{"id":87191,"date":"2025-09-16T14:08:08","date_gmt":"2025-09-16T20:08:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rmcad.edu\/?p=87191"},"modified":"2025-11-05T09:30:02","modified_gmt":"2025-11-05T16:30:02","slug":"the-future-of-animation-education-what-aspiring-animators-need-to-learn-today","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rmcad.edu\/blog\/the-future-of-animation-education-what-aspiring-animators-need-to-learn-today\/","title":{"rendered":"The Future of\u00a0Animation Education: What Aspiring Animators Need to Learn Today"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The history of animation<\/a> dates back, arguably, to ancient times \u2014 when cave paintings observed in firelight took on life-like qualities. Fast-forward to the so-called “Golden Age” of animation throughout the mid-1990s, and contributions from figures like Walt Disney took the world by storm with incredible hand-drawn animations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Today, although computer graphics (CG) dominate the animation world, aspiring animators still benefit from honing the foundational skills and techniques that so many famous animators perfected during the Golden Age. If you’re thinking about going into animation as a career, understanding the dynamic nature of this profession and the skills you’ll need to stay on top of animation industry trends could set you up for future success.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Understanding the Changing Landscape of Animation<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Just as the introduction of computer graphics transformed the animation industry back in the 1990s and early 2000s, the same can be said of recent tools and technologies that are changing the landscape of the field.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Impact of Technology on Animation Careers<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Today, advancements in technology<\/a> have led to a greater demand for animators who know how to leverage the latest skills and techniques. For example, as virtual reality and augmented reality increase in popularity, animators may benefit from knowing how to create AR\/VR experiences that cater to today’s users.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Meanwhile, as social media content fuels a demand for concise and highly engaging content that packs a punch, animators must also look for ways to capture their audiences with short and eye-catching animations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Expanding Career Opportunities<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Despite recent advancements in animation technology that are automating some of the work, the reality is that these new trends have also led to fresh opportunities for work in the field. Today, animators can specialize in any number of niche areas, ranging from 3D animation to AR, VR and even stop animation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And, according to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS)<\/a>, the demand for animators and special effects artists remains steady, with an estimated 4 percent projected growth between 2023 and 2033 alone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Core Skills Every Aspiring Animator Must Learn<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Whether you’re interested in motion capture animation, animation for games or any other niche in the field, there remain some core competencies that aspiring animators should have to overcome challenges and embrace opportunities in this field.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Drawing and Storyboarding Foundations<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Even when using digital animation programs and automated tools, a solid foundation in drawing and sketching is a must. From sketching out basic scenes to developing new characters, having some basic drawing skills under your belt is critical as an animator.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The same goes for storyboarding abilities<\/a>, as today’s animators aren’t just responsible for turning somebody else’s ideas into animation. They’re the ones coming up with innovative ideas and crafting the narratives that capture the attention of the audience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Animation Software and Tools<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Animators must also be proficient in the use of different digital software platforms and tools used by industry professionals. As part of their formal education and training, aspiring animators may have the opportunity to gain hands-on practice with animation tools for students that can prepare them for real-world work in the field. Some examples of common animation software for students to explore include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n