Discover the Best After Effects Classes Near Me
Adobe After Effects is a well-known program for motion graphics and video effects. It has been used to create the opening titles and end credits of films and television shows for many years. After Effects works well with other applications from Adobe’s Creative Cloud, so you can start a project in one tool and finish it in another. If you plan to switch to a career as a Motion Graphics Designer, Video Editor, or Special Effects Artist, you should learn After Effects.
The 15 Best After Effects Classes
- Certstaffix Training—Adobe After Effects (Live Online and In-Person)
- Noble Desktop—After Effects in a Day ILive Online and In-Person)
- Training Connection—After Effects Training (Live Online and In-Person)
- Lumenbrite—After Effects Training: Bootcamp (Live Online and In-Person)
- Noble Desktop—After Effects Bootcamp (Live Online and In-Person)
- Ledet Training—Adobe After Effects Training (Live Online and In-Person)
- NYC Career Centers—After Effects Bootcamp (Live Online and In-Person)
- Luminous Works Training—After Effects Essentials (Live Online and In-Person)
- NYIM Training—After Effects Bootcamp (Live Online and In-Person)
- Manhattan Edit Workshop—Adobe After Effects Level I (Live Online)
- Lumenbrite—After Effects Training: Essential Skills 1 (Live Online and In-Person)
- Academy Class—After Effects: Zero to HERO (Live Online)
- Academy Class—After Effects: Beginner (Live Online)
- FMC—Adobe After Effects Introduction (Live Online)
- Think Big Learn Smart—Adobe After Effects Introduction (Live Online)
#1: Certstaffix Training—Adobe After Effects
This hands-on Adobe After Effects class is available either live online with a remote instructor or as a self-paced on-demand course. Instruction is task-based and students tackle real-world situations and challenges designed to teach the skills they will need to work with After Effects. The class covers animating text, shaping layers, masking, puppet tools, using the roto brush, color correction, 3D features, rendering and outputting, and more. After class, students will be able to create animations and special effects like those used in videos, games, websites, commercials, and films.
Key Information
The price for the live online Adobe After Effects course is $1,330 for a three-day class, and the Self-paced Adobe After Effects on-demand class is $250. Students can watch this 3 hour and 20-minute class as often as they want according to their own schedule. The live online class is offered about once a month. There are no prerequisites for this class.
Students need to pay for the class before the session begins. Certstaffix accepts major credit cards, bank transfers, and personal or company checks. Discounts are available for groups of 10 or more and discounted pre-paid vouchers are also an option for group training.
More Details
When students complete the class, they will receive a certificate of completion. This is not a certification from Adobe. Necessary software is provided or the instructor will help students sign up for a free trial. In reviews, students express satisfaction with how Cerstaffix courses are designed and the content that is taught. Josie V. said, “The layout and structure of the course was very easy to follow and… the platform … made learning much easier than I expected.” Dale M. said “Content was useful and met my expectations. Instructor was helpful and did an excellent job of keeping everyone engaged.”
#2: Noble Desktop—After Effects in a Day
Get started with motion graphics and animation in this Adobe After Effects in a Day course for beginners. Learn to import files from other Adobe products like Photoshop and Illustrator and create animated text, photos, and video, plus add sound or music.
Key Information
The cost for this one 6-hour session is $425. Students will need a device to access the internet and a stable connection. The class will be held over Zoom with a live remote instructor.
Price, duration, prerequisites. Prior knowledge of Photoshop and Illustrator will help students with assignments, but are not required. Design experience is also helpful but not necessary.
More Details
Students may retake the class for free within one year. Victoria said, “After Effects in a Day is a great beginner class to learn simple animation basics. Great variety of exercises in the training book. Kalika is a fun and entertaining instructor and she shared some of her own work with is amazing and inspiring!”
#3: Training Connection—After Effects Training
Training Connection offers in-person After Effects Training in Los Angeles and live online classes from anywhere. The course is built around exercises to help students learn how to use Adobe After Effects in real world projects. Students will learn the industry standards for animation and motion graphics, including title design, rotoscoping, background removal, and compositing. The instructor will cover the best ways to use Premiere Pro, Photoshop, and Illustrator with After Effects, as well as the fundamentals of animation physics and other techniques. Other topics include integrating 3D layers, lighting, and virtual cameras, stabilization and tracking techniques, and particle effects. At the end of the course, students will practice rendering their projects for mobile, web, and broadcast platforms.
Key Information
Training Connection has three classes on After Effects: a three-day fundamentals class, a two-day advanced class for experienced users, and a five-day Zero to Hero Bootcamp. The three-day introductory course costs $1,395, the two-day class is $895, and the five-day bootcamp is $1,845. All classes meet from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Pacific time. There are no prerequisites for these courses.
More Details
Students can repeat the After Effects class for free for up to six months, and a full refund if they drop the class after the first day. Students receive a training manual that is theirs to keep, and a certificate of completion when the class is finished. Laura Wilkins called the class “fun, informational that I really enjoyed and learned a lot from.”
#4: Lumenbrite—After Effects Training: Bootcamp
Lumenbrite’s After Effects Training: Bootcamp covers an introduction to the general foundations of Adobe After Effects and its basic functions. Students will become familiar with the After Effects interface and workspace, including time-saving shortcuts to improve workflow. Upon completion, students will be able to use After Effects to integrate Photoshop and Illustrator files with images, video, and audio. Students will also learn to work with color and use third-party effects. After Effects is the basis for many 2d motion graphics and animation effects and, along with Premiere Pro, is an important skill to learn if you want to switch to a career in video editing and motion graphics design.
Key Information
This full-time, four-day course meets for 7 hours a day, either in a morning or afternoon session, and is available in-person in Austin, TX or Phoenix, AZ or live online. Before taking this class, students must complete Computer Skills on Windows or Mac. The After Effects Training: Bootcamp costs $1,995.00. Payment is due before the first class. Lumenbrite doesn’t offer scholarships but there are group discounts for three or more.
More Details
Once students have mastered the basics of After Effects, they can work on their own projects during class. Classes are recorded and the recordings can be downloaded for 14 days after the end of the course. When students complete the course, they receive a certificate of completion. Students liked the live online format: “The online course was well done! Very well organized and presented! Highly recommend!”
#5: Noble Desktop—After Effects Bootcamp
Noble Desktop’s live online After Effects Bootcamp will give you the tools to go from static images like photographs and drawings and add graphics and movement. This course covers the After Effects interface, timeline, and layers, plus adding audio and video footage. Learn to create dynamic transitions, remove greenscreens, and add graphics to videos. Expert instructors will cover important principles of animation to help you create interesting and dynamic projects. When you finish the class, you will have videos that you can add to your online digital portfolio or upload to social media.
Key Information
The tuition for Noble’s After Effects Bootcamp is $975 and includes supplemental materials, a certificate of completion, and a 1-year free retake policy allowing students to retake all or part of the course for free within that time. Payment for the course is due before class starts. There are no extra fees for the class, but the instructor will help students sign up for a free trial of Adobe Creative Cloud. No discounts are offered for the bootcamp class itself, but if you take it as part of a video editing or motion graphics certificate, it will cost less.
There is a prerequisite for the After Effects Bootcamp. Students need a basic understanding of Adobe Photoshop. If you have never used Photoshop, consider signing up for Noble’s Photoshop Bootcamp first. Graphic design and video editing skills are helpful but not required. This bootcamp course is available as a full-time, three-day class or a seven-session, part-time course including 18 hours of hands-on instruction.
More Details
The After Effects Bootcamp is taught in-person in New York City or live online anywhere through the Zoom platform. Classes are small with an experienced instructor in the room, and you can ask questions or get help with assignments. “This course does a great job of setting up the foundation of the program and building your skills from there,” Alina B. said. “If someone doesn’t understand something, [the instructor] will work with them until they get it.”
Students receive a custom workbook and access to class recordings and slides after the session, plus they can retake the class for free for up to a year afterward. “Noble Deskto is a gem, I highly recommend students to take advantage of their offer to retake the course,” said Julia L. “I just did. Repetition is key.”
#6: Ledet Training—After Effects 501 Bootcamp
Ledet Training’s After Effects Bootcamp is designed to take students from novice to experienced users. Experienced industry professionals will teach students best practices and what to watch out for when working with After Effects. After Effects 501 Bootcamp is a combined course made up of After Effects Intro 101 and After Effects Advanced 201. This course covers creating dynamic, visually stunning motion graphics and visual effects that can be used to enhance video projects for websites, television, or film. Students will learn the After Effects workflow and interface. In the second part of the course, students will study color correction, 3D camera and light effects, and advanced shapes and effects. At the end of the course, students should have the skills they need to get a job as a Motion Graphics Designer.
Key Information
After Effects 501 Bootcamp is a six-day class that is taught in-person in Chicago, Atlanta, Denver, Houston, , and San Diego and live online. The course is designed for users who are new to After Effects but some experience with Photoshop is helpful. The cost for the bootcamp course is $2199. This is a significant discount from the cost of taking the intro and advanced classes separately, which cost $1,299 each.
More Details
Payment for classes is due before the first session and Ledet Training partners with several companies that students can work with for financing. Students may retake a course while the current version is in effect until the next major upgrade. There is a $100 registration and administrative fee. Course materials include a full-color printed text book and links to the class data files. After Effects Bootcamp can help students who want to prepare for the exam to become an Adobe Certified Expert. Students appreciated the small class size and quality of instruction. Nicoe K. said “The instructor was awesome and he made the material very easy to understand.” Howard K. said “The class was small and I was able to get all of my questions answered.” Daniela T. said “The training was very informative and accommodating. The instructor was great and extremely helpful.”
#7: NYC Career Centers—After Effects Bootcamp
NYC Career Centers’ After Effects Bootcamp is available in-person in New York City or live online. The class will focus on creating professional videos suitable for the web and broadcast TV. After Effects works seamlessly with other Adobe Creative Cloud products like Photoshop and Illustrator. Start with drawings or photographs and add text and animation. Learn about the After Effects interface, timeline, and working shortcuts. The course also covers adding and fixing audio and correcting color. Other topics include adding graphics to videos, compositing, and rotoscoping.The instructors have decades of video editing and motion graphics experience and will share important principles of animation. At the end of class, students will have videos to add to a demo reel in a digital portfolio.
Key Information
After Effects Bootcamp includes 18 hours of instruction over three days or seven. The $975 tuition includes class materials, a 1-year free retake policy allowing students to retake all or part of the course for free within that time, and a certificate of completion. Full payment is due before class starts. There are no additional fees and students don’t need to purchase software. The instructor will help students sign up for a free trial of After Effects. Discounts are not available for the bootcamp, but taking it as part of a video editing or motion graphics certificate will cost less overall.
Students need some experience in Adobe Photoshop before signing up for After Effects Bootcamp. If you have never used Photoshop, consider signing up for a Photoshop class first. Graphic design and video editing skills are helpful but not required.
More Details
NYC Career Center’s After Effects Bootcamp is taught live online anywhere through the Zoom platform with small class sizes and an experienced instructor in the room. Students can interact with the instructor, ask questions, get help with assignments, or network with other students. Robert B. said “This was a wonderful class and having a live instructor made a huge difference in the class experience.” Alina B. said. Eric V. struggled to learn After Effects on his own before signing up for class. “Now I feel that I have a solid foundation and am more excited than before about learning After Effects.”
#8: Luminous Works Training—After Effects Essentials
This After Works Essentials course covers motion graphics essentials and cinematic effects created through Adobe After Effects. Start with an overview of the After Effects workflow, including creating a project, importing files, working with layers, and customizing a workspace. Contine on to basic animation, using presets, animating text, masks, advanced animation techniques, and rendering the final product.
Key Information
After Effects Essentials is available live online or in person in Seattle. The course includes 12 hours of instruction and is aimed primarily at beginners, although professionals who need a refresher will also find it useful. Tuition for the two-day class is $595. There are no required prerequisites but prior experience with Adobe Premiere Pro and Photoshop will be helpful.
More Details
Students can retake the class within one year if they like. Classes must be paid for by the start of the first session. “Small class size, easy to follow & keep up, energy of the instructor helped keep my energy level up even at the end of day two. Instructor pacing was great, willing to respond to questions but did so efficiently so I stayed engaged even if the question didn't at first seem to apply to me. Nice facility. Sunny deck! I learned so much. Really enjoyed this.”
#9: NYIM Training—After Effects Bootcamp
Learn to use this powerful tool to create motion graphics, animation, and special effects for videos. This After Effects Bootcamp covers the basics of the After Effects workspace and animation techniques as well as more advanced operations like particle effects and motion tracking. Students will also learn how to correct color and audio, remove greenscreens, and create dynamic transitions. When all of the assignments are finished, students will have a professional-looking demo reel to add to a digital portfolio.
Key Information
NYIM’s three-day After Effects Bootcamp costs $975. This includes a handbook and any extra materials and a digital certificate students can upload to a portfolio website or LinkedIn profile. NYIM has a 1-year free retake policy, so students can retake the course for free if they need a refresher. Payment is due before class starts. There are no materials fees but students will need to sign up for a free trial of Adobe After Effects before class. No discounts are offered for a single class, but if you take After Effect Bootcamp as part of a certificate program in video editing or motion graphics, it will cost less.
Students need a basic understanding of how to use Adobe Photoshop in order to complete assignments, so if you have never used Photoshop, consider signing up for a Photoshop class before starting After Effects. Graphic design and video editing skills can help you learn After Effects, but there is no formal prerequisite. You can choose a full-time, three-day class or a seven-session, part-time course. After Effects Bootcamp includes 18 hours of hands-on instruction.
More Details
You can attend NYIM’s After Effects Bootcamp in person in New York City or live online anywhere through the Zoom video conferencing platform. The small class size makes it easy to ask questions or get assistance. Hazel S. said “Excellent classes and excellent venue! It has just the right level of personal attention and class participation. I would highly recommend NYIM and look forward to taking future classes there.”
#10: Manhattan Edit Workshop—Adobe After Effects Level I
This introductory After Effects class covers the essentials you need in order to use this powerful application for motion graphics and visual effects work. Topics include how the After Effects workflow functions, creating basic animation with effects and presets, an introduction to text animation, using keyframes, creating 3D images, and rendering and output of the final project.
Key Information
The cost for this class is $1,295 including three 8-hour sessions. Students will need a computer to access the internet and a stable connection. The class will be held over Zoom with a live remote instructor. There are no formal class prerequisites, although students will need basic knowledge of Mac OS X.
More Details
Students can bundle After Effects Level I, II, and III and save 15 percent. Christopher said, "The instructors are the program's greatest strength, especially in combination with the small class size. They have a solid program and an excellent school."
#11: Lumenbrite Training—After Effects Training: Essential Skills 1
This After Effects Training: Essential Skills 1 class for beginners covers the most important functions of Adobe After Effects. After Effects is used to create video compositions starting with Photoshop, Illustrator, or Premiere Pro files. The course will cover advanced text effects, keying effects, matte tracking, and video blending. The class will build from a fundamental level to more advanced animation techniques after students learn how to use After Effects tools and workflows and how to be most productive. The class will also cover creating precomps, nesting, motion tracking, and creating lower third graphics, and using Adobe Media Encoder for rendering the final video.
The class includes real-world projects that will teach students motion graphics, kinetic typography, cinemagraphs, and motion tracking. Students will also learn what problems to watch for, how to set up a good workflow, and best practices for motion graphics and video effects.
Key Information
The cost for the class is $1,295 for three, full-time 7-hour sessions. Students will need a computer with a reliable internet connection. The class will be held over Zoom with a live remote instructor. There are no formal prerequisites, but students will need a basic knowledge of Mac OS X or Windows. Payment is due before the first class. Lumenbrite doesn’t offer scholarships but there are group discounts for three or more.
More Details
Classes are recorded and the recordings can be downloaded for 14 days after the end of the course. When students complete the course, they receive a certificate of completion.
#12: Academy Class—After Effects: Zero to HERO
In After Effects: Zero to HERO, Students will learn to create 2 and 3D animations, work with layers, masks, and effects. Other topics covered are using color, keyframes, compounding, camera stabilization, and compositing. Students will also learn to render and upload their final project and prepare for Adobe’s certification exam in After Effects.
Key Information
Academy Class’s five-day After Effects: Zero to HERO course costs $697. Payment is due when students enroll in the class. Academy Class offers a free course repeat within 18 months. A 10 percent discount is available to students who pay for the class using cryptocurrency. Students need a basic understanding of how to use a computer. This class includes five, 6-hour days of instruction.
More Details
Academy Class’s After Effects: Zero to HERO is a hands-on course taught by experienced industry professionals. The class includes preparation for Adobe’s After Effects Certification Exam.
#13: Academy Class—After Effects: Beginner
This After Effects class for beginners teaches students to create stunning visual effects and compelling motion graphics for videos. The class will cover 2D animations, working with layers, masks, and mattes. Other topics are the efficient use of color and how to render and upload their final project.
Key Information
Academy Class’s 2-day After Effects: Beginner course costs $447. Payment is due when students enroll in the class. Academy Class offers a free course repeat within 18 months. A 10 percent discount is available to students who pay for the class using cryptocurrency. Students need a basic understanding of how to use a computer. This class includes two, 6-hour days of instruction.
More Details
Academy Class’s After Effects: Beginner is a hands-on course taught by experienced industry professionals. This course is geared toward people who want to work in the broadcast industry.
#14: FMC Training Network—Introduction to Adobe After Effects
Introduction to Adobe After Effects will cover the fundamentals of motion graphics, getting to know the workflow, creating basic animations using effects and presets, animating text, working with shape layers, animating a multimedia presentation, working with masks, distorting objects with the puppet tools, correcting color, and rendering and outputting the file project.
Key Information
This class costs $1,195 and includes three 7-hour sessions. Students need a working knowledge of computers and the Mac OS X or Windows operating systems. A Photoshop class or equivalent experience is recommended.
#15: Think Big Learn Smart —Adobe After Effects Introduction
ThinkBIG’s Adobe After Effects Introduction course introduces fundamental concepts and features of Adobe After Effects. Students will learn 2D and 3D tools for compositing, animation, and effects. The course is geared toward Motion Graphics Designers, Visual Effects Artists, Web Designers, and Film and Video Editors. After Effects has been used for digital post-production of film, video, DVD, and the web for many years.
Key Information
This class costs $795 and includes two 6.5-hour sessions. Students need a working knowledge of computers and the Mac OS X or Windows operating systems. A Photoshop class or equivalent experience is recommended.
More Details
Christopher described the class as “...a great introduction to what After Effects can do.” Danielle said “This was a wonderful class. In the past I would get so frustrated trying to troubleshoot AE on my own. Being able to ask questions and have our instructor right in front of us made it fun and informative instead of tiring."
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I choose an After Effects class?
Check out some class descriptions online and look for one that appeals to you. Read the list of what will be taught, look at student reviews, and choose a class that fits your schedule and budget.
Is it better to attend an After Effects class in-person or online?
That depends on what you are comfortable with. If you enjoy in-person classes and there is one offered in your area, choose an in-person class. If you like the convenience of taking a class from your home or office without having to travel or if there are no in-person classes near you, choose a live online class.
What will I need for an After Effects class?
To take an online class, students will need a computer with an internet connection and a copy of the software they will be learning. Adobe Creative Cloud offers a one-week free trial of their collection of products, after which you will need to buy a subscription to continue using After Effects. Students will also need a computer powerful enough to handle motion graphics. Adobe recommends a fast processor, at least 2 GB of RAM but 16 GB is best, fast storage, and adequate video processing to run After Effects.
Can I learn After Effects online for free?
Theoretically yes, you can learn After Effects online for free. As a matter of fact, Adobe has a collection of free tutorials on its website that cover all of its products. There are also many YouTube videos and online tutorials to teach you the basic concepts, but After Effects is a complicated program and can be challenging to learn. The guidance of an experienced instructor is valuable when learning After Effects.
Is it better to learn After Effects in a live or self-paced class?
Whether it is better to learn After Effects in a live or self-paced class depends upon a student’s learning style, personal motivation, budget, and schedule. Many people find it easier to master new skills in a traditional classroom setting with an instructor who can answer questions and classmates who can interact with each other. Self-paced classes lack interaction but are more flexible. Having an instructor and other students can help keep students accountable and focused, but self-paced classes are usually less expensive and easier to fit into your schedule.
To take an online class, students will need a computer with an internet connection and a copy of the software they will be learning. Adobe Creative Cloud offers a one-week free trial of their collection of products, after which you will need to buy a subscription to continue using After Effects. Students will also need a computer powerful enough to handle motion graphics. Adobe recommends a fast processor, at least 2 GB of RAM but 16 GB is best, fast storage, and adequate video processing to run After Effects.
Made in NYC
