Discover the Best Animation Classes in Denver
The earliest pioneers of animation, or the art of creating the illusion of moving pictures, would undoubtedly stand in awe at the variety of careers available for Animators and Motion Graphics Artists today. Animation began as 500 individually handpainted images in 1892 and was refined into the cel animation process that dominated the 20th century. Since then, the art form has developed into the primarily digital imagery we know and love today. Every year sees increases in 3D animation’s capacity for realism, and its diversity in applications continues to expand, as well.
While traditional storytelling animation thrives in cartoons for both children and adults, Motion Graphics Artists use the same skills in many different industries every day. In the 21st century, animation professionals build video games, construct virtual reality and interactive experiences, create content for websites and applications, and support businesses with advertising and marketing. They also create their own YouTube videos and other short-form media, provide helpful materials for E-learning, and will likely find many new places to apply their art within the next decade.
Animation is an excellent career choice for creatives looking for a stable career that allows them to make art consistently every day. With a projected 2028 global market size of $531.237 billion, animation offers a secure job market for skilled artists excited to stay abreast of cutting-edge technology.
Best Animation Classes & Schools in Denver
Adobe Animate Core Skills: Level 1 ONLC Training Centers - 600 17th St, Ste 2800, Denver, CO 80202
Beginners will gain a thorough understanding of the animation software formerly known as Flash Professional in this Adobe Animate Core Skills: Level 1 class. By the end of the course, students will be well-acquainted with Animate’s interface and know how to author and publish different file types, such as HTML5 and Flash Player. With a solid knowledge of Animate's essential tools and panels, you will be able to create animated shapes and text, modify animated content, and perform other tasks necessary to craft professional motion graphics from scratch by the end of this class.
Prerequisites: Basic computer and file management skills are prerequisites for this course.
Duration: Two 6.75-hour sessions
Cost: $795
Adobe After Effects Beginner Class American Media Training - 2200 Northlake Parkway, Tucker, GA 30084
This After Effects class for beginners covers all the essentials for creating animation and other motion graphics for the web, television, and other media. Students will receive a thorough introduction to foundational concepts necessary for mastering After Effects, including workflow, animation effects and presets, text, layers, and rendering final products in various formats. The class is designed as a primer for those just beginning their education for a career in digital video and is a solid first step toward Adobe certification.
Prerequisites: This beginner-level course requires basic computer knowledge.
Duration: Three 6-hour sessions
Cost: $1,295
After Effects Training: Essential Skills 1 Lumenbrite Training - Online
In this three-day After Effects essentials class, students will learn all they need to know to use the software to create professional-level motion graphics and video effects. The course offers in-depth coverage of both fundamental and advanced functions of After Effects, including class projects in motion graphics, kinetic typography, cinemagraphs, and motion tracking. At the completion of this course, participants will receive an Adobe nationally recognized course certificate.
Prerequisites: This beginner-level course requires basic computer skills on Windows or Mac.
Duration: Three 7-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
Denver Industries That Use Animation
While a handful of Denver Animators work as traditional storytellers in the film and television industry, most jobs in the area hold ties to Denver’s rapidly growing tech sector. According to Tech30’s 2022 report on growth in the field in the U.S. and Canada, Denver is the third top tech-growth city in the U.S. The Denver metropolitan area boasts many larger established companies, including a Google headquarters, NBCUniversal, and Arrow Electronics. However, it’s even more known as a hotspot for startups, with a new tech business appearing in Colorado at the rate of one every 72 hours.
Motion graphics art and animation jobs are among those created by this rapid tech growth in the Denver region, as they’re necessary for the development of modern websites and applications. Animators are in high demand in Denver's marketing and advertising industries servicing tech startups and other businesses in the area’s thriving economy. At least 240 video production companies offer animation services in Denver, many offering content creation services to support businesses in their advertising, marketing, and design.
Among Denver’s tech companies are leaders in E-learning, a rising industry throughout the U.S., and a promising place of growth for animation careers through the 2020s. And several Animators have found their dream jobs in the city thanks to its handful of game development companies, including Serendipity Forge.
Animation Jobs & Salaries in Denver
About 210 Special Effects Artists and Animators worked in Colorado in 2022, with 130 calling the Denver region home. While the area is not the top location for animation and motion graphics careers in the country, the average mean wage of $85,000 is considerably higher than the national average. While Denver hosts a small filmmaking community providing opportunities for 2D and 3D Animators interested in storytelling, its growing tech hub is the primary sector for Motion Graphics Artists and Animators. NBCUniversal, a Google headquarters, and a growing community of established tech companies and startups provide local Animators plenty of opportunities to apply their craft in creating up-to-date websites, applications, advertising campaigns, and logos.
