Best Part-Time Animation Bootcamps

When you decide to enroll in an animation bootcamp or certificate program, you’ll have an important decision to make. You’ll need to decide whether you want to attend part-time or full-time. Part-time bootcamps are a great way to learn animation skills that can help you make your way towards a career in animation on weekends and in the evenings. They’re an alternative to full-time bootcamps which are more intense with class times being held on weekdays during typical working hours. Full-time animation bootcamps can be completed in as little as four weeks, while part-time bootcamps are often double the length of the full-time schedule. The difference in time makes part-time classes more attractive to students who work full-time jobs, have personal obligations, or have learning differences because it allows them to have more time to sit with the lessons, digest them, and practice the skills they’re learning. Depending on the type of animation class or bootcamp you choose to attend, you may be learning skills in motion graphics, video editing, animation principles, design theory, animation software, or animation techniques whether you choose a full-time or part-time schedule. 

Why Learn Animation Part-Time?

It’s a wonderful thing to celebrate your decision to follow your dreams and learn animation. But now that you’ve decided to pursue your goals in animation, you may be wondering why learning animation in a part-time Motion Graphics Certificate course is a good idea. The truth is that it’s a great idea for some students and not so great for others. Those who are self-motivated, self-starters, and have the time available to learn during typical working hours are great candidates for learning animation full-time, but those who would appreciate a less intense and rigorous learning schedule or have obligations that won’t allow them to dedicate four or five weekdays a week to learning animation will be more interested in a part-time animation class or bootcamp. The biggest reason to opt for part-time classes is to have more flexibility in your schedule. You can learn around your existing schedule without having to make too many adjustments. While completing a class in half the time of a part-time class is tempting, it comes with a lot more intensity and work outside of class to keep the pace. 

Part-time bootcamps will give you more time to chew on what you’re learning and it slows the pace down. While some topics will still be a challenge, you’ll likely feel more comfortable working through the challenges when you feel less hurried. You’ll also have more time to practice the skills you’re learning because part-time schedules typically meet two or three evenings a week for a few hours, or on the weekends. This scheduling tends to work well for working professionals and those with tight schedules. As long as you’re not in any rush to learn animation, the part-time option may be the better choice for you. It’s important to note that some part-time animation courses will offer fewer course topics than the full-time option in the interest of time. This is not true of all part-time animation classes, however. Whichever option you choose, you’ll learn key animation skills that will help you succeed in your dream animation career. 

Drawbacks to Learning Animation Part-Time

Perhaps the biggest drawback to learning animation part-time is also one of the biggest draws, depending on who you ask. Learning animation part-time will take on average twice as long as a full-time animation course. This means that it will take longer for a student to enter the animation workforce. No matter the scheduling option you’re interested in, keep in mind that you’ll need to factor in the time it takes to complete your job search. Some students want to get their careers started right away, while others don’t mind taking the slower route, so be realistic when constructing your timeline and managing your expectations. Another drawback to learning animation part-time is the potential to have an abbreviated curriculum. Some part-time programs will omit a portion of the full-time curriculum in the interest of time. If the class or bootcamp you’re considering enrolling in offers different curriculums for each schedule, you have an additional factor to consider when making a choice. 

It’s important to understand that working a full-time job and learning a new skill at an accelerated pace won’t be easy. This is why some students experience burnout to some degree and run into motivation difficulties. Unfortunately, burnout can also lead to less focus, difficulty retaining or understanding information and falling behind. To avoid this, it’s important to take time to relax and remind yourself of your goals and why you decided to enroll in a part-time animation program in the first place. Another drawback to part-time bootcamps is that if you choose an on-demand part-time bootcamp, you will have far less accountability than a live online or in-person bootcamp, which will make it easier to procrastinate or completely abandon your animation education. 

Is a Part-Time Animation Bootcamp Right for You?

Bootcamps are designed to be in-depth, immersive, and oftentimes, career-focused. Career-focused animation bootcamps will teach in-demand skills that will prepare you for working in the animation field, and they often move at a more accelerated pace because their goal is to get students into the workforce quickly. In as few as several weeks, you can learn the skills you need to be an animation professional. However, working a full-time job and attending a full-time bootcamp may not fit together well. If you work a full-time job, have an erratic schedule, or prefer to learn at a slower pace, then a part-time schedule will probably be more appealing to you. Not only does a part-time animation bootcamp allow you more flexibility in your schedule, but also slows the learning pace, giving you more time to digest and practice the skills and software you’re learning.

Full-time bootcamps typically meet four or five days a week for the majority of the work day. And because of their accelerated pace, there’s usually a lot of homework and practice to be done outside of class. If you’re unsure of whether or not you’re a good candidate for a part-time bootcamp, ask yourself these questions to better gauge which scheduling option is best for you:

• How much time do you have to dedicate to learning animation each week?
• How much time do you have for studying and practicing outside of class?
• Will you be working while you attend bootcamp?
• What other commitments do you have?

Ways to Make Learning Animation Part-Time Easier

There are many ways to make your educational journey a little easier. While opting for a part-time animation course helps to alleviate some of the stress of learning a new skill, you’ll also find that adding supplemental materials to your education will further advance your learning. Animation free resources include blogs, articles, YouTube channels dedicated to animation education, and books. Consuming this additional learning content can help reinforce lessons, give you a headstart, and help you navigate more challenging concepts. One of the best things about incorporating free learning resources into your animation education is that you can use them when it’s convenient for you. You’re in control of when and how you use them. 

Additionally, you can work with a tutor or mentor as you attend bootcamp. If you’re having a difficult time finding someone, start with your instructor. They may be able to provide further assistance through tutoring or point you in the direction of someone else who can help you. Noble Desktop offers bonus training or 1-on-1 mentoring sessions outside of class that can help you ease your learning challenges. Alternatively, you can link up with one or more of your classmates to study with. Leaning on your peers will not only help you build a working relationship but also allow you to gain a different perspective on what you’re learning because every learner is unique and brings something valuable to the table. 

Don’t forget the value of practice. You must practice what you’re learning in class. If you want to gain proficiency with animation software like After Effects and Maya, you are going to have to put in a considerable amount of time practicing working with their tools and applying the techniques you’re learning. The more you’re able to practice, the more comfortable you’ll become and it will show in the animations you produce. Practicing will also benefit your demo reel because you’ll be able to include animations that you’re extremely proud of that you created with your own prompting. It’s not a good idea to have a demo reel that is solely classwork. Not only will potential employers be able to tell, but it also robs you of the chance to showcase your style and depth of creativity. 

Choosing the Best Part-Time Animation Classes or Bootcamp

When choosing an animation bootcamp, you want to make sure that it’s the best program for your goals and needs. The best part-time animation class will be relative to your unique situation. Some of the factors you’ll need to consider to ensure that you’re choosing the best animation class for you include the class schedule, learning format, topic, cost, time commitment, and learning goals. The learning format you choose should take into account your schedule, commuting needs or barriers, and learning style. If you want to expand your choices, consider live online animation bootcamps so you won’t be limited to what’s in your geographic location. You’ll even be able to learn from a specific instructor or follow up on an animation course recommendation you may have. If you are a social learner who thrives in a traditional classroom setting that offers a distraction-free environment, free access to software, and maybe even a computer workstation, you’re more likely to narrow your search to in-person animation classes in your area. One of the best ways to find live animation classes and bootcamps in your area is through Noble Desktop’s Classes Near Me tool. 

When you decide on enrolling in a part-time animation class, be sure to compare it to the full-time option to learn whether or not there are any differences in curriculum or cost. If the bootcamp you’re considering has different curriculums based on the scheduling option, you may want to explore other options that include specific in-demand skills you want to learn. If you’re unsure of what skills are in demand or what you are most interested in learning, an Internet search can help you learn what skills are in high demand and how they benefit an aspiring animation professional. Remember to consider the cost and the time commitment you will need to invest in practicing and studying outside of class. Doing so can help you better manage your expectations of the class and reduce the likelihood of feeling overwhelmed and experiencing burnout in the middle of your education.

You’ll find many reputable training centers that offer high-quality part-time bootcamps for learning animation. Noble Desktop offers a comprehensive education in animation to help you start a career as an animation professional much more quickly than a college degree program. The Video Editing & Motion Graphics Certificate bootcamp is a great choice for anyone who wants a broader education in animation that can translate into a greater range of animation careers. Consider enrolling in the After Effects Bootcamp or Premiere Pro Bootcamp if you prefer a slower start and opt for more training when the time is right. Each of these bootcamps offers 1-on-1 mentoring or bonus training, a free course retake, expert instructors, and flexible financing options. Being able to attend these courses part-time can help facilitate a smoother learning experience that gets you closer to realizing your goals.