The Best Online Animation Courses to Launch Your Career

By Timothy Brauning on May 05, 2022

With the popularity of movies like Encanto and Luca and exploding demand for skilled animators on the job market, there has never been a better time to learn animation. Today, we've put together a list of our top online courses in animation, perfect for beginners, intermediates, and professionals.

Before diving into a great selection of online animation courses offered by the FMC Training Network, let’s talk about why a career in animation might be right for you!

how to learn animation

Table of Contents

Careers in Animation

A career in animation can be a highly creative and rewarding experience. Animators bring stories and characters to life through the use of drawings, computer graphics, and other visual effects. While the field of animation is competitive, there are several different ways to break into the industry.

Many animators start their careers by working as freelance artists or assistants. Others may find employment with animation studios or video game development companies. In addition, a growing number of animators are finding work in advertising and marketing. 

Whatever route you decide to take, a career in animation can be both challenging and immensely satisfying.

Three "Must Haves" for a Successful Animation Career

If you're interested in a career in animation, there are a few things you should know.

  • First, it's important to have a strong understanding of the principles of animation. These principles include things like timing, spacing, exaggeration, and more.
  • Second, it's important to be familiar with the different types of animation techniques. These techniques include 2D hand-drawn animation, 3D computer graphics (CG) animation, stop-motion animation, and more.
  • Finally, it's important to have a strong portfolio. Your portfolio should showcase your skills and highlight your experience in the field of animation, and stand out from the crowd.

How to Start a Career in Animation

If you're interested in a career in animation, the first step is to develop your skills. There are several ways to do this, but the most important thing is to practice and get as much experience as possible.

One way to gain experience is to take an animation course with the FMC Training Network, which offers the most comprehensive curriculum, including some certification courses.

Once you've developed your skills and built up your portfolio, you can begin applying for jobs in the animation industry. To find these jobs, you can search online job boards, attend industry events, or contact animation studios directly.

It's also a good idea to stay up-to-date on the latest industry news and trends. This can be done by reading industry publications, attending conferences, and networking with other animators.

Average Salary in Animation

The average salary for an animator is $65,000 per year. However, salaries can vary depending on experience, skills, and location. For example, animators in Los Angeles tend to earn more than those in other parts of the country.

The states with the highest demand for animators (and therefore the highest salaries for animators) are California, New York, Texas, Florida, Massachusetts, Illinois, and Washington. These states have a high concentration of animation studios and video game development companies.

Some of these states have a higher cost of living than others, which means animators in these states tend to earn more to offset the higher expenses.

Job Outlook

The job outlook for animators is positive. The industry is expected to grow by 6% over the next ten years. This growth is due to the increasing demand for animated content in film, television, and video games.

There are several different types of animation, each with its own set of skills and techniques. As a result, animators with a variety of skills and experience will be in high demand.

As the demand for new and innovative content continues to grow, so too will the need for animators. Companies are always looking for talented and skilled individuals to create compelling content. If you have a passion for animation, now is a great time to start a career in the field!

Top Animation Courses for Beginners

These courses cover a wide range of topics, including character design, storyboarding, and computer-aided animation. In addition, many of these courses offer flexible scheduling options, so animators can study at their own pace. As a result, online animation courses are an invaluable resource for animators who want to stay ahead of the curve.

Whether you're looking to create the next blockbuster film or simply want to add some flair to your existing portfolio, these courses will give you the skills you need. In addition, they are all highly rated by users, so you can be confident that you're getting quality instruction.

Introduction to Adobe After Effects

Learn After Effects Online!

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Adobe After Effects is a powerful tool for creating animations and special effects for videos. It offers a wide range of features, from basic cuts and pastes to more complex compositing and 3D rendering.

After Effects is available as part of Adobe Creative Cloud, which includes other popular programs such as Photoshop and Illustrator. While it can be used for simple tasks After Effects is most commonly used for more complex animated projects.

Whether you're a professional artist or just getting started with an animation program, this course is a great way to learn the basics of After Effects.

Taught by an expert instructor, it covers everything from the interface to keyframe animation. By the end of the course, you'll be able to create your basic animations and special effects.

Animate Fundamentals: An Introduction to Animate

Learn Adobe Animate Online!

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Adobe Animate is a powerful animation software that enables users to create stunning 2D and 3D animations. The software is packed with features that allow users to create highly realistic and lifelike animations. Animate also provides users with a wide range of tools for creating interactive applications and games.

Adobe Animate is constantly being updated with new features and capabilities, making it an essential tool for any animator or game developer. You could download Adobe Animate as a 7-day free trial as a part of the Adobe Creative Cloud. Try it out and sign up for our intro course!

Motion 101 - An Introduction to Motion 5

Learn Motion Online!

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Motion 101 is an excellent resource for anyone who wants to learn more about Apple's Motion - a super fast and easy-to-use animation application for creating motion graphics, titles, and visual effects.

Motion 101 is a comprehensive guide that provides an overview of the Motion software, as well as step-by-step instructions for using all of the most important features.

The guide covers topics such as the timeline, keyframes, effects, and export options. In addition, it provides helpful tips and tricks for getting the most out of Motion 5. With its clear and concise instruction, Motion 101 is an essential volume for anyone who wants to master this powerful software.

AutoCAD Level 1: Essentials

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Learn AutoCAD Online!

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You can use AutoCAD® software to create stunning 3D renderings from scratch. The software is the leading computer-aided design (CAD) program on the market.

Do you want to learn how to design and shape the world around you with the powerful, flexible features in AutoCAD?

In this training, you'll learn how to operate AutoCAD's user interfaces and utilize the basic features of the program. You'll learn to utilize AutoCAD's precision drafting tools to create precise technical drawings, and you'll discover methods for making designs appear more detailed and realistic.

This course is for aspiring professionals who want unparalleled creative freedom, productivity, and precision for producing superb 3D modeling.

Autodesk Fusion 360

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Learn Fusion 360 Online!

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Autodesk Fusion 360 is a great 3D CAD/CAM tool that enables engineers and designers to quickly create and iterate on product designs. Fusion 360 provides a complete set of tools for conceptual design, 3D modeling, photorealistic rendering, and mechanical simulation. In addition, Fusion 360 integrates with popular tools such as Autodesk Dynamo and Autodesk Inventor to extend its functionality.

Students who have no previous knowledge of any 3D modeling or CAD software are welcome to enroll! However, students do need to be experienced with the Windows operating system. Some background in the drafting of 3D parts is recommended.

To ensure the greatest degree of professionalism in teaching, this course is taught using Autodesk's official curriculum and instructors.

Fundamentals of Cinema 4D

Learn Cinema 4D Online!

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Cinema 4D is a powerful 3D modeling, animation, and rendering software application. It provides an easy-to-use interface and powerful tools for creating sophisticated 3D graphics.

The software is used by a variety of professionals in the entertainment industry, including filmmakers, game developers, and graphic designers. While Cinema 4D can be used for complex projects, it is also well suited for beginners.

In addition, Cinema 4D’s intuitive interface makes it relatively easy to learn the basics of 3D modeling and animation. As a result, it is an excellent tool for those who want to create beautiful 3D graphics without spending a lot of time learning complex software.

This course is for everybody new to C4D. It will take you through the basics of Cinema 4D, and will allow you to start using it to create your first projects from start to finish. We will also talk about general 3D concepts that will give you a better understanding of the underlying technology.

If you have a copy of After Effects, did you know that Cinema 4D is included? If you are ready to create 3D models and animations, sign up for the introductory course today!

Best Animation Courses for Intermediate Users

Intermediate Adobe After Effects

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Learn Intermediate After Effects Online!

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This course is designed for video producers, graphic designers, and animators with intermediate Adobe After Effects expertise. The course will teach you how to employ text, pictures, and effects in After Effects to create graphic design and video products.

You will have a thorough understanding of the After Effects menu and tools after completing this course, and you will be capable of working with a high degree of proficiency in the software.

This course is for students who want to improve their video editing and graphic design skills using Adobe After Effects.

AutoCAD Level 2: Intermediate

Learn Intermediate AutoCAD Online!

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Learn how to reuse content and extract information from your drawings using this course, which teaches you how to use 2D drawing tools and methods.

With a familiarity with the skills and concepts you'll learn in class, you may start to streamline the design process and increase your productivity with AutoCAD.

This course is for students who want to improve their skills in using AutoCAD for creating technical drawings.

Autodesk Revit Architecture

Learn Revit Architecture Online!

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Autodesk Revit Architecture is built for BIM. BIM is a specialized program that was designed from the ground up to handle both architecture and engineering projects. BIM is an integrated process that covers the entire building lifecycle, from concept through construction to operations and maintenance.

Adopting BIM allows architecture firms to utilize this identical information throughout the process to develop and document inventive projects, correctly visualize appearance for improved communication, and perform construction coordination and clash detection more accurately.

This course is for architects, engineers, draftspersons, and individuals who want to get certified in Revit Architecture. It includes 24 lessons - from fundamentals to advanced.

Introduction to Compositing & Blackmagic Design Fusion

Learn Blackmagic Design Fusion Online!

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This course is for producers, editors, assistant editors, multimedia producers, and VFX professionals who want to learn about the powerful features of Blackmagic Design Fusion.

Blackmagic Design Fusion is a node-based compositing software used for creating VFX and motion graphics.

This course covers the basics of composting and how to use Fusion's powerful node-based interface to create sophisticated effects. It includes topics such as color correction, keying, and tracking.

Fusion Visual Effects with DaVinci Resolve - Fusion 101

Learn Fusion Visual Effects Online!

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These hands-on classes will teach you how to create visual effects and motion graphics in DaVinci Resolve, so you won't have to spend time learning another application.

DaVinci Resolve is great for animators because it has many features designed specifically for animation, such as the ability to create keyframes and animate properties over time.

This course is perfect for producers, editors, assistant editors, multimedia producers, and VFX professionals who want to learn about the powerful features of DaVinci Resolve.

So, whether you're new to compositing or an experienced user, this course will give you the skills you need to create amazing visuals.

Introduction to Autodesk Maya

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Learn Introduction to Maya Online!

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The courseware is intended for professional designers who make up the vast majority of Autodesk Maya users and includes tutorials targeted at professionals in the video game, film, and television industries.

Autodesk Maya is one of the most popular three-dimensional graphics software applications. It is great for modeling, texturing, animating, and rendering.

In this lesson, you'll discover the Autodesk Maya user interface and how to use lighting, shading, and polygon modeling. You will get an overview of Autodesk Maya and its features, as well as how to use the software to create three-dimensional graphics. 

If you're looking for a course that covers the basics of Autodesk Maya, this is the course for you!

Introduction to NVIDIA Omniverse

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Omniverse provides an end-to-end solution that is easy to use, making it possible for businesses of all sizes to take advantage of its benefits without the need for a large IT infrastructure.

The future of work is here, and Omniverse is leading the way. Register now to learn about this cutting-edge technology and how it can help your business stay ahead of the curve!

This course is for seasoned professionals from sectors including Architectural, Engineering, Construction, Product Development, Entertainment, Interactive Media, Video games, Simulation, and Science & Research.

This course opens the door for unrestricted collaboration across a wide range of existing applications, regardless of their physical location, as well as provides innovative Real-Time Ray Tracing (RTRT) rendering capabilities for highly photorealistic images, and NVIDIA RTXGI for global illumination.

Great Animation Courses for Pros

Advanced Adobe After Effects

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This two-day advanced course is for video editors, graphic designers, and animators who already know Adobe After Effects, which is the industry standard for creating motion graphics and visual effects.

You'll be able to use After Effects with a high level of expertise and grasp the menu and tools. You will have a solid knowledge of the After Effects menu and tools after completing this course, and you'll be able to utilize the program with considerable skill.

Advanced Maya

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Learn Advanced Maya Online!

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Autodesk's Maya software provides an in-depth overview of the program's modeling, texturing, lighting, and rendering capabilities.

The training material has been designed to assist first-time users in making the most of this sophisticated program while also broadening the horizons of self-taught users.

The material covered in the courseware is designed specifically for professional designers who make up the majority of Autodesk Maya users and includes tutorials designed for professional designers in the game development, architectural, industrial/product design, and interior design industries.

Advanced Cinema 4D

Learn Advanced Cinema 4D Online!

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In this course, we'll discover how to employ more sophisticated Cinema 4D tools to construct more complex models, better lighting, advanced texturing, and improved rendering.

This course is targeted at the C4D user who already knows their way around but wishes to create more advanced models, animations, and renders.

This is a great way to learn how to use Cinema's more advanced features while also getting an introduction to Mograph.

Ready to Start a Career in Animation?

A career in animation can be extremely rewarding, both creatively and financially. However, it can be difficult to know where to start.

Finding a job right out of college can be tough, especially if you don't have any experience in the field you're interested in. However, if you're passionate about animation and want to make a career in it, there are always opportunities available.

Here at the FMC Training Network, we have the most accessible and professional courses that you could find! And we're here to help you every step of the way.

Adobe Certifications & Prep Courses

Are you looking to get Adobe Certified?

FMC Training is the leading provider of Adobe certification exams. We’ve helped thousands of people just like you pass their certification exam and land that dream job. Our training material is written and recorded by industry experts who know what it takes to succeed in today's competitive market.

Join our ever-growing Facebook group and ask any Animation questions you might have!

 

 

Topics: Adobe, skills, training, Edit Type, Blackmagic

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Our courses are designed to help individuals and institutions meet their goals by enabling them to be on the cutting edge of technology.

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