What college courses do I need for an animation job?

[Master Baiter]

I have several questions that ultimately reach the main question I have. The question is the topic of this thread.


I am interested in becoming an animator, and am doing research to find my perfect job, or a potential one after graduation. I have a dilemma. I don't know which college courses serve as a prerequisite to obtaining that job. I also need to find out the names of these jobs as I know they aren't called "jobs for animation" but are instead: Lead designer, etc. Any answers or points in the right direction are appreciated. Also if this belongs in another part of the thread let me know.

I have no prior knowledge of this field beyond what I’ve read on these forums over the years, I am not that familiar with the lingo or terminology but I am curious and determined to learn. Though I’m not expecting to get a dictionary list here on this one forum, (as I may ask for something to that effect in other posts) I would like to give this information up to express I’m new to this.

Questions:

1.What college courses am I going to need to have taken & what knowledge should I have upon trying to get a job? (Just throw names of courses and I can research the rest. I know this may be a bit vague.)

2. How do I break into the computer animation industry?

3. What entry level job titles are there and what type of experience should I have prior to applying?

4. How do I find out what job is best for me? Again any answers or points in the right direction are appreciated. Also if this belongs in another part of the thread let me know.




Thank you,

[ashras99]

You have not mentioned from which country you are, so little difficult to answer?

1. This is not necessary that you join any college or institute, if you are a self learner may be slow learner, then you can learn own through books and available online tutorials or DVD's.

2. First learn and then create a demo reel which looks good to the recruiter and you are in.

3. Every job title you can think of having a entry level job except vfx supervisor but dont know may be you get in some documentary or something

4. This need to be figure out urself, good in 2d or 3d. In which you have interests, you like model sexy figures (mean characters/animals) or more interested in architectural visualization. Character Animation excites you or digital effects like explosion, fluid simulation etc

[Master Baiter]

I'm in America, east coast. The reason I asked this is because I am going to a college who doesn't really have animation courses but I was asked by one of the directors to do research on which college courses by name that people usually take to prepare for the industry. Its going to be hard to determine what I'm really good at but I know what I like which is character modeling and animation to make them move and have the likeness of real humans. Though that is my primary interest I don't want to limit myself and want to become diverse later on as I have many side interests. I've been given the task to do as much research as possible and I kind of though I could perhaps find out this from people who are industry or know about what jobs are demanding so that I can make my decision on courses.

[ashras99]

You will like to go for a full fledged degree like BFA or MFA or like to do a 1 year course from some reputed institute and can you move from america to other countries? And after completion of course in which country where you like to do a job?

[Forever3D]

I'm currently attending the Art Institute of California-Inland Empire and it is great. Although I had experience prior to enrolling it is still great. I am currently going to receive a Bachelor's Degree of Science in Media Arts & Animation which is a 3 year program. The Art Institute has a good reputation and has many campuses across America and even in Canada. You should look into it.

[Master Baiter]

You will like to go for a full fledged degree like BFA or MFA or like to do a 1 year course from some reputed institute and can you move from america to other countries? And after completion of course in which country where you like to do a job?

I'm going for a BFA full fledged. I've currently finished school at a community college with an associate in Studio Art but it isn't what I want, so I am transfering to a university.
I'm kind of tight in money and moving from america may be a bit hard. After I finish I guess I would like to get a job in america, but if I can find something better I'll opt to travel to the job.

I'm currently attending the Art Institute of California-Inland Empire and it is great. Although I had experience prior to enrolling it is still great. I am currently going to receive a Bachelor's Degree of Science in Media Arts & Animation which is a 3 year program. The Art Institute has a good reputation and has many campuses across America and even in Canada. You should look into it.

September 2003 I began attending the Art Institute of Pittsburgh, if I had the money to go to an out of state school like that I would have stayed. Its a pretty good school so I know what your talking about. I was studing Game Art and Design. My interests have changed over the years, and the change of schools have made me lose a lot of time. I am looking to finish by 2010. Then I can go for my Masters and PHD. Forever3D what type of courses are you taking in Media Arts & Animation?

[Forever3D]

Your first year is all fundamental classes, Drawing, Color Theory, Perspective drawing. Here is what I have to look forward to my coming quarters:

Painting
Principles of 3-D Modeling
2-D Animation Principles
Life Drawing & Gesture
Conceptual Storytelling
Sculpture for Animation
Acting & Movement
Character & Object Design
Language of Animation & Film
Drawing & Anatomy
Business of Animation

[maskiotto]

I think that computer animation is one of the fastest growing fields thanks to technology advances of last years. The best thing you can do is to update frequently your knowledge with professional courses but with a solid bases that only a degree can give you. Maybe this article may be useful to you and all that are in your needs.

An overview of Courses for Your Computer Animation Degree