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Animation Classes Online

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Unleash your creativity with online animation classes that teach you the art of bringing characters and graphics to life. Learn the fundamentals of animation, master industry-standard software, and gain the skills to create captivating animated videos and films.

64 classes have spots left

Motion Graphics Certificate

Noble Desktop - Virtually Online

Become a skilled Motion Graphics Designer and master the art of animating motion graphics, creating visual effects, and editing videos using industry-standard software like Adobe After Effects, Premiere Pro, and Cinema 4D Lite. Develop a strong portfolio showcasing your creative techniques and gain the skills needed to meet the growing demand for video professionals.

(372) All levels 18 and older
$3,495

16 sessions

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After Effects Bootcamp

Noble Desktop - Virtually Online

Discover the secrets of creating captivating motion graphics and animations in this comprehensive course. Gain hands-on experience with real-world projects and learn from a leading instructor, as you delve into techniques like motion tracking and animating 3D layers. Prerequisite: Basic knowledge of Adobe Photoshop recommended.

(372) All levels 18 and older
$975

3 sessions

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After Effects Certification Program

Noble Desktop @ 185 Madison Ave, New York, NY

Enhance your motion graphics skills and become an Adobe After Effects pro with this comprehensive program. Earn a professional certification and stand out in the competitive world of animation and motion graphics. Take your skills to the next level in this hands-on course.

(372) All levels 18 and older
$2,499

6 sessions

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After Effects in a Day

Noble Desktop - Virtually Online

Learn how to create stunning animations, add music and sounds, and import files from Illustrator and Photoshop in this hands-on workshop at Noble Desktop. Perfect for beginners looking to master After Effects in just one day.

(372) All levels 18 and older

Video Editing & Animation Certificate (High School)

NextGen Bootcamp @ Live Virtual

Unlock your creativity and bring your video projects to life with the Video Editing & Animation Certificate at NextGen Bootcamp. Master industry-standard software, Adobe Premiere Pro, for professional video editing, and then explore the exciting world of animation with After Effects. Start your journey towards a future in film and media today.

(61) All levels 13 - 18 years old
$2,495

8 sessions

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Video Editing & Animation Certificate (High School)

NextGen Bootcamp - Virtually Online

Learn industry-standard video editing and animation skills in this comprehensive certificate program. Master Adobe Premiere Pro to create professional video projects, then take your skills further with advanced techniques in After Effects. Launch your career in film or multimedia with this hands-on course.

(61) All levels 13 - 18 years old
$2,495

8 sessions

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Animation with After Effects (High School)

NextGen Bootcamp @ Live Virtual

Learn to create eye-catching animations and dazzling visual effects with Adobe After Effects in this hands-on summer program at NextGen Bootcamp. Dive into basic animation concepts and processes, and then explore advanced techniques such as title and text animation, 3D layer animation, and motion tracking. Suitable for beginners with no previous experience in animation or design.

(61) All levels 13 - 18 years old
$1,299

4 sessions

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Animation with After Effects (High School)

NextGen Bootcamp - Virtually Online

Unlock your creativity and bring your imagination to life with Animation with After Effects. Discover the exciting world of animation and motion graphics in this hands-on summer program in NYC. Join us at NextGen Bootcamp and learn how to navigate the After Effects workspace, master basic animation techniques, and create stunning visual effects.

(61) All levels 13 - 18 years old
$1,499

4 sessions

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Video Editing Certificate

Noble Desktop - Virtually Online

Master the art of video editing, audio editing, and motion graphics at a leading institution. Learn the creative techniques and workflow required to transform concepts into fully edited videos. Elevate your skills and stand out to potential clients or employers with a compelling video editing demo reel.

(372) All levels 18 and older
$2,995

13 sessions

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Adobe After Effects Private Training

Noble Desktop - Virtually Online

Unlock the power of motion graphics with this comprehensive training. Master Adobe After Effects' interface, timeline, and layer animation techniques to craft stunning GIFs, animate logos, and seamlessly integrate artwork from Illustrator and Photoshop.

(372) All levels 13 and older

After Effects Advanced

Noble Desktop - Virtually Online

Take your After Effects skills to the next level with this advanced course at Noble Desktop. Master text and shape animations, learn video compositing techniques, and discover how to speed up your workflow with expressions. Enhance your motion graphics and compositing skills with hands-on projects in this immersive course.

(372) Advanced 18 and older
$975

3 sessions

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Cinema 4D in After Effects Bootcamp

Noble Desktop - Virtually Online

Unlock the power of 3D graphics in your After Effects projects with this immersive hands-on course. Learn to create and animate stunning 3D models, apply textures, and seamlessly integrate with After Effects using Cinema 4D Lite. Expand your skill set and take your motion projects to new heights.

(372) All levels 18 and older
$975

6 sessions

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Adobe After Effects Level I (Online)

Manhattan Edit Workshop @ Virtual Class room

Learn the essentials of Adobe After Effects for motion graphics and visual effects with this introductory online course. Discover traditional After Effects workflow, basic animation techniques, keying, and 3D effects. Gain the skills needed to create compelling motion graphics and visual effects.

(95) Beginner 16 and older
$1,295

3 sessions

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After Effects Bootcamp

Training Connection @ Online

Learn to create special effects and motion graphics in this After Effects course at Training Connection. Perfect for graphic and video professionals looking to enhance their editing and compositing skills, this hands-on bootcamp covers everything from basic animation to advanced concepts like 3D and particle simulations. No prior experience is required.

(158) All levels 14 and older
$1,995

5 sessions

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After Effects Fundamentals

Training Connection @ Online

Master Adobe After Effects in this hands-on course at Training Connection. Suitable for graphic and video professionals looking to enhance their editing and compositing abilities, this course offers both beginners and experienced users the opportunity to learn and practice various projects and tricks. No prior experience with After Effects is required.

(158) Beginner 14 and older
$1,495

3 sessions

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Adobe After Effects Level II (Online)

Manhattan Edit Workshop @ Virtual Class room

Take your motion graphics skills to the next level with a two-day intermediate class at Manhattan Edit Workshop. Learn industry-standard practices for creating stunning visuals in Adobe After Effects. Enhance your movies with text, graphics, and effects and gain a high level of efficiency in your work.

(95) Intermediate 16 and older
$1,095

2 sessions

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After Effects Advanced

Training Connection @ Online

Take your After Effects skills to the next level with this advanced course. Learn motion tracking, advanced masking, 3D effects, and more in this comprehensive training program designed for experienced users. Elevate your video production with Training Connection.

(158) Advanced 14 and older
$995

2 sessions

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Adobe After Effects I (Online)

Key Code Education @ Virtual Classroom

Unlock the full potential of Adobe After Effects with Key Code Education's immersive course. Learn to create stunning motion graphics, master advanced animation techniques, and discover the power of video blending and keying effects. Perfect for editors, VFX editors, and graphic artists seeking to elevate their skills.

(8) Beginner 18 and older
$1,175

4 sessions

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After Effects Bootcamp

NYC Career Centers - Virtually Online

Master the art of creating professional videos, animations, and special effects with After Effects. Elevate your skills in motion graphics and animation, from basic techniques to advanced motion tracking and particle effects. Take your video editing to the next level at NYC Career Centers.

(680) All levels 18 and older
$975

3 sessions

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Adobe After Effects II (Online)

Key Code Education @ Virtual Classroom

Enhance your motion editing and compositing in Adobe After Effects with Key Code Education's advanced online course. Learn complex document creation, work with a variety of palettes and tools, and discover best practices for creating professional-grade motion graphics and video effects. Perfect for editors, VFX editors, and graphic artists looking to take their skills to the next level.

(8) All levels 18 and older
$1,175

4 sessions

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Reviews for Animation Classes Online

Animation Classes Online are rated 4.6 stars based on 1,373 verified reviews from actual CourseHorse.com purchasers.

  • Adobe After Effects Level II (Online)

    Reviewed by David S. on 5/27/2021
    Chad was wonderful! Very clear instruction, great attitude, and a lot of fun!
  • Adobe After Effects Level I (Online)

    Reviewed by Kedrick W. on 10/16/2020
    Amazing class taught by Mr.Mark Chandler. The 3 jam-packed days were just a steller foundation on what's possible with creating in After Effects and Premiere. The class was a mixture of informational lessons and real-world perspectives. I feel more confident tackling more AE projects now.
  • After Effects in a Day

    Anonymous review on 11/7/2019
    Amazing instructor!
  • After Effects in a Day

    Reviewed by Mary B. on 10/17/2019
    Great teacher! Learned a lot in one day.
  • After Effects in a Day

    Anonymous review on 8/3/2019
    Very good for learning with no experience or for filling in the gaps from self teaching AfterEffects. Wish there were a little more complex concepts taught other than just moving shapes around on 2D space but you can only teach so much in a day. Got a little too quick towards the end when exporting projects and learning different compressions so it felt arbitrary to even explain. But overall good class and great teacher, perfect pace for learning from scratch and if you need to learn specifically how to make gifs and logos
  • After Effects Bootcamp

    Reviewed by Dov A. on 5/2/2019
    Kalika was a fantastic instructor bringing patience and humor to every lesson. Thanks to her, I have a strong grasp on the topics covered, am confident in my skills and capability to delve further into the app. Kalika is the rare teacher who goes the extra mile for her students because she's happy to. One suggestion note is that there are a few lessons that start off with importing or setting up in more than one way for the sake of learning how different modes function. I think the class would benefit from taking time in between the demonstrations to practice that part before continuing into the bulk of the lesson - I found that I forgot what the take-away was from that initial portion of the lesson by the time the demonstration was over, and conducting that portion on my own created an interruption between the demonstration and going through the section on my own.
  • After Effects in a Day

    Anonymous review on 5/17/2018
    The class was challenging, but it was a great introduction to what's possible in After Effects!
  • After Effects in a Day

    Reviewed by Vanessa S. on 3/19/2018
    Great teacher who's passionate about what she teaches. She's also really helpful and insightful with answering questions.
  • After Effects in a Day

    Reviewed by Neela A. on 9/29/2017
    love it!
  • After Effects Bootcamp

    Reviewed by Eric Vasquez on 7/11/2016
    I had been trying to learn After Effects on my own for a while, but it wasn't until I decided to take the course through Noble Desktop that things really started to make sense for me. Now I feel that I have a solid foundation and am more excited than before about learning After Effects. As much as I enjoyed this class, I only wish that there was a second part to this course or something that would take you into some of the more intermediate/advanced techniques with track mattes, rotoscoping, null objects etc.

Discover the Best Live Online Animation Classes

The animation field is booming, and those who can create and edit animated motion graphics and video effects are in high demand. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Special Effects Artists and Animators annually average nearly $80,000, a figure notably higher than the median salary across all industries.

If you want to work in animation, you should consider enrolling in an intensive bootcamp or certificate course to get training. These programs typically provide significant knowledge and skills in a concentrated timeframe.

Many students prefer to take classes held live online via teleconferencing. This training method offers engagement comparable to in-person courses, and you can find many more options online than in person. Read on to learn more about instructor-led online animation classes.

Best Live Online Animation Classes & Schools

Different people look for different types of animation training. Some want to work with motion graphics design, some tend toward the artistic side, and others want to learn animation as part of a broader video editing curriculum. Consider the following providers and some of the courses they offer that include or feature animation training:

  • NYC Career Centers - Many animation pros work in fields where they need to create and edit video and audio. Learning how to do it all in the studio is essential, and one course that teaches these skills is the Video Editing & Motion Graphics Certificateprogram from Noble Desktop affiliate NYC Career Centers. This immersive certificate includes training in essential Adobe Creative Cloud programs Premiere Pro, After Effects, and Audition, as students create a professional-level demo reel (portfolio).
  • Future Media Concepts - Another essential software program for many animation pros is 3ds Max from Autodesk. Future Media Concepts (FMC), a digital media training center, provides training through its Autodesk 3ds Max Fundamentals course. The program gives new users a comprehensive education in the software. While there are no prerequisites, FMC recommends 3D modeling experience before enrollment.
  • Manhattan Edit Workshop - Most animation pros use multiple Adobe Creative Cloud programs, and Manhattan Edit Workshop teaches them alongside Apple, Avid, and Autodesk. Their Adobe After Effects Level I (Online) course offers students a three-day crash course in the powerful software. Applicants should have basic macOS knowledge before enrolling.

  • headTrix, Inc. - Adobe-certified training and consulting company headTrix offers a range of courses, from Lightroom to InDesign. Their Adobe XD Level 1class provides beginners ages 14 and older with a two-day deep dive into this essential design program. Photoshop experience is helpful but not required.
  • Lumenbrite Training - Lumenbrite specializes in Adobe Creative Cloud training, offering beginner, intermediate, and advanced classes. Aspiring animation pros can begin their education with Lumenbrite’s Premiere Pro Training: Essential Skills 1, a three-day bootcamp available at their Houston location or live online anywhere via teleconferencing.
  • Noble Desktop - Since 1990, Noble Desktop has provided bootcamps and certificate programs in subjects ranging from web development to digital design. Their Motion Graphics Certificateoffers beginner-level students a comprehensive program to prepare for careers as Animators, Motion Graphics Designers, or Video Editors. Training includes Adobe After Effects, Premiere Pro, and Cinema 4D Lite.
  • Digital Workshop Center - Digital Workshop Center is another course provider that offers beginner-friendly curricula for aspiring animation and video workers. Their Adobe After Effects for Beginners (Level 1)is open to students aged 16 and above and runs for 14 hours. Photoshop Level 1 is helpful but not required.

Industries That Use Animation

Animation is needed in most industries, even if only for a company website. When it comes to the industries that use animation the most, the following top many online lists:

  • Entertainment
  • Art & Design
  • Marketing & Advertising

Most of the biggest animation work for television and movies happens in Hollywood, or nearby California cities like Glendale or Burbank. Top studios that require long-form animation today include well-known companies:

  • 20th Century Fox Animation
  • Cartoon Network Studios
  • Sony Pictures Animation
  • Walt Disney Animation Studios
  • Warner Bros. Animation

The Art & Design industry can include positions within the entertainment industry, but each is a sector all its own. Some roles require assisting other Animators or Modelers, but others focus on graphics and digital art. Top positions in this industry include Video Editors, Motion Graphics Animators, Production Artists, UX Designers, and even Industrial Designers.

The Marketing & Advertising category also cuts across all sectors. Animation can be essential for Advertising Designers, Brand Designers, Social Media Designers, and other marketing professionals.

Some tech workers start in animation but move up to management positions thanks to a combination of crucial soft and hard skills. These valued employees may become Brand Managers, Art Directors, Game Design Directors, or other management personnel. 

Other roles requiring animation skills can include web design, tech startups, and multimedia. And many animation pros work as freelancers. Consider entertainment, advertising, and design attractive fields for tech pros with animation experience.

Animation Jobs & Salaries

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the average annual salary for Special Effects Artists and Animators is about $79,000, well above the average U.S. salary. These highly-skilled tech workers can work in many diverse positions and include titles like:

  • 3D Animator
  • Art Director
  • Motion Graphics Designer
  • Video Editor
  • Video Manager

Many animation and motion graphics professionals start their education with the Adobe Creative Suite. While most workers are familiar with Adobe Acrobat or Photoshop, animation pros may need to be well-trained in After Effects, Illustrator, and Premiere Pro. Maxon’s Cinema 4D software suite is another popular tool often required for animation roles.

Top U.S. cities for animation pros include:

  • San Francisco
  • Los Angeles
  • New York
  • Seattle
  • Chicago

While many animation pros seek work in entertainment, design, or marketing, others find positions in industries or sectors not typically associated with animation. Forensic Animators help investigators recreate crime scenes, Mathematical Modelers may work in physics or chemical or electrical engineering, and Render Wranglers train in computer science to learn their skills. One thing is certain: whether you freelance or for a major studio, a career in animation can be an exciting, creative endeavor.

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