Elizabeth
True Placement Rating for Animation
All colleges give placement ratings. Has anyone completed a degree in Animation? And how quickly did you get a job thru that school #animation #college #3d-animation #character-animation
3 answers
Gates Callanan
Gates’s Answer
Hi there,
I completed a degree in animation from the Rhode Island School of Design, and I was lucky enough to get a job right out of college. However I have had experienced several instances of unemployment since then due to the project based nature of the industry. Much of the work available in animation is contract work. This means you are paid a day rate and no taxes are taken out of your pay. Sometimes the pay is hourly, however this is less common. Because it is contract work, often projects will last for a few weeks or months, and then you will have to find another project. This kind of work requites budgeting and planning for a period of unemployment of a week to a month after one project ends and before another project begins.
A lot of whether or not you get a job depends on your area of focus within animation. Many animation studios are looking for computer based skills. If you focus on motion graphics for example, a lot of corporate businesses are looking for that. If you are looking to work for advertising animation companies, I suggest practicing your craft with hand drawn or other traditional styles of animation, and merging it with computer programs when you are ready. If you would like to work on feature films, I would again suggest working a lot on your craft. This means practicing a lot. Also, don't forget to have fun! If there is one aspect of animation you absolutely love, like facial expressions or run cycles, start practicing there!
James Constantine Frangos
James Constantine’s Answer
The most recent statistics from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) and the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reveal that Animation degree holders have an average job placement rate of about 80-85%. In simpler terms, about 8 in every 10 graduates secure a job in their field within half a year after graduation. Keep in mind, though, this rate might fluctuate based on the specific animation program and the job market in the graduate's location.
To answer your second query, indeed, a significant number of students who pursued Animation degrees have successfully landed jobs in the industry. The duration it takes to get a job post-graduation can hinge on various factors such as individual skill sets, the current state of the job market, and the effectiveness of personal networking. As per a survey by the International Animated Film Society (ASIFA-Hollywood), animation graduates typically spend about 3-6 months in their job search.
Sources:
National Center for Education Statistics (NCES)
Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS)
International Animated Film Society (ASIFA-Hollywood)
Stay blessed, Jim.
