Best Animation Classes in Phoenix

The process of turning still images into moving images is referred to as animation.

Previously, animation was done by hand-drawing, painting, and photographing images to create the illusion of movement. This is now referred to as traditional animation. Animations created today are done digitally, using computer software. 

Computer animation involves the use of software to draw, model, and move images. Animators use software like Adobe After Effects, Adobe Animate, and Houdini Animation to create films, television shows, and videos. Most animation software is offered as a subscription service, so you can learn animation in your free time, although it does have a steep learning curve. 

Animation can be learned as a hobby but is typically learned professionally. Knowing how to animate can help you secure a career in a variety of industries. Animators are needed to produce animated films and series, but also to create animated material for companies. 

Best Animation Classes & Schools in Phoenix

One of the most effective ways to thoroughly learn animation is by enrolling in a class or boot camp. These are offered in-person in Phoenix and online. Courses are taught by experts who can guide you through the most essential animation software and answer your questions. Most courses are hands-on and will provide you with plenty of experience with animation tools and techniques. 

Phoenix College offers a 40-credit Animation Certificate that can be completed full-time or part-time. This program will help you develop knowledge and skills in digital animation. You’ll learn about techniques, production equipment, terminology, media and interactivity applications, and industry practices. To complete the program, you must finish all courses with a grade of C or better. 

Certstaffix Training provides live online and on-site training using Adobe Animate CC (2025). Participants will spend three days learning the in-and-outs of Animate, including how to use playback options and publish work to social media channels. After completing this course, students may sign up for the Adobe Animate Certification exam with a third-party testing site. 

Lumenbrite hosts an After Effects Training Bootcamp in Phoenix and online. This boot camp not only covers After Effects but also Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator. Students will learn advanced animation techniques as well as best practices and how to avoid the pitfalls of using the software. The boot camp also includes an optional lesson: Introduction to 3D in After Effects and in Cinema 4D Lite. 

You can earn a Motion Graphics Certificate with Noble Desktop. This live online program can be taken on weekdays over the course of two months, or in the evenings over the course of four months. During the program, you’ll learn about the apps used by professionals, like Adobe After Effects and Premiere Pro. By the end of the course, you’ll have created a demo reel of motion graphics projects you’ve worked on that can highlight your new skill set. 

If you’re interested in learning After Effects but are working on a tight schedule, enroll in Career Centers’ workshop, After Effects in a Day. In this hands-on class, you’ll spend six hours learning the essentials of the software’s interface, the timeline, video, layer animation, easing in and out, fade-ins, and other foundational tools and techniques. It’s recommended that students have prior experience with Adobe Photoshop, but it’s not required.

Phoenix Industries That Use Animation

Several key industries in Phoenix rely on animation to advertise their products and services. Animation is not only eye-grabbing but also an effective way of visualizing information. Keep reading to find out about the industries in Phoenix that are utilizing animation to reach their audiences. 

Tourism 

The year-round sun, desert landscape, and southwest culture in Phoenix drive tourism to the state’s capital. Phoenix saw over 40 million overnight visitors in 2022 who brought in over $28 billion to the area. The tourism industry has been key to generating nearly 180,000 jobs for residents. 

Tourist hot spots like restaurants, historic attractions, and shopping venues, incorporate animation into promotional material. Videos posted to social media can draw in visitors from out of the state and the country to Phoenix. These videos may include short animations to inform or entertain potential visitors. 

Aerospace and Defense

There are more than 1,200 aerospace and defense companies operating in Arizona. The state is an established military region and houses universities that facilitate related research. As a city, Phoenix is considered a great location for these companies to expand their operations in the state. 

Aerospace and defense companies rely on digital marketing to persuade investors and the government and inform consumers. They create content that develops a positive brand image and appropriately conveys their goals. Animated content can be relied on by these companies to break down highly technical information for target audiences.

Finance 

There are several high-profile financial services companies in Phoenix, which contribute to the city’s designation as the sixth largest financial capital in the US. The city has a strong industry ecosystem, an educated workforce, and competitive operating costs that have influenced the growth of this industry. 

Marketing and creative teams within the finance industry use animation to advertise to consumers. Animation can help make financial decisions fun and easy to understand. They can be informative and also entertaining to appeal to a range of age groups. 

Animation Jobs & Salaries in Phoenix

There are several career paths in the Phoenix area that you can follow if you have animation skills. These skills are not just needed in the entertainment industry, but at companies and businesses that require animation to market themselves and reach new audiences. Here are some jobs in the Phoenix area that you may pursue if you have animation skills. 

3D Modeler

3D Modelers create 3D models of concept art. In the entertainment industry, they may create models of environments, people, or props. Animators then use the models they have created and figure out how to create animations of them. 3D Modelers are not required to know how to animate but understanding how animation works can help them develop better models that Animators can then use. 

3D Modelers in Phoenix make an average annual salary of $68,000. 

Graphic Designer

Graphic Designers are responsible for creating visual concepts. They use computers, tablets, and other technology to do so. They may be needed to create logos, packaging, and other marketing material for a company. There are some overlapping skills between Graphic Designers and Animators and some Graphic Designers also work in the entertainment industry. 

Graphic Designers in Phoenix can expect to make an annual salary of $59,000. The salary range for a Graphic Designer in Phoenix is quite wide, falling between $41,000 and $85,000. Salary will be dependent on years of experience and the company that a Graphic Designer is working for. 

Animator 

Animators may work in the entertainment industry, creating animated movies and shows. They also create animated videos for companies looking to advertise their products and services using animation. Animators may focus on a variety of animation techniques such as computer-generated animation or stop-motion animation. 

The salary of an Animator will depend on the animation technique they specialize in. An entry-level Animator in Phoenix makes an average annual salary of $61,000. A higher salary may be achieved with more years of experience and experience with more difficult animation techniques.