What Education Do You Need to Be an Animator? Degree vs. Self-Taught
Billy Perry
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Posted Jun 22, 2025
Do you need a formal degree to become a successful animator? We break down the educational paths, from university degrees to online courses and self-taught routes.
What Education Do You Need to Be an Animator? Degree vs. Self-Taught
The Formal Education Route: Animation Degrees
Bachelor's Degree in Animation or a Related Field
Specialized Degrees and Programs
Pros and Cons of a University Education
The Alternative Path: Online Courses and Certifications
Reputable Online Animation Schools
Specialized Skill-Based Courses
The Benefits of Cost and Flexibility
The Self-Taught Animator: A Path of Discipline
Essential Resources for Self-Learners
The Importance of a Structured Learning Plan
Building Credibility Without a Degree
What Do Employers Really Value Most?
The Power of a Strong Portfolio and Demo Reel
Demonstrable Skills and Software Proficiency
Experience and Professionalism
Making Your Decision
References
What Education Do You Need to Be an Animator? Degree vs. Self-Taught
So you want to become an animator? You're probably wondering if you need that expensive four-year degree or if you can make it on your own. Here's the truth: while most employers prefer candidates with a bachelor's degree, your portfolio and skills matter way more than any piece of paper. The path to getting into animation isn't one-size-fits-all, and the route you choose will definitely impact your computer animation pay down the line.
Whether you're dreaming of working at Pixar or creating your own animated series, there are multiple ways to break into this creative field. The key is finding the path that works best for your learning style, budget, and career goals. Let's explore each option so you can make an informed decision about your animation education and start landing those animator jobs.
The Formal Education Route: Animation Degrees
Going to college for animation is still the most traditional path into the industry. You'll find programs at universities, art schools, and specialized institutions across the country. These structured programs give you a solid foundation in both artistic principles and technical skills.
Think of it like learning to cook at culinary school versus teaching yourself at home. Sure, you can learn to cook amazing meals either way, but culinary school gives you access to professional kitchens, expert chefs, and a tested curriculum. Animation programs work the same way.
Bachelor's Degree in Animation or a Related Field
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, most animation employers look for candidates with a bachelor's degree. Popular majors include animation, computer graphics, fine arts, or even film production. These four-year programs typically cover everything from traditional drawing techniques to advanced computer software.
During your degree, you'll take classes in:
Life drawing and figure studies
Color theory and composition
3D modeling and texturing
Character animation principles
Storytelling and cinematography
Digital compositing
Motion graphics
The best part? You're not just learning software. You're developing a deep understanding of movement, timing, and visual storytelling that will serve you throughout your career.
Specialized Degrees and Programs
Not all animation degrees are created equal. Some schools offer highly specialized programs that can give you an edge in specific areas of the industry. For instance, you might find programs focused on:
Game Animation: These programs blend traditional animation skills with game engine knowledge. You'll learn how to create animations that work within the technical constraints of video games.
Medical Animation: Yes, this is a real thing! Some programs prepare you to create animations for healthcare education and pharmaceutical companies.
Visual Effects (VFX): While related to animation, VFX programs focus more on integrating animated elements with live-action footage.
Character Animation: These programs dive deep into bringing characters to life, focusing heavily on acting through animation.
Pros and Cons of a University Education
Let's be real about what you're getting into with a formal degree.
The Good Stuff:
Access to expensive software and hardware without buying it yourself
Structured learning that covers all the basics (no gaps in your knowledge)
Regular feedback from experienced professors
Built-in networking with classmates who'll become industry colleagues
Internship opportunities through school connections
A degree that checks the box for employers who require it
The Not-So-Great:
Student loans that could follow you for years
Four years is a long time when you're eager to start working
Some programs can be outdated or too theoretical
You might spend time on general education requirements that feel irrelevant
The Alternative Path: Online Courses and Certifications
Welcome to the modern age of animation education! Online learning has completely changed the game for aspiring animators. You can now learn from industry professionals without leaving your bedroom or breaking the bank.
This path is perfect if you're already working another job, have family commitments, or simply prefer learning at your own pace. Plus, many online programs are taught by animators currently working at major studios, so you're getting fresh, relevant knowledge.
Reputable Online Animation Schools
The online animation education space has exploded in recent years. Some standout options include:
Animation Mentor: Founded by Pixar and ILM animators, this school focuses exclusively on character animation. Students get weekly video reviews from working professionals.
School of Motion: Great for motion graphics and 2D animation. They offer project-based courses that build your portfolio as you learn.
CG Spectrum: Offers mentorship-based programs where you work one-on-one with industry professionals.
Gnomon: Known for their visual effects focus, but they offer comprehensive animation programs too.
These aren't your typical "watch and learn" video courses. They include assignments, feedback, and often live sessions with instructors.
Specialized Skill-Based Courses
Sometimes you don't need a full program. Maybe you just need to master After Effects for that job posting you saw. Platforms like Noble Desktop offer focused courses on specific software and techniques.
These shorter courses are perfect for:
Adding new software to your toolkit
Brushing up on skills you haven't used in a while
Testing the waters before committing to a longer program
Staying current with industry trends
The beauty of skill-based courses is their laser focus. You're not spending time on theory when you just need to know which buttons to push.
The Benefits of Cost and Flexibility
Here's where online learning really shines. A traditional animation degree can cost anywhere from $40,000 to $200,000. Online programs? Often under $10,000 for comprehensive training.
But it's not just about money. Online learning lets you:
Keep your day job while studying
Pause when life gets crazy
Rewatch lessons until concepts click
Learn from anywhere in the world
Choose instructors whose style matches how you learn best
The Self-Taught Animator: A Path of Discipline
Can you really teach yourself animation and get hired? Absolutely. But let's not sugarcoat it – this is the hardest path. You need serious self-discipline, motivation, and a thick skin for rejection.
Self-taught animators have one major advantage: they prove they can learn independently. In an industry where software updates constantly and techniques evolve rapidly, that's a valuable skill.
Essential Resources for Self-Learners
The internet is your animation university. Here's what successful self-taught animators use:
YouTube Channels: Free tutorials covering everything from basic principles to advanced techniques. Channels like Proko, Aaron Blaise, and Howard Wimshurst offer professional-level instruction.
Animation Books: "The Animator's Survival Kit" by Richard Williams is basically the bible. "The Illusion of Life" by Frank Thomas and Ollie Johnston gives you Disney's animation principles.
Online Communities: Join forums, Discord servers, and Reddit communities where animators share work and give feedback. The connections you make here can lead to jobs.
Free Software: Start with Blender (completely free and professional-grade) before investing in expensive programs.
The Importance of a Structured Learning Plan
Without a teacher telling you what to learn next, you need to create your own curriculum. Successful self-taught animators treat their learning like a job.
Here's a basic roadmap:
Months 1-3: Master the basics
Learn animation principles (squash and stretch, timing, etc.)
Practice with simple exercises like bouncing balls
Study how things move in real life
Months 4-6: Character animation fundamentals
Walk cycles and run cycles
Basic acting and emotion
Lip sync exercises
Months 7-9: Advanced techniques
Complex character performances
Camera movement and composition
Effects animation
Months 10-12: Portfolio development
Create 3-5 polished pieces
Get feedback and iterate
Start applying for jobs
Building Credibility Without a Degree
When you don't have a degree, your portfolio becomes everything. It needs to scream "I know what I'm doing!" from the first frame.
Focus on quality over quantity. Three amazing shots beat thirty mediocre ones. Show range but also specialization. If you want to animate characters, don't fill your reel with logo animations.
Most importantly, finish things. Employers want to see completed work, not endless work-in-progress shots.
What Do Employers Really Value Most?
After all this talk about education paths, here's the bottom line: employers care about what you can do, not where you learned it. I've seen self-taught animators beat out MFA graduates because their reel was stronger.
That said, having a degree can open doors, especially at larger studios with HR departments that filter resumes. But once you're in the interview, it's all about your skills.
The Power of a Strong Portfolio and Demo Reel
Your demo reel is your calling card. It should be:
Short (60-90 seconds max)
Your absolute best work only
Clearly labeled with what you did on each shot
Updated regularly
Easy to access online
Remember, recruiters watch hundreds of reels. Make yours memorable for the right reasons. Start with your strongest piece and end with your second strongest. Everything in between should be solid.
Demonstrable Skills and Software Proficiency
Employers need to know you can hit the ground running. That means showing proficiency in industry-standard software like:
Maya or 3ds Max for 3D animation
After Effects for motion graphics
Photoshop for texture work
Substance Painter for texturing
Unreal or Unity for game animation
But software is just a tool. What really matters is understanding animation principles. A great animator can adapt to any software. A button-pusher who only knows one program is limited.
Experience and Professionalism
Real-world experience counts for a lot. This could be:
Internships at studios
Freelance projects for local businesses
Collaborations with other artists
Personal projects you've completed
What employers really want to see is that you can work professionally. Can you meet deadlines? Take feedback gracefully? Collaborate with a team? Work within technical constraints?
Even if you're self-taught, you can demonstrate professionalism through how you present yourself, communicate, and deliver work.
Making Your Decision
So which path should you choose? Here's my honest take:
Choose a degree if:
You learn best in structured environments
You want the full college experience
You're targeting large studios that require degrees
You can afford it without crushing debt
You value the networking opportunities
Choose online courses if:
You need flexibility in your schedule
You want to learn from working professionals
You're focused on specific skills or software
Budget is a concern
You're self-motivated but like some structure
Choose self-teaching if:
You're highly disciplined and motivated
You learn best by doing
You have limited funds
You enjoy figuring things out yourself
You're willing to work harder to prove yourself
Remember, these paths aren't mutually exclusive. Many successful animators combine approaches – maybe starting with online courses, adding some self-study, and later getting a degree.
The animation industry is more open than ever to diverse educational backgrounds. What matters is your passion, dedication, and the quality of work you produce. Whether you're sitting in a classroom, learning online, or teaching yourself at 2 AM, the goal is the same: becoming an animator who can bring stories to life.
Your education is just the beginning. Animation is a field where you never stop learning. New software, techniques, and styles emerge constantly. The most successful animators stay curious and keep pushing their skills, regardless of how they started.
So pick the path that fits your life, commit to it fully, and start creating. The animation industry needs fresh voices and perspectives. Yours could be next.