How to Become an Animator in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

The city of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, with its thriving art culture, high-tech economy and more than 70,000 commercial enterprises, is an ideal residential location for artists pursuing animation careers.  Pittsburgh has one of the highest corporations-per-capita ratios of all cities in the United States, averaging roughly one local business for every four or five local residents.

Pittsburgh Schools and Training Programs for Animation

Several Universities, colleges and trade schools in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania feature animation-related classes and degree programs.  Popular Pittsburgh design colleges include University of Pittsburgh, Carlow University, LaRoche College, Chatham University and Bradford School. 

These days, many Pittsburgh artists obtain technical skills and advanced degrees online.  Popular accredited virtual art colleges with animation degree programs include University of Phoenix, ITT Tech, The Art Institutes, DeVry and Stratford Career Institute, to name a few.  Many online schools of design also provide physical campuses and local resource facilities.  ITT Tech, University of Phoenix, DeVry and The Art Institute all have training centers in Pittsburgh.

Working as an Animator in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Pittsburgh commercial companies hire professional animators for many assorted purposes.  Businesses in potential need of local animation professionals include TV stations, online news syndicates, game designers, app developers, photo labs, educational media providers and a great many more.  Some Pittsburgh artists join local animation studios.  Others team up with local movie makers who produce their own animated clips.  Prime Pittsburgh motion picture producers include 2440-Media, Argentine Productions, Magic Lantern, Wobblimind Studio and Family Communications (a.k.a. Mister Rogers' Neighborhood).  Additionally, some local animators are employed by profit-producing Pittsburgh info tech firms such as ACS, Ad-Base, Commerceconnect, Higher Images and Rippel Effects. 

Full time Pittsburgh animators employed by American businesses earn, on average, about $52,000 per year, with a mean hourly wage of around $26.00.  This figure does not account for the incomes of part time animators or local freelance professionals.  

Skills of a Professional Animator

Historically, the most basic and crucial required skill of a professional animator was advanced illustrative technique.  These days, animators are expected to be equally proficient at computer-generated artwork and fully familiar with all relevant animation software design programs.  Other visual-technical skills include photography, lighting, layout, prototyping and set design.  Many animation jobs also require web page construction, HTML and interactive media programming design.  Preferred personal skills of professional animation artists include excellent communications skills, energetic self-motivation and the ability to smoothly collaborate with other artists.