Since its initial release in 1993, Adobe After Effects has become the video post-production application most used by motion designers and animators. It is a versatile program that can create animations and videos for a wide variety of uses including social media, websites, YouTube, and even television or film.
After Effects is known for its motion graphics and compositing capabilities, and also for its extensive catalog of visual effects. You can use After Effects to change the lighting and coloring of your video or animation or to add elements like fireworks, bubbles, smoke, and text. While it can create both 2D and 3D animations, the application also features capabilities to animate in 2.5D, a visual illusion used to transform flat objects to make them seem 3D.
Although you can utilize After Effects to create Hollywood-level animations and video effects, it can also be leveraged for a host of other uses. From dynamic title sequences to fully animated GIFs and characters, After Effects can bring new life to existing video content.
After Effects Careers in Baltimore
Learning to use a program like After Effects, especially in conjunction with Premiere Pro, would make anyone a stand-out candidate for a career in motion graphics, animation, or video editing. Baltimore’s startup community has been growing recently, and many of these companies are likely to have a high demand for video and other animated content. Whether creating videos to showcase their latest innovations or increase their market share through branded media, learning After Effects would be a valuable asset to any of these companies.
There is also the option to join a video production firm like Baltimore’s own Early Light Media, Storyfarm, or Talking Tree Creative. Many of these companies add visual effects to their clients’ videos like dynamic title sequences, additions to the environment, and other animations or compositing effects. After Effects expertise would provide a head start toward a position at one of these places or their contemporaries.
If you are searching for Baltimore After Effects career opportunities, there are a few different paths to pursue. Possible positions include Video Editor or Manager, 2D or 3D Animator, and Motion Graphics Designer. Many of these positions may also require experience with other programs like Premiere Pro for video editing, so be sure to keep that in mind as you explore your options.
Whatever path you choose, you will be more than capable of surpassing Baltimore’s average earnings. Entry-level jobs in Baltimore generally earn $30,000 to $40,000 or less, while most animation and video-related careers earn $65,000 to $70,000 as a starting annual salary, with room to grow in the field.
In-Person After Effects Classes in Baltimore
When training in a vocation like video editing or animation, in-person courses are especially helpful as they allow for face-to-face interaction. Instructors can see your creations and give helpful feedback in a more direct manner than when it comes through a screen.
There are a few possible choices for in-person training around the Baltimore area. Schools offering After Effects courses in Washington D.C. include Ledet Training, Lumenbrite, and Future Media Concepts. There are classes of varying skill levels and time commitments, so you are sure to land on something that fits your availability.
For a shorter commute, you can also find After Effects classes at Think Big Learn Smart in Columbia or Certstaffix Training in Laurel, though the latter is a hybrid between remote and in-person. Certstaffix Training has a training center and computer lab you can use if you do not have your own equipment, but classes are held live online by a remote instructor.
Virtual After Effects Classes
Even though virtual classes are not an exact substitute for in-person learning, there are still many benefits to pursuing live online training as an alternative option. With a host of new video conferencing capabilities including real-time interaction and feedback, you can take comparable classes from the comfort of your own home or office.
When you are ready to get started, Noble Desktop’s virtual curriculum contains a few different options for After Effects courses. There is a quick one-day course to dip your toes into the idea of animation, or you can also start with an 18-hour After Effects Level 1 course for a deeper dive into the concepts. If graphics and animation are a new interest, you could also complete the full 72-hour Motion Graphics Certificate to hit the ground running toward a career in the field.
Comparable instruction programs can be found at NYIM Training and NYC Career Centers. For an adaptable selection with varying difficulties, see NYIM Training’s live online After Effects classes. You can find a similar offering in the live online After Effects courses from NYC Career Centers.
Corporate & Onsite After Effects Training in Baltimore
If your business has any need for video or animation, corporate training in After Effects would be a fantastic way to upskill or reskill your employees. It would allow you to bring otherwise expensive creative projects in-house, rather than farming them out to a production company at potentially exorbitant costs.
Want your team to feel more confident in creating and animating videos for your business? Noble Desktop has both onsite and virtual corporate After Effects training with flexible options to fit varied scheduling availabilities and desired skill level upon completion.
If you are ready to invest in your company’s video and animation offering, corporate training in After Effects could be a great next step. Contact hello@nobledesktop.com to learn more about possible courses for your employees.