Best Animation Classes in Miami

Animation is the process of taking still images and creating the illusion of movement so that they’re viewed as moving images.

Although rarely used now, traditional animation required Animators to hand draw, paint, and photograph images to animate scenes. Now, computers are used to digitally animate. 

Using computer software, Animators draw, model, and move images. Essentially, static images are replicated again and again with minor changes which creates the appearance of movement. This process is less labor-intensive than traditional animation, and less expensive, leading to its takeover of the industry. 

Adobe After Effects, Adobe Animate, Houdini Animation, and Blender are popular animation software used today. Adobe After Effects is considered the industry standard, and therefore commonly taught in animation classes. However, there is a wide range of software used by Animators today. Some of this software is free, but most require a subscription. 

You can learn animation as a hobby or professionally. Animation software has a steep learning curve but developing animation skills can help you start a career in several industries. 

Best Animation Classes & Schools in Miami

Learn animation by enrolling in an animation class or boot camp. There are in-person training options in Miami and online courses that you can sign up for today. In-person classes provide a traditional classroom experience whereas online courses offer a flexible way to learn. Both methods are taught by expert instructors who will guide you through the basics of animation software and best practices. These instructors can also answer your questions and provide you with feedback. 

ONLC Training Center offers Adobe Animate classes at their Miami location. Learn the core skills of Adobe Animate in their two-sequence course or sign up for the on-demand option. In these classes, you’ll learn the basics of Animate’s interface before gaining hands-on experience. Basic computer and file management skills are required before enrolling.

Miami-Dade College has an Animation and Game Art program taught at their Wolfson campus. This two-year, 60-credit hands-on program prepares students for a career in the entertainment and gaming industries. Students will spend their time being mentored by industry professionals and developing skills in modeling, lighting, motion, and sound. 

Noble Desktop offers several animation classes and boot camps. Their online After Effects Bootcamp is an 18-hour live course that will teach you the basics of Adobe After Effects and how to create motion graphics and animations. You’ll work on real-world projects as your instructor guides you toward advanced animation techniques. This class can be retaken for free within one year and includes a 1-on-1 training session. 

Noble Desktop also offers a Motion Graphics Certificate. Participants will work with Adobe After Effects, Cinema 4D Lite, and Adobe Premiere Pro over the course of two or four months. By the end of the course, participants will walk away with knowledge of how to animate motion graphics, how to create visual effects, and how to edit videos. 

Lumenbrite also offers an online After Effects Training Bootcamp. This comprehensive overview of After Effects is ideal for beginners. Over the course of five days, students will become comfortable using the software and will work on class projects. The instructor will also ensure that students understand best practices for using After Effects. 

Certstaffix Training’s Adobe Animate CC (2025) course can be taken live online or delivered on-site. The three-day course provides a thorough overview of Adobe Animate, including how to publish to social media channels and collaborate with Adobe Creative Cloud. All software and files will be provided to you and a certificate of completion will be awarded upon finishing the course. You’re also welcome to retake the class for free within six months.

Miami Industries That Use Animation

Several industries in the Miami area incorporate animation into marketing material. Keep reading to find out about these industries and how they rely on animation.

Tourism 

Miami attracts droves of tourists each year to relax on its beautiful beaches, try food at its world-class restaurants, and enjoy the exciting nightlife the city has to offer. Over 26.5 million people visited Miami-Dade County in 2022, supporting over 145,000 jobs and contributing to residents’ annual tax savings. 

Attractions and businesses in Miami rely on content marketing to draw in tourists each year. Videos showcasing vibrant spots within the city and local cuisine are effective in gaining the attention of new and returning visitors. In this case, animation can also be used to market spots to non-residents. Animated videos can be used to advertise locations and inform target audiences about the place they’ll be visiting. 

Sports Business

Miami is home to five major league sports teams and several college sports teams, many of which have a storied past. A thriving sports industry means an influx of sports entities like marketing agencies, media companies, and brand sponsors. The city is also home to a large number of sports facilities. 

The sports industry relies on fans for emotional and financial support. Fans buy tickets, merchandise, and concessions, which contribute to the industry and the local economy. To help advertise to fans and draw higher attendance numbers, many NFL, MLB, minor league, and NBA teams have begun producing animated content and posting it to social media sites like TikTok and X (formerly known as Twitter). This content is comical and celebratory in nature, which effectively advertises the team and entertains consumers. 

Finance 

Miami has seen a recent uptick in financial firms. The city has the largest concentration of domestic banks on the East Coast south of New York and more than 60 international banks. 

This industry hires animators in their marketing departments to help in the development of fresh marketing campaigns. Animation is incorporated into a company’s marketing as a way of visually appealing to consumers and communicating their services. 

Animation Jobs & Salaries in Miami

Animation skills translate well within several jobs in the Miami area. These positions fall under the entertainment industry but also find their homes within the marketing departments of companies located in the Miami area. Read below to find out more about these roles and their salaries. 

3D Modeler

3D Modelers work closely with Animators. They refer to concept art and then work on 3D models of that art, which may include environments, props, and characters. 3D Modelers possess a different skill set than Animators, but it’s useful for them to understand the basics of animation and keep those basics in mind when creating their models.

A 3D Modeler in Miami makes an average salary of $54,000. 

Graphic Designer

Graphic Designers create visual concepts using computers, tablets, and other technology. Companies hire them to create branded material that can be used for marketing purposes, like logos. Graphic Designers also work in the entertainment industry. Their skills translate over well to Animation, so some Graphic Designers transition into that career path. 

Graphic Designers in Miami make an average annual salary of $52,000. 

Animator 

Animators transform still images into moving images for television, films, and videos. Animators rarely use traditional animation methods these days and instead specialize in computer-generated animation, stop-motion animation, or 2D and 3D modeling. 

The average salary for an entry-level Animator in Miami is $48,000. This salary depends not only on years of experience but also on the type of animation the Animator has experience in.