Animation is a compelling art form that combines creativity and technology to create compelling stories. If you’re interested in working in the animation industry, or just want to learn more about animation as a hobby, the explosion of online learning options has made it easier than ever to learn animation online. The best part? You don’t have to break the bank to start. You can learn best animation practices, methods, and software tools by taking the free animation course available on different platforms.
So let’s look at some of the best online courses to help you learn animation, beginning with Simplilearn’s Animation Basics Course.
Animation Course Online with Free Access on Simplilearn
A great online training course for beginners who want to learn the basics of animation is Simplilearn’s Animation Basics Course. This career-oriented course, offered through Simplilearn’s SkillUp platform, includes:
- Principles of animation: Learn the core animation principles like squash and stretch, anticipation, and easing.
- Character anatomy and animation: Know how to animate realistic and fluid character movement.
- Exploring the world of 2D and 3D animation: Overview of industry-leading animation software & techniques
- Flexible timeline: No worry about sticking to a rigid schedule with plenty of time to study
If you are someone who wishes to lay a strong foundation in animation with a career option in this domain then Simplilearn’s course is for you.
Find More Classes on Animation Online?
1. Udemy – Animation Courses [Free & Paid]
Udemy is an online learning platform that has a variety of animation courses available. There are free courses for beginners which teach concepts such as:
- 2D and 3D animation basics
- Skeleton animation and development of character movement
- Getting started with animation software, e.g. Blender, After Effects
While Udemy has lots of paid courses on offer, free ones are a good way to get started at animation.
2. Coursera — Introduction to Animation
Coursera is offering online courses from leading universities and institutions. If you select the audit option, many courses on various animation topics are free. Here are some of the more interesting courses:
- Introduction to 3D Animation| University of London
- Storytelling and Animation | California Institute of the Arts
These courses offer academic-level and hands-on approaches for learners to understand animation concepts.
3. Khan Academy – Pixar in a Box
This free course from Khan Academy is a must-try if you’ve ever wanted to know how Pixar turns its signature animated movies. Pixar in a Box explains how animation works, including things like:
- Character modeling
- Animation physics
- Lighting and rendering
Storytelling through animated sequences
Found animation a lot hard but this course was a fun way to learn from the guys who just made it easier.
Skillshare has many different animation courses available, some of which are free. These courses cover:
- Search as animation and VFX
- Methods of traditional 2D animation
- Frame-by-frame animation
Skillshare provides a free trial so hi-res animation professionals can try out high-quality animation tutorials.
5. Youtube – Free Animation Tutorials
If you are more of a video tutorial person, YouTube can be a great resource for you. Animation channels with big followings such as:
- Bloop Animation: Animation Technique Tutorials & IndustryInsights
- Learn the excerpts from Draw with Jazza: Character design and digital animation
- Animation Mentor: Herings on a character animation instructor
If you like to learn at your own pace, YouTube has a wealth of free animation courses available at your disposal.
Why Learn Animation Online?
Here are some benefits of taking online animation courses:
- Flexibility: Study from anywhere at your own pace.
- Learn from industry professionals: The courses are created by the professionals from top studios.
- Affordable: Most of these courses can be accessed for a very low cost or free.
- Job Opportunities: Animation is a skill required in industries such as gaming, film and multimedia.
Learn Animation Right Now!
If you feel ready to kick start your journey in animation, take the first step with Simplilearn’s Free Animation Course to build a strong foundation. Alternatively, you can use other platforms to improve your skills and get practical experience. Now is the perfect time to dive into animation with so many free animation courses available. Start with inspiration and let your creativity unfold!
