Animation plays a more critical role in our daily lives than we often realize. Apart from being utilized in entertainment and television, it’s used in science, video games, healthcare, travel, and advertising.
Rapid technological development implies that future job opportunities for animation and drawing will only expand. From building site graphics to re-creating a scene and much more, efficient animators bring pictures to life.
Good animators can bring images to life, whether using After Effects to create website graphics or iPhone photos to recreate a crime scene.
Animators must be resilient, paying keen attention to detail. They also must master the art of movement, using their observations to animate. They should have strong meticulousness, master all kinds of movements, and swiftly transfer what they view in the real world into animation.
So, do you want to become an animator? Wondering which school to join? In this article, we’ll help you find the best animation school in the US, among other things.
Is It Worth Becoming An Animator In The US
Apart from securing an excellent source of income, following are a few of the many benefits of choosing an animation career:
| # | Advantages |
|---|---|
| 1 | You get to express yourself via your creations, meaning each piece is unique |
| 2 | There is a lot of creative freedom, despite sticking to the script |
| 3 | You develop strong relationships with other animators, leading to better, brighter opportunities |
| 4 | If designing your personal project, you decide your hours |
What Skills Are Required To Be An Animator In The US?
Want to understand how to draw manga characters effectively? If so, you should learn to draw step by step from a seasoned animation or drawing tutor.
Apart from skilled tutoring, you should also have a few essential skills to become a pro animator.
Without further ado, here are some vital skills you’ll need to become an influential animator:
Animators Need To Pay Special Attention-To-Detail
Here’s the thing: patience and meticulousness (or attention-to-detail) are essential in numerous circumstances, including business and poker.
You’ve got to observe poker subtleties quite keenly to spot other players’ tells. Similarly, omissions, inconsistency, and errors can adversely downgrade an animation; thus, you must detect and correct them the moment you spot them.
While working as a successful animator, you’ll require patience to handle customers, clients, complaints, and even closing deals.
Animators Need To Learn How To Use Their Time Wisely
Most of the animation work you’ll do will be on a project basis. This means you’ll require time-management and effective planning skills to finish work prudently.
If you fail to finish a project on time, it will cost you hundreds and thousands of dollars as you’ll have to delay other projects, too.
Animators Need To Be Highly Creative
Animators must have clear visions and be artistic if they want to work efficaciously. They have to harness these creative impulses and develop animations on paper using tactile mediums, such as clay, or create digitally.
Everyone is innovative and creative somehow, whether they sketch or not. For instance, if you’re working in a place where you’re solving different problems, you’re unquestionably creative.
Using spreadsheets to visualize data clearly or discover the most effective way to move extensive materials on building sites are some examples of innovative and creative expressions.
Animators Need To Be Assertive; They Need To Communicate In An Effective Manner
Working as successful animators often requires excellent communication skills. Chances are, you’ll be working with corporate stakeholders or clients who have particular project visions.
To fully comprehend their views and clarify topics you’re tentative about; you will have to communicate with them. But if you can deliver a message promptly, you’ll save time, stress, and effort.
Besides, you’ll have to convey any creative ideas that you have had so people can know your visualizations and mindset.
What To Seek Before Registering For Any Animation Program?
It doesn’t matter which education drawing school you select to study; whichever it might be, first determine a few crucial factors, so you know you’ve made a wise choice:
Please Ensure That The Animation School Has A Strong Faculty
What good is a degree program if you learn it from inept people? What you study is important; however, who you study from is also equally vital.
Remember, the animation world constantly changes with new technologies and techniques.
So, make sure the teachers are seasoned professionals with years of experience if you intend to learn as per existing industry trends and demands.
Please Ensure That The Animation School Has An Up To Date Curriculum
Just as the teaching faculty needs to be abreast of modern trends and techniques, so does the curriculum. Apart from teaching current skills, it will help comprehend what employers seek from graduates.
Please Ensure That Size Of Classrooms At Animation Schools Is Not Too Big
No matter how well the faculty and curriculum are at the animation institute, their efficacy decreases instantly as the size of the class increases. It’s simple: the bigger a classroom, the less attention students receive from their teacher.
The Animation School Should Be Focused On Preparing Students For The Real World
Animation involves technical skills. Consequently, employers seek candidates with the exact skills and professionalism to guarantee success.
Therefore, an animation school or institute you choose, alongside teaching processes, techniques, and tools, should also prepare students for the discipline, commitment, and passion needed for success.
Top Animation Schools In America
Looking for art master classes and programs? Well, here are some of the best animation schools in America:
1. The School Of Visual Arts
This school in New York provides a “Bachelor of Fine Arts” in animation, offerings pupils all the essential tools required to succeed.
Here, students will train on some of the most sophisticated animation hardware and software utilized by skilled animators to build visual art.
Some of the graduates of this school work for Warner Brothers, DreamWorks, Nickelodeon, Disney, and various other famous animation studios.
The curriculum includes but is not limited to sound design, layout courses, and storyboarding. To finish the degree program, pupils also have to take two anatomy course plans; this helps students comprehend the entire bone and muscle system.
The cross-platform foundation prepares pupils for ultimate success in animation, making the school among the top animation schools throughout the country and world.
2. Massachusetts College Of Art And Design
Like several other schools and colleges with drawing and animation degree programs, the curricula at MassArt expose pupils to a range of animation tricks and techniques.
Teachers provide students with necessary instructions such as character animation, digital animation, stop motion, documentary, and much more. All this transforms learners into polished animators and makes them suitable candidates for potential employers.
The degree program of MassArt allows pupils to engage and interact in experimental and conventional techniques during their studies.
The school was initially established for designers, architects, and artists. Some prominent graduates include Chris Beatrice, Sonya Rapoport, and more.
3. Florida State University
This university provides a “Bachelors of Fine Arts in Motion Picture Arts” with a primary focus on digital and animation arts. This degree program explores many different techniques for employing animation.
Students of this university work with some of the best and latest animation technology and start working with both 2D and 3D animation from the program’s outset.
This degree program includes visual effects, 3D, texturing, and much more. Teachers train students in professional software programs such as Adobe After Effects and Adobe Photoshop.
They’re prepared for crucial animating tasks such as live-action, sound, editing, and cinematography.
Some prominent alumni include Ron Friedman, Amy Kennedy, Jonathan King, and Mathew Lopez.
4. California Institute Of The Arts
This institute is known mainly for its diverse educational programs.
Apart from music, dance, literary arts, and theatre, they offer various animation courses as “BFA in Character Animation,” a four-year degree program offering skills you require for 2D and CGI animation, etc.
Students will learn drawing and storytelling via expressions and animations, as well as how to make animations precisely. Not only this, but they will also learn sound effects, illustration, visual design, and advanced painting.
While studying, you’ll build a solid rock portfolio that you can show to your future employers after graduation.
5. Ringling College Of Art And Design
Here’s an institute with a complete catalog of degree programs to select from for pupils interested in drawing and animation.
For example, the college offers a “BFA in Computer Animation.” Often termed the best animation degree program in entire North America, you can study everything from modeling to editing, texturing, and painting.
The institute has produced notable alumni such as makers of award-winning short films like ‘In a Heartbeat.’ Students will study traditional animation, 3D animation, and visual development. However, this isn’t the only course plan available at Ringling College.
You can also take “BFA in Motion Design.” You’ll learn to do almost everything involving animation, such as sound artists, storyboard artists, and art directors. The college also offers a “BFA in Game Art” for students who intend to flex their abilities in video games.
If everything above doesn’t interest you and you’re unable to decide, there’s “BA in Visual Studies.” It’s a degree program where students can choose their classes to ensure they get a course to meet their specific needs.
Want to become a successful animator? If so, choose Ringling College!
6. Rhode Island School Of Design
According to multiple organizations and publications, The Rhode Island School of Design is the top art institute in the country.
School of Design provides a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) degree in animation, video, and film.
Students work with animation, live-action, or a combination of both, helping them create films in various genres.
Facilities at RISD include technologically advanced sound mixing, puppet animation technology, and digital editing – in-demand specializations used all over the industry.
The students at RISD are trained to use tools standard in the industry. Moreover, they learn how to conceptualize utilizing critical thinking and content development in their work.
The university is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design and the New England Association of Schools and Colleges.
Some of its famous alumni include the creator of 'American Dad,' 'The Cleveland Show,' and 'Family Guy,' – Seth MacFarlane; animator of 'Family Guy,' and 'Avatar: The Last Airbender,' – Michael Dante DiMartino; and animator of 'The Critic' and 'The Simpsons' – Lance Wilder.
Take Private Art Lessons To Be An Animator From Superprof
Even though a degree in animation will prepare you to work in illustrious animation houses like DreamWorks and Pixar, your options are more versatile and broad. An animation program will teach you how to implement advanced technology and support the artistic vision you carry by covering storylines, coursework, craft development, and characters.
Furthermore, you will be qualified to work in various settings, regardless of whether you aim to become a production designer, art director, multimedia specialist, film editor, or character artist.
But if you are still unsure which animation program in the US will be right for you, why not get advice from one of the hundreds of student advisors at Superprof. Whether you want to learn digital or hand-drawn animation techniques and tricks, working with private teachers can help boost talent and enhance skills.
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Fortunately, finding animation tutors on Superprof is a breeze!
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Before choosing your favorite teacher, it’s best to go through different profiles and see their years of experience, academic qualifications, certificates, and even reviews left by previous pupils.
Superprof tutors charge rates depending on the lesson frequency and length; however, you’ll find an animation tutor within your range as the platform hosts hundreds of professional tutors.
With Superprof private animation lessons, you can become an animator within no time!
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