Online Computer Animation Degrees
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Computer animators join artistic visions with technical innovations to produce 2D or 3D imagery for entertainment, commercial, medicinal and other purposes. Students interested in computer animation as a career normally pursue degrees in computer science with specializations in animation or in graphic design, and these computer science degrees do extend to the doctorate level.
The job prospects for this field are expected to be good, and animators with a solid understanding of both computer and art design processes are commonly hired by large or small animation studios. Average incomes for computer animators range between $26,110 and $74,600 a year, and these incomes depend on the employing studio, education level, and balance between artistic and computer experience.
Computer animation is unique in that it requires the skills of both a computer scientist and a graphic designer, and as such, requires technological experience and creative skill. Animation involves working with computerized software to produce digital images or to reproduce hand drawn images in a digital format, and both processes involve understanding both art schemes and computer systems.
Animation jobs typically require a bachelor's degree in either graphic design or computer science. These degrees typically take around 4 years to complete.
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Career Specializations
Due to standardization of industry software and digital imaging processes, there are no clearly defined specializations within the computer animation field.
Available Degree Levels
- Associate Degree: 2 years to complete (Computer Science and Graphic Design)
- Bachelor's Degree: 3 to 4 years to complete (Computer Science and Graphic Design)
- Master's Degree: 2 years to complete (Graphic Design), 2 to 3 years to complete (Computer Science)
- Doctoral Degree: 3 to 5 years to complete (Computer Science)
Education and Certification Requirements
Degrees in computer science and graphic design are available through the master's degree level, and doctoral degrees are available for computer science. Most computer animators find it useful to have a healthy balance of both backgrounds in the education, so if one degree is taken over the other, it should contain classes from the other field. Graphic design degrees through the master's level can be hard to find, but the National Association of Schools of Art and Design has accredited over 300 schools with art and design programs and they are continuing to rise in popularity.
An associate degree can be specialized towards computer science or graphic design, and an associate in general studies takes two years to complete. These degrees are offered through community colleges, traditional universities, and some vocational or technical schools offer them with varying degrees of specialization ability. Since the associate provides more general studies classes, many students take introductory classes for their bachelor's degree during this program to determine their field of study.
Bachelor's degrees in computer science or graphic design are the best choices for prospective computer animators. Computer science degrees offer courses in programming, software development and design, and web design as well as human reception to technology sociology courses.
Graphic design courses overlap with the technological aspects of computer science, as students are expected to understand computer animation software and animators are expected to understand the actual programming aspects of specific animation software. Both degree options take three to four years to complete, but graphic design programs can include additional required internships that take one to two years to complete.
Master's degrees in computer science are the best option for specialization in computer animation, since graphic design degrees are difficult to find past the bachelor's level. These degrees often allow students to take classes or programs within their intended career field, and computer animators are instructed in courses that teach the intricacies of animation software as well as courses that allow students to work in large, collaborative group to produce short films for a specific audience.
Graphic design degrees at this level, when available, focus on enhancing the student's ability to produce an individual, large art project that incorporates various forms of multimedia and art techniques. These degrees take three to four years to complete, depending on the institute. Doctoral degrees in computer science are appropriate for students planning on teaching computer animation, and their dissertations allow for exclusive studies in computer animation. (BLS)
Computer animation certifications are not normally available or required by most hiring studios, but some certifications in specific software are required and can usually be obtained through the hiring studio.
Salary Information
Salaries for computer animators are classified under graphic designer or computer scientist specializations by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, and salaries do depend upon the amount of experience in art and technical fields.
Entry level multimedia artists and animators earn the lower 10 to 25% of wages, and their yearly income is between $33,840 and $44,020 a year. These animators normally have associate's or bachelor's degrees in graphic design or computer science. Employment in specific studios affects salaries; those working in motion picture and video industries earn $72,380 a year while those in advertising earn $58,910 a year.
Experienced animators with master's degrees in computer science or graphic design earn the highest percentage of wages, between $58,510 and $99,830 a year. These experienced animators are normally hired either by private studios as a solitary employee in a department or by larger studios as the supervisor of a similar department, and those in these higher positions earn the higher 70 to 90% of overall salaries. (BLS)
Job Outlook
The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts average growth for graphic designers and slightly above average growth for multimedia artists through 2018. Competition in the field is high, and animators should be prepared with a strong portfolio of their most innovative and technically advanced works in order to secure a reputation within hiring studios.
The increase in technological abilities has called for a higher demand for computer animators, but those without the combination of art and computer skills are not as likely to be hired as those with experience in both areas.
The sudden demand for 3D films and television shows has raised attention to detail to CGI entertainment, and computer animators with the skills needed to create striking imagery are hired by large studios to meet these demands. Computer animators are also needed to transpose some 2D films to 3D, and their ability to understand how 3D layering can be created gives them a strong edge when studios are hiring. (BLS)
Related Careers
CAD, or Computer Aided Design, is a rapidly growing field that incorporates a wide range of computer based drafting mostly in engineering that work with computer software to create schematics, blueprints, and other spatial designs. Degrees in CAD are not normally available, but degrees in architecture or engineering do include classes dedicated to CAD that prepare students for a career in computer designs with programs like AutoCAD, CADD, or CAM. (BLS)
Interactive Media Design works with communications to provide various forms of media that appeal to specific viewers on multiple objects. Students in this field work with print, digital, or live media to provide products with successful human interaction capabilities, and degrees in this field often require students to take several technology, communications, and human response classes to prepare them to design and configure new media forms that interact with consumers. (BLS)
