Modern animation tools include Adobe Creative Cloud programs like Animate, After Effects, Captivate, and Character Animator; Autodesk programs like 3ds Max and Maya; and software like Cinema 4D from Maxon. Many tech pros who create animation use one or more of these sophisticated software programs daily.
Top industries that use animation include advertising, entertainment, and design, but animation skills can find a home in virtually every industry and sector. Healthcare, financial services, and information technology are just a few industries that need animation pros.
If you want to learn animation skills, check out some of the best-known animation classes in the Connecticut area.
Best Animation Classes & Schools in Connecticut
With its many colleges and universities, proximity to NYC, and a nationwide reputation for educational excellence, Connecticut offers countless opportunities for those who want to learn animation skills. But not everyone commits to a four-year degree: many animation pros launch their careers through a beginner-friendly course like a bootcamp or certificate program.
If commuting to a New York City bootcamp is prohibitive, consider learning through one of the many courses hosted live online via teleconferencing. The following are some of the most popular:
- Noble Desktop—Located in Manhattan, Noble Desktop offers programs that feature animation or include it within a broader graphics or video editing curriculum. Their Motion Graphics Certificate program gives animation beginners the skills they need in Adobe Creative Cloud software like After Effects, Premiere Pro, and Adobe Portfolio. Applicants should have a working knowledge of Photoshop or Illustrator before enrolling.
- NYC Center for Media Education—The New York City Center for Media Education provides training in animation, film, sound, motion graphics, and video editing. Their 3D Creation Essentials with Blender is an introduction to the open-source Blender application, a popular modeling tool for professionals from Architects to Animators. There are no 3D software prerequisites, but applicants should have advanced computer skills.
- Manhattan Edit Workshop—Another Manhattan-based course provider, Manhattan Edit Workshop, offers certified Apple, Autodesk, and Adobe education, among other training. Their three-day Adobe After Effects Level I class introduces animation novices and other tech students to After Effects basics, including topics like workflow, masks, layers, and rendering. Basic Mac OS X knowledge is required.
- NYC Career Centers—Noble Desktop affiliate NYC Career Centers also offers in-person and live online animation training. One of the more immersive courses is the Video Editing & Motion Graphics Certificate. This program is available full-time over two months or part-time over four months. Topics include Premiere Pro, After Effects, Cinema 4D, and Audition, to name a few.
- Future Media Concepts—Another popular option for animation pros is 3ds Max from Autodesk. Future Media Concepts offers immersive training live online, including an Autodesk 3ds Max Fundamentals course. This program covers the sophisticated design app, giving attendees a deep dive into topics like modeling, dynamic animation, and rendering, to name a few. There are no prerequisites, but Future Media Concepts recommends experience with 3D modeling before enrolling.
Connecticut Industries That Use Animation
Connecticut doesn’t just host multiple animation studios and production companies; its top industries can also require numerous animation professionals.
Top Connecticut industries include:
- Aerospace & Defense—According to the US Census Bureau, CT has the highest number of people employed by aerospace firms per capita. It was also ranked number three in the US for aerospace and defense leadership by Business Facilities Magazine.
- Banking, Financial Services & Insurance (BFSI)—Connecticut capital city Hartford is nicknamed the “Insurance Capital of the World, ” and CT continues to have the highest number of insurance jobs in the country. But it goes beyond insurance: financial services here also rank highly, with over 5,000 financial services establishments statewide.
- Life Sciences & Healthcare—With its deep pool of insurance workers, it’s no surprise that Connecticut also has innovative healthcare. The state is also known for its life sciences innovation: it was ranked first in health IT adoption by the Information Technology & Innovation Foundation in 2020.
- Film, TV & Digital Media—Bristol, Connecticut is home to sports network ESPN, and the state also hosts another 3,000 media establishments. Animation is essential in the arts and web design, but it’s crucial in TV and film.
- Information Technology—A lengthy stretch in CT is known as Innovation Corridor, with a fast-growing tech workforce. Connecticut ranked fourth in the US for having the most innovative economy in 2020, according to the Bloomberg State Innovation Index.
Animation Jobs & Salaries in Connecticut
Animation professionals in Connecticut typically earn salaries higher than the national average. While a skilled Video Editor/Producer can expect to earn around $62,000 annually here, an experienced Motion Graphics Designer makes an average annual salary of about $80,000.
On the higher end of the animation pay scale, a 3D Animator in Connecticut can anticipate an average salary of around $93,000, and an experienced Art Director overseeing a team earns about $96,000 annually.
Salaries for animation pros can vary from industry to industry, and the highest-paying roles often demand years of experience or a particular degree. But for self-motivated and hard-working beginners, bootcamps or certificate programs can pave the way to a successful animation career.