Learn More About Animation Classes in Seattle
Animation is the captivating art of transforming still images into motion. At its foundation, it involves creating a series of slightly varied images that, when shown in quick succession, produce the illusion of movement. This creative practice has roots that stretch back to ancient visual devices like the zoetrope and phenakistoscope, which delighted early audiences with their spinning, animated sequences.
The evolution of modern animation began in the late 19th century with the invention of the motion picture camera. Early innovators such as Émile Cohl and Winsor McCay helped establish the groundwork through their hand-drawn animations, introducing audiences to expressive characters and imaginative storytelling. The industry took a monumental leap forward when Walt Disney released Steamboat Willie in 1928, pioneering synchronized sound in animation and ushering in the era of Mickey Mouse and other iconic creations.
Today, animation has grown into a diverse and dynamic art form encompassing traditional hand-drawn methods, computer-generated imagery (CGI), stop-motion, and many hybrid styles. It plays an essential role in film, television, advertising, gaming, education, and digital media. For aspiring animators, learning this craft opens up a world of creative opportunity—one where imagination, technical skill, and storytelling converge to bring ideas vividly to life.
Seattle Industries That Employ Animators
Seattle has a thriving creative scene, offering animation opportunities in industries like film, gaming, tech, advertising, and education. It also offers competitive salaries and a wide range of different types of opportunities, ranging from roles at small startups to positions with tech giants. According to the City of Seattle, creative industries, which include roles in animation, play a significant role in the city’s economy. It says, “Seattle’s creative workforce drives 18 percent of the city’s GDP… That’s four times the national average.”
- Film: According to the City of Seattle, film is one of its largest creative industries. The city reports that more than 4,000 people were employed in the film industry in 2024, which includes hundreds of freelancers with many different specialties. In addition to film companies, the city has several animation studios, including Starfire Animation Studio, AJAX Creative, Pixeldust Studios, and Creamy Animation.
- Video Games: Seattle is a video game hub, supporting more than 48,000 jobs, according to Greater Seattle Partners. Nintendo of America is based in Redmond, which is just 15 miles east of Seattle. Microsoft, another major company in the video gaming industry, is also headquartered in Redmond. Big Fish Games is based in Seattle. Greater Seattle calls this area the “Hollywood of video gaming” and says, “Washington state ranks No. 2 in the nation for video game industry economic output, generating $13.9 billion annually.”
- Marketing: Many marketing companies in Seattle hire animation experts.
- Education: Visit Seattle explains that education is an important industry in Seattle. This city has many world-class universities, a very high percentage of college graduates, and is the most literate city in the country, according to Visit Seattle.
- Tech: Numerous large tech companies, including Meta and Amazon, have a presence in Seattle, and they hire animation experts for a variety of roles.
- Virtual Reality: With its strength in tech, Seattle has also become a pioneer in virtual and augmented reality technologies, where animation plays a key role. The City of Seattle says, “Over the years, Seattle’s investments in VR technology have positioned the region as a pioneer in this dynamic space. Visionary thinkers, talented engineers, and savvy investors have come together to push the boundaries of gaming, publishing, live streaming, hardware, and real-life applications.” Notable Seattle companies in virtual and augmented reality include Magic Leap, Pixvana, and Mechanical Dreams.
Seattle Employment Trends for Animation
The job market in Seattle is strong, and most experts predict consistent future growth, particularly in animation-related industries. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) discusses jobs for Special Effects Artists and Animators. It finds that the Seattle metropolitan area has the second-highest employment level in the country for Special Effects Artists and Animators, with more than 2,200 people employed, and projects steady future growth for jobs in this field. It explains, “Projected employment growth will be due to demand for animation and visual effects in video games, movies, and television. Consumer demand will continue for more realistic video games, movie and television special effects, and three-dimensional movies. Additional special effects artists and animators will be required to meet increased demand for these enhanced visual complexities.” In addition, the agency says, “Continued demand for computer graphics for mobile devices such as smartphones, will lead to more job opportunities. Special effects artists will be needed to create animation for games and for mobile applications.” According to the BLS, the annual mean wage for this role in Seattle is approximately $117,000.
Animation Jobs in Seattle
- 3D Modeler:$84,000 (Glassdoor)
- Animator: $95,000 (Glassdoor)
- Concept Artist:$75,000 (Indeed)
- Visual Effects Artist: $98,000 (Indeed)
- Motion Graphics Artist: $94,000 (Glassdoor)
- Multimedia Designer:$63,000 (Indeed)
- Video Editor:$76,000 (Glassdoor)
- Video Game Designer: $172,000 (Indeed)
- VFX Artist:$120,000 (Talent.com)
Future Outlook for Animation Opportunities in Seattle
Greater Seattle Partners stresses that Seattle’s creative industries—which include animation—are a vital part of the region’s economy, supporting tens of thousands of jobs and generating billions of dollars in revenue. It sees no sign of a future slowdown, stating, “The creative economy is a burgeoning industry in Greater Seattle. With 10% growth projected by 2028, the sector continues to drive innovation, economic impact, and cultural influence worldwide.”
Animation Classes in Seattle
Noble Desktop offers both virtual and in-person animation
courses. Located in New York City, Noble hosts classes at its Manhattan campus
and provides live online instruction for students anywhere. One flagship
program is the Motion Graphics Certificate, a multi-week course that teaches
students to create animations, visual effects, and motion graphics. Using Adobe
After Effects, Adobe Premiere Pro, and Cinema 4D Lite, students animate photos,
graphics, and text through projects such as animated logos, infographics,
social media promos, and title sequences. The program includes five one-on-one
mentoring sessions for personalized guidance on concepts, portfolio feedback,
or job search strategies. Graduates receive a certificate of completion and can
retake the course for free within one year. Noble Desktop is licensed by the
New York State Department of Education.
Another popular offering is the After Effects Bootcamp, a
multi-day course focused on creating motion graphics and animations with Adobe
After Effects. Students gain foundational skills such as navigating the
workspace and applying basic animation techniques, while also learning advanced
features like motion tracking, green screen removal, dynamic transitions, and
audio syncing. For beginners, After Effects in a Day provides an introduction
to core concepts including fade-ins, easing, interface navigation, layer
animation, timeline basics, and working with video. While prior experience with
Adobe Photoshop or Illustrator can be helpful, it is not required.
Noble Desktop also offers certification-focused programs,
including the Adobe After Effects Certification Program. This multi-day program
prepares students for the Adobe Certified Professional Exam in After Effects,
combining two full courses covering beginner to advanced skills with six hours
of private tutoring for exam prep. The program fee includes the certification
exam, proctoring, and one free retake. Students who opt not to take the exam
receive an additional hour of private tutoring instead.
Corporate Animation Training in Seattle
Hiring and retaining talented employees is essential for any business, and offering opportunities for them to develop animation skills can significantly enhance your organization’s creative capabilities. High-quality motion graphics and animated content can boost brand engagement, elevate marketing campaigns, and communicate ideas more effectively across digital platforms. Noble Desktop provides comprehensive corporate animation training, available both in-person and live online, giving teams hands-on experience with professional animation tools. With expert instructors guiding learners through complex concepts, employees quickly gain the confidence to bring dynamic visual ideas to life.
If you prefer employees to complete their animation training outside regular work hours, Noble Desktop offers discounted vouchers for its open-enrollment group classes. Companies receive reduced pricing when purchasing training packages in bulk, making it easier and more cost-effective to invest in team development. By strengthening your staff’s animation skills, your business can expand its creative output and produce high-quality visual content that stands out in today’s competitive digital landscape.