Georgia is chock full of artist of all kinds from painters to sculptors to animators. Some work for galleries or production studios, while others work independently. Some get their training in other states, while many hone their crafts right in Georgia. Just head over to Savannah and you’ll find one of the top art schools in the nation—Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) where the student body consists of artists from the states and abroad.
Georgia has its fair share of top art schools and programs, but it has also made a name for itself in Hollywood. In 2008, the state secured a spot on the top five list of states for film production. Recent blockbusters such as The Blind Side and Fast & the Furious were filmed here and Atlanta is home to the 30-acre studio complex EUE/Screen Gems. Atlanta has also welcomed more new production studios than just about any other city in the region. Not only this, but at more than 700, the state has one of the highest populations of animators in the country.
Georgia Animation Schools
Besides SCAD, which has locations in historic Savannah and trendy Atlanta, Georgia is home to several art institutes that offer animation programs as well as several technical schools and traditional colleges with art programs. Scroll through the list below to review Georgia’s best animation schools and what they have to offer.
Athens
University of Georgia - Degrees Offered: B. F. A. Art with Emphasis in Art X: Expanded Forms, Graphic Design; M. F. A. Dramatic Media Production; Interdisciplinary Certificate in New Media
Atlanta
Georgia Institute of Technology – Degrees Offered: B. S. Computational Media; combined B. S. and M. S. program offering a B. S. in Computational Media and M. S. in Digital Media in five years of study
Georgia State University - Degrees Offered: B. F. A. Studio Art with Concentration in Graphic Design; M. F. A. Studio Art with Concentration in Graphic Design
Atlanta, Savannah
Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) – Degrees Offered: B. A. and B. F. A. in Animation (B. F. A. only), Graphic Design, Illustration, Motion Media Design (B. F. A. only) and Interactive Design and Game Development; M. A. and M. F. A. in Animation, Graphic Design, Illustration, Illustration Design (M. A. only), Motion Media Design and Interactive Design and Game Development. Traditional and online degree programs are available in most areas of study.
Carrollton
University of West Georgia - Degrees Offered: B. A. and B. F. A. Art with Concentration in Graphic Design
Kennesaw
Kennesaw State University – B. F. A. Visual Arts with Concentration in Graphic Communication
Statesboro
Georgia Southern University - Degrees Offered: B. F. A. Art with Concentration in Graphic Design; M. F. A. Fine Arts with Concentration in Graphic Design
More Georgia Schools with Animation related programs:
- Savannah, Atlanta, Hong Kong, France, and Online via SCAD eLearning
- Animation – B.F.A., M.A., M.F.A.
- Film and television – B.F.A., M.A., M.F.A.
- Motion media design – B.F.A., M.A., M.F.A.
- Illustration – B.A., B.F.A., M.A., M.F.A.
- Interactive design and game development – B.A., B.F.A., M.A., M.F.A.
- Sequential art – B.A., B.F.A., M.A., M.F.A.
- Visual effects – B.F.A., M.A., M.F.A.
- Top 50 Nationally for Animation (#7) - 2019
- Top 50 Nationally for Game Design (#15) - 2019
- Top 40 Nationally for Illustration (#6) - 2019
- Top 50 Nationally for Graphic Design (#13) - 2019
- Winter Park, FL & Online
- Computer Animation - Bachelor's - Online & Campus
- Game Programs - Bachelor's & Master's - Online & Campus
- Graphic Design & Digital Arts - Bachelor's - Online & Campus
- Film & Digital Cinematography - Bachelor's & Master's - Online & Campus
- Mobile Development - Bachelor's - Online & Campus
- Simulation & Visualization - Bachelor's - Campus
- Top 50 Nationally for Animation (#27) - 2019
- Top 50 Nationally for Game Design (#24) - 2019
- Top 10 in Florida for Graphic Design (#4) - 2019
- San Francisco & Online
- Top 50 Nationally for Animation (#21) - 2019
- Top 50 Nationally for Game Design (#28) - 2019
- Top 40 Nationally for Illustration (#40) - 2019
- Online
- Introduction to 3D Animation - 6 months
- Introduction to 3D Modeling - 6 Months
- Introduction to Concept Art - 6 Months
- Foundations for VFX & Game Design - 10 Months
- Advanced 3D Animation Diploma - 10 Months
- Advanced 3D Modeling Diploma - 10 Months
- Advanced Concept Art Diploma - 10 Months
- Advanced Illustration Diploma - 10 Months
Employment and Salary Trends for Georgia Animators
The state of Georgia is home to more than 700 animators and multi-media artists, up from 670 in 2002. Salaries are on the rise too. In 2002, Georgia animators and multi-media artists averaged $47,070 per year. As of 2009, they averaged $50,100 per year. As of May 2009, animators nationwide averaged $62,810 per year. The lowest paid animators earned $32,360 per year and the highest paid animators earned $99,130 per year.
