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Animation Classes San Diego

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Unleash your creativity and master the art of animation with a diverse range of video animation classes in San Diego. Learn the fundamentals of animation techniques, software tools, and design principles, and bring your ideas to life with stunning visual effects.

20 results

Motion Graphics Certificate

Noble Desktop See all classes by this school - Virtually Online

Become a skilled Motion Graphics Designer and master the art of animating motion graphics, creating visual effects, and editing videos using industry-standard software like Adobe After Effects, Premiere Pro, and Cinema 4D Lite. Develop a strong portfolio showcasing your creative techniques and gain the skills needed to meet the growing demand for video professionals.

(381) All levels 18 and older
$3,495

15 sessions

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After Effects Bootcamp

Noble Desktop See all classes by this school - Virtually Online

Unlock the power of Adobe After Effects in this comprehensive bootcamp, designed to help you create compelling video content from scratch. You'll learn the fundamentals of animation, text effects, and file integration through hands-on projects, all guided by an experienced instructor. Gain the skills needed to bring your motion graphics to life with confidence.

(381) All levels 18 and older
$975

3 sessions

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After Effects Certification Program

Noble Desktop See all classes by this school - Virtually Online

Enhance your motion graphics skills and become an Adobe After Effects pro with this comprehensive program. Earn a professional certification and stand out in the competitive world of animation and motion graphics. Take your skills to the next level in this hands-on course.

(381) All levels 18 and older
$2,995

9 sessions

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After Effects in a Day

Noble Desktop See all classes by this school - Virtually Online

Learn how to create stunning animations, add music and sounds, and import files from Illustrator and Photoshop in this hands-on workshop. Perfect for beginners looking to master After Effects in just one day.

(381) All levels 18 and older

After Effects Advanced

Noble Desktop See all classes by this school - Virtually Online

Take your After Effects skills to the next level with this advanced course. Master text and shape animations, learn video compositing techniques, and discover how to speed up your workflow with expressions. Enhance your motion graphics and compositing skills with hands-on projects in this immersive course.

(381) Advanced 18 and older
$975

3 sessions

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Video Editing & Motion Graphics (High School)

NextGen Bootcamp See all classes by this school @ Live Virtual

Unlock the secrets of professional video editing and motion graphics with Adobe Premiere Pro and After Effects. Gain hands-on experience in organizing footage, applying effects, and creating stunning visual effects. Whether you're a budding filmmaker or aspiring content creator, this course will equip you with the skills needed to bring your creative visions to life.

(61) All levels 13 - 18 years old
$2,495

8 sessions

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Motion Graphics with After Effects (High School)

NextGen Bootcamp See all classes by this school @ Live Virtual

Unlock the world of motion graphics design with Adobe After Effects. Dive into hands-on learning to create captivating animations and stunning visual effects from scratch. Perfect for beginners, this program covers everything from basic navigation to advanced techniques, empowering you to unleash your creativity in the world of animation.

(61) All levels 13 - 18 years old
$1,299

4 sessions

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Adobe After Effects Private Training

Noble Desktop See all classes by this school - Virtually Online

Unlock the power of motion graphics with this comprehensive training. Master Adobe After Effects' interface, timeline, and layer animation techniques to craft stunning GIFs, animate logos, and seamlessly integrate artwork from Illustrator and Photoshop.

(381) All levels 13 and older

After Effects Bootcamp

NYC Career Centers See all classes by this school - Virtually Online

Master the art of creating professional videos, animations, and special effects with After Effects. Elevate your skills in motion graphics and animation, from basic techniques to advanced motion tracking and particle effects. Take your video editing to the next level.

(681) All levels 18 and older
$975

3 sessions

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After Effects in a Day

NYC Career Centers See all classes by this school - Virtually Online

Learn how to create professional motion graphics and animations using Adobe After Effects in this intensive workshop. Join a leading motion graphics instructor and get hands-on experience in a small class setting. Master the essentials of the user interface, layer animation, and more.

(681) All levels 18 and older

Video Editing Certificate

Noble Desktop See all classes by this school - Virtually Online

Master the art of video editing, audio editing, and motion graphics at a leading institution. Learn the creative techniques and workflow required to transform concepts into fully edited videos. Elevate your skills and stand out to potential clients or employers with a compelling video editing demo reel.

(381) All levels 18 and older
$2,995

15 sessions

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After Effects Advanced

NYC Career Centers See all classes by this school - Virtually Online

Take your After Effects skills to new heights with this advanced course. Master text animations, create seamless transitions, and delve into the world of motion graphics. Elevate your projects from design to delivery.

(681) Advanced 18 and older
$975

3 sessions

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After Effects Compositing, Tracking, & Keying

Noble Desktop See all classes by this school - Virtually Online

Elevate your motion graphics projects with advanced compositing techniques in After Effects. Master keying, rotoscoping, and tracking to seamlessly integrate graphic elements into your compositions. Through real-world projects, you'll gain hands-on experience and the expertise to create polished, high-quality composites, taking your visual effects to the next level.

(381) Advanced 18 and older
$975

3 sessions

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Motion Graphics & Video Editing Portfolio Development

Noble Desktop See all classes by this school - Virtually Online

Discover how to create engaging and meaningful motion graphics and video edits from concept to completion in this in-depth course. Gain the skills necessary to build a professional portfolio and excel in the growing industries of motion graphics and video editing. Take the first step towards a career in this creative field.

(381) All levels 18 and older
$1,495

3 sessions

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After Effects Bootcamp

Training Connection See all classes by this school @ Online

Learn to create special effects and motion graphics in this After Effects course at Training Connection. Perfect for graphic and video professionals looking to enhance their editing and compositing skills, this hands-on bootcamp covers everything from basic animation to advanced concepts like 3D and particle simulations. No prior experience is required.

(162) All levels 14 and older
$1,995

5 sessions

Attend
+19950 pts
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After Effects Fundamentals

Training Connection See all classes by this school @ Online

Master Adobe After Effects in this hands-on course at Training Connection. Suitable for graphic and video professionals looking to enhance their editing and compositing abilities, this course offers both beginners and experienced users the opportunity to learn and practice various projects and tricks. No prior experience with After Effects is required.

(162) Beginner 14 and older
$1,495

3 sessions

Attend
+14950 pts
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After Effects Advanced

Training Connection See all classes by this school @ Online

Take your After Effects skills to the next level with this advanced course. Learn motion tracking, advanced masking, 3D effects, and more in this comprehensive training program designed for experienced users. Elevate your video production with Training Connection.

(162) Advanced 14 and older
$995

2 sessions

Attend
+9950 pts
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Basic Fundamentals of CINEMA 4D (Online)

Manhattan Edit Workshop See all classes by this school @ Virtual Class room

Learn the essential skills to create stunning 3D animations and models with Cinema 4D. This online course is designed for VFX artists and editors looking to incorporate 3D objects into their video work. Gain a solid foundation in navigating the program, manipulating objects, working with textures and lights, and compositing models into video scenes.

(97) Beginner 16 and older
$1,095

2 sessions

Attend
+10950 pts
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Video Editing & Motion Graphics Certificate

Noble Desktop See all classes by this school - Virtually Online

Transform your videos with professional-level editing and captivating motion graphics. Master the art of video editing, audio editing, and animation with industry-standard software like Adobe Premiere Pro, Audition, After Effects, and Cinema 4D Lite. Elevate your skills and create impressive visual effects that will leave a lasting impact.

(381) All levels 18 and older
$4,995

18 sessions

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Autodesk Maya Workshop (Ages 13-18)

Animation Atelier See all classes by this school

Unlock the power of Autodesk Maya, the industry-standard software used by leading studios like Disney, Pixar, and ILM. In this workshop, teens will gain hands-on experience creating animations and visual effects, mastering the same tools that bring blockbuster films to life. Ideal for young artists eager to explore 3D animation and VFX.

All levels 13 - 18 years old
$250

7 sessions

Attend
+2500 pts
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Reviews for Animation Classes in San Diego

Animation Classes in San Diego are rated 4.6 stars based on 1,382 verified reviews from actual CourseHorse.com purchasers.

  • After Effects in a Day

    Anonymous review on 11/7/2019
    Amazing instructor!
  • After Effects in a Day

    Reviewed by Mary B. on 10/17/2019
    Great teacher! Learned a lot in one day.
  • After Effects in a Day

    Anonymous review on 8/3/2019
    Very good for learning with no experience or for filling in the gaps from self teaching AfterEffects. Wish there were a little more complex concepts taught other than just moving shapes around on 2D space but you can only teach so much in a day. Got a little too quick towards the end when exporting projects and learning different compressions so it felt arbitrary to even explain. But overall good class and great teacher, perfect pace for learning from scratch and if you need to learn specifically how to make gifs and logos
  • After Effects Bootcamp

    Reviewed by Dov A. on 5/2/2019
    Kalika was a fantastic instructor bringing patience and humor to every lesson. Thanks to her, I have a strong grasp on the topics covered, am confident in my skills and capability to delve further into the app. Kalika is the rare teacher who goes the extra mile for her students because she's happy to. One suggestion note is that there are a few lessons that start off with importing or setting up in more than one way for the sake of learning how different modes function. I think the class would benefit from taking time in between the demonstrations to practice that part before continuing into the bulk of the lesson - I found that I forgot what the take-away was from that initial portion of the lesson by the time the demonstration was over, and conducting that portion on my own created an interruption between the demonstration and going through the section on my own.
  • After Effects in a Day

    Anonymous review on 5/17/2018
    The class was challenging, but it was a great introduction to what's possible in After Effects!
  • After Effects in a Day

    Reviewed by Vanessa S. on 3/19/2018
    Great teacher who's passionate about what she teaches. She's also really helpful and insightful with answering questions.
  • After Effects in a Day

    Reviewed by Neela A. on 9/29/2017
    love it!
  • After Effects Bootcamp

    Reviewed by Eric Vasquez on 7/11/2016
    I had been trying to learn After Effects on my own for a while, but it wasn't until I decided to take the course through Noble Desktop that things really started to make sense for me. Now I feel that I have a solid foundation and am more excited than before about learning After Effects. As much as I enjoyed this class, I only wish that there was a second part to this course or something that would take you into some of the more intermediate/advanced techniques with track mattes, rotoscoping, null objects etc.
  • After Effects Bootcamp

    Anonymous review on 7/5/2016
    After Effects seemed really intimidating but after this class I was able to jump right into projects without hesitation. I was able to use my new skills the first day after class ended on a business pitch, which we won!
  • After Effects Bootcamp

    Reviewed by Lisa R. on 1/29/2016
    Great class! Super knowledgeable and personable instructor, you learn a lot for an intro course!

Discover the Best Animation Classes in San Diego

The first words spoken by Mickey Mouse (and, surprisingly, not voiced by Walt Disney) waited until Mickey’s ninth cartoon short, The Karnival Kid, from 1929. And what are his famous first words? Believe it or not, it’s a pedestrian “hot dogs! hot dogs!.” as he makes the round of a carnival pushing a hot dog stand that sports a quartet of highly anthropomorphic frankfurters that bark, scratch, and move of their own volition. (As such, the cartoon gets very disturbing when Minnie goes to take a bite out of one of the hot dogs, although it does manage to escape before she can actually get her teeth into it.)

Animation is the process whereby a mouse with opposable thumbs and his hot dogs can be brought to life. Yes, the illusion of life was as yet a bit tenuous in 1929, but Mickey and the hot dogs nonetheless are seemingly endowed with souls (the Latin for soul being anima) thanks to an optical illusion that science hasn’t fully explained. The human eye can distinguish some 10 to 12 different images in the space of a second. If you go over that threshold, the brain jumps in and creates an illusion of continuity between the images. Thus if you make a series of drawings of Mickey Mouse, each one with him in a slightly different position, and then exhibit them at the rate of 12 drawings per second or above, Mickey will appear to come to life and move.

Back in 1929, those drawings had to be painstakingly created by hand with pencil and paper and then just as painstakingly transferred into ink on cels, which were then photographed onto regular 24-frames-per-second motion picture film, two frames per drawing. This was (allowing for the advent of color) how animated cartoons and movies would be made for the next seventy-five years. Not until 1991, with Beauty and the Beast, did the House of the Mouse begin using computers to assist with the animating duties, although only four years after that did upstart studio Pixar forever change animation with the release of Toy Story, the first fully “3D” computer animated feature.

Since then, animation has shifted entirely to the computer, and specialized software, tablets, and styli have replaced pencils, paper, pens, ink, and paint. Being an animator nearly a century after Mickey Mouse’s first cartoons requires a great deal of specialized computer knowledge, so much so that many animators today hold four-year college degrees in computer animation. There is considerable science behind the computer-generated imagery (CGI) that has not only replaced hand animation but also much of the special effects work in nominally live-action motion pictures. Whereas an elaborate series of full-size sets and models had to be built—and destroyed—by MGM to recreate the earthquake in San Francisco (1936), today’s special effects artists can whip all manner of mayhem with a few mouse clicks.

As computer-generated graphics have evolved, less complex software options have appeared on the market, some of which place animation within the grasp of ordinary mortals who lack computer animation degrees. Using programs such as Adobe After Effects, you can create animation for social media and other commercial purposes. The software isn’t powerful enough to make a state-of-the-art animated motion picture, but you very likely could recreate The Karnival Kid using After Effects, assuming you’re up to capturing the weirdness of Mickey’s singing hot dogs and Clarabelle the Cow floating through the air and making faces into the camera.

Best Animation Classes & Schools in San Diego

Although the Animation Mecca of the United States is only a highly unpleasant three-plus hour drive from downtown San Diego, you don’t need to drive to Hollywood every day to learn how to create motion graphics using a computer. You can remain in San Diego and have a wide variety of study options at your fingertips, thanks to the marvels of the internet and a whole portfolio of available live online classes. These bring the learning to a convenient location of your choice over a teleconferencing platform such as Zoom, and include real-time interaction with an instructor who teaches live, just as in a brick-and-mortar classroom.

Based out of New York City, where it also offers in-person classes, Noble Desktop is an online IT school that provides a Motion Graphics Certificate program for those interested in acquiring in-depth knowledge of how to create motion graphics and edit them into a finished product using After Effects, Cinema 4D Lite and PremierePro. Also included in the course is time and guidance for developing the demo reel that you can show to prospective employers after you’ve finished your education. The program runs for 17 sessions, and tuition includes 1-to-1 mentoring sessions with established career professionals, as well as a free retake option. Note that the component modules of the certificate program, including the Motion Graphics & Video Editing Portfolio Development module, may be taken individually as well.

A further New York-based option for learning motion graphics using After Effects is Manhattan Edit Workshop, a school that began by teaching the mechanics of video editing, but subsequently branched out to become, among other things, an Adobe Authorized Training Center. The school teaches an Adobe After Effects Level 1 course that, in the space of three days, teaches students the theory of motion graphics, keyframes, layers, masks, animating text, and the essentials of rendering and output. Manhattan Edit Workshop also teaches Level 2 and Level 3 classes for those interested in deeper dives into the After Effects pool.

If waking up in time for a six o’clock class on the West Coast (since that’s what nine a.m. classes in New York amount to) isn’t an appealing prospect, Digital Workshop Center in Fort Collins offers a more timezone-friendly option. The school, which specializes in training non-traditional students (including those who haven’t been to school for a while), teaches a Video Design certificate program that offers instruction in both PremierePro and After Effects. You can also choose to devote four weekday mornings and your existing knowledge of Photoshop to Adobe After Effects For Beginners (Level 1), an introduction to motion graphics software that will have you creating simple animation suitable for social media and beyond. There is a follow-up class, Adobe After Effects Advanced (Level 2), that goes into greater depth with the software’s functionality, including such useful functions as the Roto Brush Tool, the Puppet Tool, and the 3D Camera Tracker. Should you chance to be in the neighborhood, the class may also be taken at Digital Workshop Center’s school in Fort Collins, Colorado.

If you’re looking for a shorter class in After Effects, you may wish to consider After Effects in a Day from NYC Career Centers. The class will have you up at 7:00 a.m., it’s true, but six hours later, you’ll be conversant with the essential functions of After Effects and be able to create your very own motion graphics and animated logos.

A very different possibility for learning to create motion graphics is on offer from Future Media Concepts, another New York-based school that offers, in addition to training in Adobe programs such as After Effects, a Motion 101 -- An Introduction to Motion 5. Motion 5 is the motion graphics complement to Final Cut Pro X, Apple’s answer to Adobe’s Premiere Pro. The class meets for three all-day weekday sessions and teaches students to create titles, effects, and transitions using different but comparably powerful software.

San Diego Industries That Use Animation

Newspaper editor Horace Greeley may or may not have said, “Go west, young man”—a piece of advice that it would be hard to give anyone in San Diego. The advice a San Diego newspaper editor might give someone seeking to make a career in animation would be instead, “Go north, young man” – north meaning up the I-5 and to Los Angeles, where so much of the entertainment industry is centered. Certainly, if you are intent on making a career in the cinematic uses of animation, that is advice to follow, although that’s also not to say that an animator won’t be able to find work in America’s Finest City.

San Diego is home to a number of animation studios that work mainly to create commercial animation and motion graphics, most especially for social media, where a zippy visual presence is essential if a product is to make its point. Animation has many uses today, and, as such, studios have sprung up all over the country, the country’s fifth most populous county being no exception. Animators in these studios work either directly with clients seeking to bring some visual zing to their brand or with advertising agencies that have the zing part down, but lack the ken to turn it into something visual. No, it’s not making motion pictures or blowing up some latter-day Death Star, but it’s work designing motion graphics that can be both creative and satisfying.

Animation Jobs & Salaries in San Diego

Category 27-1014.00 in the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics reckoning of job descriptions is assigned to both animators and special effects artists, a reflection of the role CGI plays in the creation of special effects that were once the province of set builders and people who knew how to blow things up safely. O*net Online, a further government database designed primarily to assist job seekers, divides the BLS category into more specific job titles. Those include 2D animator, 3D animator, as well as such professional monikers as digital artist and graphic artist.

Elsewhere on the BLS database, 2022 figures for the San Diego/Carlsbad area reveal that 460 people were employed there in category 27-1014.00 jobs. That doesn’t seem a particularly large number, but it does make for a healthy location quotient of 1.27. The gist of that is that you’re more likely to find a job in animation in San Diego than the national average (which is a location quotient of 1.) Far worse places for employment in animation exist (Miami has a location quotient of 0.31, for example), although you’ll have difficulty ignoring the 9.71 location quotient for animators in that megalopolis up the coast. The mean salary for animators in the San Diego/Carlsbad area is $115,500 per annum, which stacks up well compared to the national median wage for animators, which weighs in at $99,000. The figure also stacks up well against the $69,000 average salary for all San Diegans.

You’ll have to judge those healthy salary numbers by the very substantial cost of living in San Diego, which is estimated to be 44% higher than the national average, not least of all because the cost of housing is a gargantuan 123% higher than that national average (with numbers like that, having groceries cost 12% more than the national average seems trivial.) Petco Park, a site worth seeing even if you’re not a baseball fan, even has the third most expensive hot dogs in MLB: Padres fans play $7.75, although some stations at the stadium do offer free chili and cheese sauces to put on it. That’s quite a bit more than Mickey Mouse was charging for his anthropomorphic hot dogs back in 1929.

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