%
Illustrator $50,550 (all fine artists) 1% (all fine artists)

Sources: Agency of Labor Statistics, PayScale

Can You Earn an Blitheness Degree Online?

If yous're hoping to get an animation degree online, you're in luck. Considering virtually blitheness these days is washed digitally, the subject works well as an online offering. Though you won't be sitting in a classroom, you'll yet get that crucial hands-on experience through your computer.

As you would in a traditional in-person program, you'll work with certain animation software and applications to develop and strop your skills. Students typically complete weekly assignments as well as a larger terminate-of-term project or final.

Because most animation these days is done digitally, the subject works well equally 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 like graphic design and media arts offer concentrations in animation or a related field.

Consider too how the program allows you to collaborate with your instructors, how many credits are required to consummate the degree, and what kind of digital learning platform and animation software y'all'll exist expected to use.

Should Y'all Go to Graduate School for Animation?

While many animation majors get their BFA and and so head correct into the workforce, some may need a master'due south degree to accelerate their careers.

Graduate caste-seekers can choose from an assortment of MA and MFA programs that specialize in animation. Many well-known colleges and universities offer chief's degrees in animation with varying lengths and course loads. Here are some examples:

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

More often than not, animation master's degree-seekers want to accelerate their careers or concentrate on a certain specialization. Mid-level senior animators and directors may earn a master's degree so they can move into studio executive positions. The same goes for intermediate artists and designers looking to become blitheness and technical directors.

Others, meanwhile, may want a master's in animation so they tin teach courses at the college level.

Is an Animation Degree Worth It?

Like whatsoever other degree, an animation degree's worth tin can be measured past its impact on not only the pupil but also their career.

With a bachelor'south degree in animation, you'll get time to perfect your artistic efforts and collaborate with artists across multiple disciplines. Taking a variety of fine art courses exposes yous to different mediums and techniques, giving you a sense of flexibility for your future career.

Some other perk of majoring in animation 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 also offer assistance to students interested in attention graduate schoolhouse.

Inquiry shows that the animation market place has grown 2-3% year over year. This growth is tied to the virtual reality and augmented reality boom.

As blitheness'southward presence grows, the job outlook for degree-holders has improved. According to Business Wire, research shows that the animation marketplace has grown 2-3% year over year. This growth is tied to the virtual reality and augmented reality boom, equally well every bit the heightened need for qualified animators.

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

If you're assail becoming an animator — and especially interested in working with mobile devices — an animation major will make you more qualified for specific jobs and assist you lot earn a steady income. Just know that competition for these positions will be tough, and y'all may need a master'southward caste to help you stand apart from other candidates.

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

Resources for Blitheness Majors

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

Larn what to expect in an animation bachelor's caste programme.

A listing of the peak online undergraduate animation programs in the U.S.


Feature Image: Cavan Images / Cavan / Getty Images

Want to earn your bachelor's in animation? Learn nearly caste requirements and discover how studying animation can accelerate your career. Want to launch an animation career? Learn more than about 3D animator skills, instruction requirements, animator jobs, and animator bacon potential in this guide. Majoring in Animation can open so many doors to the artistic globe. Explore your options here.

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