If you’re looking for the best online animation courses then you’ve come to the right place. We’ve researched the top online animation classes for beginners.
As an animator, you will need to learn various skills throughout your career, from motion graphics to digital effects and even stop motion. So, whatever your area of study, there is a course for you.
Plus, these classes are affordable, and you can complete them from the comfort of your home. If that’s not enough, you can also use them to build your online portfolio.
So keep reading to learn all you need to know about online animation courses. We have aimed at beginner students with details on prices, teachers, and course lesson plans.
Our Best Online Animation Courses
1. The Beginner’s Guide to Adobe After Effects
If you’re new to the industry, online animation courses are a great place to start. The first course on our list is After Effects for beginners which you can find on Skillshare. After Effects is an entry-level digital animation software that is relatively easy to learn.
This course teaches you how to import artwork and understand frame rates, time codes, masking, and looping animation. Everything you need to make a simple animated graphic.
You can access this course on Skillshare, which has thousands of classes in a range of creative subjects. An annual Skillshare membership costs $168, or $32/month.
2. Animated Transitions with 2D Illustration & After Effects
There are many different styles of animation such as stop frame, motion, and digital. In this class, animator Yukai Du teaches how to turn 2D drawings into bold animated graphics.
The course explores aspects of animation such as color, shapes, texture, and pattern. Plus, it’s a beginner course that will break down the whole creative process into simple steps. It also teaches you how to find ideas and use a mix of both digital and classic techniques.
Domestika has some of the best online animation courses. Their courses start at $10 each, or you can access everything with a Domestika Plus subscription for $12/month.
3. Complete Beginners Guide to Blender 3D
Although After Effects is a good starting point, it does have creative limitations. Blender is a 3D computer graphics program for filmmakers and video game designers that allows more freedom. So, if you want a career in animation, you will need to learn this software.
Harry Helps is an expert VFX animator with over ten years of experience. In this course, he explains how to start and finish a new project with Blender. The lessons include uploading project files, designing effects, and editing. Perfect if you’re starting out and want to get comfortable using this program.
4. Maya for Beginners: Complete Guide to 3D Animation in Maya
Next, we have a course on digital VFX software Autodesk Maya. The best online animation courses include a variety of texts and videos. This course has five hours of easy-to-follow video lessons, downloadable project files, and personalized feedback.
The course teacher is Lucas Ridley, an award-winning animator and TV director. He’s worked for big named brands and directors as well as for Industrial Light and Magic. It shows professional practice and how to use new 3D animation software.
Udemy is another video course website with thousands of classes in various subjects. You can enroll in this course for $59 or subscribe for $26.99/month to access all courses.
5. Learning Motion Graphics
This course teaches the basics of telling stories and connecting through motion graphics. Rob Gartet is a professional animator, who has several lessons on VFX in film.
In this class, you will learn how to use motion graphics and techniques to start designing 2D and 3D animations. This course is for beginners and anyone interested in understanding how the pros create the effects in their favorite TV shows and movies.
This course is on Linkedin Learning alongside other animation and filmmaking classes. The course alone costs $37, or you can subscribe for $19.99/month.
6. 2D Animation: Tips and Tricks
This animation course is also available on LinkedIn Learning. It will show you how to create and edit 2D videos. The course offers weekly tips and tricks on making unique characters for cartoons. You will learn how to create natural motion, draw mouth shapes, and develop your story for the screen.
The course teacher is Dermot O Conner, a Disney animator who has created some of the best online animation courses. It’s worth checking out his classes if you are interested in making classic Disney style videos.
7. Aaron Blaise Animation Courses
Aaron Blaise is a former Disney employee with credits including Lion King, Brother Bear, and Mulan. In this course, you will learn how to create animated characters for movie studios.
In addition to this, he shows you how to apply his advice to real-life projects. According to people working in the industry, it is one of the best online animation courses. You can discover a wide range of courses at different prices or just sign up for $174/year and have access to all courses and downloads.
8. The Art of Rotoscoping
Next, we have another online animation course through LinkedIn Learning. This class teaches you the basics of Rotoscoping to build creative effects on videos. To take part in this class, you will need access to either Photoshop or After Effects software.
The course teacher is artist Eran Stern, who dives into the art of digital effects in film and video. He shows you how to transform videos into natural art using ink blots, paint, and pastel effects. Plus, he shows how to edit and apply these effects to your video projects.
The course costs $39, however, you can also use the LinkedIn yearly subscription. Eran Stern has also created many other courses on social media animation and After Effects.
9. Stop Motion Animation for Beginners
You can find online animation courses in a range of subjects and disciplines. This next course looks at stop-motion design and aims at beginners who want to learn the basics. You will also have the chance to create your first stop frame animation during the class.
It says that even if you’ve tried stop frame before, you will learn new ideas and approaches from this class. Plus, the course is highly structured, starting with basics and then slowly diving deeper into more advanced knowledge.
10. Aardman Stop Motion Foundation
Lastly, we have a unique course from Aardman Animation. This online animation master class is four weeks long, covering everything about stop motion. The teachers are award-winning animators who guide you through weekly lessons and tasks.
This stop motion foundation course is for anyone who wants to animate with clay or those who want to learn how to make a career out of stop motion. You can also access community pages and a live stream with expert feedback.
It costs $300 but is one of the best online animation courses for anyone serious about stop-frame animation.
Wrapping Up
In short, online animation courses allow you to build up the necessary skills and showreel without having to pay expensive film school fees. They can be taken in your own time and from the comfort of your home.
No matter what creative style, budget, or skill level you will find a class for you. So give them a try and get some experience or simply add to your existing skillset.
