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A
career in the field of animation can lead to opportunities in
film animation, computer animation, and a variety of media
businesses. Animators make use of computers and other
electronic devices to produce drawings and characters. These
are often transferred to a film or tape to provide the special
effects and imagery for films, computer games, video games,
advertising industries, and television commercials. A career in
animation requires a high level of creative ability and natural
talents. The job market can be competitive, and those that
choose to specialize in a particular area can be successful in
the long term.
Skills and Job Responsibilities of Graduates of Animation Schools
Graduates of animation schools are often involved in a variety of design and
computer-related courses. Hands-on training can provide them with the tools and
experience they need for a successful career. Common responsibilities and
skills may include:
- Working with a high level
of energy and creativity
- Acquiring knowledge about
art and layout
- Becoming an expert in
computer design software
- Learning the principles
of design, image generation, and art history
- Working productively
without supervision
- Learning patience,
resourcefulness, and perseverance
- Understanding character
form and design technique
- Balancing creative and
technical skills
- Understanding motion,
perspective, size, and ratios
Career Options for Animation
School
Graduates
Students of animation schools can choose to focus on classical
animation, film animation, digital animation, or specialize in a specific area
of computer animation. They may pursue careers as:
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Cartoonists
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Painters
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Illustrators
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Graphic Designers
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Sketch Artists
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Broadcast Designers
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Modelers
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Web Design
Animation School Training: Film Animation, Computer Animation, and Other Arenas
Computer animation schools can range from art institutes, art universities,
technical colleges, design schools, and formal media production courses at
universities. If a student does not attend a formal animation school, they may
also pursue a degree or certification in the field of computer animation or
related studies.
Training for a career in animation can be pursued in a variety of ways.
Animation schools can train students to work in film animation or specifically
in the digital field with computer animation. Freelance work is another option
for many animators, and the web is growing substantially to accommodate this
trend. A formal training program can help animation school students develop a
portfolio for prospective employers.
Video game animation requires significant training in a computer animation
school, and motion capture is often used in movie industry as well. Texture
mapping, special effects, and learning lighting techniques are common skills
learned in computer animation schools.
Movie and television production teams often require skilled animators, and jobs
in this field may include using special effects, collision detection, applying
lighting effects, and motion capture. Television offers another opportunity for
computer animation school students, ranging from opportunities in local news
stations to television commercials.
The Internet is one of the fastest growing career options for trained animators,
and media industries are expanding at a rapid rate. Websites and static images
require skilled computer animation and digital animation professionals.
Common courses and classes for animation certification or formal program can
include:
- Art History
- Computer Applications in
Art
- Introduction to Design
and Technical Production
- Stage Technology
- Advanced Computer
Graphics Courses
- Game Programming
Animation School Graduates Earning Potential and Employment Prospects
From multimedia artists to salaried animators, the average earnings
range from $44,000 to $60,000. The earnings for animation school graduates or
those that receive certification can vary depending on skill level, training,
employer, and even seniority within a department. Specializing within a skill
set or computer program can also help to advance an animator’s career. The
industry is growing and demand is high. Related occupations may include:
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