Finding the Right Animation School

by Sarah Clark
Career Training Directory Columnist

All animation schools are not equal, and that’s a good thing. If you’re an aspiring animator, you need to know a few key facts about a program (and your career goals) to choose the one best for you.

What Are Your Animation Career Goals?

There are many types of animators and animation careers. Some are based in Hollywood and involve working on animated films, like those by Pixar Animation Studios. They require training in storytelling, drawing, computer animation, and the cinematic arts.

Other animation careers are found in the computer gaming industry. They also require some storytelling ability, but focus more on hard-core programming concepts, like artificial intelligence. Game animators also need to be very comfortable with using computer animation technology.

Then there are animators in the commercial world. They might create an animated advertisement using computers or drawing, the old-fashioned way. They might also use Flash animation to create more interactive websites.

Which category of animator do you fall in? That’s the first question you should ask yourself as you consider which animation school to choose.

Which Animation School Fits These Goals?

Once you’ve decided what type of animator you want to become, you can begin making a more formal assessment of animation schools.

For instance, if you want to work on films, you might consider animation schools found within a university with a strong film program. There you can take animation classes on drawing and computer animation technology, as well as courses on character development, storytelling, and film production management. You’ll also benefit from attending a school where others share your passion for film and storytelling.

Similarly, there are many animation schools dedicated to preparing students for careers in the gaming industry. These programs will likely have a harder technical edge, focusing more on computer technology, like 3D computer and character animation, as well as the programming and mathematical concepts that underlie game design.

Now you’re ready to decide which one is right for you.

About the Author

S. J. Clark is a freelance writer specializing in postsecondary education and career development.

Source(s)

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics