Consider the type of animation you want to be able to do and how well the program will allow you to focus on that type when choosing the best animation programs for your education. For example, if you want to work in traditional or two-dimensional (2D) animation, you should look for a school that offers traditional animation courses. If you want to work in computer or three-dimensional (3D) animation, however, you should look for a school that offers a computer animation program. You should also look into how well graduates of various animation programs fare in the job market after graduation.
Animation programs are academic courses designed for students who want to work in the animation industry. Although some colleges and universities may offer animation programs as part of the art department, these programs are often available from art schools or technical schools. Finding the best programs usually necessitates a clear idea of the type of animation you want to make and an assessment of the school’s ability to teach you.
Look for animation programs that focus on 2D animation techniques if you want to do traditional or 2D animation. This can include both traditional methods, such as drawing individual frames on paper or cels, and classes that teach you how to create 2D animation using modern computer technology. However, keep in mind that the market for 2D animation is typically much smaller than the market for 3D animation. As a result, traditional animation programs may not be as effective in helping you find work as 3D animation programs.
Animation programs in 3D animation are usually offered by a variety of art and technical schools. Look for a program that will teach you the fundamentals of animation, which will still apply to 3D animation, but with a focus on computer-assisted animation. Finding a program that allows you to take classes in various aspects of computer animation, such as modeling, character animation, lighting and effects, and texturing, can be beneficial. You should also think about what computer programs are used in different schools’ classrooms, and make sure you learn how to use the software that is used in the industry you want to work in.
It’s also a good idea to look at how well graduates of various animation programs have fared in the job market. You should double-check that successful graduates are working in animation or a related field, as some schools may report success for graduates who work as managers in retail or other fields unrelated to animation. Viewing graduate portfolios and demo reels can also be beneficial in terms of seeing the types of work produced by students in various programs.