Why Choose Animation Mentor

15+ Years of Experience in Online Education

If you’re ready to chase your dream of becoming a professional animator and hope to work on the latest Pixar, Disney, or DreamWorks blockbuster someday, then Animation Mentor is the right place for you.

We know there are many options out there for learning the art of animation and that you want to get the best value for your money.

Your choices include 4-year art schools and traditional universities, as well as other online schools. We want you to understand the differences between these options so that you can choose the solution that works best for you.

Let’s take a look at what makes the Animation Mentor experience unique.

Why Choose Animation Mentor

15+ Years of Experience in Online Education

If you’re ready to chase your dream of becoming a professional animator and hope to work on the latest Pixar, Disney, or DreamWorks blockbuster someday, then Animation Mentor is the right place for you.

We know there are many options out there for learning the art of animation and that you want to get the best value for your money.

Your choices include 4-year art schools and traditional universities, as well as other online schools. We want you to understand the differences between these options so that you can choose the solution that works best for you.

Let’s take a look at what makes the Animation Mentor experience unique.

Animation Mentor vs. 4-Year Art Colleges

A four-year college or university will give you a thorough education in the arts & sciences with a specialty in art or animation. Animation Mentor focuses solely on the art of 3D character animation and trains students to create the kind of animation that entertainment studios are looking for. Instead of just discussing animation, you will actually be creating it, using industry-standard tools and professional character rigs. Best of all, you’ll be learning from professional animators who are currently working in the industry.

Learn from the Animators who Brought Toothless, Woody, and Moana to Life

We have the most studio-diverse mentors of any school, with animators from studios like Pixar, Disney, DreamWorks, ILM, and many more! While animating the latest films, TV shows, and video games, our instructors provide feedback and share real-world advice that helps students succeed.

Learn from the Animators who Brought Toothless, Woody, and Moana to Life

We have the most studio-diverse mentors of any school, with animators from studios like Pixar, Disney, DreamWorks, ILM, and many more! While animating the latest films, TV shows, and video games, our instructors provide feedback and share real-world advice that helps students succeed.

Save 90% of the Tuition of a 4-year College in 1/4 of the Time

Why spend 4 years and $120,000 on a university degree, when you can get a demo reel and professional animation skills in 18 months for $15,000?

Our Core Animation Courses will prepare you for a career in animation in 1/4 of the time you’d spend at a four-year college. In 18 months you’ll go from animating basics like walk cycles, to creating high-quality character performances. You’ll also graduate with a demo reel that you can use to apply to jobs.

Animation Mentor’s six Core Animation Courses cost only 10% of the tuition of a 4-year traditional brick-and-mortar, according to data from the National Center for Educational Statistics.

Do I Need a Degree to Become an Animator?

Short answer? No.

Degrees look nice on your wall, but in the animation industry it’s your demo reel that matters most. If you can show a studio that you have the professional skills they need, no one cares whether you have a degree.

Animation Mentor vs. Other Online Animation Schools

Founded in 2005, we were the very first online animation school. So many other schools have tried to imitate us, but none have achieved the same level of industry training and respect.

Animation Mentor was built to provide 1:1 mentorship, fostering relationships between mentors and students and giving aspiring animators the skills they need to succeed in the industry.

Customized Virtual Campus

Our state-of-the-art online campus is the heart of the Animation Mentor community and where students spend most of their time. We built our campus so students can connect with anyone (mentors, peers, and alumni!) and get inspired by looking at work from classes other than their own.

Customized Virtual Campus

Our state-of-the-art online campus is the heart of the Animation Mentor community and where students spend most of their time. We built our campus so students can connect with anyone (mentors, peers, and alumni!) and get inspired by looking at work from classes other than their own.

Come for the Feedback, Stay for the Community

Feedback is crucial for animators because it helps them improve and grow. That’s why we’ve made it easy to give and receive feedback using our custom review tools on campus. We also offer extra, daily Q&As for students to get even more review time.

As the first online animation school, we’ve been building this community since 2005 and we like to say that it’s the nicest place on the internet. Mentors, peers, and alumni are generous with their feedback because they understand that good feedback helps you grow your skills.

Come for the Feedback, Stay for the Community

Feedback is crucial for animators because it helps them improve and grow. That’s why we’ve made it easy to give and receive feedback using our custom review tools on campus. We also offer extra, daily Q&As for students to get even more review time.

As the first online animation school, we’ve been building this community since 2005 and we like to say that it’s the nicest place on the internet. Mentors, peers, and alumni are generous with their feedback because they understand that good feedback helps you grow your skills.

Exclusive Industry Webinars + Bonus Training Content

Every term we offer exclusive webinars on the latest movies and games, as well as additional live Q&As for honing your craft. Our resource library boasts 1,000+ hours of additional training videos because equipping you with skills is the best way to help you succeed.

Exclusive Industry Webinars + Bonus Training Content

Every term we offer exclusive webinars on the latest movies and games, as well as additional live Q&As for honing your craft. Our resource library boasts 1,000+ hours of additional training videos because equipping you with skills is the best way to help you succeed.

Your Career After Animation Mentor

The animation industry is booming and we want you to come along for the ride! If you’re interested in animation as a career, but not 100% decided, read on.

Join Alumni at Top Studios

Animation Mentor is a respected name at top studios around the world. Thanks to our thorough training and campus networking opportunities, our alumni work globally at studios like Disney, Pixar, DreamWorks, ILM, and more!

Animation Mentor Alumni Stories

Animation Mentor alumni, much like the rest of our community, stretch the globe as they showcase their creativity. They also serve a vital role in the overall Animation Mentor experience by helping current students with their coursework, answering questions about the industry, and offering a glimpse of life in the real world. Best of all, it is never difficult to find our Animation Mentor alumni—check out the success stories below.

Philip To

Senior Animator
Disney Animation Studios

How Zooptopia Animator Philip To Went from Animation Mentor to Disney

Read Philip’s Story

Usman Olomu

Junior Animator
Framestore London

How I Got My Dream Job with Alumnus & Framestore Animator Usman Olomu

Read Usman’s Story

Nick Kondo

Animation Supervisor
Sony Animation

Q&A with Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse Animator Nick Kondo

Read Nick’s Story

Teresa Storhoff

Animator
Blue Sky Studios

Alumni Spotlight: Blue Sky Senior Technical Animator Teresa Storhoff

Read Teresa’s Story

Luis Uribe

Animator
Pixar Animation Studios

Q&A with
Pixar Animator Luis Uribe

Read Luis’s Story

Mike Stern

Animator
Pixar Animation Studios

Alumni Spotlight:
Pixar Animator Mike Stern

Read Mike’s Story

Animation Mentor Students Share Their Experiences

Nick Ganser

Kristina Kravale

Sir Wade Neistadt

What are you waiting for? Apply Now!