Your source for animation, computer animation, web site design schools.

As an Animator, you would be involved in producing moving graphics or text in 2 or 3D. This type of work includes everything from special effects for big budget film studios to TV credits or web site pages. The art of an Animator can even be seen on some of the more modern mobile telephones! As an Animator you may be responsible for a whole project animating a web site or you may work in a team and specialize in one aspect such as producing explosion special effects for a blockbuster film. You may find you work long hours to meet deadlines such as a film release date, although you may expect to work standard hours at other times. Experienced Animators may be promoted to top careers such as Creative Director, or an executive position managing the design department for a web site publisher.

If self-employment does not appeal, you are more likely to find entry-level employment in a web site design agency as an Assistant Animator, or within a software house producing computer animations. Some of your computer animation courses may be very similar to those for a Web Designer, and you may find opportunities designing the graphics or layout for web site pages. The entertainment industry could also provide you with opportunities for employment including television, film, and video production companies. The mobile telephone industry may also be a good source of work in their efforts to differentiate their products. High-level jobs with globally famous film animation companies are few and far between. You will need to show exceptional ability if you are aiming for one of these. The skills that you learn during an animation degree program can be used in any number of occupations and, of course, teachers are always needed for the education of the next generation of animation school students however you will probably need a bachelor's degree.

Close attention to detail, creativity, and artistic flair are probably the most highly sought after skills. You will need excellent communication skills in written, verbal, and visual media. Even if you do not want to specialize in a computer animation degree, computer animation is commonplace, so you may find a minimum of basic computer skills useful.

Animation degrees vary widely between animation schools however some courses are common across computer animation or web site design programs. During your courses, you may learn about various 2 and 3D animation software packages. You may also learn about textures, joint movement, joint articulation, composition, text, and raster and vector packages. Many animation, computer animation, and web site design schools test your abilities by requiring you to create and produce a short animation as part of your coursework using skills taught during the program.

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