Animation Degree Online Programs

An animation degree online will prepare you to work in multimedia design, visual communication, and video game design.

Animation is a kind of optical illusion that involves the appearance of motion which is caused by displaying still images in a sequence. Usually, animation is used for entertainment purposes as well as education purposes. In addition to its use for entertainment, animation is considered a form of art.An animation degree requires artistic skills, creativity, computer skills, and technical skills. Students with animation degrees go on to become experts at creating interactive computer-generated images and motion pictures. With training in animation you can work in many areas for example movies and film-making and computer software design. Animation experts are also involved in producing visual entertainment in movies and cartoons, and for scientific and engineering modeling. With degree in animation you learn about drawing and art, and how to use computer drawing and animation software. Various specializations include video game design degrees, graphic design, motion picture animation, and other areas.

Animation Degree Online Programs

Full Sail University

• Master of Fine Arts in Media Design

Kaplan University

• BS in Information Technology / Multimedia & Animation
• BS Information Technology

Westwood College

• Bachelor of Science in Animation
• Bachelor of Science in Game Art and Design

DeVry University

• Bachelor's in Computer Information Systems - Web Game Programming

• Game Art and Design - Bachelor of Science
• Media Arts and Animation - Bachelor of Science

American InterContinental University Online and American InterContinental University

• Bachelor's (BFA) - Digital Design

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Animation Education and Training

Most animators start their specialized training by earning, an associate degree or bachelors degree in multimedia and animation. In animation courses you would learn more about claymation and stop motion graphic, and digital animation, and pen and ink drawing animation. You also take animation courses on how motion is applied to sketches and 3D images and objects. Some animation courses might include:

• Foundation in drawing
• Color and visual design
• Character design
• 2-D design
• 3-D design
• Scripting
• Storyboarding
• Digital image editing
• Video editing

Animation Careers

Animation career options include working in web design where animators use shapes and lighting to model the textures and movements of computer animations. Some examples of what you create are include e-cards, computer generated cartoons, and video games. Upon completion your degree you can choose to become an animator or illustrator for television shows, movie production, or educational and entertainment software developer.

Most employers seek graduates with an associate degree (or comparable certificate) or bachelor degrees in 3D animation and multimedia design, or a related field, and you can get this education at most art schools if you are considering careers in animation. With an animation masters degree you can work in supervision and management, as well as creative game design.

Careers with an Animation Degree

Career with an animation degree online vary by one's area of specialization but most will require creativity and originality.

• Multimedia graphic designer
• 3D lighting specialist
• Web site developer
• 3D animator
• 3D texture artist
• 3D modeler
• illustrators
• Art directors
• Craft artists
• Illustrators
• Cartoonists
• Game level designer
• Video post-production artist
• Special effects artist

As you gain experience you can sign up with creative design firms, or get freelance design contracts, or even your own business. It is therefore important to have a creative portfolio of your work as you work toward you animation degree online.

Expected Salary and Projected Career Growth

The United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that the median annual income for multimedia artists and animators was $56,330 in 2008. The middle 50% made between $41,710 and $77,010. The lowest 10% earned below $31,570 while the highest 10% earned more than $100,390. By industry, the median annual income was $65,600 for motion picture and video industries, and $52,530 in advertising.

With an animation degree online or related multimedia degree the salary range is about $30,000 at the entry level to about $84,000 a year. The BLS estimates that employment of artists and related professional will grow at a rate of 12% between 2008 and 2018.

Accredited animation degree online programs and film degrees