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What animation college is best for you?
I’m a recent grad so I have a lot of things to say about animation college.
When I was a senior in high school, I only had one animation college in mind. That was
the hoity-toity-very-expensive-and-illustrious college of art (name enhanced for entertainment
purposes). All colleges give prospective students opportunities to tour their property and meet
will be waiting in line to hire me.” Though they are highly regarded, the over-all culture
was not for me. Twenty year old kids acting like 30 year old jaded adults sitting and
hanging around the Art Museum all in black, smoking, wearing berets (I’m not even kidding…)
Needless to say, my colorful plain T-shirt, berserk and artistically ADD self did not
feel like this was a place where I could artistically grow. I just couldn’t see myself spending
months working on an art installation where you sit on a toilet. I’m sure you have your
Choosing an Animation college is a huge decision- one that I did not take seriously at first.
I didn’t know what I needed or wanted out of my education. Who knew that comfort of
surroundings would be one? I wanted to go straight into a 4 year program because I thought
community college was a cop out for people who didn’t know what they wanted to do.
Well, news flash… It’s not (although it’s a great option for those who aren’t sure
quite what their calling is yet).
I recommend taking your generals and all possible art and/or computer courses you possibly can
from a community college. Not only do you save money, but you are taught to draw. This
was the biggest fail in the program I took. My college taught us to animate. Not how to
draw. Sure, there was a mandatory Drawing I and Figure Drawing class… but I needed
more. The biggest lie that many students say about their drawing skills is that “Oh,
that’s just my style” when really it’s that they don’t have the foundational skills
to draw any other way. This problem spans across many universities but you, dear prospective
animation student, now can consciously work on that. Please. Work on it. Challenge yourself.
Your future self (who is a famous animator) thanks you.
Now. Animation College.
Finally! Yeah, sorry, that was long winded. But Important. (You don’t know how much
I wish I could do it all over again to choose Associates of Art before a Bachelor of Art,
and not be drowning in Student Loans. Well, now you do because I just told you!)
There are MANY programs popping up all over the globe in universities and colleges that
It also gives you time to research your schools, your teachers, and the curriculum. Many departments
will probably feel more drawn to a few. The thing is if they are currently working, they
will have more modern advice to give you about getting your foot in the door. Animators that
have worked in the industry but many, many years ago are still gold mines of information
and skill development. Do keep in mind that things have greatly changed. The perfect college
would have a little of both, but research will help you identify that.
Another thing to consider are your other interests.
The thing I ABSOLUTELY LOVE about Animation is that it encompasses everything. It deals
with physics, gravity, anatomy, timing, staging, storytelling (and that can be another all
engulfing universe), the list goes on… a bit like Pi, it .333’s itself into infinity.
When Glen Keane was animating the transformational scene at the end of Disney’s Beauty and
the Beast, he went to a sculpture garden to sketch Rodin sculptures because not only was
the transformation from Beast to Human but it was also spiritual transition. He wanted
to visually capture that.
Having outside interests that influence your main love is not a bad idea. Of course, like
everything in life, it’s a balancing act. Know why you are doing what you are doing
and how it affects the goal or process without losing sight of your end game.
I know you were hoping I would have a list of 5 colleges that you could look into and
decide from, but everything is subjective. My perfect is not your perfect. Even though
you go to a perfect college, it does not mean you will get a job right out the door with
your diploma still in hand.
You get out of college what you put into it.
Let me repeat.
You get out of college- Animation college- what you put into it.
You are NOT magically going to be amazing just because you sat through a class. Listen.
Be engaged. Ask questions. Challenge yourself. Experiment. This is a priority. Your dreams
are the priority.
Your future self (a famous animator) thanks you.