Discover the Best Animation Classes in Seattle
The 21st century is an exciting time in the field of animation, or the art of creating the illusion of moving pictures. Historians argue over what film may be considered the birth of animation, but Émile Cohl’s Fantasmagorie (1908) is considered by most to be the first animated movie to use the techniques that defined the industry for decades. Much of the history of animation is dominated by illustrators creating 2D pictures by hand, frequently in the form of cel animation, in order to tell stories through film or as part of advertisements featured on television or in movie theaters.
Over the second half of the 20th century, experiments with early computer graphics gradually turned animation into an art form dominated by digitally created images. While the use of 2D animation continues into the 21st century—especially through the popularity of anime for all ages—today, 3D animation is increasingly en vogue, with technology opening up new possibilities for realism every year.
While many working in animation today continue the exciting tradition of storytelling through animated films, opportunities for Animators include jobs in game design, marketing, web design, and immersive experiences ranging from virtual reality to large-scale events. While AI and other technological advances foretell significant shifts in the field, interest and demand for essential human elements in the art form promises job security for those drawn to the field. The creative day-to-day work of the Animator, combined with animation’s estimated market growth to $531.237 billion by 2028, makes the animation industry appealing for smart creatives.
Best Animation Classes & Schools in Seattle
After Effects Essentials Luminous Works Training - 1406 NW 53rd St, Ste 3A, Seattle, WA 98107
Aspiring animation professionals are encouraged to join this class on the essentials of After Effects to gain a foundational understanding of the software. Students will learn the step-by-step process of creating motion graphics, from beginning a composition to rendering a final product. With a solid knowledge of workflow, effects and presets, and layers, you will have the basic knowledge needed to create the cinematic magic of your dreams by the end of the course.
Prerequisites: This class is appropriate for beginners with basic computer knowledge, but familiarity with Adobe products, video applications, and design softwares can be helpful. Experience with Premiere Pro Essentials and Photoshop Essentials is recommended but not required.
Duration: Two 7-hour sessions
Cost: $595
Adobe Animate Core Skills: Level 1 ONLC Training Centers - 1700 Seventh Ave, Ste 2100, Seattle, WA 98101
This hands-on beginners’ class introduces students to Animate’s interface and guides them through the process of creating animations and publishing them for multiple formats. Students will learn the differences between frame-by-frame animation, motion paths, and motion tweens. The instructor will also introduce Animate’s Motion Editor and the process of editing property curves.
Prerequisites: Basic computer skills are required for this class, including file management.
Duration: Two 6.75-hour sessions
Cost: $795
Motion Graphics & Video Editing Portfolio Development Noble Desktop - Online
A demo reel is a must for anyone preparing for a career in motion graphics and video editing. This animation portfolio-development course supports students in creating this reel while providing thorough instruction in industry concepts. Students will also learn how to find jobs in motion graphics and video editing, two careers that typically work with the same software on the same projects in the same workplace.
Prerequisites: This class requires the equivalent knowledge of Noble Desktop’s After Effects and Premiere Pro Bootcamps.
Duration: Five 7-hour classes or ten 3-hour classes
Cost: $1,495
Seattle Industries That Use Animation
While Seattle isn’t the largest city in the U.S. for film and television, some traditional storytelling animation jobs are available in the area. However, The city is a major game development hub, hosting animation giants such as Twitch, Big Fish, and Wizards of the Coast. And Seattle’s bustling virtual reality scene offers many animation opportunities in the cutting-edge field.
Tech giants like Amazon and Microsoft are major employers of Animators in the Seattle region, as well as other large corporations, such as Starbucks, who utilize motion graphics in their web design and marketing. Many thriving agencies and creative firms employ animation professionals to meet today’s high demand for motion graphics—animation that doesn’t include a storyline—in advertising, marketing, and website design and maintenance.
While 2023 tech layoffs throughout the U.S. have disproportionately affected Seattle’s population, the city’s tradition of successful startups will no doubt support continued job growth for Animators and other tech professionals. While various technological innovations promise changes in the field, history tells us these create as many jobs as they render obsolete—if not more.
Animation Jobs & Salaries in Seattle
The metropolitan area of Seattle employs the second-highest number of Special Effects Artists and Animators in the U.S., only exceeded by Los Angeles, the filmmaking capital of the U.S. Seattle’s annual mean wage for the industry in 2022 was about $97,000, and the hourly mean wage was around $46. With 3,140 Seattleites working in the field, they significantly outnumber the Animators active in San Francisco and New York. The career of a Seattle Animator is far more likely to be in motion graphics or game design than in filmmaking, so if Disney and Pixar are your inspiration for a career in animation, you’re more likely to find jobs that align with your dreams in cities like LA and San Francisco.
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