Discover the Best Animation Classes in Charlotte
Animation, in its simplest definition, is the art of creating the illusion of moving pictures. The high-energy creative field has a well-earned reputation for innovation that began in the hands of artists experimenting with film at the turn of the 20th century. Disney popularized cel animation as the dominant form of storytelling with moving pictures throughout the 1900s, creating a business generating billions of dollars while defining generations of childhood. Meanwhile, as computer-generated 3D animations increased in quality over the last decades of the 20th century, more and more artists used the technology to create full-length cartoons and special effects in live-action films and television.
While much of the 2D animation of the 20th century catered to children, advertising firms also harnessed the power of the art form from the earliest days of television. The Simpsons, Family Guy, and the Adult Swim programming block of Cartoon Network are among the cultural phenomena that popularized animation for adults, establishing it as a firm trend in 21st-century tastes. With the widespread popularity of anime for kids and adults alike, 2D animation continues to provide many employment opportunities for Animators today. However, the versatility of 3D animation using software like Autodesk Maya makes that track appealing for many aspiring Animators of the 2020s.
Few careers offer more perks to aspiring creative professionals than one in animation and motion graphics. With a high mean annual wage, a rapidly growing global market, and work available in diverse industries, job security is a given for Animators. While shifts in technology bring regular changes in the field, the 21st- century market for animated entertainment and motion graphics in tech design will always require innovative spirits to bring a human element to the art.
Best Animation Classes & Schools in Charlotte
Adobe Animate Core Skills: Level 1 ONLC Training Centers—301 McCullough Dr, Ste 400, Charlotte, NC 28262
This hands-on Adobe Animate Core Skills: Level 1 class is the ideal educational experience for beginners considering a career in animation or motion graphics. Students will learn to use Animate’s Motion Editor, how to edit property curves, and the differences between frame-by-frame animation, motion tweens, and motion paths. By the end of the course, participants will have a thorough understanding of the process of creating, rendering, and outputting animations in Adobe Animate.
Prerequisites: Participants will need basic computer experience, including file management knowledge.
Duration: Two 6.75-hour sessions
Cost: $795
After Effects Beginner Class American Media Training—2105 Water Ridge Parkway, Charlotte, NC 28217
Aspiring Animators can use this After Effects Beginner Class as a first step to their dream career. Students will gain a foundational understanding of this essential software for a career in motion graphics. By the end of the course, participants will be able to make high-quality animations with the program, from creating a composition to rendering a final product.
Prerequisites: This beginner-level class requires basic computer knowledge.
Duration: Three 6-hour sessions
Cost: $1,295
Cinema 4D in After Effects Bootcamp Noble Desktop—Online
This online Cinema 4D in After Effects Bootcamp guides participants to a solid understanding of Maxon’s Cinema 4D Lite, the version of the software included for no additional charge with Adobe’s After Effects. Through hands-on projects, students will learn to create and work with 3D models to enhance any animation work in After Effects. Whether you are an Animator or Motion Graphics Artist, an in-depth knowledge of Cinema 4D can level up your work.
Prerequisites: After Effects experience equivalent to Noble Desktop’s After Effects Bootcamp is required for this course.
Duration: Three 7-hour sessions or six 3-hour sessions
Cost: $975
Adobe After Effects Level I (Online) Manhattan Edit Workshop—Online
Manhattan Edit Workshop’s online introductory Adobe After Effects class provides students with a solid foundation in the application, empowering students to utilize After Effects to create stunning animations and motion graphics by the end of the course. Participants will learn the fundamental concepts of motion graphics and how to navigate After Effects’ workflow. Manhattan Edit Workshop’s class is ideal for aspiring motion graphics artists just beginning their learning journey.
Prerequisites: You’ll need basic Mac OS X knowledge as a prerequisite for this class.
Duration: Three 8-hour sessions
Cost: $1,295
Charlotte Industries That Use Animation
Charlotte’s rapidly growing film and television industry may be mostly live-action, but some of the 16,000 jobs created in the field in 2022 are undoubtedly Animators providing titles, special effects, website and advertisement design, and other artistic support. Several animation studios thrive in the area, including Emmy-award-winning Pixeldust Studios and The Animist, whose clients include Hulu, Amazon Prime, and Walmart.
Many who work in animation in Charlotte may be more appropriately termed Motion Graphics Artists. These talented individuals provide website design, marketing, and advertising services for many local Fortune 500 and,000 companies and the growing number of startups in the area. Some work in-house for businesses like Coca-Cola and Bank of America, while many find employment with the creative agencies and production studios that call Charlotte home.
An often overlooked opportunity for animation experts is the sports sector. Ranked the third-best U.S. city for sports business, Charlotte boasts three thriving sports networks—ESPN, SEC, and ACC—requiring extensive motion graphics as part of their programming.
Animation Jobs & Salaries in Charlotte
North Carolina is home to about 360 Special Effects Artists and Animators. Though most of those work in the Durham-Chapel Hill and Raleigh region, many find comfortable employment in Charlotte, with salaries ranging from $64,000 for entry-level roles to $92,000 for advanced positions.
While Charlotte’s animation job market isn’t the largest in the country, it offers a steady number of openings in a diverse range of industries. Charlotte’s metropolitan area is home to several animation studios and agencies offering motion graphics design in the area, including Pixeldust Studios, which boasts a client list including the likes of the Discovery Channel, National Geographic, the FBI, and Apple. Several Fortune 500 and,000 headquartered in the region such as Coca-Cola, Bank of America, and Lowe’s, offer consistent employment for Animators interested in marketing, advertising, and web design. While some of these positions are in-house, many are within creative agencies that offer motion graphics services as business support.
