It is no more news that the animation industry is now very competitive. The industry has moved from just television show creation and creating video games, to developing great virtual reality experiences. Let us know Best Animation Schools In The Us.
Even though the number of online videos on learning animation, is increasing daily, studying animation in schools, is still a good way to sharpen specialized skills while you carry out creative intentions. When you own a degree – be it Bachelor’s or Master’s – in animation, you are distinguished from the crowd. This not only places you in a different league from others but the potential of your earnings and technical know-how also gets influenced.
At this point, you may not be certain of the best animation schools in the United States. Don’t worry, we have got this covered. The best animation schools found in the United States are the Rhode Island School of Design, University of California – Los Angeles, Full Sail University, Savannah College of Art & Design, California Institute of the Arts, School of Visual Arts, Pratt Institute, University of Carnegie Mellon University, Academy of Art University, Southern California, Hollywood, Gnomon School of Visual Effects, and the Ringling College of Art and Design.
Keep reading for more information on the different animation programs made available by these schools. But first, an overview of the current demand for animators.
Overview of Animation Career in the World Today
Animation is a creative branch of art. Owing to its present technical importance and aesthetics, studying animation has steadily become popular in the US. This has seen a hike in the number of interests and applications in the program, in the United States.
As earlier stated, you can take the course either as a Bachelor of Arts or Masters of Fine Arts in animation. These certificates will set you on another level from others in the field. It is no more limited to only just designing cartoons and video games, but the creation of adventures in virtual reality has found its way inside.
The average annual salary for animations and artists who specialize in special effects is $75,000. That’s about two times the salary of average jobs around. This has seen an increase of 16% in the search for jobs in animation.
Animation has been predicted to experience a growth of 15% between now and 2030. This means that they’ll be more competitive in the industry. Hence, the importance of studying the program in a good school, cannot be downplayed.
Top Animation Schools in the United States
In the US, there is no shortage of schools with animation programs. Majority of these schools are known to provide quality and practical-based education for the program. Other benefits include internships and good networking.
All these make it difficult for applicants to choose the top animation schools in the United States. The compiled list below highlights the best animation schools (in no particular order) in the United States.
University of California – Los Angeles
It is no surprise to find the University of California on this list. The school houses its School of Theater, Film, and Television, which is placed among the very best schools of arts in the United States. William Shull, who worked as an animator for Disney, contributed to the establishment of the school.
The admission rate is low as the slots are highly competitive. Only about 12 students are admitted per opening. It is tough getting admission into the school. This small class population aids the school’s personalized practical-based education.
Carnegie Mellon University
Carnegie Mellon University is situated at the always-vibrant Pittsburgh. The school is reputable for offering one of the best animation programs in the US. The school has an animation program known as the Integrative Design, Arts and Technology Network (IDeATe).
Often described as one of the most rigorous, intensive, and comprehensive animation programs offered in the United States, animation students of Carnegie Mellon University, are developed to become very technical in their careers. Some of their programs for undergraduate minors include:
• Game Design
• Physical Computing
• Media Design
• Intelligent Environments
• Design for Learning
• Sonic Arts
• Innovation and Entrepreneurship
• Animation and Special Effects
Seasoned and experienced lecturers handle all the programs.
Academy of Art University
The Academy of Art University is situated in San Francisco, California. Widely regarded as one of the schools with top-quality animation education in the United States, the Academy of Art also offers a Master’s program in Animation, that is reputable for being one of the best in the United States.
The animation students of the school receive lectures in studio production environments, leading to proper practical-based teaching. Fruitvale Station and Beasts of the Southern Wild – a popular movie – was produced by the Academy of Art University. These illustrate the top-notch practical ability of the Academy of Art University.
Pratt Institute
Pratt Institute is located in New York, New York City. Their animation program has a ranking of 8th position by the Animation Career Review.
Pratt Institute’s Department of Digital Arts gives certification to their animation graduates with either the Digital Arts BFA or the Games Arts BFA. This department ensures that students receive the best possible attention, as they carry out their practical projects themselves.
There are options of choosing between 2-D Animation, Interactive Arts, 3-D Animation, and Animation and Motion Arts, for scholars who have an interest in studying at the school.
School of Visual Arts
You will find the School of Visual Arts in the beautiful city of New York. The very popular and reputable School of Visual Arts is found in the school. This positions it among the most exciting animation schools in the United States.
Here, students are drilled in rigorous, understandable, and intensive coursework, which ensures that students are taught what they need to learn. Digital animation is also offered by the school. This particular branch of animation is quickly gaining populace in the United States.
Some of their graduates end up working for well-respected organizations like UNICEF, UNESCO, and the Ted-ED. Being situated in New York City gives the students an easy pass to better networking and internships. New York City is home to several well-established animators, some of which have affiliations with the school.
University of Southern California
The University of Southern California is viewed as one of the best animation schools in the nation. Situated in Los Angeles, California, the school runs an animation program that provides top-quality education to intending animators.
A long range of areas of specialization is being offered by the program. This helps their students to explore the program well. These areas of specialization include:
• Interactive Installations
• Motion Graphics
• Documentary Animation
• Projection-Mapping, etc.
Both Bachelor of Fine Arts and Masters in Fine Arts, are being offered to their students as they complete the program. This is also accompanied by other smaller certificates, such as 3-D animation, Animation and Digital Arts, and Science Visualization.
Rhode Island School of Design
Founded in 1877, the Island School of Design is situated in Providence, Rhode Island. Presently, it is widely regarded among the top five best animation schools in the county.
In this program, students are given access to top-notch facilities, alongside being developed in digital editing, as well as a host of other specializations. Workstations and laboratories are provided to their students, to aid in their practical.
California Institute of the Arts
The city of Valencia, California houses the famous California Institute of the Arts. The Institute of Arts was established by Walt Disney.
Programs such as the 3-year MFA Experimental Animation Program, BFA Character Animation, and BFA Experimental Animation, are offered by the institute. In other to exhibit the works of their scholars, the Bijou Festival is usually hosted by the school during the Spring period.
Savannah College of Art & Design
(Savannah, Georgia).
Savannah College of Arts and Design is widely regarded as one of the best, if not the best, animation schools in the United States. The trio of MA, BFA, and MFA, are offered by the College. Their reputation for producing a wide variety of successful animators in the country, speaks for them.
Some of the graduates of the school, end up getting employed by various highly placed establishments, such as Nickelodeon, Cartoon Network, Pixar, Disney, and DreamWorks. Their faculty is regarded as one of the most competent animation faculties in the United States, which provides their students with better work opportunities.
Ringling College of Art and Design
Situated in Florida, Ringling College of Art and Design offers an animation program that has 11 specialization areas in it. These include Motion Design, Computer Animation, and Virtual Reality Development.
A good number of scholars who have gone on to win several awards in the animation industry have been produced by the school.
Gnomon School of Visual Effects, Hollywood
Founded in 1997, the Gnomon School of Visual Effects is located in Hollywood, California, right inside the Television Center Studio Lot. Accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges, Gnomon School of Visual Effects, Hollywood, is positioned as one of the top 3% of schools and colleges accredited by the commission.
Their classrooms are molded in form of real studio production environments. Alongside its degree program, the school also offers several vocational certificate programs, for students who wish to make a name for themselves in the industry. You can also take their 10 weeks individual courses, which gives students the chance to combine the courses according to their targets.
Their programs include a BFA or Certificate in Digital Production and the one-year Foundation in Art and Design program.
In terms of employment rate, Gnomon records an impressive graduates employment rate of 97%, as their graduates end up getting employed by top studios like the Digital Domain, Electronic Arts, Nickelodeon, Blizzard Entertainment, Reel FX, Industrial Light and Magic, DreamWorks, Marvel Entertainment, Walt Disney Animation Studios, and Sony Pictures Imageworks.
Full Sail University
Full Sail University began in 1979. The school has different programs in Entertainment, Media, and Arts. These programs include BS, MS, BFA, MFA, and AS. They also offer graduate certificates to interested scholars.
Due to its closeness to Universal Studios, its students have good internship opportunities available. Currently, the school houses about 15,000 students. Intending animators have various program options such as a BS in Computer Animation. This program can be completed in either 20 months for campus study, or 32 months for online study.
Their courses include Character Rigging, Creative Presentation, Animation Production, Model Creation, Character Animation, Shading and Lighting, Psychology of Play, Visual Development, etc. As part of their practical-based teaching, their students are expected to complete two seminars on Professional Development. These seminars will be on Career Readiness – Computer Animation, and Computer Animation.
Full Sail graduates have turned out successful, with over 130 of them working on 2020’s films nominated for the Oscars.
Conclusion
Maybe you are aspiring to get into the animation and visual effects industry, or you wish to become better in the industry, you will find this article very informative and useful. In this article, the top animation schools found in the United States, have been listed.
The schools include the Rhode Island School of Design, University of California – Los Angeles, Full Sail University, Savannah College of Art & Design, California Institute of the Arts, School of Visual Arts, Pratt Institute, University of Carnegie Mellon University, Academy of Art University, Southern California, Hollywood, Gnomon School of Visual Effects, and the Ringling College of Art and Design.
Other notable information like tuition, and impressive student practical work, have also been included.
As earlier stated, no particular order is used to list these schools.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Must one attend any of these animation colleges to be successful in their animation career?
While it is not true that one can’t have a successful animation career without having to attend one of these colleges, attending these schools quickens the pathway to your career.
2. What if I am just excited about animation?
If you are only excited about animation, then you can opt for different free online resources.
