Why You Should Choose to Study Animation

If you’re looking for a course to study, for a subject to explore, for a structured way to expand your learning and extend your horizons, you might be overwhelmed with the options you have to discover. You’ve likely already narrowed it down to a few main areas, and if you’re reading this article, you’re most probably intrigued by the fields involving creativity and design, art and imagination. Even with this narrowing down of options you’re still faced with several fascinating choices. Should you explore architecture and learn how to bring shape colour and light to static buildings? Should you incorporate your love history by studying fine art and exploring the beautiful world of art around the world? Or should you go digital, see how technology can help you to create stunning pieces of graphic design? Evidently the options are endless!

Do you like to bring stories to life using your imagination and creativity? do you like to take two-dimensional objects and transform them until living and breathing interactive art? if so, it sounds like you would be a good candidate of the study of animation. If you’re pondering the idea of taking an animation course, whether online or in person, the information we will go on to discuss will likely help you to learn more about what this kind of study is like and the different specialisations and careers that the study of animation could open up to you.

What is Animation?

Creativity, imagination and technology all come together in the wonderful field of animation. Animation involves drawing motionless images that are then transformed to become interactive moving scenes. From computer technology animation that brings to life your favourite Disney characters, to the fascinating field of Claymation that creates unique characters out of modelling clay, there were so many different aspects to this one pursuit of study. Animation takes a story and brings it to life for the audience, touching their hearts and invoking an emotional response. To become truly successful in animation you not only need creative mind and imaginative eye, but also excellent technological skills to allow you to use the tools that make animation possible.

What Types of Animation Can I Study?

Animation is an umbrella term for many different specialisations that can all lead to amazing and unique opportunities in the future. You can study game animation and development if you’re interested and breaking into the gaming industry. Both 3D and 2D animation are well pursued passions, and character animation is one that allows you to bringing imaginary people to life. The field of animation that you choose to study will depend on your interests and your natural abilities. Taking a course in animation will allow you to explore various different specialities enable you to choose the one that you are most passionate about.

What Skills Will I Learn?

The skills that you will learn during a study of animation are not simply skills used by fellow animators. You will be able to develop many transferable skills that will equip you for any kind of profession you choose to pursue in the future. Attention to detail is vital and you must be able to manage your workload and complete tasks to meet a deadline, usually under quite a bit of pressure. In certain circumstances you will need to think on your feet and put your problem solving skills to good use as you come across various obstacles and formulate a way to overcome them. Animators work as a team and also are required to work along with other creative individuals which takes good communication and team working abilities.

There are also various skills unique to the industry that you will learn in a study of animation that will help you to get a job in the field in the future. Before you even put pen to paper, you need to develop the skills of creative a narrative and script writing. You need to understand the theory of animation and the techniques needed to take an idea to the screen. Besides honing your skills in the creative elements of animation, you will also need to understand the technological side of the study, with things such as character rigging visual effects and the meanings of various signs used within the field. Furthermore, even once you finish your formal education you need to remember as an animator you can never stop learning. Technology is always changing, industry trends are always emerging, so you will need to keep apprised of the most up to date understandings and techniques used in order to remain current and relevant.

What Can I Do After I Study Animation?

What doors does a course in animation open up to you? It’s important that you gain some real life work experience as soon as you can, but there are several different areas that you can investigate once you become qualified. Interestingly, studies show that after a course in animation, 25 per cent of graduates go on to become graphic designers, 16 per cent go into becoming an artist, and a handful become producers and directors. Clearly there is a world of opportunity that will be open to you once you complete a course in animation.

What Kind of Money Can I Earn As An Animator?

Besides the fulfilment of pursuing something you love and feel passionate about, you also need to know how much money can be made by working in the animation industry. The industry itself is expected to be worth around $391 billion so if you have the right skills, expertise, and qualifications the outlook is promising in regard to your salary. As an example, animators can expect to earn approximately $17,000 as a starting salary, growing to take home around $43,000 after some experience. Graphics designers, VFX artists and game artists can expect to take home even more after they’ve spent some time gaining skills and experience in the industry.

Evidently, there are many reasons to pursue your passion and enter into the field of animation!