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Animation plays a much bigger role in daily life than most people realize. In addition to being used in television and entertainment, animation is used in:. The rapid growth of technology means that future career options in animation will only grow. From creating website graphics in After Effects to recreating a crime scene from iPhone photos, successful animators bring images to life in real time. As animation continues to grow across industries, many animation schools offer animation degrees.

However, not all animation schools provide the same level of knowledge. The following top animation schools all have the following criteria:. All the animation schools on this list are also accredited.

This indicates that the school meets or exceeds criteria that indicate excellence in education. Animation studios are more likely to choose a candidate who has graduated from one of these schools over one who has not. The sign of excellent animation programs are those with notable alumni who have been recognized in their field. Consider tools like:. You will train on the most up-to-date animation software and hardware used by professional animators to create visual art.

Animation majors must also complete two anatomy courses to complete the program, which will help you understand the full muscle and bone system. This cross-platform foundation equips graduates for success in character animation, making SVA NYC one of the top animation programs.

Like many colleges for animation , the curriculum at the MassArt exposes students to a variety of animation techniques. You will study areas such as:. This animation degree prepares students into well-rounded animators when they seek employment after graduation. The program allows students to engage in conventional as well as experimental techniques throughout their studies.

It is also accredited by the Northeast Association of Schools and Colleges. The program explores the many different methods for using animation in the filmmaking industry. Students at this top animation school in Florida work with the most current technology available in the animation world and begin working with 2D animation software from the first class they take in the program.

Students are provided instruction in the Adobe creative suite of animation tools, like Photoshop and After Effects. They are prepared for essential animating tasks like:. Courses include 3D, texturing, visual effects, and more to give the student a well-rounded background in animation. FSU alumni include:. Laguna College of Art and Design is one of the best animation schools in California. It offers an animation degree program that is dedicated to training exceptional storytellers.

Students develop their skills using the latest tools, including Adobe Animate and open-source animation software with advanced features. Students are taught by instructors with professional experience in the animation industry. They help prepare young animators for a career in the field.

Graduates have found employment at well-known animation studios like:. It highlighs the best work from the animation department. Guest instructors have included:. The college is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges. Animation majors take courses like physically based animation, computer graphics, automata, and 3D to provide as much knowledge to students as possible.

Ohio State University is among the colleges with animation majors. Ohio State offers both an undergraduate and graduate degree in Arts and Technology. It includes a concentration in animation. Students develop knowledge and skills in many aspects of animation:. In addition to their major, students are required to complete a rigorous liberal arts component as part of their degree program.

Ohio State is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. Notable alumni include Charles Scuri, considered the father of digital art and computer animation. It offers a BA degree in both traditional and computer animation. Students in the computer animation program choose a concentration in either computer animation or visual effects. This allows them the flexibility to tailor their education to their career.

Students in the traditional animation program choose a concentration in either stop-motion animation or hand-drawn animation. They use the best drawing tools and teach cut-out animation skills. Both concentrations provide training in 2D and 3D animation. Students may also choose a BFA in Animation that adds additional liberal studies to the program. Notable alumni include:. Students are taught 2D and 3D animation as they develop skills and learn the history of new media. Pratt Institute has nine state-of-the-art animation studio classrooms and a high-speed fiber channel network.

There are audio recording studios and dedicated green screen facilities. Graduates of this top digital animation degree will develop both the skills and expertise ready to make a contribution to the animation field. Tisch is one of the best animation schools in New York. It includes studies of many different aspects of film and television. This gives students knowledge and skills outside the realm of animation while also preparing them for a career in their chosen field.

This animation degree takes five years to complete and includes courses designed to provide knowledge into the business side of the arts world. Brigham Young University is one of the best animation schools offering media arts designed for students who wish to enter film-related careers after graduation. Students must master film culture, history, and theory. They will develop the skill sets necessary to work in their chosen field of animation.

This provides students with a broader education than if they were only studying animation. In addition, Brigham Young requires a rigorous liberal arts component in all of their degree programs, providing students with education outside the art world as well.

Animation majors are provided a thorough understanding of:. Students can complete creative works using 2D, stop motion, and 3D animation or a combination of several approaches. All student courses are linked to the art world and related to:. The school also has a partnership with Johns Hopkins Medical School, allowing students to attend courses at both schools. MICA is consistently ranked as one of the top 10 visual arts colleges in the country. Alumni include:.

This gives students ample opportunities for internships and work experience that allows them to gain hands-on experience while studying animation. They gain real-world experience in an industry where technology changes rapidly.

Upon completion, students are provided the opportunity for a full year of animation studies as well as an internship. Erick Oh, a graduate, is an animator at Pixar and has worked on such films as:. Shane Acker graduated from the program in Students begin work on 16mm film, digital video, and animation from the first year of study and build on their production work throughout the program.

Students may choose an animation concentration. The program uses lectures, laboratories, and guest speakers to help students develop their animation skills. Students at this top animation college in New York produce several animations throughout the program, working through all phases of production, including scripting, budgeting, shooting, and editing. Elan Lee, an alternate reality game designer, graduated from the RIT in Carnegie Mellon University offers a concentration in Animation and Special Effects that allows students to develop an understanding of the many aspects of animation.

Students learn:. Students in any major may add the concentration to their curriculum. Students are also able to integrate their integrative design, arts, and technology courses with the animation concentration.

Carnegie Mellon provides students with collaborative studios that promote hands-on learning. This gives them the ability to apply what they learn in class to a real-world situation. Ivan Sutherland, who is considered the creator of computer graphics, graduated from the school in Andy Warhol graduated from the university in Animation majors are provided instruction in:. Animation students are able to collaborate on projects, learning the importance of teamwork in the animation industry.

Students have access to professional-grade technology, allowing them to master industry technology that they will use in their career. The University of Southern California offers a BA in Animation and Digital Arts that allows students to gain a liberal arts background with a professional specialization.

The major courses are selected from the School of Cinematic Arts. All students must complete a senior project in order to graduate. This best animation school in California is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges. The Character Animation program is a BFA degree that provides students an understanding of the art of storytelling and character performance as it relates to animation.

The degrees are designed for students who wish to develop personal visions with the ever-changing parameters of animation. CalArts was established by Walt and Roy Disney. It was the first higher education in the country to offer undergraduate and graduate degrees in visual and performing arts.

Is animation college worth it.Do Animators Really Need to Go to Art School?

The undergraduate degree in animation teaches students the animation skills to pursue a variety of career paths. They learn to create art forms by hand and also use advanced software to express ideas and information. Animation majors take a variety of courses as they work towards their degrees.

These courses cover art, technology, drawing, history, and foundational studies in animation, along with the creative and practical aspects of the field. They help cultivate the animation skills of students and prepare them for successful careers. A quick overview of courses:. A degree in animation, be it an undergraduate or a postgraduate degree, will open many doors for students so that they can explore various career paths. Here is a quick overview of the top careers one can get into with an animation degree.

The above is just an idea of the average salaries for the roles mentioned; it can differ greatly between companies, industries, and even regions.

Big profit companies and large organizations often have higher salary structures than smaller companies. Animation is a competitive field, so more advanced degrees will provide students with an edge over others.

Students can major in animation but also choose from alternative majors like a degree in computer graphics, fine arts, or a related field. All these are related and help students meet their animation interests and career goals.

Students can choose the major or concentration that is best tailored to their goals in a way to be more strategic about getting into their dream careers. Some students take certification courses to upgrade their skills and add to their qualifications and experience since having the necessary specialized skills for the job is important.

A degree in animation provides students interested in the world of animation with invaluable experience and deep knowledge. They learn new skills and technologies that prepare them to face the professional world once they graduate. There are a large number of universities offering on-campus animation degrees, but at the same time, there are many universities that are beginning to offer accredited online animation programs and online multimedia degrees as well.

The ongoing pandemic has highlighted the importance of compelling stories in the lives of many. People have been turning to movies, television shows, and social media for much-needed entertainment. Studying animation paves the way to creating compelling content that is not limited to just cartoons. Through the study of animation, you can learn how to do graphic design, create GIFs, and yes, even make your own memes. With an animation degree, you can tell amazing stories that can make people laugh, wonder or simply make them smile.

Your only limitation is your own imagination in the world of animation. Through a career in animation, you get to share your thoughts with the world and present them in visually appealing formats.

You can create a whole universe through persistent hard work and passion. While this may sound like an impossible dream to some, there are people like Filipino Pixar supervising animator Gini Cruz Santos who won a Golden Globe award for the movie Coco who is proof that you can make your dreams happen.

It may be a hard endeavor, but nothing worth it is ever easy anyway. If you think you have what it takes to become a successful animator, you should follow your passion, and invest in the life you want to live today.

Through an animation degree, you will be able to learn the skills needed for a promising career in the animation industry. You will also learn a lot of important lessons such as time management, teamwork, and communication skills that will prove to be useful in everyday life. 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 can look for animation positions or apply their skills in other industries, such as publishing and advertising.

Featured or trusted partner programs and all school search, finder, or match results are for schools that compensate us. This compensation does not influence our school rankings, resource guides, or other editorially-independent information published on this site. One major benefit of getting an animation degree is that it allows you to network with like-minded individuals while honing your technical and artistic skills.

Having an undergraduate degree also opens you up for better career advancement and higher earning potential. At the same time, animation jobs are welcoming lots of competition. So is an animation degree worth pursuing, or not? An animation or computer animation degree program gives you the opportunity to develop and hone your creative skills.

You’ll learn from industry professionals and study an array of topics, including basic animation principles, the production pipeline, character and background design, storyboarding, and modeling. As an animation major, you’ll grow your artistic abilities by working with motion graphics, 2D and 3D visual effects, and video editing. You’ll also develop skills like typography, screenwriting, camera direction, pre- and post-production planning, time management, and computer literacy.

Animation degree-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 effects, while others delve into graphic design and advertising so they can utilize their technical prowess and artistic skills for agencies and clients. Animation, gaming, broadcast design, and special effects are some of the most popular career paths for animation graduates. A studio animator designs and storyboards animated content for film and TV, whereas gaming and special effects animators create characters and visual effects 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 illustration, by contrast, give animation degree-holders the chance to create comics strips, books, etc.

Most animation-related jobs require 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 you understand what the position entails, especially when it comes to managerial and directorial roles. Even without a degree, you can still prepare 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 animation.