Is 30 Too Late To Start a Career in Animation?

Animation is an exciting area of study that can lead to all kinds of career positions in several different fields.

Graduates with an animation degree could work as an animator, designer, illustrator, game developer, web designer, or even something else in fields like film & television, games design, graphic design, advertising, and many more.

With so many options, animation can be a perfect field of study for those passionate about art and design.

However, you may wonder, is 30 too old to pursue an animation degree?

No, 30 is not too old for an animation degree. There is not an age limit on attending college, and there is not an age limit on following your passions.

Is 30 Too Old for an Animation Degree?

If you have a passion for animation and a desire to for a degree in animation, you should pursue it.

Returning to college at 30 or much, much older is extremely common.

While there may be some unique challenges to being a nontraditional student, there are challenges to being any kind of student.

Studying for your degree at 30 also may come along with some benefits.

Benefits of College at 30

Here are some of the benefits of attending college at 30 or older.

Greater Experience

Entering college at 18, for many the most challenging thing in life has been getting through high school.

While this is not small challenge, it's the beginning of the many challenges of life.

At 30, much more has been experienced. You probably have some work experience, maybe even in what you thought would be your lifelong career.

You may have a family and other responsibilities.

This all translates to having a different perspective for completing a degree.

Also, with a creative degree like animation, there is more life experience to pull from.

Additionally, you may have a more established support network of friends and family.

This can be pivotal in getting through some of the more challenging parts of college.

Work Ethic

Through the greater life experience you have at age 30, most will have developed a stronger work ethic than they had when they were fresh out of high school.

A good work ethic is essential for completing a degree, and traditional students have to develop this in their first year or two of college.

However, with work and possibly prior college experience, you have a significant head start.

Increased Focus

An increased focus is another benefits of having had more life experience and established a work ethic.

Returning to college, or going for the first time, at 30 is something that demands focus and a clear goal.

This is another area in which older students will have an advantage over traditional students.

Older students will have a more clearly defined goal and a greater focus on accomplishing that goal.

What to Expect in an Animation Degree

Here is some information on what an animation degree can be like and what to expect.

For these examples, we'll be taking a look at the Bachelor of Fine Arts in Animation degree at the Savannah College of Art & Design, or SCAD, a prestigious art college.

Fundamentals of Drawing

Drawing is an integral part of animation, and students of animation should expect to spend many hours covering the fundamentals.

At SCAD, animation students will spend 30 credit hours on 'foundational studies.'

This includes courses like introductory courses in drawing, design, color theory, and more.

Fundamentals of Film

While studying animation, students will study the fundamentals of film, both the film making process and film history.

Courses like this will be both of general education and major curriculum at SCAD.

For example, in their general education courses, students will complete CINE 275 - History of Cinema.

In their major curriculum, they will complete courses in cinematic animation and more.

A Personalized Experience

Like many degree programs, students studying animation will be able to choose an area of concentration to personalize their education to their own interests and careers hopes.

For example, in the BFA in Animation program at SCAD, students can choose from areas of concentration like 3D character animation, technical animation, or storytelling and concept development.

What is the Average Age of Animators?

According to Zippia, a job search and career statistics platform, the average age of animators working in the United States is 40-years-old.

What is the Age Limit for Animation?

There isn't one! While getting a start in your twenties can be a step up, beginning later is still possible and there is certainly no rule against it.

There are many fantastic pieces of animation made by artists who did not start until later in life.

What Famous Animators Started Late?

While many animators got started in their early twenties, there are plenty of well known talents who did not start until later in life.

For example, Hayao Miyazaki, the filmmaker behind beloved Studio Ghibli films like 'My Neighbor Totoro' and 'Spirited Away', did not make his first film until the age of 30.

Although, he spent his mid- and late-twenties working as an assistant at an animation studio.

The film 'Fantasmagorie' is considered to be one of the first animations ever made; it was made in 1908.

The film's creator, French artist Emilie Cohl, was 51 years old when he made 'Fantasmagorie'.

Start Your Degree in Animation Today

30 is not too old for an animation degree, or any degree. If you have a passion for it, start your degree in animation today, and don't let your age stop you!