Animation Mentor
Animation Mentor is an online animation school founded in 2005 that trains aspiring 3D character and game animators through an 18-month mentor-led program using Maya and Unreal Engine, serving individual learners targeting careers at major film, VFX, and game studios.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2005
- HeadquartersEmeryville, United States
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Animation Mentor does
Animation Mentor is an online education platform founded in 2005 that trains aspiring 3D animators for careers at major animation, VFX, and game studios. The company, headquartered in Emeryville, California, operates as a subsidiary of Yellowbrick Learning, Inc. Its core offering is the 3D Character Animation Program, a structured 18-month curriculum of six sequential 12-week courses (Maya Animation Workshop, Animation Basics, Body Mechanics, Advanced Body Mechanics, Introduction to Acting, Advanced Acting, and Feature Animation Acting & Polish) priced at $2,499 per course and totaling $14,994 for the full program. A parallel 3D Game Animation Program covers Maya-to-Unreal Engine 5 workflows for game studios, and the catalog extends into creature animation, 2D animation, storyboarding, concept art, and 3D modeling through in-house courses and referral partnerships (notably Think Tank Training Centre and Vertex School).
The technical foundation combines industry-standard creative tools (Autodesk Maya, Unreal Engine 5) with a proprietary campus platform (campus.animationmentor.com) for content delivery, assignment submission, and mentor feedback. A library of professionally designed character rigs (AIA, Jules, Darius, Moya, Aristotle, Viktor, Stewart, and others) is provided to students, with a subset offered free as a top-of-funnel acquisition asset. Instruction is delivered through live weekly Q&A sessions combined with self-paced curriculum and a 9:1 student-to-mentor ratio; mentors are working professionals from Pixar, Disney, DreamWorks, ILM, Weta Digital, Framestore, Riot Games, Blizzard, and other studios.
The business operates primarily on direct-to-consumer tuition revenue, supplemented by short-form workshops ($699-$899) and subscription-style installment plans. Distribution is fully online via self-service registration windows and the campus LMS, with no enterprise or B2B channel disclosed. Revenue is not publicly reported, and the company has no disclosed venture funding, suggesting operation as a profitable or break-even subsidiary within the Yellowbrick Learning holding structure. Rob Kingyens serves as President and CEO.
Animation Mentor firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Animation Mentor
- Legal name
- Yellowbrick Learning, Inc.
- Website
- https://animationmentor.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2005
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- Animation Mentor is an online animation school founded in 2005 that trains aspiring 3D character and game animators through an 18-month mentor-led program using Maya and Unreal Engine, serving individual learners targeting careers at major film, VFX, and game studios.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Animation Mentor industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Online Animation Education
- NAICS
- Fine Arts Schools (611610), Exam Preparation and Tutoring (611691)
- SIC
- Services-Educational Services (8200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Integrated Tutoring + Learning Content Platforms (Curriculum + Tutors) (EDANAGAL)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Advanced Project-Based Learning & Portfolio Mentoring (STEM/arts portfolios, maker projects) (EDANAKAI)
Keywords
Where Animation Mentor is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Emeryville
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Markets served
Animation Mentor business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Core Animation Program Tuition: 12-week courses in the core character animation program priced at $2,499 USD each. Full program consists of 6 courses totaling 18 months. Interest-free payment plans available.
- 6-Week Workshops: Shorter 6-week intensive courses like Maya Animation Workshop ($699 USD) and Game Animation Fundamentals.
- Creature Animation Workshops: 12-week creature animation workshops with alumni discount of $500 for Animation Mentor graduates.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Maya Animation Workshop - 6-week beginner course |
| Subscription | Multi-year contract | Animation Basics - First core course (12 weeks) |
| Subscription | Multi-year contract | Full 18-month Core Character Animation Program |
| Subscription | Multi-year contract | Creature Animation Courses - Alumni discount |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Cartoony Animation Workshop - 6-week course |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels7 records
Animation Mentor product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Animation Mentor is an online animation school that delivers mentor-led, 12-week courses in 3D character animation and game animation, taught by working professionals from major studios. The flagship 3D Character Animation Program spans 6 sequential courses over 18 months using Autodesk Maya and Unreal Engine 5, while the 3D Game Animation Program adds three specialized courses on mechanics, combat, and cinematic cutscenes. Supplementary 6-week workshops cover creature animation, cartoony animation, previsualization, 2D animation, storyboarding, concept art, and 3D modeling, supported by a custom campus platform and professionally rigged characters for student assignments.
Product overview
Animation Mentor is an online animation education platform established in 2005, offering structured programs and individual courses for aspiring 3D animators. The core offering consists of the 3D Character Animation Program (6 sequential courses spanning 18 months) and the 3D Game Animation Program (3 specialized courses), supplemented by elective workshops including Creature Animation (Locomotion and Fight/Flight), Cartoony Animation, Previsualization Basics, 2D Animation, Storyboarding, Concept Art, and 3D Character Modeling. The platform provides free Maya character rigs and professionally designed animation assets. All courses feature live weekly Q&A sessions with working professional mentors from major studios. Students receive ongoing access to course materials and character rigs, with the curriculum covering Autodesk Maya and Unreal Engine workflows.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- 3D Character Animation Program 18-month sequential program of six 12-week courses (Maya Workshop, Animation Basics, Body Mechanics, Advanced Body Mechanics, Introduction to Acting, Advanced Acting, and Feature Animation Acting & Polish) that trains aspiring animators in Autodesk Maya to feature-film standards, culminating in a portfolio-ready demo reel.
- 3D Game Animation Program Specialized program teaching game animation using Autodesk Maya and Unreal Engine 5, covering mechanics, interactive gameplay, combat, and cinematic cutscenes to prepare students for AAA game-studio roles.
- Maya Animation Workshop 6-week beginner course teaching essential 3D animation techniques in Autodesk Maya, serving as a prerequisite and on-ramp for the Character Animation Program.
- Animation Basics 12-week foundational course teaching the 12 Principles of Animation, covering bouncing ball, walk cycles, and basic character animation in Maya.
- Body Mechanics 12-week course on biped physicality: full-body walks, anatomy, weight distribution, and realistic movement using Maya animation tools.
- Advanced Body Mechanics 12-week course building on Body Mechanics to animate action sequences, physical shots, staging, composition, and dynamic character interactions.
- Introduction to Acting 12-week course teaching pantomime acting, facial animation, lip sync, and basic dialogue acting for character animation.
- Advanced Acting 12-week course on two-person dialogue shots, cinematography, subtext, and cutting cinematic shots together for storytelling.
- Feature Animation Acting & Polish 12-week advanced course that refines character performances to feature animation standards and produces a portfolio-ready demo reel.
- Game Animation: Mechanics & Interactive Gameplay Course on Unreal Engine integration with Maya, covering character movesets, state machines, and interactive gameplay animations (idle, walk, run, strafe, jumps).
- Game Animation: Dynamic Action & Combat Course on combat mechanics, combos, enemy interactions, AI behavior, and smooth game-feel combat animation design.
- Game Animation: Cinematic Cutscenes Course on storytelling, cinematography, scripted cutscenes in Unreal Engine, and finisher animations for game cinematic production.
- Creature Animation: Locomotion 12-week workshop on quadruped walk cycles, animal locomotion, predatory movements, and creature behavior using professional rigs (leopard, dragon, ogre).
- Creature Animation: Fight or Flight 12-week workshop on flying creature animation, combat sequences, and integrating creature animation with live-action background plates.
- Cartoony Animation for 3D Animators 6-week workshop teaching Looney Tunes-style animation techniques including squash and stretch, exaggeration, and applying 2D animation principles to 3D characters.
- Game Animation Fundamentals 6-week workshop on game animation workflows from Maya to Unreal Engine 5 using the Riley character rig for idle, walk, run, and jump animations.
- Previsualization Basics for Animators 6-week workshop covering script breakdown, camera staging, 3D blocking, and animation planning for film and TV previsualization production.
- Toon Boom Animation 2D Software Training Training courses for Toon Boom Animation software used in 2D animation production, taught to Animation Mentor students.
Quantifiable outcome
- Students graduate with professional demo reels ready for studio hiring
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use Animation Mentor
Customer profileNamed customers15 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Animation Mentor technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
Animation Mentor partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Two partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Yellowbrick Learning, Inc.coreParent company of Animation Mentor. Animation Mentor is operated by Yellowbrick Learning, Inc., a company specializing in online creative education. Copyright 2026 Yellowbrick Learning, Inc. All rights reserved.
- Think Tank Training CentreminorPartner school offering comprehensive 3D modeling programs. Animation Mentor refers students to Think Tank for more comprehensive 3D modeling education through CG Fundamentals (16-week introduction) and CG Asset Creation for Film or Games (64-week program).
Scale indicators7 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Animation Mentor competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- iAnimate: iAnimate is an online animation school offering mentor-led workshops and feature/game animation programs. It is the most direct head-to-head competitor to Animation Mentor, with overlapping curriculum (character and game animation), similar mentor-from-studio model, and shared target customer of aspiring 3D animators.
- AnimSchool: AnimSchool is an online animation school providing character animation programs taught by industry professionals. It competes with Animation Mentor in the same aspiring-3D-animator segment and overlaps on Maya-based curriculum, demo-reel-driven outcomes, and professional mentor feedback model.
- CGMA (CG Master Academy): CGMA is an online school offering structured courses across character animation, game animation, and creature/VFX with industry-artist instructors. It targets the same aspiring digital artist population as Animation Mentor and offers a comparable portfolio-and-outcomes positioning.
- CG Spectrum: CG Spectrum is an online animation and VFX school with mentor-led programs covering character animation, game art, and 3D modeling. It operates a similar industry-mentor and career-outcomes model targeting the same remote-learning aspirant animator customer.
- Gnomon School of Visual Effects: Gnomon is a specialized VFX, games and animation school offering degree and certificate programs in 3D animation and digital production. While more campus-based historically, it competes for the same animation career-track aspirants through similar discipline coverage and industry-placement focus.
- Brainstorm School: Brainstorm School is an online art and animation school offering mentorship-based programs in concept art, character design, and animation. It shares Animation Mentor's online-mentorship delivery model and overlaps in concept art and visual development training segments.
Emerging players
- Vertex School: Vertex School is a partner school of Animation Mentor (hosted under their site) focused on game and technical art training. It represents an adjacent-vertical player in the same EdTech-creative umbrella, with potential cross-pollination and referral overlap with Animation Mentor students.
- Think Tank Training Centre: Think Tank is a partner school of Animation Mentor offering 3D modeling programs (CG Fundamentals, CG Asset Creation). It overlaps with Animation Mentor's emerging 3D modeling workshops and shares referral traffic, making it an adjacent player in the same online-creative-education ecosystem.
Broad incumbents
- Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD): SCAD is a degree-granding university with dedicated BFA/MFA programs in animation, motion media, and visual effects. It is a broader incumbent competing for the same aspiring-animation-talent pool via a traditional (and longer) degree pathway rather than Animation Mentor's mentor-led online certificate model.
- Full Sail University: Full Sail offers degree programs in computer animation, game design, and film. It is a broader incumbent in the animation-education space targeting similar career-track creatives but operating through accelerated on-campus degrees rather than online mentor-led courses.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Animation Mentor social profiles
Digital presenceAnimation Mentor financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Animation Mentor leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Animation Mentor funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Animation Mentor M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Animation Mentor
What does Animation Mentor do?
Animation Mentor is an online animation school that delivers mentor-led, 12-week courses in 3D character animation and game animation, taught by working professionals from major studios. The flagship 3D Character Animation Program spans 6 sequential courses over 18 months using Autodesk Maya and Unreal Engine 5, while the 3D Game Animation Program adds three specialized courses on mechanics, combat, and cinematic cutscenes. Supplementary 6-week workshops cover creature animation, cartoony animation, previsualization, 2D animation, storyboarding, concept art, and 3D modeling, supported by a custom campus platform and professionally rigged characters for student assignments.
Is Animation Mentor a public or private company?
Animation Mentor is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was Animation Mentor founded?
Animation Mentor was founded in 2005. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is Animation Mentor based?
Animation Mentor is headquartered in Emeryville, United States, in the North America region.
How does Animation Mentor make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Core Animation Program Tuition is the primary driver. The others are 6-Week Workshops and creature Animation Workshops.
Who are Animation Mentor's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are iAnimate, AnimSchool, CGMA (CG Master Academy), CG Spectrum, Gnomon School of Visual Effects and Brainstorm School. Emerging players are Vertex School and Think Tank Training Centre. Broad incumbents are Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) and Full Sail University.
Does Animation Mentor have an API?
No public API is recorded for Animation Mentor.
What industry is Animation Mentor in?
Animation Mentor's product category is Online Animation Education. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDANAGAL, Integrated Tutoring + Learning Content Platforms (Curriculum + Tutors), with a secondary code of EDANAKAI, Advanced Project-Based Learning & Portfolio Mentoring (STEM/arts portfolios, maker projects). Its NAICS code is 611610 and its SIC code is 8200.