Learning the Basics of Animation: How Our Courses Can Help You Become Industry-Ready

Animation is one of the most popular and engaging ways to tell a story. From video games to full-length films, we are captivated by this unique form of artistic expression. It’s no wonder, then, that many aspiring creatives are eager to be part of the animation industry. By 2020, the U.S. animation industry market value was predicted to reach $270 billion! Although this artform continues to grow in popularity and animation jobs are on the rise, the industry can be notoriously competitive. In order to achieve your goals and pave a successful career path for yourself in this sector, you need to be at the top of your game. That all begins with a strong foundation. To learn animation, you’ll need to start with the fundamentals and work your way up. In other words, before you jump into learning advanced techniques like facial animation and dynamic character interaction, you’ll need to devote yourself to mastering the basics. What you might not realize is that online animation courses can provide you with the instruction and skill development opportunities required for career success. At Animation Mentor, we’ll give you all the tools you need to learn animation—from the basics to the more advanced techniques. Let’s delve into why you should start with the fundamentals and how you can learn animation online with our instruction.

How to Learn Animation Basics

We cover how to learn animation basics in a few different ways. We offer 2D and 3D animation courses for beginners, which help students delve into the art behind their favorite animated movies and video games and teach them the animation principles that go into each style.

Squirrel jump animation from student Kooper Hval

Our 3D animation course for beginners is Animation Basics, which covers the essential principles of animation in just 12 weeks. Rather than focusing solely on software, you’ll be able to delve into animation techniques like learning to convey emotion, express weight, and understand overlapping action. With more than 12 hours of pre-recorded lectures available on-demand, as well as a live Q&A session each week, you’ll be well on your way to grasping the basics of becoming an animator.

Ballie walk cycle from student Gustavo Ruivinho

Animation Basics is the first of six character animation courses we offer, and by the end, you’ll have the confidence and skills you need to create an incredible demo reel and work professionally in a rapidly advancing industry.

Why Choose Animation Mentor

Although there are plenty of available animation courses that take place in a conventional classroom, the opportunity to learn animation online is one you should consider. When you enroll in Animation Mentor courses, you’ll gain access to an education that’s designed with industry preparedness in mind. Our mentors are all successful working professionals at some of the most well-known animation studios around, like Walt Disney Animation Studios, Pixar Animation Studios, DreamWorks Animation, Sony Pictures Animation, BlueSky Studios, and others. What’s more, our alumni have gone on to enjoy incredible success in the field of animation. Graduate Mike Stern, for example, is a Pixar animator who has worked on such films as Inside Out, Finding Dory, Cars 3, Coco, Incredibles 2, Toy Story 4, The Good Dinosaur, Soul, and more. If you’re going to learn animation, it pays to learn from the best of the best! In fact, Animation Mentor was founded to specifically address the need for industry-trained animators and it’s for this reason that we have more instructors from major studios than any other online school. As COVID-19 impacts traditional, in-person classrooms, many schools are scrambling to meet student needs and provide classes online. Animation Mentor has been teaching courses online since 2005, and while our school has produced many successful animators, we continue to test and refine our program to make sure it’s meeting the learning goals of today’s students. Our educational framework prioritizes a tailored learning experience, with weekly animation demos from our mentors, creative assignments, and personalized video reviews of every student’s work. Our virtual campus is a collaborative, community environment where students, mentors, and alumni share ideas and feedback. Many of our students say that the friendships they’ve formed while at Animation Mentor have become their most treasured relationships! We are proud to offer a world-class education online, providing both a global community and a personal, hands-on learning experience. Simply put, animation isn’t something you can master in isolation. While you may have a natural storytelling ability or an affinity for bringing characters to life through your art, it’s essential that you have top-tier instruction to take your skills to the next level and compete in the professional world. By registering for Animation Mentor’s Core Animation Courses, you’ll be taking that first critical step in achieving your dreams. For more information on everything that’s covered in Animation Basics or how you can get started with our online animation courses, please contact us today.

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Want to be mentored by professional animators? Start your animation journey today by learning from animators at studios like Pixar, Blue Sky, and ILM! Get more information about Animation Mentor’s Character Animation Program.

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