ACR Staff
Our fine staff of contributors at Animation Career Review includes:
Shawn Harrell
Deanna Thompson
Jen Lampton
Brad Prescott, Founder
Our fine staff of contributors at Animation Career Review includes:
Shawn Harrell
Deanna Thompson
Jen Lampton
Brad Prescott, Founder
Some of the top animation schools (or programs) in the state of Indiana can be found in major cities such as Indianapolis and Fort Wayne, but did you know that there are a few hidden gems in smaller cities such as Kokomo and West Lafayette? These animation schools made the “Top Animation Schools” list based on a wide variety of factors such as cost, location, quality of facilities, job placement services, types of clubs and organizations, access to recreation, student body, and more. Continue reading to learn more about Indiana’s top animation schools and what they have to offer.
Being the most affordable animation school may be the number one priority for many struggling students, but for college ranking agencies, the amount of financial resources a school offers may carry more weight. When it comes to ranking schools, even having high enrollment figures may not help any given school make the cut. What makes any given school a “good” school or among the “best” schools depends on a variety of factors that have nothing to do with cost or popularity.
Animation is used to make feature films, video games, trailers, advertisements, television series, music videos, mobile apps, and training materials. Animation is even used in the medical field, engineering, architecture, and law enforcement. As a result, the demand for skilled animators is higher than ever before, and it shows no signs of slowing down. The nation’s best colleges and universities have taken notice and most art and design schools have added even more options to their catalogs.
So, what’s the difference between a “Best” animation school and a “Top” animation school? For starters, the criteria used to establish a “best” program might be different for top programs. One area that “best of” lists might not consider is the student population. These students may choose a top school for different reasons than someone that might choose a best school. For example, a top school may cost less than a best school, it might be more convenient than a best school, or the admissions process might be easier, meaning, being wait-listed might be a worry.
What does it take to become a “best” animation school? Is it cost? Location? Job placement services? Well, it really depends on the ranking agency. Many reputable college ranking agencies use a select group of factors to determine which programs deserve to be on the “best” list. These factors typically relate to the number of program offerings, graduation and retention rates, peer assessment, faculty resources (student-teacher ratio), financial resources, and student selectivity.
Nowadays, more and more gaming enthusiasts are pursuing professional work in the fields of Animation and Video Game Design. The skills required for these professions appeal as much to competitive gamers as to fine artists who can finally make a living at their craft. Many businesses in Oregon hire Animators and Video Game Designers. The vast majority of these jobs are located in the Portland area, although similar opportunities exist throughout the region, not to mention online.
The Garden State is probably one of the best places for aspiring artists and here’s why. It is so close to New York and all it has to offer, that students and salaried artists alike can live in a much more affordable state, while enjoying the benefits of New York. If the goal is to move to New York one day, New Jersey is definitely a great place to live until your big break.
At Animation Career Review we have profiled colleges across the US that offer animation, design, and game related programs. Below is a list of profiles of Florida colleges:
Massachusetts is known as The Bay State thanks to its close proximity to several large bays, such as the famous Cape Cod Bay, Plymouth Bay, and Quincy Bay. In the academic world, the country’s fourteenth largest state is most famous for being home to the number one university in the world—Harvard University. While Harvard is the pride and joy of Massachusetts (if not the entire country), this isn’t the only thing that makes the commonwealth an excellent place to live and study. Massachusetts’s many historic cities have a lively art and culture scene that attracts art lovers, artists, and aspiring artists form around the world.
Florida is the fourth largest state in the U.S. It is home to major cities such as Miami, Jacksonville, Tampa, St. Petersburg, and Orlando. While art museums, galleries, and performing art centers can be found all over the state, many are located in the state’s principal cities. Just a few major art museums include the Orlando Museum of Art (OMA), Ringling Museum of Art in Sarasota, the Miami Art Museum, the Museum of Contemporary Art North Miami, and the Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens in Jacksonville.