Estimate to learn Animate and After Effects

Hi Rebekah,

Your knowledge of graphic design and image processing applications will help with some fundamental terminology and UI commonality, but that would be it.

The example provided is a competently executed short animation. Not great by any standards, but quite decent for what it is.

You will face two separate large sets of problems:

- Learning how to use new software

- Learning how to create animation

You can learn Animate to above intermediate level in a year, but start getting some results in a month or two.

Creating a polished, professional-looking animation product requires learning:

- Designing for animation: Layout, Character design

- Rigging

- Directing for animation: Storyboarding, Staging, Timing

- Animating

- Working with audio; Timing to audio

and more.

If you are starting from scratch and on your own, it will take at least 2-3 years to get to a level that may pass as professional.

And that is if you are fully committed.

If you are a professional Illustrator, character design for animation and layout will be much easier to master.

All said above is not meant to discourage you, but you should have realistic expectations.

Learning the software is the shortest and easiest part.

Good luck!