Potential employers will want to take an in-depth look at a candidate’s portfolio to ensure that they are hiring someone with highly developed animation skills and experience. Usually an animator will be taken on as an intern and after having shown his or her worth will be hired on as a full-time employee. This internship serves as a proving ground for the potential employee and is a time to show off his or her worth in small and big ways to their potential employer.

Jobs in the computer animation industry increase at the same rate as those in the entertainment industry. Salaries are difficult to estimate since employment can range from small firms to huge animating companies, however the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that an average salary for a computer animator was approximately $61,010 in the year 2007.

Obviously, the larger the company or project an animator is involved in, the larger the compensation. Computer animators can also decide to do freelance work and be sort of independent contractors. They are hired on for certain projects and once the project is completed, they are compensated and move along to another project. Obviously, this is a little riskier in terms of job stability but it also reduces boredom and feeling trapped in a job that isn’t right for the individual.

For those who decide to pursue computer animation college, there is plenty of opportunity in this ever changing field. As the demand for more sophisticated computer animation increases, so does the demand for those individuals who are skilled at making it happen. As such, the field of computer animation is an exciting and challenging way to earn a living.

Computer animation is also used in less glamorous fields such as accident recreation, weather report technology and training for various companies. Those considering a career in computer animation must have an inherent knack for technology paired with creativity and also must possess at least a bachelors’ degree from a computer animation college.

The choice of a computer animation college is wide and different schools offer different levels of education. Some computer animation colleges even offer a master’s degree in computer animation that students can pursue to ensure that they are extremely attractive to potential employers.

All computer animation colleges teach a basic core curriculum with courses such as 3D Modeling, Character Development and Design and 3D Animation.

• Mt. Sierra College was established in 1990, in Monrovia, California.
• They are accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges of Technology (ACCSCT).
• They are a private college.
• They offer full online classes to help students get their degree, no matter where they are, where they work, or if they have families to take care of.

About Mt. Sierra College Online:

Mt. Sierra College Online is a newer college. Established just under 20 years ago, they specialize in offering a technology based curriculum for distance learners, or those that prefer to take care of their coursework at home. They were made with this principle in mind, making them a great online trade college.
They have a number of degrees, but it is their Multimedia Arts & Design Program that has made them really stand out. In this course, you will learn the specifics behind design, including for websites, advertisements, and other formats. It is about mixing technology and traditional design elements into one degree.

Mt. Sierra College Online Degree Programs:

Information Technology

1. Concentration in Information Security (view profile)
2. Concentration in Computer Information Technology (view profile)

Media Arts & Design

1. Concentration in Visual Effects & Digital Video (view profile)
2. Concentration in Graphic Design (view profile)
3. Concentration in Multimedia Arts & Design (view profile)
4. Telecommunications Technology (view profile)
5. Business Administration (view profile)

Mt. Sierra College Online Tuition and Financial Aid:

Tuition is based on what degree is selected, and what credit hours are taken. They have a number of financial assistance programs, including student loans, and government grants.

• Arizona State University was founded in 1885 in Tempe, Arizona
• One of the premier research universities in the United States
• Arizona State University has been accredited since 1931 by the North Central Association Commission on Institutions of Higher Education
• The university offers all degree levels from Associate’s to Doctorate

About Arizona State University

Arizona State University is a nationally recognized university offering all levels of degree programs through its wide variety of schools and colleges.

In addition to its large campus facilities, Arizona State University also offers a top-notch online education that is known as Arizona State University Online. There are no mandatory log-in times which allows busy adult to attend class on their own time and at their own pace without having to sacrifice work and family obligations. Within Arizona State University Online, 30 degree programs are available and there are several flexible start dates throughout the year.

What to expect from Arizona State University Online

Arizona State University Online uses Blackboard Technology to keep students connected and offers student support such as tutoring, technical support, library resources, online student communities, career services and more. Arizona State University Online faculty are highly qualified, engaging and proficient in the fields that they teach. Arizona State University Online also accepts transfer credits and admission staff is available to help students register and transfer previously earned credits.

Gaming Degrees from Arizona State University Online

Arizona State University Online offers several degree programs involving the ever expanding field of computer and console gaming. The university has cutting edge technology in order to keep pace with the sophistication of gaming and gaming degrees. A degree in gaming means that students will be employed in an ever-changing and challenging industry that is seeing growth as the demand for more advanced gaming programs is at an all time high.

Arizona State University Online Tuition and Financial Aid

Tuition varies depending upon degree program chosen. The university participates in a variety of financial assistance programs including: Federal Loans and Grants, State Loans, Private Loans, Grants, Scholarships and many other options. Arizona State University Online has experienced financial aid counselors available to help guide students through the application and funding process.

• Collins College was founded in 1978 as the Al Collins Graphic Design School in Phoenix, Arizona
• Accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges of Technology (ACCSCT)
• Offers associate’s and bachelor’s degrees in design, media or technology
• Choose from School of Visual Arts & Design, School of Film, Video and Visual FX, or School of Interactive Media

Top 10 reasons to consider enrolling with Collins College Online:

1. Convenient locations
2. Award winning student services department
3. Career Services
4. Internationally recognized film facility
5. Campus WIFI access
6. Tutoring
7. Campus Clubs and Organizations
8. Industry/Alumni speakers
9. Scholarships

10. Faculty Collins College Online has three schools with detailed degree programs:

• The School of Visual Arts & Design - designed for students seeking careers in Graphic Design, Interior Design and Game Design
• The School of Film, Video and Visual FX – designed for students seeking careers in Video Editing, Motion Graphics, Cinematography, and Film and Television Production; the new Film & Video Center gives students the opportunity to learn in an environment modeled after a professional film studio
• School of Interactive Media – designed for students seeking careers in Game Design

Collins College Online Game Degree Programs

Collins College Online offers game degree programs for those seeking careers in game design and development. The Collins College Online game degree programs include the following:

• BA in Game Design
• BA in Visual Art with Game Art Major
• BA in Animations

Tuition and Financial Aid

Collins College prides itself on having a financial plan to fit any student’s needs. Therefore, Collins College Online offers a variety of financial aid resources, including grants, scholarships, federal loans, and work-study programs.

• Accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Higher Education
• Accredited by the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools
• The Art Institute of Pittsburgh – AI Online Division was launched in 2000
• The Art Institute of Pittsburgh supports the Online Division with over 85 years of experience in higher education
• 15 academic programs with focus on online creative arts education
• Uses the same curriculum taught at The Art Institute of Pittsburgh
• Prepares students for employment by helping them create an individualized portfolio of their work

The Art Institute of Pittsburgh Online (AI online) is a highly respected institution of higher learning in the creative and digital arts. Although it is a relatively new school, it is backed by its parent school, The Art Institute of Pittsburgh, and thus has experienced professors and established curriculum as some of its many resources. Among the many creative courses offered by this school is the Game Art and Design Bachelor’s Degree, which is one of the most valuable assets you can have if you are interested in designing video games.

The gaming industry is a multi-billion-dollar a year giant, but you don’t have to know any computer programming to get in on the action. If creative arts is more your thing, then try launching your career by obtaining the Game Art and Design degree from The Art Institute of Pittsburgh Online. You will strengthen your basic art skills and apply them to designing game play and backgrounds, fantasy environments and characters, and also develop analytical skills to help you plan the stages of a game’s environment from beginning to end.

Game and Gaming careers

There are many careers that you can pursue after obtaining a degree in Game Art and Design. If you enjoy playing games, you could become a tester and play for 8 hours a day while getting paid! Or if you want to go behind the scenes, there are jobs such as 2-D conceptual artist, 3-D character builder, 3-D object modeler, background artist, interactivity designer and much more. Because the Art Institute of Pittsburgh Online is a leader in the creative arts and gaming education industry, your degree will take you places after graduation.

The Art Institute Online Courses, Degrees, and Diploma Programs

• Game Art & Design
• Media Arts & Animation
• Web Design & Interactive Media
• Digital Design
• Graphic Design
• Web Design
• Advertising
• Interior Design

The Art Institute of Pittsburgh Online Tuition

Tuition for most courses at The Art Institute of Pittsburgh Online is comprised of a $427 regular tuition fee and a $100 lab fee per course. The lab fee is the cost of using graphic design programs and other tools that the school supplies.

AI online has a counselor to help you with your finances and develop a payment plan so that your education is affordable. In addition, there are links to applications and information for Federal financial aid, military discounts and benefits, employer reimbursement, grants, scholarships, private loans and much more. There are also frequently asked questions, and a question submission form, if you feel your needs are not met by all of the information available online.

The Art Institute of Pittsburgh Online is committed to delivering quality education at an affordable tuition rate, and choosing this well-established online school as your portal to an industry-related degree will not only increase your eventual salary and position, but also your skill level and satisfaction with your education.