2D Animator Certifications

Among the many questions aspiring 2D Animators may ask themselves is whether or not they should seek to become 2D animation certified. Students looking to become certified in 2D animation must consider that there are multiple ways to become certified in 2D animation skills and tools. They will also want to consider that certifications and certificates are different ways of becoming certified in 2D animation.

What is a 2D Animator?

2D Animators are creative professionals who plan, design, and build two-dimensional animated assets in everything from traditional animation and video games to digital advertising and user interfaces. As long as a digital asset is made to move, it is likely that a 2D Animator was involved in the process. 2D Animators may also be involved in the development, design, planning, or storyboarding phases of a given project, depending on their level of expertise and the kind of project in question. On the whole, 2D animation is a versatile skill used in various industries and fields, making it an ideal career path for anyone interested in a creative career.

In today’s world, unless a project consciously uses the unique affordances of hand-drawn animation, almost all 2D animation work is computer-assisted. This shift means most animators have begun using computer design applications such as Adobe After Effects or Premiere Pro to add the illusion of motion to a set of static images. 2D Animators may also use tools like Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop to construct certain kinds of specific animated assets, such as moving digital logos or online GIFs. This emphasis on digitally aided animation tools means that your training as a 2D Animator will cover a lot of technical training.

Read more about what a 2D Animator does. 

Do I Need a Degree to Become a 2D Animator?

Most 2D Animators enter the field with a college degree, with the most common majors being computer animation, media arts, illustration, or digital arts. While most 2D Animators will have a college degree in animation or another related field, like visual arts, it isn’t a strict requirement to get your motion graphics training through a four-year degree program. Many successful 2D Animators got their start without a college degree, and you shouldn’t be turned off from pursuing a career in animation if you didn’t major in it. Whether you have a degree in an unrelated field or no degree, there are still viable paths you can take to build your career in 2D animation.

Students without college degrees will need a significant amount of supplemental training to demonstrate that they have comparable skills to prospective candidates who did graduate from a college computer animation program. This training is most commonly acquired in a career-focused skills development program, such as the career-certificate programs offered through Noble Desktop. These accelerated programs will teach students how to work as 2D Animators and set them up for success on the job market with targeted professionalization seminars. Students without degrees will still lag in terms of things like networking opportunities, and they will need to do more work to build their portfolios and job materials. Still, they will be well-positioned to enter the job market as competitive candidates for 2D Animation jobs.

Read more about if you need a degree to become a 2D Animator. 

Do Certifications Matter for 2D Animators?

Generally, certification isn’t required for most 2D Animator job postings. Hiring managers aren’t going to discard your resume because you aren’t professionally certified. However, becoming professionally certified is a great way to add weight to your resume and to communicate to a hiring manager that you are ready to start working from the moment you are hired. It won’t make or break your job application, but it can help you get your job materials noticed. At the end of the day, the decision to become certified in 2D animation will come down to how much extra effort it is on the part of a student and whether or not they think they will need a certification to complement their other job materials.

Certifications vs. Certificates: What’s the Difference?

While certificates and certifications are both paths to becoming certified, they test proficiency in 2D animation skills (particularly your ability to use the tools like Adobe After Effects and Premiere Pro), certificates and certifications test an individual’s skills in different ways.

Certification is awarded to students who complete a skills training exam sponsored and proctored by a third party. These tests are practical, hands-on examinations that cover a student’s general knowledge of advanced uses of a tool and general animation skills. Many of these certification exams are not unique to 2D animation and therefore test knowledge of other advanced skills, such as 3D modeling in After Effects or sound editing in Premiere Pro. Students paying to sit for a certification exam rarely receive additional skills training, though some providers do offer review materials (often at an additional cost). Some certifications expire after a fixed period of time, requiring professionals to keep their industry certifications up to date.

Certificates are more akin to diplomas and are awarded to students who successfully complete industry-recognized training programs. These certificates inform employers that a student has received hands-on instruction in various 2D animation programs and skills. This makes them ideal for aspiring animators hoping to shift into a new career path. Certificate programs tend to be far more expensive and time-consuming than certification exams, but the training they offer is invaluable to aspiring 2D Animators who don’t have the skills and background required to sit for a certification exam.

How to Get Certified as a 2D Animator

The best way to become a certified 2D Animator will vary from person to person. However, in most cases, the answer will be determined by how much additional training you think you need to become comfortable with 2D animation software. If you have significant on-the-job experience or you studied programs like Adobe After Effects in college, you are better off passing a certification exam to demonstrate your existing skills proficiency. If you need additional training or have no strong background in 2D animation, you’ll want to consider enrolling in a certificate-granting skills training program.

Top Certifications & Certificates for 2D Animator

Students looking to pass a certificate-granting training program should consider enrolling in Noble’s Motion Graphic Certificate program. This class will provide students with hands-on training in Adobe Premiere Pro, After Effects, and Cinema 4D for both 2D and 3D animation. Upon completion of this program, students will receive a certificate of completion that can be used to demonstrate their proficiency in all of these skills.

Students looking to become certified in the use of specific 2D animation software applications can sit for an exam offered by Adobe through their Certified Professionals Program in both After Effects and Premiere Pro. There aren’t many other programs that offer certification exams in 2D animation alone, but there are third-party providers who offer certification exams in tools like After Effects.

Students planning to sit for a certification exam testing proficiency in a tool like After Effects may find that support materials offered by Adobe need to be improved. These students should consider enrolling in one of Noble’s focused skills bootcamps, such as the Adobe After Effects Bootcamp, to brush up on their skills and ensure they are ready for the exam.

Key Takeaways

• Becoming certified in 2D animation tools isn’t a strict requirement for most jobs in the industry, but having a certificate or certification is a good way to set yourself apart from other candidates vying for the same job.
• Certifications are proctored exams that test a student’s existing knowledge of 2D animation tools and are best suited for students with substantial experience using tools like After Effects or Premiere Pro.
• Certificates are akin to diplomas and are awarded to students who complete skills-training instruction programs. These are more time-consuming and expensive but are the best fit for students who need significant training or are completely new to 2D animation.
• Whether you are looking for a certificate-granting training program or want to brush up on your skills before taking a certification exam, Noble Desktop has you covered with comprehensive in-person and live online motion graphics learning options tailored to fit your needs.