Animation Classes Charlotte, NC

Animation is what makes projects come to life. The rapid movement adds excitement to video games and often provides film and television shows with more depth. Today, animation is usually completed through various software and digital methods, but regardless of how it happens, there are tons of jobs that rely on animation skills. In other cases, animation skills are an added bonus, such as while working as a Video Editor. Regardless, learning animation as a hopeful creative professional is the first step towards a meaningful and worthwhile career.

Charlotte is nicknamed the Queen City and surely lives up to its name. The area has blossomed into a bustling, active city, with the population steadily increasing and showing no signs of slowing. In fact, the Charlotte Regional Business Alliance projects that the region will see a population boom of more than 50% within the next few decades (reaching 4.6 million). But it’s no secret why people from all over are flocking to this region. The city has a strong job market and a relatively low cost of living. Plus, Charlotte has a unique variety of opportunities that many cities cannot provide. Beyond professional opportunities, the city offers a blend of cultural events with sporting events, and a quick drive can put you in the mountains or on the beach. The city is also young—its average age is roughly 34, signaling opportunities and livability.

Careers and Salaries for Animation Professionals in Charlotte

With proper training, here are a few of the many roles you can land with animation experience.

• Animator: Animators use software to create 2D and 3D elements for entertainment purposes. This may include characters in a video game or film as well as graphics on a webpage. Salary expectations can vary based on specialization and company. For instance, a 2D Animator earns roughly $58,000 each year in the Queen City.
• Video Editor: A Video Editor is responsible for editing and rearranging video clips to complete a final project. They use various software to ensure the video is clear and orderly. The average Video Editor in Charlotte earns nearly $61,000. This is slightly below the national average, but Charlotte has a lower cost of living compared to other similar-sized cities across the nation.
• Motion Graphics Designer: Motion Graphics Artists design animations and graphics for videos and marketing purposes. They often use software similar to the other roles listed, like After Effects and Premiere Pro. They earn roughly $70,000 on average, but the range can be anywhere from $63,000 to $99,000 based on several factors like experience or bonuses.
• Visual Effects (VFX) Artist: A Visual Effects Artist creates visual effects for movies, television, and similar forms of entertainment. They frequently use CGI to enhance live-action footage, which is one major difference between this role and Motion Graphics Designer. The average salary for a Charlotte-based VFX Artist is $60,000, but a realistic range is between $54,000 and $67,000.

What Are the Current Job Trends in Charlotte?

Charlotte is known for its finance industry, as many top-name banks have named the city home to their headquarters. However, other industries are equally impressive and worth exploring as an animation specialist. Animators also have a wide variety of contract and remote opportunities, but there may be more available to those in Charlotte since Wilmington, a city often referred to as Wilmywood due to its strong film industry, is only a few hours away. There are also plentiful opportunities in sports media. For instance, Varsity Esports & STEM League is currently hiring a Video Editor, and the Fox Corporation is hiring a Graphics Coordinator. Both positions pay roughly $24 per hour. With so much opportunity, it’s easy to see why young professionals are flocking to the area.

Major Industries in Charlotte That Hire Animation Experts

For quite some time, Charlotte has been known as the major professional hub in North Carolina, along with the Research Triangle area (Raleigh, Durham, and Chapel Hill). In particular, Charlotte has fairly strong sports media and healthcare sectors. The automotive industry stands out here as well, but the tech industry seems to be growing the fastest of all. In each industry, Animators can find a place at the table and help the companies they work for thrive.

Sports Media and Broadcasting

Charlotte is home to several big-name sports complexes and teams. Whether you’re interested in the NFL, NBA, or NASCAR, there’s a sport within the Queen City that’s bound to keep you on the edge of your seat. With all the buzz surrounding sports in Charlotte, it’s no surprise that the sports media scene is thriving. To get the full picture of the latest play or to learn more about the aerodynamics involved in automotive racing, these organizations and companies hire Animators. These experts step in to make the sport more enjoyable and understandable.

• Carolina Panthers (NFL): North Carolina’s professional football team, the Panthers, has a strong fan base. The team is based in Charlotte and plays at the Bank of America Stadium.
• NASCAR: Auto racing has grown in popularity steadily over the years. In Charlotte, the Coca-Cola 600 and the Bank of America Roval 400 take place each year.
• Fox Corporation: Fox has the Fox Sports Studio in Charlotte, where sports broadcasting and sports analytics are at the forefront. They often cover NASCAR events.
• ESPN: One of the most popular sports channels, ESPN, has planted roots in Charlotte with a production center that has ties to the SEC football network.

Technology and Content Creation

Tech companies often hire animation specialists to create visual content like games, software, videos, and educational tutorials. Oftentimes, Animators in the tech industry make sure the product works seamlessly but still has visually appealing elements and movements. For instance, Imagine Software, a tech company in Charlotte, is hiring for Graphic and Video Content Specialists.

• Payzer: This software provider enables Contractors and Plumbers to streamline the field service management process. This makes it easier for technicians to make it from appointment to appointment and submit their invoices.
• IBM: IBM is an internationally known software company with a location in Charlotte. With Charlotte as a growing tech hub, this is a great place to start a career.
• Stratifyd: This Charlotte-based company helps companies improve their customer experiences through data-based insights. Their data analytics platform is used by marketing teams in a variety of industries.
• Microsoft: The Microsoft Charlotte campus has been a significant part of the city over the last 35 years, being responsible for thousands of steady, desirable jobs.

Healthcare and Research

Animators are even hired within the healthcare industry. They’re hired to create marketing materials or educational, visual representations of medical devices and techniques. There are several Charlotte-based jobs available for video specialists in healthcare. For instance, Camino Health Center in Charlotte is hiring a Videography Specialist who can assist with content creation and storytelling and who can work closely with marketing teams to reach a shared goal. In all, creating imagery and graphics that keep medical students engaged or educate patience is essential for medical companies.

• Atrium Health Carolinas Medical Center: Atrium Health Systems is the biggest healthcare provider in the region. It serves as a research hospital and serves the Charlotte region in addition to several northern South Carolina towns.
• Labcorp: Labcorp provides laboratory services to healthcare providers such as yearly lab work, women’s health screening, and cancer testing.
• Octapharma Plasma: With headquarters in Charlotte, this company focuses on plasma collection for research and treatment methods. They are considered one of the largest human protein product manufacturers.
• Blue Cross & Blue Shield (BCBS): While BCBS does not have its headquarters in Charlotte, it has a strong presence and a collection of Charlotte offices. BCBS is one of the most popular health insurance providers in the state and Charlotte specifically.

Automotive and Technical Animation

The automotive industry is growing considerably in Charlotte. Many Animators work for car dealerships to provide engaging videos and tutorials for potential consumers. In addition, NASCAR hires animation pros to give a play-by-play on the latest race. Even automotive manufacturing companies use 3D models and videos to find out how to best design the latest vehicle model.

• Charlotte Motor Speedway: Charlotte is home to the Charlotte Motor Speedway, where visitors and locals alike attend racing events. Nearby lies the NASCAR Hall of Fame.
• Hendrick Automotive Group: This Charlotte-based company employs over 10,000 people and generates billions of dollars in revenue, solidifying it as a strong player in the industry.
• Torqata Data and Analytics: With headquarters in nearby Huntersville right outside of Charlotte, this company provides data-based solutions to automotive groups that help improve their supply chain operations.
• Sonic Automotive: This national automotive group is a Fortune 500 company retailing predominantly luxury imported vehicles. They have a strong presence in Charlotte.