Beautiful stories can be told through 2D and 3D animation. An online bachelor's in animation degree trains students to become future storytellers.
Many people who get interested in animation remember watching their favorite Disney movie or cartoon as a child. As technology and industries have expanded over the past few decades, animators are not just needed for the film or television industries, but are also needed in the gaming industry, for advertising, or tech companies.
Animator students can expect to work on a variety of projects, learning the basic skills in storytelling, design, and special effects. Extensive use of professional software such as Adobe Flash, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe After Effects, and Lightwave will also be used. Depending on the program, students will be exposed to a variety of theories and hands-on experiences to help them decide which type of career and specialty to pursue in the future.
What kind of animation degree should you get?
At the bachelor's level, students will generally enroll in either a Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science, or Bachelor of Fine Arts in animation. While all of these programs teach the basics of the field, a BA's curriculum will generally be more interdisciplinary and students will be required to take courses not specifically related to animation. A BS is more focused on technical and computer-related schools. Lastly, BFA programs may require more art-related courses.
An online program is ideal for students who are already working or whose schedule does not allow them to attend classes on campus during a typical schedule. Most online degrees are asynchronous, meaning that students can complete homework, tests, and quizzes on their own by the deadline. If students take the recommended number of classes each semester or quarter, they can finish in four years just as if they were to attend traditional classes.
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If you're looking for value, College Choice has also ranked the Most Affordable Online Animation Degrees.
How much money do people make with a degree in animation?
Since May 2016, the median animator salary is $65,300, with the bottom 10 percent making under $38,520 and the top ten percent earning more than $115,960. Those who work for the motion picture and video industries tend to make more, with the average salary being $75,630. An animator's salary greatly depends on his/her experience. As of March 2018, an entry-level position can earn anywhere from $30,306 to $72,394, while an experienced animator can earn from $40,695 to $107,025.
According to Payscale, location also greatly influences salary. Animators in San Francisco receive salaries 54 percent above the national average. Other high-paying cities for this career include Salt Lake City, San Diego, Los Angeles, and New York. Cities with below average salaries are Chicago, Dallas, and Minneapolis.
What can you do with a degree in animation?
A Bachelor's in animation prepares students to work in jobs in 2D or 3D animation. These people do things such as create models, special effects, or character designs for a variety of businesses. For example, animators may work on television sets, video games, or in advertisements. Those in the animation industry can expect to work on several individual and group projects, utilizing both technical and creative skill.
Jobs in animation can expect to experience an employment growth of eight percent between 2016 and 2026. Examples of possible career titles include 3D modeler, art director, character rigger, or forensic animator. Those who wish to continue their study may even choose to pursue a Master of Fine Arts in Animation.
What are the requirements for a degree in animation?
Applicants must possess a high school diploma or GED, with many schools strongly suggesting that students possess at least a 3.0 GPA. Students will also submit letters of recommendation, SAT or ACT scores, and a portfolio outlining previous work. While knowledge and extensive experience is not required for Bachelor's degrees, schools like to see students with interests and talents related to art and animation.
What are the best online bachelor's in animation?
College Choice has compiled a list of the five best online bachelor's in animation degrees. Schools were researched and chosen based on a variety of data points ranking institutional excellence and student success. Institutional excellence was based on endowment size, graduation rate, overall reputation, and student-to-faculty ratio. Student success was based on tuition costs, amount of financial aid given, average starting salary, and average indebtedness after graduation. Data was collected from the National Center for Education Statistics' IPEDS database, Payscale, individual college websites, and the U.S. News & World Report.
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