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Common Myths About Animators and Cartoonists

For the average person, breaking into animation might seem like an insurmountable task. It requires talent that you either have or don't have. There's no real future in it since all the good jobs are taken. And most important, drawing cartoons is not a serious profession worthy of any self-respecting adult (or so your mom has said time and time again). With these types of chips stacked against the field, it's amazing that anyone joins the profession at all. Unless, of course, the above 3 misconceptions are all incredibly wrong.

1. Artistic Creativity Is an Innate Gift
While yes, it is true that having innate drawing ability can prove extremely useful in the field; you can learn the necessary skills through formal training. This is especially true in the age of multi-media design. Hand-drawn talent is becoming less important as more and more animators embrace computer-aided design software.

2. All the Good Animation Jobs Are Taken
Because animation is so closely tied to computer technology, it benefits considerably from innovations and advancements. So even as past and present jobs continue to fill up, more positions will continue to surface in the future; often in untapped markets and sectors. This explains why animation jobs will increase faster than the national average for most other occupations.

3. Animation Is Juvenile
There are, of course, traditional animation careers of the Saturday morning cartoon variety. But there are numerous careers in gaming, advertising, film, education, and science. From feature length movies to medical software to commercial jingles to e-commerce sites, animators play an important role helping to give life and meaning to information. And at a media salary of over $51K a year, even Saturday morning cartoonists probably make their mothers proud.

Schools are listed in alphabetical order by state then city.

The Art Institute of Pittsburgh - Online Division

[Online]

Develop your creative potential through The Art Institute of Pittsburgh Online Division where we give you the freedom to decide when and where to attend class. Because you're always on the go, we offer education to go wherever you connect to the Internet. While we meet the demands of your busy lifestyle, our online degree and diploma programs go even further by embracing the standards of excellence long held by The Art Institute of Pittsburgh and The Art Institutes system of schools backed by an over 85-year commitment to academic excellence. Learn from the leader in online creative arts education.
Programs:
Digital Design
Game Art & Design
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American InterContinental University Online

[Online]

The Visual Communication online degree program is designed to educate and develop artistic and imaginative students for careers in the fields of commercial art and design. Emphasis is placed on the development of the thinking process and the ability to conceive creative solutions for specified design problems. Students will learn the principles, practical applications and methodologies used in completing competent and creative graphic solutions.
Programs:
Bachelor of Fine Arts in Visual Communications
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