How to Choose a 3D Animation School

Just like any job, the first step to a career in animation is learning.    Animation, especially today when 3D animation has established itself as a new standard, is a skill that requires a good amount of training. 

Here are a few bits and pieces to help you pick out an animation school and get your career started...

There is some basic information you need to learn about animating.  Make sure your school teaches you about:

• Animation principles.  You should know how to make characters move realistically, how to incorporate weight and elasticity into your animation etc.
• Visual effects.  How to animate smoke, clouds, shadows, water... 
  
• Modelling and rigging.  Learn how to create characters with realistic movement and expressions.
• Computer programs.  You should be taught to use a variety of industry-standard programs to design, animate and edit.
  

There are a lot of elements that go into animation, and you'll need a well-rounded education.  Strong 3D animation schools will offer you a degree that involves more than just instruction on how to use relevant computer programs. This includes courses on:

• Design.  In order to create captivating landscapes and characters, you need to understand the basics of graphic design. 
  
• Film production.  Learn how to create a film, from scripting to shooting to editing.
• Storytelling and character development.  Even the best rendered animations won't grab an audience without a strong story behind it.
• Audio.  Learn how to create and edit the audio track to your animation.
• Industry practices.  One of the most important ways your school will prepare you for your career is by teaching you what standards and processes are normal in the industry.  You want your transition from school to work to be a smooth one!
  

When you choose a school to help you launch your 3D animation career, make sure to ask yourself the following questions:

• Will I learn everything I need to? Some schools offer degrees in animation and others just offer an animation concentration as part of their graphic design training. If you're serious about going into animation, make sure the courses offered are comprehensive. You might find that schools only offering a few animation courses as part of another major don't cut it as career preparation.
• What's the school's reputation like? Consider geography in this. Where do you want to work after you graduate? If your school is widely renowned in Canada, but you want to work in Los Angeles, you might find yourself at a disadvantage.
• What are the other students like? Your peers are going to have a major effect on your education. If you work alongside passionate, motivated, creative individuals you'll find yourself being pushed and inspired. Check out samples of student work and, if you can, talk to a few current students about the school.
• Where do the students end up? After you graduate, your school should help you launch your career. Schools that value student success (rather than just churning out as many graduates as possible) will help you create a demo reel, help identify opportunities and use connections to help you network. Find out what kind of career services the school offers.
  

Don't jump into animation school without a basic idea of what it's like to be an animator. Here are a few notes and forecasts about your chosen profession:

• According to Salary.com, the middle 50% of animators earn between $44,000-$60,000/year, though this will vary by location and your level of experience.
• Most animation jobs in the US are located in California, with some opportunities in New York and Atlanta. 
  
• Jobs in animation are forecasted to grow in the coming years, though not at an explosive rate.  Still, it's an industry that will continue to grow and be hiring in the future.  In today's economy, that's a pretty good quality!
  
• The day-to-day tasks of an animator can range from meeting with clients and presenting pitches to sitting at a computer and creating frames.