Learn to create compelling video content with Adobe After Effects. This course covers the basics of animation, text effects, and file integration needed to start creating impressive visual content from scratch. Get hands-on experience with real-world projects taught by an experienced instructor.
Learn motion graphics and visual effects with Adobe After Effects and Premiere Pro. Develop your skills in animation, video editing, and special effects, and create a motion graphics demo reel to showcase your work to potential clients or employers.
Learn how to use Adobe Premiere Pro to create professionally edited videos in this comprehensive class. From importing and organizing footage to advanced editing techniques like multi-cam editing and green screen removal, this course will equip you with the skills to create compelling video content.
Dive into the dynamic world of Adobe After Effects with this advanced course, designed to elevate your animation and motion graphics skills. From mastering 3D layers and custom shapes to optimizing animations with expressions, you'll create captivating visuals that stand out in any project.
This course unlocks the power of Adobe After Effects, teaching you to create stunning visual effects and professional-grade motion graphics. Master techniques like motion tracking, compositing, and time remapping to take your video projects to new heights of creativity and impact.
Become a skilled Video Editor and Motion Graphics Designer by learning Adobe Premiere Pro, and After Effects. Develop creative techniques and concepts for editing videos, and showcase your skills by creating a professional demo reel.
The process of animation involves the use of still images—drawn, painted, illustrated, or computer-generated—displayed in rapid succession to create the illusion of motion. Before the 1990s, traditional animation, in which animators draw or paint images onto celluloid sheets, was the method of animation. Now, with the advance of technology, traditional animation has largely died out, giving way to digital animation.
Movies, video games, television shows, and web content all utilize animation. A variety of animation styles have become popular across the globe, including cartoon-style animation and hyper-realistic animation. Japan has also established itself as an animation powerhouse with anime, a style originating within Japan that makes notable use of panning and zooming camera effects, action-oriented plots, flat expressions, and the suspension of time.
With animation training, you can begin working on animations for movies, television, video games, or online content. Individuals skilled in animation have found work in game development, visual effects, educational animation, and VFX art. When learning animation, you’ll likely gain practice with several industry-standard software, like Blender, Adobe After Effects, Adobe Premiere Pro, and Cinema 4D. If working for an animation or video game studio doesn’t interest you, consider offering your animation services to companies on a freelance basis.
An introductory-level animation class will typically begin by teaching students the basic principles of animation, including timing, spacing, and exaggeration. You may also receive lessons in drawing and design principles such as color theory. After covering the fundamentals, instructors often move to the concept of storyboarding so students understand the work that goes into planning animations. Related to storyboarding is character design.
The software you use in an animation class will depend on the class you enroll in. Some classes have students use a suite of software while others focus on only one. You’ll often see courses that include lessons in Adobe Animate, Blender, Adobe Premiere Pro, and Adobe After Effects. When learning about your options, you may decide to enroll in a class focused on 2D or 3D animation as well.
The less experience you have with animation and related skills, the more challenging you’re likely to find learning animation. Students with a previous background in art, particularly drawing, tend to find the fundamentals easier to learn than students with no prior experience with animation, drawing, or general art. Another challenge that some students face when learning animation is learning how to use animation software. For beginners, some software has an especially steep learning curve. If you find it difficult to use animation software, seek out expert instruction and take the time to practice as much as you can; soon enough, you’ll find learning animation comes easier to you.
Learning animation takes several weeks to years, depending on how advanced you want to become. Basic animation skills take a few weeks to months to pick up. Once you can comfortably use animation software, you’ll likely have been learning for several months. You can learn intermediate-level animation skills in around six months to one year, including polishing character designs and movements. After several years, you’re likely to have developed advanced-level skills and understand more difficult techniques like 3D modeling. The process of learning animation takes time and is ongoing, especially as technology in the field of animation continues to advance alongside developments in popular animation styles.
Before enrolling in an animation class, consider whether you want to learn in-person, live online, or asynchronously. If you can commute to a scheduled class and want to learn face-to-face, seek out in-person animation classes in your area. This style of class follows a traditional teaching structure and allows ample opportunity for you to ask your instructor questions and receive feedback. Live online classes also offer the benefits that come with a live instructor, but you’ll attend class remotely. This learning style offers flexibility when it comes to scheduling because you don’t have to commute to class.
Asynchronous classes offer students the most flexibility. In an asynchronous class, you’re expected to work through class content by yourself at your preferred pace. Some asynchronous classes provide students with a deadline, while others offer open, unlimited access to course content. Many students enjoy the flexible learning schedule offered in an asynchronous class, but a major drawback is the lack of instructors to answer questions and provide feedback.
Not ready to commit to an animation class? Look for free online resources that can help you learn the basics of animation. Training centers, schools, and expert animators upload content for aspiring animators online to websites like YouTube. These videos teach students the basics of animation and may offer additional resources where students can learn more. You can also search online for animation-related forums where you can ask fellow learners and experts questions you have about animation principles, design, or even commonly used animation software. After learning the basics free online, consider enrolling in more extensive animation training, like an animation program or bootcamp.
If you plan on learning animation, consider also learning art fundamentals. Drawing, color theory, and composition can help you develop a solid art foundation, which will benefit your animating skills. Knowing art fundamentals will help you with character design, visual storytelling, and creativity. Practicing art can also help you develop better problem-solving skills, which you might put to use during the animation process.
Want to apply your animation skills to your career? Consider looking for an animation-related career in one of these.
Cities like Toronto, Vancouver, and Montreal have become major hubs for film and television in Canada. Canada offers tax incentives that have helped regions draw in domestic and international productions, like “The Handmaid’s Tale, ” “Vikings, ” and "Orphan Black.” Animation plays a huge role in the entertainment industry, from animated films to animated television shows. Explore the animated media produced in Canada to discover where you can utilize your animation skills.
The advertising and marketing industry in Canada has, like many others, turned toward digital marketing, including the use of social media, SEO, and content creation to improve brand reputation and increase sales. This industry makes use of animation to garner the attention of the public, including social media users, and increase brand visibility. If you have animation skills and an interest in marketing, consider a role in this industry where you can combine the two.
Canada has formed a reputation for an education system with high standards, from K-13 education to higher education. Home to world-class universities, publicly funded schools, and a hotspot for international students, Canada’s education industry has committed itself to fostering and attracting skilled and knowledgeable students. Within the world of education, animation finds its role in improving student engagement. Animation captures students’ attention and encourages participation. It can also help students better digest complex or confusing concepts.
Want to start a career in animation today? Here are several animation-related jobs and their salaries to consider.
After considering the type of animation class you want to enroll in and your goals for learning how to animate, check out the following animation classes available to you in-person and online.
Noble Desktop offers a live online After Effects Bootcamp for beginners. In this program, you’ll spend 18 hours learning how to create video content with Adobe After Effects, including the basics of animation. Working on real-world projects will help you gain practical experience animating photos, graphics, and texts. Students who would like additional guidance can take advantage of a 1-on-1 training session offered by Noble.
Noble Desktop also offers a live online Motion Graphics Certificate program. You can expect to learn how to create motion graphics and visual effects in your choice of part-time or full-time class. An instructor will guide you and your classmates through hands-on projects using Adobe After Effects, Premiere Pro, and Cinema 4D Lite.
Working video game creators will teach students enrolled in the Toronto Film School’s Video Game Design and Animation Diploma Program how to design, script, model, and animate characters. This six-term program will prepare students for prospective careers as Game Designers, Concept Artists, Level Designers, and even Game Animators.
The Vancouver Film School offers a 12-month 3D Animation and Visual Effects Program. Students will spend the program learning about 3D animation while specializing in animation, modeling, or VFX. During the program, students will also work on a master demo reel and have access to the school’s Alumni Directory and Job Board.
Does your team need animation training? Noble Desktop can provide your organization with team training in animation that meets your employees’ learning objectives and scheduling needs. When enrolling in corporate training, you have the option of selecting live online or onsite training options. Teams interested in corporate training can also purchase group vouchers in bulk at a discount from Noble Desktop. When purchasing group vouchers, you can select the courses available to your team to choose from. They’ll then schedule their training at a time that fits their schedules.
Reach out to corporate@nobledesktop.com to learn more about Noble Desktop’s corporate training services and receive help in determining which options best fit your team’s needs and goals.