What type of animator are you?
Animation is an art form for people who enjoy creating believable characters and compelling stories. There are many styles of animation, from 3D film animation to the realistic animation seen in live-action movies. As the basic principles remain the same no matter the medium or style, animation skills are useful across many industries. Whether you want to work at Pixar, create your own animated TV series, or contribute to the latest video game, Animation Mentor has the best online animation courses for you. Take a look at the different learning paths and find one to fit your animation goals.
3D Character Animator
Character animators work in many genres, most often animating on films created by studios like Disney, Pixar, DreamWorks, and Sony. Animation Mentor’s Core Character Animation Courses offer a layered curriculum that teaches students everything from animation principles to advanced character performance. Take this path to become a character animator.
Maya ANIMATION
6-Week COURSE
Master this key software before diving into the art of animation.
Animation
Basics
12-Week Course
Begin your character animation journey and master the basics.
Feature Animation
Acting & Polish
12-Week Course
Animate a shot the pros would be proud of and finish your demo reel.
Game Animator
Video games are a multi-billion dollar industry that will continue to grow. Game studios need keyframe animators to create appealing and engaging characters that players can interact with, and that’s where you come in! Advanced animators with solid body mechanics experience can jump straight into game animation. Take the following online animation courses and become a game animator.
Animation
Basics
12-Week Course
Begin your character animation journey and master the basics.
Game Animation:
Mechanics & Interactive Gameplay
12-Week Course
Master a character moveset with Maya and Unreal Engine.
Game Animation:
Dynamic Action & Combat
12-Week Course
Learn the art of combat and dynamic action in games.
Game Animation:
Cinematic Cutscenes
12-Week Course
Enhance your storytelling skills in games.
Game Animation Fundamentals
6-Week course
Animate a character to play live in the Unreal Engine.
2D Animator
2D animation, also known as traditional animation, is very popular in both film and television among people of all ages. Take these workshops taught by legendary Disney Animator Jay Jackson and start your journey to becoming a 2D animator. For 3D animators, 2D animation can help improve your understanding of weight, timing, and performance. Basic drawing skills are encouraged for anyone hoping to take these workshops.
2D Animation for Beginners
6-Week COURSE
Learn the fundamentals of 2D Animation from a Disney legend.
2D Animation:
Walk Cycles & Character Movement
6-Week COURSE
Animate exciting and believable character movement in 2D.
VFX Animator
Many major film franchises such as the Marvel superhero films or the Star Wars stories take place in worlds with fantastical creatures. VFX animators have to be incredibly creative, often animating creatures (like dragons!) that don’t exist in the real world. To become a VFX animator, learn professional workflows from Industrial Light & Magic and Framestore animators, and bring your own fantastical creatures to life!
Animation
Basics
12-Week Course
Begin your character animation journey and master the basics.
Creature Animation:
LOCOMOTION
12-Week course
Animate creatures and animals with guidance from pro VFX animators.
Creature Animation:
FIGHT OR FLIGHT
12-Week course
Create dynamic flight scenes and fight sequences with creatures.
Previs Animator
You may not know it, but the majority of films, TV shows, and video games use previsualization (also known as “previs”). As productions become larger and more complex, studios need previs animators to help plan complex animated sequences by quickly laying out the staging, camera angles, and character beats. Previs is a fast-paced and exciting career path, so don’t miss out. Take the following animation courses to become a previs animator.
Animation
Basics
12-Week Course
Begin your character animation journey and master the basics.
Previs Basics
for Animators
6-Week COURSE
Quickly animate, layout, and stage shots for production.
Continue Your Animation Education
As an animator, you will never be done learning. That’s part of the fun! Continue your education by exploring different styles and pushing your animation to new heights. The following learning path teaches the Tex Avery and Chuck Jones exaggerated style, seen in beloved cartoons from Looney Tunes and in early Disney films. If you’re new to animation, we recommend taking the following courses in sequence. Advanced animators with solid body mechanics experience can jump straight into Cartoony Animation for 3D Animators.
Animation
Basics
12-Week Course
Begin your character animation journey and master the basics.
Cartoony Animation
for 3D Animators
6-Week COURSE
Plus your animation by pushing your characters to their limits.