Animator
Comprehensive Sites
ADigitalDreamer.com: Animation Career InformationCareer paths for animators are described at this page, where you can also find free information on animation schools, career information, and free downloadable tools for the trade.
Animation World Network: Student CornerThe student corner of the Animation World Network provides you with connections to a comprehensive school database, job postings, and a variety of information on how to succeed in the field of animation. In addition, discussion forums, a free newsletter, and links to Animation World Magazine are available.
Bureau of Labor Statistics: Artists and Related WorkersAnimators are included in this occupational outlook site. Links to training, employment, job outlook, and earnings are offered. Detailed statistics on multimedia artists and animators can be found by clicking on the PDF link under “Projections Data.”
Accredited Academic Programs
AllArtSchools: Animation SchoolsListings of schools by state are offered from this site, where you can request information or connect directly to a school’s website.
Open Directory: Animation Training SchoolsAmerican animation institutes and academies can be accessed from this page, with specializations in 3D animation and digital effects, traditional and modern animation, high-end computer graphics, and other areas of design and media arts.
Salary Levels
PayScale: Multimedia Artist or AnimatorAt this page you will find a graph of information on median salary for multimedia artists or animators by city. You can also narrow in your search by company size, experience, skills, degree, and more.
SalaryWizardFree information on base salary averages and percentiles are available from this site. You can also click on a link to a complete list of job titles by state.
Professional Organizations
Animation VillageIndustry information includes companies, animation schools, animators, festivals, and other associations. A career connection portal is available at the sidebar menu.
Association International du Film d’AnimationAlthough originally founded in France, you’ll find out that this organization has 30 chapters worldwide and links to upcoming animation festivals, a news section, and free member pages.
Iota CenterIota is a public benefit arts organization displaying visual works to film artists and the larger community. An online library, community forums, news, and the artist’s exploration of abstraction of the moving image are found at Iota.
Society for Animation StudiesHere, you will find the home of an international organization dedicated to the study of animation history, where you will find animation expert contacts, conferences, and news.
Job Opportunity Sources
Indeed.com: Flash Animation and DevelopmentThe need for character, technical, and flash animators will be found at indeed.com, which connects you to current job opportunity descriptions across the U.S.
Publications
Animation JournalAnimation production techniques and origins are the focus of this publication, which allows visitors to subscribe to a free discussion list.
Animation: An Interdisciplinary JournalSign in to this site to gain access to subscriptions and personal tools in the animation industry, Archives of online issues and abstracts are available, as well as the full-text of a free sample issue of this professional animation publication.
Online Forums & Blogs
Animation CaféA virtual location for commentary and debate on all aspects of animation, as well as threads dedicated to art and animation schools and what to expect from the profession.
Animation World Network ForumHosted by Animation World Network, this page is a location for discussion for students and professionals in the field of animation.
Voices in AnimationVoices in Animation contains bulletin boards to find the latest in animation how-to, as well as rooms dedicated to animation careers.
Career Videos
AniboomWatch, create, and produce animation at this site, dedicated to the love of animation. Featured videos are available with the ability for you to post your comments. You can communicate with the animation community, too, including fans, companies, creators, and schools.
Focus on AnimationThis site offers an explanation of animation techniques, with 70 viewable animation short classics as examples, which you can sort by director, title, or production year.
