Best Online Animation Bootcamps
Updated October 11, 2023
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Coding bootcamps provide intensive technical training to prepare participants for new career opportunities in tech. Workers may attend a bootcamp to gain new skills, make a career change, or qualify for better job and salary opportunities.
The tech field offers many in-demand positions that pay higher-than-average salaries. An online animation bootcamp prepares students for entry-level animation-related tech positions like video game designer, web developer, animator, and digital designer.
This list of programs is a good place to start your search for online animation bootcamps. We explain what to expect from a typical bootcamp and the types of jobs you can apply for after graduation.
What Is an Online Animation Bootcamp?
Generalized bootcamps often focus on web development, coding, and information technology skills. An animation bootcamp on the other hand, explores the processes and theories of animation. Online animation bootcamps prepare participants for entry-level careers in animation and other areas of tech. Students typically learn computer programming, animation software programs, and basic drawing skills.
Providers offer animation bootcamps fully online, in person, and in hybrid formats. Enrollees can attend full time, part time, and asynchronously. Some programs even allow students to complete course materials at their own pace. Both universities and independent organizations run online animation bootcamps.
Bootcamp programs typically take much less time to complete than an associate or bachelor's degree. They may also cost significantly less than a traditional college program. Overall, a bootcamp requires less time commitment than a degree, but can offer the same types of career benefits.
Skills Learned in Online Animation Bootcamps
Online animation bootcamps focus on animation fundamentals while teaching a wide variety of soft and hard skills.
For example, students typically learn about teamwork, problem-solving, communication, and creativity. Many programs offer hands-on experience with specific software like After Effects, Premiere Pro, Adobe Photoshop, and Unreal Engine. Some bootcamps also focus on coding and programming skills.
Below, we explore four common skills most online animation bootcamps cover.
- Video and Audio Editing: Online animation bootcamp participants learn video and audio editing skills. These post-production tasks include using specialized software that rearrange or edit video and audio elements to create polished products. Software programs students learn may include After Effects, AVS Video Editor, and Final Cut Pro.
- Creating 3D Models and Animations: Students learn to use software tools and processes to create models of environments and characters. 3D modeling techniques include digital sculpting, Boolean modeling, and box modeling. Bootcamps also explore the animation production pipeline.
- Communication: Working in animation requires excellent oral and written communication skills, particularly because most people in animation work on teams to create their products. An animation bootcamp is a good opportunity to develop your communication skills through interactions with instructors and classmates.
- Storyboarding: Animation bootcamps often teach participants to create storyboards — visual representations of concepts like videos, books, and games. Animation professionals use storyboarding to plan how their projects unfold frame by frame.
What Will an Online Animation Bootcamp Cost?
The cost of an online animation bootcamp varies. When calculating the total cost of a bootcamp, consider factors like tuition, application fees, and required software and other materials. You may also need to pay for preparatory courses or materials.
Some online animation bootcamps may provide job guarantees or require no money upfront. Options for paying for an online animation bootcamp usually include upfront payment, private loans, and scholarships. Bootcamp students typically do not qualify for federal student loans because bootcamps lack the required accreditation. However, some bootcamps can accept GI Bill® funding.
Bootcamp programs may offer other financing options, including income share agreements (ISA) and deferred tuition. An ISA is a contract between a student and bootcamp that states a student does not pay tuition until they land a qualifying job after graduation. Once employed, the student pays the bootcamp a certain percentage of their income for a set period of time.
Get more details about bootcamp costs Learn how to pay for a coding bootcamp Explore financial aid and scholarship options How do income-share agreements work?
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What Jobs Can I Get After an Online Animation Bootcamp?
Online animation bootcamps can lead to numerous tech careers. Potential options include video game designer, web developer, or animator. Some of these roles may require additional education or experience beyond an animation bootcamp. Below, we describe what to expect from these jobs, including average salary, job outlook, and typical duties.
Video Game Designers
Video game designers create games for consoles and computers. An online animation bootcamp can help students develop many of the skills necessary for video game design, including production, storyboarding, 2D and 3D animation, and programming.
- Average Annual Salary: $66,770
- Job Outlook (2021-31): N/A
Web Developers
Web developers create websites using coding skills. They usually need knowledge of programming languages like HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and Python. Typical tasks include meeting with clients, analyzing user needs, planning website layouts, and writing code. Some web developers also maintain websites or act as webmasters.
Special Effects Artists and Animators
Special effects artists and animators create visual effects and animate images. Some employers require animators to hold a bachelor's degree, but an online animation bootcamp can develop the necessary foundational skills and let students build a portfolio of their work. Common tasks for these professionals include using software to create animations, making visual effects, and editing animation.
Digital Designer
Digital designers create website layouts, navigation, and functionality. Major employing industries include computer systems design, software publishers, and advertising. Digital designers can advance to roles like project manager. An online animation bootcamp can help students create a portfolio of work to qualify them for digital designer jobs.
Computer Programmers
Computer programmers write code and scripts in languages that computers understand, which lets software and applications work as instructed. Programmers need knowledge of languages like Java, JavaScript, C++, and SQL. Popular industries include computer systems design, scientific research and development, and software publishing.
Other Computer Science Education Options
A spectrum of other education opportunities exist within the field of computer science. Prospective enrollees of online animation bootcamps may pursue one of these instead of — or in addition to — a bootcamp. Many of these options can build on the skills learned in online animation bootcamps.
Job applicants with higher levels of education typically qualify for more plentiful, higher-paying career opportunities. Below, we describe additional potential educational paths for students considering an online animation bootcamp.
Associate Degree in Computer Science
An associate degree in computer science typically covers basic information technology (IT) skills. These two-year full-time programs can help learners develop foundational knowledge without committing to a four-year bachelor's degree.
Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science
A computer science bachelor's degree can prepare students for a variety of entry-level tech jobs. Many computing and IT careers prefer or require a bachelor's degree, which typically takes four years of full-time study.
Master's Degree in Computer Science
A master's degree in computer science can lead to advanced research and management positions. Some careers, like computer and information research scientist, require a master's. These programs often take 1-2 years of full-time study.
Ph.D. in Computer Science
The terminal degree in the field, a Ph.D. in computer science lets students develop an area of expertise within a specific subfield. This degree is best for people interested in university-level research or teaching. Ph.D. programs often take 3-5 years of full-time study.
Explore Other Bootcamps
Generalized bootcamps and programs focused on other tech skills can also impart valuable knowledge to students. Think about your career goals and the skills you need to determine which bootcamp most closely aligns with these plans.
Best Online Animation Bootcamps
Interested in getting ready for a new career in animation? Explore our list of online animation bootcamps in the U.S. that are currently accepting students.
All of the schools listed provide intensive bootcamps that may help you get the skills you need to land a career in tech.
We did not include casual, informational courses. Websites for the programs below mention that their courses cover online animation.
Created in 2013, Deep Dive offers immersive technology-focused bootcamps that prepare students for new careers. It is a program of nonprofit CMN Ingenuity, which encourages economic development on behalf of Central New Mexico Community College.
Intro. to Business Animation
Deep Dive's introduction to business animation bootcamp teaches participants to use popular software to help organizations tell their stories. The 10-week, fully online course requires two full days of class each week. Students develop skills in storyboarding, production, and script writing. Instructors include American Advertising Federation award-winners.
Prerequisites include basic computer skills and experience with the Windows or OSX operating systems. Graduates finish the course with a professional digital portfolio to show prospective employers.
- Cost: $2,995
- Format: Online; Part-time
- Length: 10 weeks
- CIRR Member: No
Other Courses Offered by Deep Dive
Digital Media Bootcamp Video Production Game Design
Deep Dive's Job Placement Assistance
Deep Dive's career support and professional development services. This includes help with resume writing, job coaching, networking, and access to exclusive job postings.
Headquartered in Cary, North Carolina, Epic Games is one of the world's leading video game developers and publishers. It operates Fortnite and develops Unreal Engine, a popular video game creation tool.
Welcome To Game Development
Students looking for free online animation bootcamps should consider the Welcome to Game Development program. This self-paced bootcamp provides training in Unreal Engine for game development.
The course includes eight modules and gives hands-on experience creating games. Participants learn basic game development skills like building a third-person character, controlling environmental lighting, and adding movement. The course includes a module on C++ for beginners and a section on reusing game components to make new experiences.
- Cost: Free
- Format: Online; Self-paced
- Length: Varies
- CIRR Member: No
Created in 2011, General Assembly offers award-winning experiential education online and in person. The school has more than 19,000 hiring partners and over 30 campuses.
3D Modeling and Animation Bootcamp
General Assembly offers an online animation bootcamp that includes a focus on 3D modeling, 3D design, and 3D printing. Students learn to use 3D modeling tools and lAutodesk Maya’s 3D workflow. They also get hands-on experience creating basic characters and practice sketching and brainstorming.
General Assembly offers various financing options, including an income share agreement, installment plan, scholarships, and loans. The program prefers applicants with previous experience using Adobe Photoshop or another type of design software.
- Cost: Not listed
- Format: Online
- CIRR Member: No
Other Courses Offered by General Assembly
Data Analytics Data Science Digital Marketing Software Engineering User Experience Design
General Assembly's Job Placement Assistance
General Assembly reports that 95.7% of students who participated in its full-time career services program found a job.
Noble Desktop helps people get the skills they need for creative careers in coding and design. Since 1990, the organization has offered project-based certificate programs and classes.
Motion Graphics Certificate
Noble Desktop offers an online animation bootcamp that leads to a motion graphics certificate. Students can attend class from anywhere online or in person at the New York City campus. The certificate program includes six courses focusing on After Effects software, Premiere Pro, and the motion graphics and video editing industry.
Students learn motion graphics best practices, how to make 3D animations and models, and how to edit audio and video.
By the time they earn the certificate, participants have a demo reel to show prospective employers.
- Cost: $3,495
- Format: Online or On-campus; Full-time or Part-time
- Length: 2 months (weekdays, full time) or 4 months (evenings, part time)
- CIRR Member: No
Other Courses Offered by Noble Desktop
Full-Stack Web Development Certificate Data Science Certificate Software Engineering Certificate FinTech Bootcamp JavaScript Development Certificate Python Developer Certificate Front-End Development Certificate
Noble Desktop's Job Placement Assistance
Noble Desktop offers five career and job support mentoring sessions. This can include resume assistance and interview practice.
School of Motion is an online art school where professional artists teach the courses. It offers workshops and bootcamps focused on design and animation.
Animation Bootcamp
School of Motion's part-time online animation bootcamp takes 12 weeks to complete. Students learn animation principles and how to use After Effects software. The cohort-based program includes technical and creative support and exercises and project files for each lesson.
The bootcamp covers basic and advanced animation topics like timing and space, using oscillations, realistic bounces and impacts, and eye trace. By the time they graduate, students have a portfolio of animated videos that can help them land a job.
- Cost: $1,245
- Format: Online; Part-time
- Length: 12 weeks
- CIRR Member: No
Other Courses Offered by School of Motion
Cinema 4D Bootcamp Character Animation Bootcamp Design Bootcamp
Unity Learn is a free online learning platform that offers tutorials and courses to help students develop game development skills. Available education pathways include junior programmer, creative core, and Unity essentials.
Creative Core
Unity Learn's free creative core is beginner-friendly and takes 10 weeks to complete. The live online program prepares learners to become Unity creators.
Skills covered include beginner user interface, beginner critical thinking, beginner animation systems, and beginner shader scripting. After students complete Unity essentials, they can learn lighting, audio, and VFX with no required programming. The course includes access to the Unity community of over 20,000 learners.
- Cost: Free
- Format: Online
- Length: 10 weeks
- CIRR Member: No
Other Courses Offered by Unity Learn
Unity Essentials Junior Programmer VR Development
Vertex School prepares students for creative tech careers in film, games, and extended reality. The school's career-focused training includes professional mentoring.
Animation Bootcamp
Vertex School's 14-week online animation bootcamp helps participants accelerate their animation careers. The part-time program includes instruction from professional animators and six hours of live teaching time each week. The bootcamp models itself after an actual production pipeline with assignments, critiques, and demonstrations.
Students learn to use Unreal Engine and graduate with a demo reel that includes several game-ready animations. The program focuses on skill development in advanced body mechanics, walk and run cycles, and combat.
- Cost: $2,000 upfront
- Format: Online; Part-time
- Length: 14 weeks
- CIRR Member: No
Other Courses Offered by Vertex School
Virtual Production for VAD Artists 3D Character Rigging Advanced Environment Art Character Concept Design Character Creation for Games Creature Sculpting From Concept to Table Top Hard Surface Modeling Lighting for Games Sculpting Miniatures
Vertex School's Job Placement Assistance
Vertex School provides graduates access to job readiness training, employer connections, and an alumni network.
Questions About Online Animation Bootcamps
Can you take animation classes online?
Yes, students can enroll in animation bootcamps online. These programs run full time, part time, and in asynchronous or self-paced formats.
Are the best online animation bootcamps hard to get into?
Admission requirements for online animation bootcamps vary. In general, bootcamps are designed to provide training to students who do not have extensive coding experience. Thus, these programs typically have minimal admissions criteria.
Can you get a job as an animator after going to an online bootcamp?
Online animation bootcamps can prepare participants to apply for entry-level jobs as animators. During these programs, enrollees often build portfolios that demonstrate their skills. Some employers prefer or require applicants with a bachelor's degree, but other jobs place greater emphasis on a candidate's portfolio.
Does animation require coding?
A career in animation does not necessarily require coding knowledge. However, some employers prefer to hire animation candidates who understand programming languages. Coding knowledge can help you understand the animation process and animation software more thoroughly.
GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government website at https://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill/.
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