Is 40 Too Old To Get a Degree in Animation?
If you are looking at changing careers and moving into a career in the animation industry, you might be wondering: Is 40 too old for an animation degree? In this article, we explain more about the requirements for a career in this industry and why earning a degree, at any age, is the best option to enter the job field.
Is 40 too old for an animation degree program?
If you're reading this article, you are probably a serious fan of all things animated.
Whether that means traditional hand-drawn children's cartoons (like Disney films or TV cartoons), contemporary digital animation, Japanese animé or manga, 3D animation, stop motion, motion graphics, or 2D animation, among many other styles.
You may already be an artist or illustrator, or you might be in the film or video production industry and want to master the animation niche.
On the other hand, you might be a complete newcomer to the field who is looking to retool for an entirely new career.
Your concern is about whether, at age 40, you are possibly too old to start a new career in animation.
The quick answer is, of course not. At 40 you are still youthful and have at least 25 or more years left to dedicate to your new vocation.
If you have talent in one of the many roles in the animation industry, your talent will be desirable to employers regardless of your age.
Read on to learn more.
Is There a Demand for People With an Animation Degree?
Although some employers accept an associate degree or certificate for entry-level positions, the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) emphasizes that most employers hire animators who at least hold a bachelor's degree.
With a median annual salary of $98,950, the job outlook for special effects artists and animators is expected to grow 8% from 2022 to 2032, which is faster than average for all occupations)
The largest number of (and highest paying) animator jobs are in the motion picture and video industries, with an annual mean wage of $130,390.
Other industries that hire animators are software publishers; computer systems design and related services; and advertising, public relations, and related services.
Many animators also work independently but tend to earn a lower annual mean wage ($88,530).
Employers usually seek animators who can provide a portfolio or demo reel to show their experience, in addition to the theoretical knowledge from their schooling.
For those new to the industry, internships and apprenticeships are highly recommended.
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What Type of Career Could I Have With an Animation Degree?
Since most people immediately think of artistic illustrators when they think of animation careers, let us broaden that perspective.
Yes, the animation industry needs artists who can draw or digitally design the images that we all love when we watch animated films, video games, or television shows.
But producing an animation project involves so much more, too.
As you query, 'Is 40 too old for an animation degree?' be sure to consider the range of potential careers you might follow.
In addition, your experience in your earlier career field may contribute to your success, especially if you have management, organizational, or production expertise.
What is most important is learning specifically what you need to learn to be fresh and current in terms of technology and style so you will come out of your program poised to launch into this competitive industry.
Here are some of the many types of career roles that contribute to the development and distribution of an animated film, TV program, or computer game.
Production Management Team
These key figures are responsible for raising funds, organizing, and overseeing the whole production, both business and creative.
This team can include the animation director, producer, production coordinator, and any runners or assistants.
Animation Development Team and Pre-Production Team
The development team comes up with the concept for the animated film, game, or TV series in terms of both the story and the visual 'look.' The main figures here are the writer(s) and the concept artists.
They then turn the details of the story and the design over to the pre-production experts, who plan out the characters and create storyboards to plan the composition of the shots.
These key players include the head of story, art director, background designer, character designer, model maker, and storyboard artist.
Production Team
A large production team with many skills may be necessary to bring the animation concepts to life.
Roles in this area include:
- Animation Technical Director (TD)
- Animator
- Compositor
- Effects Technical Director (FX TD)
- Layout Artist
- Lighting Artist
- Rigger
Post-Production Team
The post-production team takes all the pieces, edits them together, and adds new layers such as music and sound effects.
Here, you can find the important roles of editor and editing assistant(s), sound designer, and composer.
Distribution Team
The distributors are the ones who package and market the final product to broadcast outlets, cinemas, cable channels, and game outlets, among others.
In this capacity, you might work as a marketing executive, sales executive, or assistant.
How Can Getting a Formal Education Help Me to Establish an Animation Career at Age 40 or Older?
While many people might be tempted to bypass getting a degree and instead work their way up through the ranks as they build a reputation, that is a long, slow, and risky process that works for some people and fails for others.
If you enroll in an accredited college or university program to earn an animation degree, your skills and training will be established and visible to employers.
Your education and internship(s) can also connect you to a network of people inside and outside the industry who can help you in your career journey.
A Reddit user (Camiam321) shared some excellent wisdom and advice:
'For me, a formal art/animation education provided a structure with clearly laid out rules on how to get from A to B and provided a forward momentum towards an end goal. I was surrounded by and motivated by aspiring artists of all types, had amazing teachers, and earned connections within the industry. For me, it was a great fit.... I would wholeheartedly recommend pursuing a formal education. It laid the foundation for my being able to survive in the industry.'
A 2022 survey of more than a thousand Pixar animators by Animation Career Review looked at where the animators received their degrees.
The article notes that while the majority of animators earned bachelor's degrees in an animation-related field, some had degrees in other fields.
The study noted that a few other Pixar animators had gone through non-degree-bearing animation career training in for-profit programs.
These programs, however, generally helped enhance the already-established careers of working, professional animators rather than people new to the field.
You Are Never Too Old to Earn an Animation Degree
We hope this article has answered your question about 'Is 40 too old for an animation degree?'
If you are committed and eager to move forward in a new career, don't let your age stop you from pursuing your calling.
