Animation: An Evolving Art
Ever think of animation as a lost art? Think again. While the days of hand-drawn cartoons are gone, opportunities still abound for aspiring animators. According to Salary.com, the median base salary for American animators is $57,590, while about half of those currently working make between $50,000 and $65,000.
Aside from visual effects giants like Pixar and Industrial Light and Magic (the brainchild of Star Wars creator George Lucas), many employers offer opportunities in video game design, marketing and advertising, even web design. But how to break into the business?
Bach To School
Employers will want applicants with some kind of formal training. Fortunately, you can find all the training you'll need at art institutes, colleges, and universities. Associates and bachelor's degrees in graphic design are available, often with concentration in animation.
Animation courses cover an array of industry-specific subjects. If you like video games, for example, you might enjoy courses in game design, which offer training in background, character, and environmental design. More the commercial type? Courses in interactive media design are for you. Training in this field teaches the combination of images, text, and sound to advertise goods or services.
Since animation is a tech-savvy industry, most programs offer courses in animation software like Adobe Photoshop and 3D Studio Max. Of course you can always start your training with basic courses in art and design. With beginner's courses under your belt, you can point your animation training in whatever direction you choose. If you're artistic, and want to break in on the ground floor of a dynamic career, enroll in an animation program today. There's never been a better time to put your ideas in motion.
Source
Salary.com
