Best Colleges For Character Design – Animation plays a bigger role in everyday life than most people think. In addition to being used in television and entertainment, animation is used in:
The rapid development of technology means that future career opportunities in animation will only grow. From creating website graphics in After Effects to recreating crime scenes from iPhone photos, successful animators bring images to life in real time.
Best Colleges For Character Design
As animation continues to grow in various industries, many animation schools offer degrees in animation. However, not all animation schools provide the same level of knowledge. The following top animation schools have the following criteria:
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All the animation schools on this list are also accredited. This shows that the school meets or exceeds the criteria that show excellence in education.
Animation studios are more likely to choose candidates who have graduated from one of these schools than candidates who have not yet graduated. The mark of excellent animation programs are those with distinguished alumni who are recognized in their profession.
If you’re interested in one of the best animation schools, exploring open source and free animation software is a great way to learn about a career as an animator. Consider tools like:
The Internet is also full of videos on all kinds of animation, whether you use Mac or Windows to make your animation dreams come true.
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Here’s a look at the best schools to learn animation software and animation tools and the skills they offer.
The Rhode Island School of Design has been ranked as the best art school in the country by many different publications and organizations. The school offers a BFA in:
Students work with live action, animation or a combination of both — and can produce films in a variety of genres.
The facility at RISD offers the latest technology with digital editing, sound mixing and puppet animation technology. It is used across industries. Students are given training on how to use tools commonly used in the industry. They are also taught how to use:
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RISD is accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges and the National Association of Schools of Art and Design.
The BFA in Computer Animation at Ringling College of Art and Design allows students to learn to create characters and tell stories using computer-generated animation.
This computer animation degree allows students to focus on learning to combine technical skills with conceptual ideas. This program teaches you how to influence an audience emotionally, visually and intellectually.
Josiah Haworth is an assistant animator at Blizzard Entertainment. He graduated in 2013. Patrick Osborne is the founder of Paid Time Off. He graduated in 2003. Eric Prah graduated in 2012. He is an animator at Blue Sky Studios. Other graduates work at:
Game Art Degree
Ringling College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Universities Commission. It is also recognized by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design. It is one of the best animation schools in the world.
The California Institute of the Arts offers both character animation and experimental animation programs through the School of Film and Video. The Character Animation program is a BFA degree that provides students with an understanding of the art of storytelling and character performance as it relates to animation.
Students can work toward a BFA or MFA in Experimental Animation. The degree is designed for students who want to develop a personal vision with the ever-changing parameters of animation.
CalArts was founded by Walt and Roy Disney. It is the first higher education institution in the country to offer undergraduate and graduate degrees in visual and performing arts. The school strives to help students find employment after graduation with Curating Your Own Life: Career Transition After CalArts.
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This course allows students to participate in career-related courses and internships. The college is accredited by the Senior Commission and Universities of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges.
The University of Southern California offers a Bachelor of Arts in Animation and Digital Arts that allows students to acquire a liberal arts background with a professional specialization.
Pre-professional courses are taken at the Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences. Major subjects are selected from the School of Film Arts. All students must complete a senior project to graduate.
This best animation school in California is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges. Art Clokey, clay animator and creator of “Gumby,” graduated from USC in 1956. George Lucas, creator of “Star Wars,” also graduated from USC. Over 70% of USC graduates are employed after graduation.
Bachelor Of Animation
Savannah College of Art and Design offers BFA, MA and MFA degrees in animation. The animation major has classes in:
Students have access to professional-grade technology, allowing them to master the industrial technologies they will use in their careers.
SCAD is accredited by the College Commission of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. A total of 98% of graduates from this top animation school in the United States report being employed within ten months of graduation.
Carnegie Mellon University offers a concentration in Animation and Special Effects that allows students to develop an understanding of the many aspects of animation. Students learn to:
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Students of any major can add the focus to their curriculum. Students can also integrate their courses in integrative design, art and technology with a concentration in animation. Carnegie Mellon provides students with collaborative studies that encourage hands-on learning. This gives them the opportunity to apply what they learn in class to real situations.
Carnegie Mellon is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. Ivan Sutherland, considered the inventor of computer graphics, graduated from school in 1959. Andy Warhol graduated from university in 1949.
Rochester Institute of Technology offers a BFA in Film and Animation, which focuses on production. Students start working on 16mm film, digital video and animation from their first year of study and build their production work throughout the program.
Students can choose an animation concentration. The program uses lectures, labs and guest speakers to help students develop their animation skills.
Animation & Illustration B.f.a.
Students at this top New York animation college produce several animations through the program, working through all stages of production, including scriptwriting, budgeting, filming and editing.
RIT is accredited by the Central State Higher Education Commission. Over 87% of school graduates are employed in their field of study. Elan Lee, an alternate reality game designer, graduated from RIT in 1998.
Students work at the Walter Lantz Digital Animation Studio. They gain real-world experience in an industry where technology changes rapidly. Upon completion, students are given the opportunity to study animation throughout the year as well as practice.
Students must have a degree in film and television when they apply to the UCLA Animation Workshop. Erick Oh, who graduated in 2010, is an animator at Pixar and has worked on films such as:
Japan Animation & Manga College (jam)
Shane Acker graduated from the program in 2004. He developed the Oscar-winning short film “9” into a feature film for producer Tim Burton.
The University of Central Florida offers a Bachelor’s Degree in Visual Media as well as a Bachelor’s Degree in Digital Media Game Design, both of which include a strong animation component.
This provides students with ample opportunities for internships and work experience that allow them to gain hands-on experience while studying animation.
UCF is accredited by the College Commission of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. Over 60% of graduates from this top Florida animation college say the college contributed to their career success after graduation. The average salary of a UCF graduate ten years after graduation is nearly $114,700. Almost 60% are in the field where they earned their degree.
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The Maryland Institute College of Art in Baltimore is one of the best animation schools in the US. MICA offers a BFA in Animation where students learn to create original works of contemporary art. Animation majors gain a comprehensive understanding of:
Students can complete creative works using 2D, stop motion and 3D animation or a combination of several approaches. All student courses are related to the world of art and relate to:
The school also has a partnership with the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, allowing students to take courses at both schools.
MICA is consistently ranked as one of the top 10 visual arts colleges in the country. MICA is accredited by the Higher Education Commission of the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools. It is also recognized by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design. Alumni include:
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Brigham Young University is one of the best animation schools offering media arts designed for students who want to start a film-related career after graduation. Students must master film culture, history and theory. They will develop the skills needed to work in their chosen field of animation.
This gives students a broader education than just studying animation. In addition, Brigham Young requires a rigorous liberal arts component in all of its degree programs, providing students with an education beyond the world of the arts.
BYU is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities and the National Association of Schools of Art and Design Commission