Animation Classes & Bootcamps Washington, D.C.

Animation is an artistic technique used to create the illusion of motion in static images. This process involves displaying a set of still images that vary slightly from one another and sequencing them. When the images are displayed in fast succession, they appear to be in motion. Animation relies on a phenomenon called “persistence of vision.” The human eye clings to images for a brief moment after they’re gone. This causes the brain to perceive the still images it’s seeing as continuous motion. There are two primary forms of animation: traditional and computer-generated. In traditional animation, each frame is drawn by hand on celluloid or paper. They are then photographed and put in sequence to create the illusion of motion. Currently, computer-generated imagery (CGI) is more commonly used. CGI involves working with computer software to make animated films. Animators create 3D models of the characters and their environment and then use software to animate the models and generate a final sequence of images.

It doesn’t matter whether you’re performing traditional or CGI animation; the basic process remains the same. Animators begin by brainstorming ideas and creating a storyboard that depicts the animation in a basic way. The storyboard includes rudimentary sketches intended to show the main animation events that will take place. Then, keyframes are created, which serve as the foundational frames in animation. They depict the main poses of characters and the placement of objects. In-betweens are then added between each keyframe to ensure that the animation is fluid and smooth. Next, Animators refine the animation and eliminate any errors that might disrupt smooth playback. Sound and color are then added to make the content as lifelike as possible. Although the animation process takes time and expertise, it provides a way for artists to create characters and tell stories that would be difficult, if not impossible, to render through traditional filmmaking.

Are There Prerequisites to Learning Animation?

Before you sign up for an animation course in Washington, DC, you may wonder if there are any prerequisites you should meet. While some courses expect students to have experience working with one or more applications or possess certain skills prior to their studies, these requirements vary depending on the educational provider. The skills you’ll be asked to bring to your studies will depend on the difficulty level of the program you select, as well as its focus. Regardless of whether you’re enrolling in an introductory-level animation class or an advanced motion graphics certificate program, there are several core skills and tools you may wish to explore before your studies begin to streamline the learning process. A great starting point is to review basic design and composition theory and processes. Since all animation strives to convey meaning with art, the more you know about core design concepts like alignment, proportion, rhythm, and balance, the easier it will be to draw from these skills when creating animations. Additionally, you’ll want to ensure you have basic computer skills before enrolling in coursework. Because most contemporary digital video animation requires knowledge of CGI techniques, it’s important that you’re familiar with basic computer skills such as navigating between multiple open applications, files, or folders. It’s also useful to be familiar with programs that work with layers. You may also wish to install and explore programs like Adobe Animate, which is used for computer animation and multimedia authoring, as well as After Effects, a motion graphics software.

In addition to reviewing basic design concepts and tools, it may also be helpful to consider what you hope to do with your animation skills before you begin training. Since the animation process can take many forms, you will likely need to know more than 2D animation skills to pursue a career in animation. Many non-creative fields also rely on animated content to tell stories and convey information. Animators are hired to create medical designs, engineering content, or marketing materials intended to sell products or convey complicated information in an accessible manner. Knowing whether you want to create medical animations or content for cartoon shows can help you tailor coursework and ensure you acquire the specialized training and skills you’ll ultimately need.

Is It Difficult to Learn Animation?

If you’re considering studying animation, you may wonder if it’s a hard skill set to learn. Maybe you’ve seen the real-life effects in Pixar movies and worry that learning to work with CGI to create lifelike 3D animations will be too hard to tackle or that it could require years to master. Similar to any other skill set, the difficulty of learning animation is relative and depends largely on the individual learner’s existing skill set, the time they’re able to commit to training, and their personal learning style. Those from a background in which they’ve worked with computer-aided design may find learning animation easier than those without this training. Animation isn’t generally considered more difficult to acquire than web design or UX/UI design; some students even find it easier to learn in comparison. Another factor that will affect the difficulty of learning animation is what level of expertise you hope to attain through your studies. Those who simply want to learn how to create basic animated assets may opt to work solely with programs like Adobe Photoshop or After Effects. On the other hand, if you’re interested in creating cutting-edge digital animations for movies or TV, you may need to devote months or years to studying more advanced techniques like masking, 3D layered animation, and motion tracking. Those who are willing to take the time to practice their animation skills will be able to see their efforts pay off in real time as they progress through their studies.

What Will You Learn in an Animation Course?

If you’re interested in enrolling in an animation course in Washington, DC, you may not be certain what to expect. The type of training you’ll receive when you embark on animation studies varies depending on the educator you select, the length of the program, its focus, and its level of difficulty. Beginner-level animation classes are available for those who are new to creating animated assets or even new to design in general. More comprehensive learning options like bootcamps and certificate programs are also offered in motion graphics for individuals interested in acquiring a broader range of skills, including video editing, visual effects, and 3D animation. Some programs focus exclusively on a specific Adobe CC application like After Effects or Premiere Pro, whereas other courses teach participants how to work with several applications. Coursework also may include instruction in core animation skills like rotoscoping live action, removing greenscreen, syncing animation to audio, and automating tasks with scripts. Visual storytelling techniques are also often taught in animation programs, including camera angles, frame and pixel aspect ratios, and lighting and frame rates. Many certificate programs also offer students the chance to create a professional portfolio or demo reel that they can share with future clients or employers to showcase the depth of their animation skill set.

Washington, D.C. Industries That Use Animation

Washington, D.C., is home to 713,000 residents. The nation’s capital attracts people from around the globe who flock to the city to take in its historic landmarks, vibrant cultural scene, top-tier culinary options, and world-famous museums. The city also hosts many thriving industries, including retail, hospitality, and government. The following paragraphs will briefly explore several key D.C. industries and the role animation plays in each.

In the U.S., the government is the largest employer. In D.C. alone, 141,000 people—or 8% of the population—are employed in government-related jobs. The government and enterprises industry generated more than $44 billion in 2022. Various government agencies and organizations in D.C. use animated content to provide citizens with quick access to essential information. Animated videos not only educate the public about current laws or policies that may affect them but also do so in an engaging and understandable way. Because some government services are difficult to understand and use, animation provides a powerful medium to get these messages across to a general audience. During the COVID-19 pandemic, many communities were unsure of what to do and what information was reliable. This created a corresponding need for clear, urgent communication. To remedy this problem, many agencies began using animation. The WHO used whiteboard animation to explain the spread of the disease, as well as how people could protect themselves against it.

Another key Washington, D.C., industry is transportation. Each day, the city’s main train station, Union Station, serves 70,000 people. On a yearly basis, 4.6 million Amtrak passengers pass through the city. The greater D.C. area is home to three major airports that bring people to the city from around the globe. D.C.’s Metro averages a million trips on any given weekday, and the Metrobus sees traffic that averages 400,000 riders in a week. Washington, D.C., residents rely on public transportation options to get to and from work, avoid gridlock rush-hour traffic, and travel around the city with ease. Animated video content is becoming an increasingly popular mode for those who work in transportation and logistics to educate consumers and partners about their services or new routing information. Since many D.C. visitors come from other places around the globe, communicating vital information about travel delays and other logistics in a way that’s accessible to non-native English speakers is also crucial. Animation is an effective way to convey important travel-related information without requiring audience members to be fluent in English.

Animation Jobs & Salaries in Washington, D.C.

If you have animation training, many exciting career options are currently available in Washington, D.C. Pay rates vary depending on the employer, the type of animated content you create, and your years of experience in the field. Character Animators who work in the U.S. earn approximately $88,000 a year. Those who work in D.C. earn below this average and can expect to make $75,000 annually. The current U.S. average pay rate for Concept Artists is $91,000. In D.C., Concept Artists can expect to earn slightly above this pay rate and bring in a yearly salary of $96,000. D.C.-based Film Editors make an average pay rate of $73,000 annually, which is $3,000 above the national average.

Best Animation Classes & Schools in Washington, D.C.

If you live in the nation’s capital and are looking to learn animation, you can search for animation classes in Washington, D.C. to find learning options best suited to your educational needs.

After Effects in a Day is available from NYC Career Centers. This one-day course is available live online for those who want to learn how to work with this Adobe CC application to create their own motion graphics. Students learn how to create logos, transitions, and animated GIFs. Small class instruction is provided in essential After Effects features such as how to navigate the user interface and timeline, incorporate fade-ins, and layer animation. As a prerequisite, it’s recommended that students have prior experience using Photoshop. Tuition is $425 and includes a free course retake for up to a year. After Effects training is also available from Lumenbrite. Students who enroll in After Effects Training: Bootcamp devote five full days to acquiring beginner to advanced training in this application. Students explore concepts like video blending, keying effects, advanced text effects, and mask tracking. They also learn about nesting techniques and precompositing. By course completion, those enrolled will be familiar with how to edit masks, work with Mocha AE for footage keying, and utilize expression tools. Tuition is $1,995 for this in-person class, available in Washington, D.C. Graduates receive an Adobe-certified certificate upon course completion.

If you’re looking to acquire more advanced training in After Effects, Ledet Training’s Adobe After Effects 201—After Effects Advanced is available in the D.C. area. This three-day course is designed to teach students advanced motion graphics and video editing skills, including audio linking, special effects, infographic techniques, 3D kinetic photography, and expressions. Instruction is provided on workflow management, camera control, color correction, shapes and animation, and particle generation. Students also work with Illustrator and Premiere Pro files during this program. This program takes three days to complete and costs $1,299. As a prerequisite, it’s suggested that students have completed After Effects Essentials and Photoshop CC Essential Skills classes or have a similar training background. Participants should also have Adobe After Effects installed on their devices prior to the first class meeting.

D.C. area coursework is also available in Adobe Animate. Certstaffix Training offers Adobe Animate CC (2020), which is a three-day program in which participants explore both basic and more advanced Animate skills. This program starts with the basics of this software, including how to navigate the workspace. Participants become familiar with how to create symbols, graphics, and text. They also explore how to add transformations, animate symbols, and work with advanced motion tweens. Graduates of this class will be able to publish their work in Flash or HTML5 formats. Tuition is $1,330, which includes a free course retake for six months. This course is taught live online; participants can opt to study from their own space or use the computer lab available in Fairfax, VA.

Best Live Online Animation Classes & Schools

If you want to learn animation but don’t want to leave the comfort of your own space to do so, you can search for live online animation classes as well. These remote learning opportunities are taught in real-time by an expert instructor with industry experience creating engaging animations. Intro to Blender 3D Modeling + Animation is available from Plexus Creative.

This live online course teaches students to work with Blender, a popular, open-source tool for animation, compositing, 2D/3D modeling, and post-production. This class teaches students how to work with textures and shaping, modeling and sculpting characters, and creating simulations and visual effects. The skills taught in this program can be applied to creating artwork for movies, games, and animation. Tuition is $600 for this one-day, beginner-friendly program.

High school students looking to get started in animation can do so in NextGen Bootcamp’s Animation with After Effects (High School). This 20-hour program teaches participants how to work with Adobe After Effects to create motion graphics and animation. Participants begin this program by exploring the After Effects workspace. Instruction is provided on core animation processes and concepts such as animating text layers, creating infographic animations, working with nested compositions, and animating logos. Participants also learn about motion tracking, medical animation, and title animation. No prior experience in animation or design is required to enroll. It costs $1,299 to enroll in this program. Learners can also explore animation techniques in Team D3’s 3DS-104 3ds Max Animation. Those enrolled have the chance to dig deeper into 3ds Max’s interface and use it to create a range of animations, from simple motion clips to fully rigged models. Instruction is also provided in best practices for animation rendering and controlling. Tuition is $595 for this one-day program.

Coursework that focuses on Adobe After Effects is also available in the live online environment from several educators. Manhattan Edit Workshop’s Adobe After Effects Level One (Online) prepares learners to perform core tasks using After Effects such as creating basic animations using presets and effects and animating text. Students also study rendering output. Course content includes instruction on masks, shape layers, the puppet tool, and auto-orient.

This program is intended for Motion Graphics Artists, Assistant Editors, Producers, and Editors. This three-day program costs $1,295. Additionally, After Effects in a Day is offered by NYC Career Centers for students interested in learning core After Effects skills such as how to create GIFs, transitions, and logos. This program prepares learners to navigate the app’s timeline and user interface and work with fade-ins and layer animation. As a prerequisite, it’s suggested that students have experience using Photoshop. This one-day program costs $425 and includes a free course retake for a full year.

Students can also study After Effects in Noble Desktop’s After Effects in a Day. This six-hour program covers After Effects skills like how to incorporate sound into compositions and animate photos, text, or videos. Students become familiar with how to import Illustrator files like logos and use Photoshop for animation. Before enrolling, it’s helpful for students to have prior experience using Photoshop and Illustrator. It’s also useful for students to have design skills. Tuition is $425.

Animation Classes for High School Students

In NextGen Bootcamp's Animation Summer Bootcamp NYC, high school students embark on an immersive journey into the captivating world of 2D animation. Hosted in vibrant NYC, this in-person class is led by seasoned instructors and offers a collaborative environment for budding animation enthusiasts to connect and learn together. Throughout the first week, participants delve into the fascinating history of animation, tracing its evolution from humble beginnings to today's cutting-edge techniques. They then dive into design and animation principles, applying newfound knowledge to their own projects through interactive sketching exercises and hands-on demonstrations.

As the course progresses into its second week, students advance to more complex concepts and a final project. Here, they master cutting-edge animation techniques, sound design, and timing to produce projects with a polished and professional look. Additionally, students explore the art of storyboarding to bring their narratives to life. The culmination of the course is the final project, where students showcase the skills they've acquired and receive constructive feedback from both peers and instructors, fostering confidence and igniting their passion for animation. Upon completion, students receive a certificate of completion, enhancing their credentials for college applications and future job searches.

For those unable to attend in-person, Animation Summer Bootcamp Live Online offers a convenient alternative. Led by experienced instructors, this live, interactive course replicates the immersive experience of the in-person bootcamp. Through remote setup assistance and hands-on projects via Zoom technology, students engage in real-time interaction with instructors and peers. They have the opportunity to watch and hear the instructor's screen in real time, communicate using computer audio, phone, or external microphone, and even allow instructors to remotely access their screens for immediate assistance and demonstrations.

The online course mirrors the state-of-the-art curriculum of the NYC bootcamp, guiding students through the development of animation from its rudimentary beginnings to the dynamic and lifelike creations seen today. By the course's end, students emerge equipped with professional-style skills, showcased through a final online project where they receive feedback from peers and instructors. Whether attending in-person or online, NextGen Bootcamp's Animation Summer Bootcamp offers a dynamic learning experience that nurtures creativity, builds skills, and prepares students for future endeavors in animation and beyond.

Corporate and On-site Animation Training

Would those at your workplace benefit from learning how to create animations? If so, let Noble Desktop help. Noble offers corporate and onsite training in animation and motion graphics for those who are new to design, as well as for individuals with prior animation experience who are looking to take their skills to the next level. Noble can come directly to your workplace to provide training or offer sessions live online. Instructors with real-world training in motion graphics teach essential skills such as how to work with animation and special effects, edit video content, and use tools like Adobe After Effects, Premiere Pro, and Cinema 4D Lite. Flexible training options ensure your employees can gain hands-on training around their other professional and personal commitments, including full-time work. Noble offers weeknight and weekend training options so coursework is available to all learners. Additionally, customized coursework can also be arranged to ensure those at your workplace get the most out of their studies. If you’re interested in training multiple employees, you can purchase bulk seats for regular enrollment classes at a discount. If you’re ready to learn more about the options for corporate training Noble offers for your employees, feel free to contact Noble today.