Animation Classes & Bootcamps Denver

Bring ideas to life through animation programs exploring timing, motion, and visual storytelling. You’ll learn how design and rhythm shape memorable experiences.

Animation Classes & Bootcamps

From film to video games to marketing, animation has become an essential element of modern life. When animation first began, artists would hand-draw every scene and movement. Now, animation has switched to various software and digital methods, making the process faster and more accessible. Various careers throughout industries rely on animation. Learning animation can fast-track you to the creative career you want. 

Denver has become a city to watch. While the tech and aerospace industries have taken off recently, Denver still supports a strong creative sector. Between the RiNo Arts District and the Santa Fe Arts District, artists of all kinds can flourish. Even within the tech scene, various digital media firms have sprouted up, demanding skilled animation professionals. Denver may not be the first city that comes to mind for animation; however, with the creative job market expanding into game development, film production, and VR/AR development, Denver is a great location to jump in and grow your career. 

Common Careers and Salaries for Animation Professionals in Denver

  • Motion Graphics Designers create various animated visuals for video content or digital media.
    • Average Salary:$65,000-$80,000/year
    • Skill Sets: Adobe After Effects, Illustrator, Photoshop, Cinema 4D, typography
  • Animators use software to create 2D or 3D elements for films, television, video games, or online content. They will develop animations by working frame by frame.
    • Average Salary:$65,000-$85,000/year
    • Skill Sets: Adobe After Effects, Blender, Cinema 4D, Storytelling
  • Video Editors cut and rearrange raw video footage to create polished content. They often need to understand animation software to add animation to projects quickly.
    • Average Salary: $60,000-$75,000/year
    • Skill Sets: AdobePremiere Pro, After Effects, motion graphics, audio, and sound mixing.
  • Visual Effects (VFX) Artists create realistic elements and effects for film and television. They use CGI software to enhance live-action footage.
    • Average Salary: $75,000-$95,000/year
    • Skill Sets: Cinema 4D, Maya, Rotoscoping, and 3D rendering.

Top Denver Industries for Animation

Entertainment and Media

Denver has always placed great emphasis on the entertainment industry., The film and video production subsector houses over 950 businesses, which have increased the value of this sector to $108 billion. From video game design to animation in film and television, animators can find various companies that highlight their expertise.

  • Starz Entertainment is a leading television production company that hires Motion Graphics Designers and VFX Artists to enhance visual elements in its productions.
  • Denver Center for the Performing Arts utilizes animation to create unique set designs and promotional materials.
  • Milhaus is a video production studio that uses animation in various projects.
  • Altitude Sports and Entertainment is a regional sports network that uses animation and graphics in various live broadcasts. 

Technology and Software

Denver's tech scene has become one of the top 10 metros for tech talent. Having grown by over 12% in the last decade, Denver is quickly becoming one of the next major tech hubs in the country. Animators are still in-demand within this industry as they help create animations for websites and software. They also help drive innovation with virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) as they bring the animated environment to life.

  • Ibotta is a mobile technology company that uses animations within the mobile platform and with marketing material.
  • ServiceNow is an AI and HR focused tech company that uses animated content for various user interfaces.
  • Contentful is a content management system that uses various animations in the interface and content presentations. 

Healthcare and Life Sciences

Denver has become one of the top 10 cities for life sciences and medical research, as the city has experienced a 35% boom in research positions in the last several years. Health centers not only serve Coloradans, but also residents from Wyoming and Nebraska, which increases the demand in this industry. Animation takes on a unique role in this industry. Using animated visual guides of the body, students and researchers can easily learn, train, and plan surgical treatments. Animations can also simplify complex procedures for a patient's understanding or assist patients in rehabilitation exercises.

  • University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus is a leading academic health center for research that uses animation in training and teaching students.
  • UCHealth uses advanced technologies and animations to help improve patient care and understanding.
  • Denver Health focuses on public health services and education, which often includes animated material. 

Denver Animation Job Trends

Almost every industry in Denver has experienced major growth within the last several years, which has added new opportunities for animation professionals across the city. The growing tech industry has seen a demand for multimedia artists and Animators to work on interactive media. Virtual and augmented reality have become major technologies in other industries, which need animators to help bring them all together. As Denver continues to grow into another major industrial hub in the country, the demand for all types of professionals will increase, making it an even more competitive job market than it is currently. Jumping into the Denver animation market now can significantly boost your career success before competition comes in.

Yelp Facebook LinkedIn YouTube Twitter Instagram