If you are creative and enjoy design, you may wish to pursue a career in animation. To pursue a career in animation, you will need to complete a computer animation education. Graduates with animation degrees are able to work in the world of business and entertainment media. Animation is a quick sequence of scenes that make images appear to move. There are many types of animation and graduates of computer animation programs find themselves with the ability to navigate the job market better due to their education.

Animation can be hand-drawn, also known as traditional animation, or it can take the form of clay animation, or computer animation. Today, computer animation education teaches art, graphic design, film, illustration, animation software and much more. You can receive this education online or through a regular college campus. Once you have your education completed, the field of animation is wide open. You will have the best chance at an animation career at a major studio if your work shows creativity, character development, and the ability to tell a story with your art.

A computer animation education can consist of earning either an Associate's degree or a Bachelor's degree in animation. An Associate's degree takes sixty credit hours and two years to complete, while a Bachelor's degree will take at least four years. Graduates with four-year degrees are much more desirable to employers because they have taken more time to develop their technical and artistic skills. Earning a four-year degree will present you with more flexibility and more opportunities upon graduation than a two-year degree. The Institute for Interactive Arts and Engineering, Savannah College of Art and Design, and Ringling College of Art and Design are just a few schools that offer an animation curriculum. Regardless of the school you choose to pursue your degree, be sure it is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Arts and Design.

Pursuing a computer animation education can be a fun and exciting endeavor. Animation is a growing field, but heavy competition exists at the best multimedia companies such as DreamWorks or Pixar. Getting an education will make you a more competitive applicant in the industry. Animation education should consist of courses in art, graphic design, illustration, photography and film courses. In addition to animation classes, it is a good idea to take some liberal arts, business, and economics courses to deepen your education. Animation internships will also make you more attractive in the job market. Most internships require that you be a college student and have a portfolio that shows off your best work. Make sure that your portfolio shows your unique style and creativity in animation and art.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, computer animation is a rapidly growing industry. A computer animation education can make you marketable, regardless of the type of animation you pursue. You may want to pursue film animation, video game design, or become a storyboard artist. Opportunities also exist in multimedia design, cartoon animation, and digital special effects. Research the animation schools you want to go to and be sure that they offer the specialties you desire.