What You Need to Know to Be an Animator in Nevada

Recent technological advances have led to a fast-increasing worldwide demand for professional animators.  The state of Nevada, featuring several large cities and an hugely entertainment-based economy, offers a jackpot of educational opportunities for local artists, as well as many chances to win high paying positions in the field of animated design.  More and more Nevada artists try their luck in this lucrative, high tech field.

Nevada Schools and Training Programs for Animation

Nevada colleges, Universities and other educational organizations offer various programs in visual animation.  Popular majors for aspiring Nevada animators are visual arts, digital graphics, photography and communications design.  Noteworthy Nevada colleges with animation programs include University of Nevada in Las Vegas, Truckee Meadows Community College in Reno and the International Academy of Design and Technology in Henderson, among others.

Some aspiring animators in Nevada earn professional certifications by enrolling at accredited online art schools.  Popular in-your-home colleges with animation degree programs include the Academy of Art University, Post University, Full Sail University, Stratford Career Institute, University of Phoenix, The Art Institutes and ITT Tech, among others.  A fair number of art colleges with online alternatives also maintain physical locations throughout the USA.  University of Phoenix has locations in Las Vegas, Reno and Henderson.  ITT Tech has campuses in Las Vegas and Henderson.  The Art Institute hosts a local branch in Henderson.

Working as an Animator in Nevada

The state of Nevada has almost a quarter million commercial businesses.  Many of these companies hire local animation artists.  Purposes for multimedia creations and animated designs include artistic expression, entertainment, architectural planning, technological advances, commercial advertising, web page design, mobile app development and feature films, among others.  Nevada companies that hire animation specialists include entertainment venues, casinos, event planners, online news syndicates, photo finishing labs, software developers and more. 

Many Nevada animators work for local animation studios like Casino Arts and Rock-n-Toons in Las Vegas, Chops & Associates and Live Animation in Carson City, or Imagesync in Reno.  Some motion picture companies based in Nevada have their own animation departments.  Among the largest Nevada film makers are Border Cross Productions and Trimordial Studio in Las Vegas, as well as Apex Productions and Lone Wolf TV Productions in Reno.  Other local animators work for Nevada-based information technology corporations that specialize in digital graphics.  Top Nevada info tech firms include Aliante-Web-Design and Web-Captain in Las Vegas, as well as Cypress-Systems and Reno-Techs in Reno.

Professional animators in the state of Nevada earn, on average, about $55,060 per year, with a mean hourly rate of roughly $26.50.  However, this data is based solely on the incomes of 270 Nevada animation artists employed full time by U.S. companies.  This data does not reflect the salaries of part time artists, freelance professionals and U.S. resident animators nonlocally employed. 

Skills of a Professional Animator

Successful animation involves advanced drawing skills, lighting technique, photography, web design, interactive media and computer graphic expertise.  This last one comprises the bulk of the work that goes into creating animated movies.  Professional animators must be fully versed in all relevant animation software.  Popular favorites of the day – but also the most expensive – are Toon Boom Digital Pro and 3D Studio Max.  Other options include free downloads for beginners and casual animation hobbyists.  Among the most popular of these are Pencil for two-dimensional designs and Blender for 3D.  Other applicable qualifications of professional animators include character development, story lines and project management skills.