Animation Education and Training

Study the skills needed by animation companies and other businesses employing animators

By Chris Lee Moore
The animation business has expanded far beyond the simple process of painted plastic celluloids being shot one frame at a time. Television shows, movies and computer games are full of computerized, three-dimensional animated images, requiring studios and experts that can create those images.

Animation education and training changes quickly with every passing day. New methods of video animation, 3D animation and digital animation are constantly being developed, and animation companies need people who can keep up with new trends. Your training can include:

1. Getting a degree in animation to give you a leg up in the animation business, and a start in animation studios.

2. Taking your animation education to the next level with a graduate degree.

3. Finding training for the newest computer programs used by animation houses.

 

Start with a degree from animation schools

If you're thinking you'd like a job that involves animation, find a school that offers a degree program. Having an associate or bachelors degree in animation can get you started in the industry, whether you're just starting out or looking to change careers.
Try: The University of Southern California's School of Cinematic Arts, offers a variety of programs in animation including a minor or bachelor degree in the field. Learn how to use animation to create movies and games at the Los Angeles Film School. The Art Institutes International has a Pittsburgh location that includes an online division for distance education, along with the school having several locations across the country. Westwood College offers a Bachelor of Science in Animation you can get online.

Continue with a graduate program to increase your knowledge and become a better animation specialist

Searching for animation schools with postgraduate programs are a little more difficult to come by, however you can find a few colleges within the U.S. offering master programs in animation-related fields.
Try: The Academy of Art University offers a Fine Arts masters degree in animation and visual effects that teaches specialty skills in games, modeling, storyboarding and compositing. The University of Pennsylvania offers a masters degree in computer graphics and gaming technology providing detailed education on animation skills for game designers.

Boost your animation services with training sessions that teach new technology

Don't expect your education to end once you've hooked onto a major computer animation company or other business. You'll need to branish new design skills all the time. When new methods of computer animation develop, find training sessions to learn how to use them.
Try: The Sessions Online School of Design has several training courses in graphic design, including working with Flash and Dreamweaver. Toon Boom Animation has multiple training sessions on how to use many animation programs.