Online Computer Animation Schools: A New Future
Sci-fi and action movies have awesome special effects that are fabricated by graphic designers and computer animators. With a quick Internet search, you can find various PC games, videos, and websites that have all been created by these same professionals.
As Internet and video games, as well as many other media sources, continue to grow and advance, graphic designers and computer animators are becoming more and more in demand. These highly valued professionals are able to create the fantasies many people can only dream about. Entering online computer animation school can give you the opportunity to join these professionals in creating new worlds in every sequence you complete.
Animation Industry
There is a lot more to the animation industry than you may know. There are several fields, positions, and responsibilities within this industry. Attending an accredited animation college online provides you with the knowledge that is needed to enter the world of computer animation and graphics design, becoming an essential part of a team that creates several different forms of animation, including:
- Video games
- Television
- Movies
- Commercials
- Websites
Whether you’re interested in creating cartoons or building upon live action footage, there is a place for you within the computer animation career field.
Online Animation College
If you’re interested in getting a certificate or technical degree, or even your associate’s or bachelor’s degree, online, there are several different schools to choose from. A few schools include:
- Westwood College
- DeVry University
- ITT Technical University
There are also several other campus universities that offer online animation programs that can be completed in as little as nine months or as long as two years. The choice is yours, but it depends upon how far you wish to go in your career, as each degree can lead to a different level within the industry.
Job Outlook
When entering the field of computer animation, there are several directions you may take. For instance, many computer animators choose to work as independent contractors, obtaining freelance positions at various levels. This position will require a great deal of credentials and experience to land higher paying work. There are also positions within animation and graphics design firms, as well as various other companies in numerous industries. You can work your way up to various job titles, including chief designer or creative director within a high profile firm or industry.
Now is a great time to pursue a career in computer animation, as there is a projected career growth of about 6 percent through 2024. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics May 2015 figures, the median pay for multimedia artists and animators is $63,970 per year. Depending upon the field in which you work—and your experience and location—you have the potential to make over $113,000.
The Various Elements of Online Animation Classes
The animation industry offers a multitude of opportunities, but you need to get your education before stepping into this field. A bachelor’s degree or higher is generally the most desired education for this profession, which is why it is a good idea to take a look at the various online animation classes that provide great convenience and a cost-efficient method of obtaining your degree.
The first thing to know about attending an animation course online is that there are several different degrees to pursue:
- Certificate
- Diploma
- Associate’s degree
- Bachelor’s degree
- Master’s degree
A bachelor’s degree program is the most sought out, offering many opportunities and the most skill advancement within the profession. Common courses required for bachelor’s degree programs include:
- Animation fundamentals
- Data structuring
- 2D animation
- Graphic movement
- Storyboard and script creation
- 3D animation
- Software and hardware applications
- Drawing
- Painting
- Analysis and development of solutions in design
- Creation and manipulation of integrated 2D, 3D, and live action
What to Expect from Your Career
If you’re ready to make the move toward tomorrow’s most exciting career, you can take advantage of the many benefits online computer animation schools provide. The courses may not have the hands-on instruction campus-based animation schools have, but they still offer the necessary instruction and curriculum you need.
