The Advantages To Earning An Animation Degree
An animation degree provides individuals with the skills and knowledge necessary to work as qualified professionals within dynamic film and media industries. Earning an animation degree has never been easier for individuals maintaining work and family responsibilities as many colleges and universities have developed innovative online degree programs in response to a growing demand for quality, online education. Online animation degree programs are often one of the very best and most convenient means of advancing educational, personal, and professional goals. Online degree programs offer virtually the same educational experiences, instruction, and materials as their traditional, brick and mortara counterparts. Most online classes consist of groups of 25 students who have one on one access to instructors and other students. Online courses also provide students with 24 hour access to courses materials and instruction. Additionally, most online courses provide students with an added benefit of flexibility in course scheduling. Online animation degree programs are a great way for students to expand education and skills necessary for future success.
What Students Learn Through An Online Animation Degree Program
Students enrolled within an online animation degree program gain information relevant to the field of animation using computers and other technologies. Online animation degree programs give instruction necessary to develop characters, perform 2D and 3D animation, create game art, create special effects, and complete story boarding. Additionally, since current trends have steadily grown away from drawn and posed animation, students enrolled within an animation degree program gain knowledge regarding various modern technologies vast he majority of an animator’s work is performed using computers and other electronics. A bachelor’s degree is often a required to become qualified as an animator though some graduates with lesser degrees gain the skills necessary for employment through an associates degree program.
Courses at an associate degree level include: creative and innovation studies; principles of timing; storyboard and scriptwriting; fundamentals of design; introduction to computer skills; presentation, research, and study skills; professional communication skills; photography; professional communication skills; history of animation; animation practice; drawing for animation; film structure; 2D animation; film appreciation; imaging for animation; animation style and genre; principles of entrepreneurship; 3D modeling; and industry training. Graduates from an associate’s degree program in animation may qualify for employment as junior animators and other jobs or may advance to bachelor degree programs to refine skills.
Courses at a bachelor degree level include: English composition, fundamentals of art, ethics and psychology, 3D foundations, model creation, shading and lighting, college mathematics, historical archetypes and mythology, methods of design, character design and creation, geometry and measurement, production modeling, fundamentals of physics, 2D animation, compositing fundamentals, project management and assessment, fundamentals of animation, character rigging, character animation, animation production, public speaking, art creation for games, compositing and scene finishing, interpersonal communications, animation pre-production, demo reel creation, and portfolio content creation. Graduates from a bachelor degree program generally qualify for employment within animation, advertising, and other fields or may advance to master degree programs.
Master degree courses include: advanced computer animation, advanced computer animation studio, animation studies, facial animation studies, advanced exploration of applied design in animation, graduate interactive design, production techniques in computer animation, innovative and essential studio, historical exploration of animation techniques, graduate animation production, graduate animation production studio, advanced expressive figure drawing studio, research seminar, history of 20th century (modern) art and design, advanced expressive figure drawing studio, animation technical direction, experimental inquiry, theory of animation, animation technical direction, master’s colloquia, final cut and animation art direction, screenwriting fundamentals, media literacy and research methodologies, executive leadership, project and team management, and film, video, and computer animation. Graduates from a master’s degree program in animation are generally qualified as experts within the field and may work within a variety of settings.
Prospective Jobs For Graduates With Animation Degrees
Graduates who complete an animation degree program generally qualify for a wide range of jobs within multiple settings and industries. Students who complete an animation degree program not only gain skills relevant to designing visual animations but also gain a tremendous understanding of the use of computers and technology. Graduates with animation degrees often work within film, gaming, or advertising companies creating visual animations, special effects, web animation, advertising, and even e-learning duties. Job prospects for graduates from animation degree programs are, like most occupations, dependent upon factors like level of education, geographic location, related work experience, and areas of specialty.
Graduates who complete an associate’s degree often work as entry level animators and junior designers within web based, film, or advertising companies. Graduates who complete a bachelor’s degree program generally qualify for employment within film, gaming, advertising, software publishing, telecommunication, and computer industries. Graduates who complete a master’s degree program are generally qualified as experts within the field and work as instructors, researchers, and upper level executives within colleges or universities, facilities, and many businesses. As with most occupations, graduates who complete formal degree programs, gain work experience, continue education, specialize skills, and earn adequate funding often work as independent animators or consultants within self operated businesses.
Salary Range For Graduates With Animation Degrees
Graduates with animation degrees have the potential to build lucrative careers within a variety of industries. As with most careers, factors like organization or industry of employment, level of education, area of specialty, related work experience, and geographic location greatly affect earning potential. The U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics reports median salaries for animators ranges from $58,350 to $81,360 annually. The average salary for most animator jobs is generally $65,000 annually. Graduates who work as entry level animators generally earn $47,041 to $61,391 annually. Graduates who gain employment as multimedia artists and 3D animators generally have higher earnings than those who work within other fields. Graduates who work independently as established consultants or those with advanced degrees generally have a higher earning potential, with salaries beginning at $90,000 annually or higher, than those who work within other industries.
Career Outlook And Advancement Opportunities For Graduates With Animation Degrees
Graduates with animation degrees are expected to find many opportunities for employment within a steadily growing field. The U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics (BLS) reports employment for graduates with degrees in animation is expected to grow at an average rate through 2018. The BLS predicts competition for jobs to be significantly high due to the number of qualified candidates in relation to the number of available jobs. Candidates who complete formal degree programs, gain hands on work experiences, and display outstanding creativity, talent, and style are expected to be preferred over candidates with less training, experience, and skills.
Animation graduates just beginning their careers may expect steady job opportunities and stable advancement opportunities. As the demand of consumers for more realistic movie, television, video games, and special effects increases, graduates who complete animation degrees are expected to also see increased job and advancement opportunities. Animators who specialize skills in scientific research and design are expected to find increased employability. Conversely, lower priority animation is often offshored and may adversely affect the number of jobs available to less experienced and less qualified animators. Graduates with animation degrees often begin their careers working closely with more experienced professionals and advance to jobs which require less supervision. These graduates also gain more complex jobs as chief animators and gain promotion opportunities as upper level executives upon establishing their professionalism, style, and reputation.
