Want to bring your art to life? Online animation courses can teach you the skills to make your drawings move and tell stories.
From 2D cartoons to 3D computer graphics, there’s a course for every style and skill level.
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You can learn animation from top pros without leaving home. The best online courses offer expert instruction, hands-on projects, and flexible schedules.
Whether you’re a total beginner or looking to level up your skills, there are great options to fit your goals and budget.
Let’s check out some top picks for animation courses you can take online.
1) Character Animation by School of Motion
Want to bring characters to life? The Character Animation Bootcamp by School of Motion is a great place to start.
This course teaches you key techniques for animating characters in After Effects.
You’ll learn how to create simple movements and build up to complex scenes.
The course covers essential skills like pose-to-pose animation and walk cycles.
By the end, you’ll feel confident animating characters in various styles.
You’ll even create an action-adventure scene to show off your new skills.
If you’re looking to dive deeper, School of Motion also offers an Animation Bootcamp.
This course focuses on creating beautiful movement in general, not just for characters.
In Animation Bootcamp, you’ll learn the principles behind great animation.
You’ll apply these principles in After Effects to create a variety of animated shots.
Both courses provide personalized feedback on your work.
This helps you improve and create animations you can proudly add to your portfolio.
2) Animation Bootcamp by Motion Design School
Hey there! Looking to up your animation game? Check out the Animation Bootcamp by Motion Design School.
This cool course runs for 12 weeks and is perfect if you want to learn at your own pace.
You’ll dive into the basics of animation and get hands-on with After Effects.
The best part? You can fit it around your schedule, but plan to spend about 15-20 hours a week on the course stuff.
During the bootcamp, you’ll tackle 13 different assignments.
These will help you practice what you’ve learned and build up your skills step by step.
What’s great about this course is that you get feedback from real pros in the field.
They’ll give you tips on your work, helping you improve super fast.
By the end, you’ll have a solid grip on animation principles and know your way around After Effects like a pro.
It’s a great way to kick-start your animation journey or level up your existing skills.
3) The Animator’s Survival Kit by Richard Williams
Want to learn from a legend? Check out The Animator’s Survival Kit by Richard Williams.
This course is based on the famous book that many call the animator’s bible.
Williams, who worked on “Who Framed Roger Rabbit”, shares his wisdom in easy-to-follow lessons.
You’ll learn about timing, spacing, and how to bring characters to life.
The course breaks down complex animation concepts into simple steps.
It’s great for beginners and pros alike.
You’ll pick up tricks that can improve your work right away.
One cool thing about this course is how it mixes old and new methods.
You’ll learn classic hand-drawn techniques that still apply to digital animation today.
By the end, you’ll have a solid grasp of animation basics.
Plus, you’ll understand how to create movement that feels real and exciting.
This course can really boost your skills and help you stand out as an animator.
4) Animate CC Masterclass by Skillshare
Want to create cool HTML5 banner ads and animations? Check out the Adobe Animate CC Masterclass on Skillshare.
This course is great for beginners and pros alike.
You’ll learn the basics of animation and how to use keyframes.
The teacher will show you how to plan, create, and publish your own cartoons and banner ads.
The course covers a lot in a short time.
You’ll pick up skills for graphic animation that you can use right away.
It’s perfect if you want to get into making ads or cartoons.
One cool thing about this class is that it’s hands-on.
You’ll be working on real projects as you learn.
This means you’ll have something to show for your efforts when you’re done.
The teacher breaks everything down into easy steps.
Even if you’ve never used Adobe Animate before, you’ll be able to follow along.
By the end, you’ll have new skills to add to your toolkit.
Understanding Online Animation Courses
Online animation courses offer a flexible way to learn new skills from home.
They cover different styles and techniques to help you create moving art.
Let’s look at what these courses involve and why they’re great for budding animators.
What to Expect from an Online Course
Online animation courses come in all shapes and sizes.
You’ll find options for 2D animation using Adobe Animate or frame-by-frame animation with Procreate.
Most courses include video lessons, practice exercises, and projects.
You’ll learn:
- Basic principles of animation
- How to use animation software
- Character design and movement
- Storytelling through animation
Some courses are self-paced, while others have set schedules.
You might get feedback from instructors or join online forums to chat with other students.
Benefits of Learning Animation Online
Learning animation online has lots of perks.
You can fit classes around your schedule and learn at your own speed.
It’s often cheaper than in-person classes too.
Online courses let you:
- Access lessons anytime, anywhere
- Practice with the latest software
- Learn from pro animators worldwide
- Build a portfolio of work
Many online animation programs offer certificates when you finish.
This can help you show off your new skills to potential employers or clients.
You’ll also find a wide range of topics, from beginner basics to advanced techniques.
Key Skills Gained from Animation Courses
Animation courses teach you valuable skills that can boost your career.
You’ll learn to use powerful software and tell engaging stories through moving images.
Mastering Animation Software
Animation courses help you get comfy with industry-standard tools.
You’ll learn to use programs like Maya and Blender.
These skills are super important for landing animation jobs.
You’ll practice creating 2D and 3D animations.
This means learning to:
- Model characters and objects
- Rig characters for movement
- Create smooth animations
- Add textures and lighting
Some courses even teach you to use Adobe Animate for 2D work.
The more software you know, the more versatile you’ll be as an animator.
Developing Storytelling Techniques
Animation isn’t just about moving pictures.
It’s about telling stories that grab people’s attention. Online animation programs teach you how to craft compelling narratives.
You’ll learn to:
- Create interesting characters
- Build believable worlds
- Plan out scenes and sequences
- Use timing and pacing for effect
These courses often include projects where you’ll make your own short animations.
This hands-on practice helps you put your new skills to work.
You might also learn about storyboarding and pre-production planning.
These skills are key for both solo projects and working on big animation teams.
Frequently Asked Questions
Online animation courses offer many options for learners of all levels.
From 2D to 3D, free to paid, and beginner to advanced, there’s something for everyone looking to dive into the world of animation.
What are the top online courses for learning 2D animation?
For 2D animation, you might want to check out Character Animation by School of Motion.
It’s great for beginners and covers the basics of bringing characters to life.
Another solid choice is Animation Bootcamp by Motion Design School.
This course digs into the nitty-gritty of 2D animation techniques.
Can you recommend any free animation courses that offer a certificate upon completion?
Many free courses don’t offer certificates, but some platforms like Coursera have free options with paid certificates.
You can try their animation courses and decide if you want to pay for the cert later.
Are there suitable animation courses for adults looking to start learning?
Absolutely! The Animator’s Survival Kit by Richard Williams is perfect for adult beginners.
It covers animation basics in a way that’s easy to grasp.
How effective is it to learn animation through online courses for a beginner?
Online courses can be very effective for beginners.
They let you learn at your own pace and often include hands-on projects. Animate CC Masterclass on Skillshare is a great example of a beginner-friendly course.
What options are available for obtaining an animation degree entirely online?
Some schools offer fully online animation degrees.
Check out places like Full Sail University or Academy of Art University.
They have programs that you can complete from home.
Which educational platforms offer the best animation courses according to user experiences?
Users often praise Coursera, Udemy, and Skillshare for their animation courses.
These platforms have a wide range of options and good reviews from learners.