Tips on Becoming an Animator in Riverside, California

The city of Riverside, California overflows with local artists seeking careers in animated motion picture design.  About a third of all animation-related positions in today's U.S. job market are located in California.  Riverside is California's 12th largest city, with a population of more than 300,000 and as many as 30,000 local businesses.

Riverside Schools and Training Programs for Animation

Universities, colleges and training centers in Riverside, California offer various animation courses and licensing programs.  Popular Riverside animation schools include California Baptist University, La Sierra University and Riverside Community College.

More and more art students residing in Riverside prefer virtual training systems, often enrolling at accredited online schools.  Popular cyber colleges with animation arts programs include The Academy of Art University, Full Sail University, Stratford Career Institute, University of Phoenix, National University, The Art Institutes, DeVry and ITT Tech.  Online schools often feature campus-based training programs in addition to online studies.  Resource centers near you include University of Phoenix, The Art Institute, ITT Tech and National University, which all have locations in San Bernardino.

Working as an Animator in Riverside, California

The city of Riverside is awash with businesses that hire professional animators.  Animation is produced for entertainment, interactive media, feature films, clinical diagnostics, architectural planning, product promotion and website design, to name just a few of its numerous applications. 

Some Riverside, California artists work for local animation studios.  Others are employed by local film makers who direct their own animated segments.  Highly-rated Riverside movie producers include American Videographer, Mirage Productions, Quick-Caption, Rispa Consultants and Store House Productions.  Some animators are employed by local, graphics-based information technology firms.  Among the most rightfully recommended Riverside info tech firms are Craql Media, Dot Com Today, Jamieson Group, Mapgistics and Spark Creative, among others. 

Animators residing in Riverside, California report an average annual salary of roughly $75,000, with a mean hourly rate of around $37.00.  California ranks highest among states in terms of average annual salaries paid to animatiors.  However, this data only applies to animators employed full time at U.S. companies, and does not reflect the incomes of part time animators and freelance professionals.  

Skills of a Professional Animator

The creation of a successful animated film requires the combined technical skills of many talented artists.  Key animators are familiar with all of the tasks involved in the film production process.  Qualifications for entry level positions in animation design include advanced drawing technique, solid photography skills and proficiency with related software packages.  Also sometimes required are set design and sculptural technique.  Non-visual skills include operating systems expertise, fluency in programming languages, website design, interactive media and project management potential.