Studying Special Effects Animation: Degrees at a Glance
Special effects animation professionals use their technical prowess to tell stories and create digital simulations of people and objects for video games, animated films, television shows and the internet. However, a master's degree in special effects animation isn't typically necessary to obtain positions the field. In fact, for relevant positions, such as 3D artist, multimedia artist and animator, a degree may not even be necessary. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported that employers usually look for multimedia artists and animators with strong portfolios and technical skills more so than those with degrees.
Still, many professionals hold bachelor's degrees, and a master's degree may be attractive if you want to deepen your animation knowledge and move into production or direction of animated projects. Additionally, the BLS stated that art directors may earn master's degrees in order to enhance their creative and/or executive acumen. The BLS forecasted a slow 8% increase in employment for multimedia artists and animators from 2010 to 2020; growth may be limited due to outsourcing. The 2010-2020 BLS projections also anticipated a 9% employment increase for art directors.
| Training | Master's | |
|---|---|---|
| Who is this degree for? | - Individuals looking to learn basic skills or learn new software programs - Professionals looking to build on their design and special effects skills | - Experienced multimedia artists looking to advance their skills and knowledge of animation programs - Individuals seeking to supervise or produce animated films |
| Common Career Paths (with approximate mean salary) | - Multimedia artist and animator ($68,000)* - 3D artist ($35,000-$81,000)** | - Art director ($96,000)* - Producer and director ($92,000) |
| Time to Completion | Varies for each course | 2-3 years full |
| Common Graduation Requirements | None beyond the required coursework | Master's thesis/research project |
| Prerequisites | High school diploma | Bachelor's degree |
| Online Availability | Yes | Some courses may be available online |
Sources: *U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2011 figures), **PayScale.com (10th-90th percentile range; October 2012 figures).
