Visual Effects Schools in Florida

Florida is home to digital artists of all kinds from animators to game designers to visual effects artists. They work for historic studios such as Universal Studios, and soon , possibly 500 digital artists and others may have the opportunity to work at a $40 million, 120,000-square-foot studio in Port St. Lucie, brought to you by Digital Domain. In addition, Florida is home to the Dave School—one of the top visual effects schools in the U.S. as well as major visual arts colleges such as New World School of Arts. Students can select from a variety of majors from animation to visual effects.

Florida Visual Effects Schools

Florida has a wide variety of schools to choose from including art and design, technical, specialty, and of course, traditional colleges and universities. Although many of the state’s art and design schools can be found in major cities such as Miami and Orlando, students can still find top-tier programs at colleges in smaller cities such as Boca Raton and Sarasota. Scroll through the list below to review Florida’s best options for aspiring visual effects artists and what they have to offer.

Boca Raton
Digital Media Arts College (DMAC) – Degrees Offered: B. F. A. Computer Animation (Game Art concentration available), Graphic Design (Advertising Design concentration available); M. F. A. Visual Effects Animation, Graphic Design

Orlando
The Digital Animation and Visual Effects School (DAVE School) – Degrees Offered: One-year intensive program resulting in an Accredited Diploma in Digital Animation and Visual Effects.

Sarasota
Ringling College of Art and Design – Degrees Offered: B. F. A. Computer Animation, Game Art and Design, Graphic and Interactive Communication, Illustration, Motion Design

Tallassee
Florida State University – Degrees Offered: B. A. and B. F. A. Design with Concentration in Print Design, Interactive Design or Animation and Visual Effects; M. F. A. Art with Concentration in Design or Electronic Media

Employment and Salary Trends for Florida Visual Effects Artists

Salary and employment information for visual effects artists is included in the “multimedia artists and animators” category. According to the latest report by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (March 27, 2012) Florida is home to 860 multimedia artists and animators. Although this figure has decreased since 2002, when the population was 1,390, the population seems to be rising again with 790 artists in 2006, 820 in 2008 and, as stated, 860 today. Salaries have continued to climb since 2002, when the average was $42,470 per year. In 2006, the average salary for Florida multimedia artists and animators was $47,520 and in 2008, the average salary rose to $49,140. Today, the average salary for Florida multimedia artists and animators is $53,180.

One thing to keep in mind is salaries vary by industry, location, company, and more. For example, based on location alone, average salaries for Florida visual effects artists differ by several thousand dollars. Miami and Boca Raton VFX artists average around $48,000 per year, while Orlando artists average around $44,000 per year.
The visual effects field is filled with freelance and other independent artists. In previous years, the Bureau of Labor Statistics did not report salary information for self-employed individuals. As of March 27, 2012, the Bureau reported that independent workers in this field average around $73,030 per year. As stated, salaries may be more or less based on location, industry, company, etc.