Want to bring your characters to life through animation? Character animation courses can teach you the skills to make your creations move and express themselves.
These classes cover topics like movement, emotion, and storytelling through animation.
Learning character animation opens up exciting career opportunities in film, TV, and video games.
You can find online courses that fit your schedule and skill level, whether you’re a beginner or looking to advance your animation abilities.
From 2D hand-drawn techniques to 3D computer animation, there are options to match your interests and goals.
1) Animation Mentor: Advanced Character Animation
Want to take your character animation skills to the next level? Animation Mentor’s Advanced Character Acting course might be just what you’re looking for.
This course focuses on creating lifelike dialogue scenes with two characters.
You’ll learn how to balance performances and support the overall story arc.
The program is taught by pros from top studios like Pixar and Disney.
They’ll share real-world insights to help you become a successful animator.
You’ll work on film-level character animation projects.
The course is designed to teach you advanced skills in just 18 months.
Animation Mentor’s 3D Character Animation Program offers a comprehensive curriculum.
It covers everything from animation basics to advanced acting techniques.
By the end of the course, you’ll have the skills to bring characters to life in complex dialogue scenes.
This knowledge is crucial for working on feature films and high-end animations.
2) School of Motion: Character Animation Bootcamp
Want to bring characters to life in After Effects? The Character Animation Bootcamp from School of Motion might be just what you’re looking for.
This course teaches you key techniques for animating characters.
You’ll start with simple movements and work your way up to complex scenes.
By the end, you’ll feel confident in your character animation skills.
The course covers everything from basic principles to advanced tricks.
You’ll learn how to make characters move naturally and express emotions through animation.
It’s perfect if you’ve struggled with character animation before.
Many students say this course changed their approach to animation.
It’s great for both beginners and those with some experience who want to level up their skills.
The bootcamp is taught by pros who know their stuff.
You’ll get feedback on your work and can chat with other students too.
3) iAnimate: Animation Workshop Series
Want to learn animation from pros working on big movies? Check out iAnimate’s Feature Animation program.
It’s a set of seven online workshops that teach you the skills used in major films.
Each workshop focuses on different animation techniques.
You’ll learn from instructors who are currently animating characters for popular movies.
The goal is to help you create animation just like the pros.
iAnimate offers a beginner-friendly workshop too.
It’s great if you’re new to Maya or want to build on what you learned in college.
You’ll get the basics of animation tools, constraints, and script expressions.
The courses give you 11 weeks of access.
This includes both live and recorded classes.
You also get bonus lectures from Jason Ryan, a director at CineSite.
Many students say iAnimate helped them level up their skills.
Some even noticed their demo reels improved a lot after taking these online animation courses.
4) AnimSchool: Character Animation Program
AnimSchool offers a top-notch 3D Animation program that’s split into two parts.
You’ll start with the Animation track, covering classes 0-3.
These classes build your foundation in animation skills.
Next, you’ll move on to the Animation program itself, which includes classes 4-7.
This program is designed to take your skills to the next level.
The school’s approach is hands-on and practical.
You’ll learn from industry pros who know their stuff.
They’ll teach you the ins and outs of character animation, from basic movements to complex emotions.
AnimSchool also has a 3D Character program.
This program covers everything from modeling to rigging.
You’ll learn how to create characters that are ready for animation.
One cool thing about AnimSchool is its focus on industry-standard tools.
You’ll work with the same software used in big studios.
This means you’ll be job-ready when you finish.
The school offers online classes, so you can learn from anywhere.
They also have a strong community of students and alumni.
This can be great for networking and getting feedback on your work.
5) CalArts: Character Animation Specialization
Want to learn from one of the best animation schools? Check out the Character Animation program at CalArts.
It’s a top-notch choice for aspiring animators.
CalArts offers a BFA in Character Animation that’s hard to beat.
You’ll dive into the art of bringing characters to life through animation.
The program focuses on storytelling and performance, key skills for any animator.
At CalArts, you’ll work with experienced faculty who are also working professionals.
They’ll guide you through the ins and outs of character animation.
You’ll learn from their real-world experience and industry connections.
The program covers a wide range of skills.
You’ll study figure drawing, story development, and animation techniques.
These classes will help you build a strong foundation in character animation.
CalArts is known for producing top talent in the animation industry.
Many graduates go on to work at major studios.
If you’re serious about animation, this program could be your ticket to success.
6) CG Spectrum: Character Animation Course
Want to bring characters to life? CG Spectrum’s Character Animation Course might be just what you’re looking for.
This online program teaches you the ins and outs of 3D animation.
You’ll learn from pros who’ve worked at big-name studios like Disney and Ubisoft.
Pretty cool, right? They’ll show you the latest techniques used in the industry.
The course covers a lot of ground.
You’ll start with the basics and work your way up to advanced skills.
By the end, you’ll know how to create smooth, believable character movements.
One of the best parts? You get personalized feedback on your work.
This helps you improve faster and get ready for a job in the field.
CG Spectrum offers different levels of animation courses.
You can pick the one that fits your current skill level.
Whether you’re just starting out or looking to level up, there’s an option for you.
Remember, animation isn’t just for movies.
Games need animators too! This course prepares you for both industries.
So you’ll have more job options when you finish.
7) Gobelins: Character Animation Summer School
Want to learn from one of the best animation schools in the world? Check out the Character Animation Summer School at Gobelins in Paris.
This two-week program runs from July 1st to 12th, 2024.
You’ll get hands-on experience with character animation techniques and learn from top industry pros.
Classes run daily from 10 AM to 5 PM, but you can use the facilities from 8:30 AM until 7 PM.
There’s even a Saturday session for extra practice time.
Can’t make it to Paris? No worries! Gobelins offers an online version of the summer school too.
You’ll join virtual classes and connect with other students from around the world.
The summer school is great for both beginners and more experienced animators.
You’ll improve your skills and maybe even make some new animation friends.
Keep in mind that spots fill up fast.
The program uses a first-come, first-served system, so apply early if you’re interested.
Basics of Character Animation
Character animation brings drawings to life through movement and personality.
You’ll learn key principles and design concepts to create captivating animated characters.
Understanding Animation Principles
Animation has core principles that make characters feel alive.
The 12 principles of animation guide your work:
- Squash and stretch
- Anticipation
- Staging
- Straight ahead and pose to pose
- Follow through and overlapping action
These help create natural, fluid motion.
Timing and spacing control the speed and feel of movements.
After Effects courses can teach you to apply these principles digitally.
You’ll practice creating believable weight, energy, and emotion in your characters’ actions.
Key Concepts in Character Design
Good character design is crucial for animation.
You need to think about:
- Silhouette: Make characters instantly recognizable
- Shape language: Use basic shapes to convey personality
- Color theory: Choose palettes that fit the character’s traits
- Expressions: Design faces that can show a range of emotions
Character design courses help you master these elements.
You’ll learn to create appealing, unique characters that are easy to animate.
Consider how clothing and props affect movement.
Design characters with clear personalities that shine through in their appearance and actions.
Advanced Animation Techniques
Ready to take your character animation skills to the next level? These advanced techniques will help you create more realistic and engaging animations.
Exploring Motion Capture
Motion capture is a game-changer for animators.
It lets you record real movements and apply them to digital characters.
This tech gives your animations a natural, lifelike feel.
To get started with mocap, you’ll need some specialized gear.
Suits with tracking markers are common.
You can also use facial capture systems for more detailed expressions.
The Advanced Animation of 3D Characters course covers mocap basics.
It teaches you how to clean up and refine captured data.
This step is key for smooth, pro-looking results.
Remember, mocap isn’t just for big studios anymore.
Even indie animators can use affordable mocap solutions these days.
Integrating CGI with Live Action
Blending CGI characters with real-world footage is a sought-after skill.
It’s used in movies, TV shows, and even social media content.
The first step is matching your CGI lighting to the live-action scene.
This helps your character look like it belongs in the real world.
Next, you’ll need to track the camera movement in your footage.
This lets your CGI character move correctly within the scene.
The CG Advanced Animation Certificate program offers lessons on this topic.
You’ll learn how to seamlessly blend animated characters with live-action backgrounds.
Practice is key here.
Start with simple scenes and work your way up to more complex shots.
Frequently Asked Questions
Character animation courses can help you level up your skills and boost your career.
Let’s tackle some common questions about finding the best programs.
Whether you’re interested in 2D, 3D, or stop-motion animation, the right course can make a huge difference in your growth as an artist.
Some programs even incorporate elements of storytelling and visual development, which can complement related fields like the best costume design programs.
By choosing a well-rounded curriculum, you can enhance your ability to bring characters to life with both movement and style.
Hey, where can I find stellar character animation courses online?
You’ve got plenty of great options online. Animation Mentor’s Advanced Character Animation course is top-notch.
The School of Motion’s Character Animation Bootcamp is another solid choice.
What are the cool animation courses for a total beginner?
If you’re just starting out, check out CalArts’ Character Animation Specialization on Coursera.
It’s beginner-friendly and covers the basics. Domestika’s Intro to Classic 2D Animation is also great for newbies.
Know any awesome free animation classes I can jump into?
Free courses are a bit harder to find, but they exist! TipTut’s Animation Process Tutorial on YouTube is a good start.
Coursera also offers some animation courses you can audit for free.
Which animation course could really boost my earnings?
Advanced programs like iAnimate’s Animation Workshop Series can seriously up your game. AnimSchool’s Character Animation Program is also known for producing industry-ready graduates.
Got tips on how to up my game in character animation?
Practice daily, even if it’s just for 30 minutes.
Study real-life movement and acting.
Join online animation communities to get feedback.
Take courses that challenge you, like Animation Mentor’s Body Mechanics class.
Which institutes are famous for their animation programs?
CalArts, Ringling College of Art and Design, and Sheridan College are renowned for animation.
Online, Animation Mentor, iAnimate, and AnimSchool also have stellar reputations in the industry.