How to Earn a Degree in Animation

If your passion is in the arts, you may find that a career as an animator can help you strike a happy balance between artistic expression and a practical career choice. Fine arts animation degree programs can prepare you for the creative and business tools you need to succeed in this lucrative field. Before Earning Your Animation Degree According to the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD), animation degrees are offered as associate's, bachelor's, and master's degrees in fine arts.

• An associate's degree (AFA) program can last anywhere from one to three years. The prerequisite is a high school diploma.
• A bachelor's degree (BFA) program typically lasts four years. Prerequisites are a high school diploma as well as a portfolio of work. You would want to practice your craft and compile your portfolio prior to applying to a program.
• A master's degree (MFA) program typically lasts two years. Prerequisites are a bachelor's degree as well as a diverse portfolio of work. Work experience, either at a job or internship, is usually recommended.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), coursework in an AFA program concentrates heavily on studio work, both hand drawing and computer animation. BFA and MFA programs add general education classes to that as well as major courses in art history, advertising design, photography, and visual theory. All programs are geared towards building a working portfolio for entry into the work force. A portfolio in this industry is just as important as a resume or interview. Entering the Work Force With an Animation Degree An AFA or BFA can lead to an entry-level position as a computer animator. Advancement to more creative positions are more commonly attainable with a BFA. According to the BLS, animators are responsible for tasks such as creating two and three dimensional models, designing complex graphics and animation, developing multimedia campaigns and presentations, and planning animated narrative sequences and story lines. More mundane tasks such as creating simple illustrations and assembling proofs can also be part of your job description. An MFA can make advancement to an art director possible. Art directors are responsible for formulating the overall design concept and creative direction of a project or brand. According to the BLS, the median salary for an animator is $58,250, significantly higher than other fields. Employment is also expected to grow 14 to 19 percent from 2008-2018, significantly faster than the national prospected growth. The states with the highest levels of employment are:

• California
• Washington
• New York
• Minnesota
• Oregon

The industries with the highest levels of employment are:

• Motion picture and video production
• Advertising and public relations
• Computer systems design
• Software publishers
• Specialized design services

Earning your computer animation degree can help you find a practical application for your artistic skills in a fast-growing field.