What Is It Known For?
Animation Mentor was founded in 2005 by working animators Bobby Beck, Shawn Kelly, and Carlos Baena. They built the school on a simple but powerful idea: that the best way to learn animation is directly from a professional in the industry. This focus on artistic mentorship, rather than just software training, helped define a new approach to online education. In 2021, the school partnered with Yellowbrick to continue expanding its reach.
To date, their model has trained over 52,000 animators from around the world, supported by an active alumni network of more than 16,000 working artists.
Degrees & Certifications
Animation Mentor offers mentor-led courses that run 6 weeks or 12 weeks, designed to help you develop your artistic and animation skills. The school provides courses in several areas:
- 3D Animation Courses
- Autodesk Maya Workshop
- Concept Art Workshops
- Storyboarding Workshops
- Game Animation Workshops
- 2D Animation Workshops
Class Schedules
As an online school, Animation Mentor is built for flexibility. The core of your schedule is one live, one-hour Q&A session with your mentor each week. These sessions are offered at various times, often in the evening Pacific Time, to accommodate students in different time zones. Outside of this weekly commitment, you complete coursework and practice on your own schedule. The school does not offer externships or clinical experience as part of its programs.
Is It a Good School?
The school is not federally accredited. However, Animation Mentor does provide a certificate upon completion of its programs. Reaching out to the school directly will give you more information about how employers in the animation industry view their training.
Acceptance Rate
There is no public data about the acceptance rate. You should look at the registration requirements to understand your chances of joining.
How Much Does Tuition Cost?
Tuition varies based on the program and ranges from $699 to $2,499. Here is a breakdown of costs:
- 12-Week Courses: $2,499
- 6-Week Courses: $699–$899
Unfortunately, the school does not have a net price calculator. For more information about additional program charges, contacting the school directly is recommended.
Programs & Courses
Technology
- 3D Character Animation Program
- 3D Game Animation Program
- 2D Animation
- 3D Modeling
Campus Locations
New York 15 West 38th Street, 10th Floor New York, NY 10018
Reviews
Based on local Google reviews, Animation Mentor is celebrated as a highly focused, industry-leading online school for 3D animation. It is overwhelmingly praised for its expert mentorship, engaging community, and specialized curriculum, offering a deep dive into the craft at a fraction of the cost of traditional universities.
Overall Score: 5.0/5 Stars
Common Praises
World-Class Mentorship: The core strength of the program lies in its mentors, described as the “real stars.” They are “impressive and interesting people” and “great animators and artists” who have worked in the industry since its beginning. Learning from them is likened to “studying with a famous industry icon.”
Specialized and High-Value Education: The program is lauded for being “pure animation” and highly focused, allowing students to learn one skill deeply rather than becoming a “jack of all trades on a superficial level.” This is offered at a “fraction of the cost” of a traditional university.
Exceptional Community and Staff Support: Reviewers highlight the “great community” where they met their best friends. The support staff is noted for being “more caring” than any other educational environment (online or real-life), and one staff member was specifically praised for their efforts.
Quality Tools: The school’s 3D character rigs are praised as some of the “most appealing ones out there,” giving students great freedom for creative expression.
Common Criticisms
High Standards for Excellence: While not a true criticism, the program is explicitly noted as “not an easy programme” and that the “pressure for excellence is real.” This is presented by the reviewer as a necessary requirement for those who want to study with the best.
Momentum
Animation Mentor shows powerful internal and external momentum. The best evidence is that a former happy student is now a “happy mentor” at the school, demonstrating the program’s ability to retain talent and integrate its successful graduates into its teaching staff. Furthermore, the reviewer expressed an eagerness to “take more courses with them soon,” indicating a high level of satisfaction and a solid foundation for repeat enrollment and continued institutional growth.