Overview

Discover the must-knows of working in the 3D animation industry and where you and your unique goals fit in. Madison Erwin started her career as a 3D animator by teaching herself the ins and outs of 3D software like Blender and the workings of the animation industry. Just three years later, she’s gone on to work on projects like Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, I Am Groot, and Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. Now Madison wants to share everything she learned and did to skyrocket her 3D career to the next level. In this class, Madison will guide you through what she wishes she knew when first transitioning from a hobbyist to a professional 3D animator. No matter if working in animation feels like a distant dream or is starting to become a reality, Madison can help you jumpstart your career path by teaching you the different 3D animation genres, different animation pipelines, and the different roles within those pipelines. With Madison by your side, you’ll: * Pinpoint the driving force behind why you want to work in 3D animation * Learn the general 3D animation pipeline and which part most interests you * Explore the three main animation genres * Create your plan for getting your ideal role in your desired genre Plus, Madison shares all of the tips and tricks she wishes she knew before getting started as a 3D animator including navigating overwhelm and the learning curve. Whether you’ve been creating 3D animations for years and are finally ready to turn your passion into a career or you just started animating in 3D and want to know more about getting a job as a professional animator, you’ll leave this class on a sustainable and optimized path towards landing opportunities in the 3D animation space all with a dedicated career goal in mind. You do not need any professional animation experience to take this class. You’ll need a journal and pen or your preferred note-taking system to follow along with these lessons. To continue learning more about building a successful 3D animation career, explore the entire "Become a Professional: Career Skills for Experienced 3D Animators" Specialization. Instructor bio: Madison Erwin is a self-taught 3D animator based in LA. Known for her acting and animation skills, she successfully freelanced for a year before taking a role in-house at Sony. Her work has been featured in blockbuster films like Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, Doctor Strange, the Disney Plus Series I Am Groot, and hit game Kena: Bridge of Spirits.

Syllabus

Foundations of Your Animation Journey

This module introduces the course and helps you establish a strong foundation for your animation journey. You’ll explore your motivations for becoming a 3D animator and gain a clear overview of the industry-standard 3D animation pipeline. By the end, you’ll understand how aligning your goals with the technical stages of animation prepares you for a sustainable and fulfilling career.

Exploring Paths and Building Resilience

This module focuses on specialization and growth. You’ll examine the different career paths within 3D animation, from modeling and rigging to lighting and VFX. Alongside this exploration, you’ll learn practical strategies for managing the steep learning curve and developing the persistence required to succeed in a competitive industry.

Sustaining Your Career in Animation

The final module addresses the ongoing realities of working as a 3D animator. You’ll discover tools to manage overwhelm and maintain balance as you advance your skills and career. The module concludes with reflective guidance to help you stay motivated and focused on building your dream path in 3D animation.