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Animation Classes San Francisco

Unlock your creativity and bring your imagination to life with animation classes in San Francisco. Learn the art of storytelling through motion and gain valuable skills in character design, 2D and 3D animation techniques, and more.

2 classes in-person in San Francisco have spots left, and 18 classes live online are available.

Motion Graphics Certificate

Noble Desktop - 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.

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

16 sessions

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After Effects Bootcamp

Noble Desktop - Virtually Online

Discover the secrets of creating captivating motion graphics and animations in this comprehensive course. Gain hands-on experience with real-world projects and learn from a leading instructor, as you delve into techniques like motion tracking and animating 3D layers. Prerequisite: Basic knowledge of Adobe Photoshop recommended.

(372) All levels 18 and older
$975

3 sessions

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Video Editing Certificate

Noble Desktop - 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.

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

13 sessions

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After Effects in a Day

Noble Desktop - Virtually Online

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

(372) All levels 18 and older

Cinema 4D in After Effects Bootcamp

Noble Desktop - Virtually Online

Unlock the power of 3D graphics in your After Effects projects with this immersive hands-on course. Learn to create and animate stunning 3D models, apply textures, and seamlessly integrate with After Effects using Cinema 4D Lite. Expand your skill set and take your motion projects to new heights.

(372) All levels 18 and older
$975

3 sessions

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Adobe After Effects Private Training

Noble Desktop - 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.

(372) All levels 13 and older

Video Editing & Animation Certificate (High School)

NextGen Bootcamp @ Live Virtual

Unlock your creativity and bring your video projects to life with the Video Editing & Animation Certificate at NextGen Bootcamp. Master industry-standard software, Adobe Premiere Pro, for professional video editing, and then explore the exciting world of animation with After Effects. Start your journey towards a future in film and media today.

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

8 sessions

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Video Editing & Animation Certificate (High School)

NextGen Bootcamp - Virtually Online

Learn industry-standard video editing and animation skills in this comprehensive certificate program. Master Adobe Premiere Pro to create professional video projects, then take your skills further with advanced techniques in After Effects. Launch your career in film or multimedia with this hands-on course.

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

8 sessions

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Animation with After Effects (High School)

NextGen Bootcamp @ Live Virtual

Learn to create eye-catching animations and dazzling visual effects with Adobe After Effects in this hands-on summer program at NextGen Bootcamp. Dive into basic animation concepts and processes, and then explore advanced techniques such as title and text animation, 3D layer animation, and motion tracking. Suitable for beginners with no previous experience in animation or design.

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

4 sessions

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Animation with After Effects (High School)

NextGen Bootcamp - Virtually Online

Unlock your creativity and bring your imagination to life with Animation with After Effects. Discover the exciting world of animation and motion graphics in this hands-on summer program in NYC. Join us at NextGen Bootcamp and learn how to navigate the After Effects workspace, master basic animation techniques, and create stunning visual effects.

(61) All levels 13 - 18 years old
$1,499

4 sessions

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After Effects Advanced

Noble Desktop - Virtually Online

Take your After Effects skills to the next level with this advanced course at Noble Desktop. 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.

(372) Advanced 18 and older
$975

3 sessions

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Adobe After Effects Level I (Online)

Manhattan Edit Workshop @ Virtual Class room

Learn the essentials of Adobe After Effects for motion graphics and visual effects with this introductory online course. Discover traditional After Effects workflow, basic animation techniques, keying, and 3D effects. Gain the skills needed to create compelling motion graphics and visual effects.

(95) Beginner 16 and older
$1,295

3 sessions

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Adobe After Effects Level II (Online)

Manhattan Edit Workshop @ Virtual Class room

Take your motion graphics skills to the next level with a two-day intermediate class at Manhattan Edit Workshop. Learn industry-standard practices for creating stunning visuals in Adobe After Effects. Enhance your movies with text, graphics, and effects and gain a high level of efficiency in your work.

(95) Intermediate 16 and older
$1,095

2 sessions

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Motion Graphics & Video Editing Portfolio Development

Noble Desktop - 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 with Noble Desktop.

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

4 sessions

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After Effects Fundamentals

Training Connection @ 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.

(158) Beginner 14 and older
$1,495

3 sessions

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After Effects Bootcamp

Training Connection @ 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.

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

5 sessions

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Premiere Pro Bootcamp

Noble Desktop - Virtually Online

Master the art of professional video editing with Premiere Pro. Learn how to import, organize, and edit footage, enhance audio and video quality, add effects and titles, and much more. Take your video editing skills to the next level with this comprehensive course.

(372) Beginner 18 and older
$975

3 sessions

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After Effects Advanced

Training Connection @ 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.

(158) Advanced 14 and older
$995

2 sessions

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Adobe After Effects Level III (Online)

Manhattan Edit Workshop @ Virtual Class room

Enhance your Adobe After Effects skills with an advanced class covering alphas, formatting, rendering, 3D features, Photoshop integration, Cinema 4D, particles, paint effects, color correction, and more. Perfect for producers, editors, and motion graphic artists looking to master the intricacies of After Effects.

(95) Advanced 16 and older
$1,095

2 sessions

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Adobe After Effects I (Online)

Key Code Education @ Virtual Classroom

Unlock the full potential of Adobe After Effects with Key Code Education's immersive course. Learn to create stunning motion graphics, master advanced animation techniques, and discover the power of video blending and keying effects. Perfect for editors, VFX editors, and graphic artists seeking to elevate their skills.

(8) Beginner 18 and older
$1,175

4 sessions

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Reviews for Animation Classes in San Francisco

Animation Classes in San Francisco are rated 4.6 stars based on 694 verified reviews from actual CourseHorse.com purchasers.

  • Adobe After Effects Level II (Online)

    Reviewed by David S. on 5/27/2021
    Chad was wonderful! Very clear instruction, great attitude, and a lot of fun!
  • Adobe After Effects Level I (Online)

    Reviewed by Kedrick W. on 10/16/2020
    Amazing class taught by Mr.Mark Chandler. The 3 jam-packed days were just a steller foundation on what's possible with creating in After Effects and Premiere. The class was a mixture of informational lessons and real-world perspectives. I feel more confident tackling more AE projects now.
  • Adobe After Effects Level III (Online)

    Reviewed by Nickolas R. on 7/20/2020
    Chad was a great professor and really dove in depth on the topics we covered. And the curriculum wasn’t super rigid either, we did lots of exploring and playing around which was helpful. It’s always great to see someone else’s process. It definitely helped that I was the only student too, got to pick his brain more than I might have in a larger class. I appreciate him still doing the class for one student!
  • 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!

Discover the Best Animation Classes in San Francisco

It’s all but impossible to go a single day in the 21st century without encountering multiple examples of animation and motion graphics. From blockbuster movies and streaming anime to e-commerce websites and reels, the art of moving images is a fixture of life today. This is good news for creatives with an aptitude for technology, as Animators will be in high demand to keep up with the 2028 projected global market size of $531.237 billion.

A career in animation has many perks, including providing an unusual amount of job security for artists and storytellers who desire a lifestyle that includes creating art every day. While changing trends define the highest-demand styles, opportunities are flourishing for those interested in 2D animation, 3D animation, stop motion, and other innovative techniques. Animators and Motion Graphics Artists require similar skills: the difference between the two lies in the definition of “animation” being motion graphics with a storyline. Opportunities in motion graphics are arguably higher today, especially in cities like San Francisco and Seattle, where tech giants like Amazon, Microsoft, and Google offer ample employment opportunities to those who can jazz up their websites and other products with modern moving images.

However, considering the popularity of animation in entertainment today—especially its growth in appeal for adults—it’s likely the storytelling Animator job market will thrive and expand in the upcoming years. From the 2D styles of anime to 3D CGI and other animated effects of live-action films, Animators have plenty to do to keep up with today’s audience demands.

Best Animation Classes & Schools in San Francisco

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

After Effects Beginner Class American Media Training - 601 Montgomery St, San Francisco, CA 94111

This beginner-level After Effects class is a primer for anyone just getting started in the art of digital video. While not initially created with Animators in mind, After Effects is essential software for many working in the field today. Students will gain a clear understanding of the basics of the program, learning how to craft an animation project, from creating a composition to rendering a final product.

Prerequisites: Basic computer knowledge is all you need for this beginners’ course.

Duration: Three 6-hour sessions

Cost: $1,295

Learning Maya NobleProg - 75 Broadway, San Francisco, CA 94111

Students of the Learning Maya Training Course will learn to use Autodesk Maya to create 3D animations through interactive lectures and hands-on practice in a live lab. By the end of this class, participants will be able to animate and render high-quality projects featuring realistic models and textures. They will also be able to use Maya to simulate water, smoke, and other natural effects.

Prerequisites: You’ll need a basic understanding of computers to excel in this class.

Duration: 14 hours, typically in two 7-hour sessions

Cost: $3,834

After Effects in a Day NYC Career Centers - Online

This one-day After Effects crash course provides students with high-quality instruction and hands-on experience in creating professional-grade motion graphics. Participants will learn the user interface, timeline, and essential functions required to create GIFs, logos, and other animations. Depending on your goals, this workshop may be all you need to get started, or you may use it to meet prerequisite requirements for NYC Career Centers’ After Effects Level 1 intensive.

Prerequisites: Photoshop experience is recommended but not required.

Duration: One 7-hour session

Cost: $425

San Francisco Industries That Use Animation

As the headquarters of Pixar Animation Studios and Lucasfilm Ltd.—among many other lesser-known studios—San Francisco is a hotbed for both 2D and 3D storytelling animation careers. Another leading employer of Animators in the Bay Area is the visual effects powerhouse Industrial Light and Magic, creators of the magic behind Star Wars, Back to the Future, Jurassic Park, Harry Potter, and many other iconic films.

Silicon Valley and San Francisco’s thriving tech industry provides numerous animation and motion graphics opportunities in the Bay Area. Reddit, Uber, and Adobe—makers of common applications in the world of animation—are just a few of the major companies that call the region home, and each employs several individuals in the motion graphics field. This culture of technological innovation supports many motion design studios, branding agencies, and gaming companies that need talented Animators to meet the high expectations of their clientele.

The Bay Area is the ideal home for aspiring Animators interested in staying abreast of the latest innovations in the field or even working on the newest technology that will define the next generation of animation. Solid industry leaders like Adobe are improving the longtime standard applications, while startups like Rive are developing exciting new animation software that promises to open doors for even more positions in the field.

Animation Jobs & Salaries in San Francisco

San Francisco boasts the third-highest number of Special Effects Artists and Animators employed in a metropolitan area in the U.S. About 2,480 San Franciscans worked in the field in 2022, with an average mean wage of $137,000. While LA’s film industry understandably hosts about 12,000 more animation jobs than San Francisco, their average wages differ by less than $1,000. San Francisco is a unique city in its variety of opportunities in animation, offering storytelling opportunities with studios like Pixar and Lucasfilm alongside motion graphics positions with tech companies like Google, Apple, and Adobe. While the cost of living in the Bay Area is notoriously high, the hourly mean wage of $66 makes a comfortable lifestyle possible for Animators in San Francisco.

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