Gauri Chhabra
Whether we accept it or not, animation is here to stay- it will never get old. It started from the good old whiteboard- fresh and inviting because we enjoyed watching something brought to fruition. From there, it changed myriad shapes and the white board became the digital canvas and entered the computer world- moving from 2 dimensional to 3 dimensional.With the animation and digital arts industries ever-evolving, today, animation is a discipline in demand across a range of media channels, from apps to advertising, websites to music videos and beyond.
The trend that has been lately observed is that there has been a lot of outsourcing of animation content to India due to the availability of low cost, powerful computer animation platforms.What is more exciting is the fact that this industry would generate employment to thousands of prospective 2-D and 3-D animators every year.
Getting in
To carve out a career in animation is by getting a graduate degree or diploma. But a graduate degree in animation is not very prevalent in India yet and only very few institutes offer this course at present. On the other hand, a host of institutes are offering diploma courses. You may require a bachelor’s degree in fine art, computer graphics, animation, or a related field. Programs in computer graphics often include courses in computer science, such as programming, and in graphics. Bachelor’s degree programs in art include courses in painting, drawing, and sculpture. A bachelor’s degree in animation and the BFA are three-year courses whereas the diploma course in animation varies in the range of six-months to one- and-a-half-years.
Skillset
To get into the animation field, you need to have a creative mind, passion to do something different and sincerity towards work. Integrity towards fine arts, have mind full of imagination and hands full of creative strokes. Besides, an aptitude in sketching, drawing and deep interest in computers is always considered essential to gain entry into the animation industry.
Certificate and Diploma Courses
Many institutes have 10+2 as the minimum qualification required, in order to pursue Diploma courses. But some institutes do give admission after 10th.
Certificate Courses after X:
*Certificate in 2D Animation
*Certificate in 3D Animation
*Certificate in VFX
*Certificate in CG Arts and Effects
The certificate courses mentioned are beginner’s courses. Such courses will help one acquire key animation skills and knowledge. If you want to become a professional animator, you must consider going for advanced courses like Professional Diploma and Bachelor’s Degree courses.Certificate courses last for a period of 3 to 6 months. Course duration may vary from one institute to another.
Diploma Courses:
*Diploma in VFX
*Diploma in 2D Animation
*Diploma in 3D Animation
*Diploma in CG Arts
*Diploma in animation
*Diploma in Multimedia Animation Course
*Advance Diploma in Game Art
*Diploma in Fusion Animation
Bachelor’s degree programs
*BA in Animation & Multimedia
*B.Sc. in Animation & Multimedia
*Bachelor of Visual Arts (Animation)
*Bachelor of Fine Arts in Animation, Graphics and Web Design
*BA in Animation and CG Arts
*BA in Animation and Graphic Design
*BA in Digital Filmmaking and Animation
*B.Sc. in Animation and VFX
*B.Sc. in Animation and Gaming
Advanced PG Courses
Advanced courses are available in the forms of M.Sc., Master of Animation, PG Diploma and PG Certificate courses. Some such well known courses are- M.Sc. in Animation and Multimedia, M.Sc. in Animation and Digital Filmmaking, M.Sc. in Visual Effects, MA in Animation and Multimedia, MA in Digital Filmmaking and Animation, PG Diploma in Animation etc.PG courses can be used to specialize in sub disciplines of this field. Some of the well-known areas of specialization include Visual Effects, Modelling,3D Animation, Illustration,Texturing,Game Design (Computer and Mobile), Graphic Design, Specific Software.
Institute scape
*Desh Bhagat University, Mandi Gobindgarh, Punjab offering B.Sc Animation.
*Frame Box, New Delhioffering 3 year B.Sc in Multimedia.
*Academy of Animation and Gaming (AAG), New DelhiofferingB.Sc with specialization in Animation, Multimedia and Gaming. It also provides 1 year full time Diploma in Animation and 2 years Masters in Arts with specialization in Multimedia.
*Industrial Design Centre (IDC), Mumbaioffering four year, Bachelor of Design (B.Des) and a five year dual degree B.Des and M.Des.
* National Institute of Design (NlD),Paldi Ahmedabad offering 4 years course in B.Des in Animation Film Design and 2.5 year Master of Design.
* Maya Academy of Advanced Cinematics (MAAC), New Delhi, Kolkata and Mumbai offering 3 year degree in 3D Animation and Visual Effects.
*Toonz-Webel Academy, Kolkata offering courses in 2D and 3D animation, Graphic Multimedia and Visual Effects courses
*Whistling Woods International, Mumbai offers 3 years degrees in Animation, Media & Entertainment, Communication and Fashion
*The Heart Animation Academy, Hyderabad offering diploma in animation program.
*Zee Institute of Creative Arts (2ICA), Secunderabad offering undergraduate as well as postgraduate diplomas.
Work Mosaic
Animators create animation and visual effects for films, video games, television, mobile devices, and other forms of media using illustrations and software programs. Animators also create graphics and develop storyboards, drawings and illustrations. They create, plan, and script animated narrative sequences, and assist with background design and production coordination.
You can further specialize in animated movies and video games, becoming deft at characters or in scenery and background design. Most of the time you would work in teams to develop a movie, a visual effect, or an electronic game. Each animator works on a portion of the project, and then the entire team puts the pieces together to create one cohesive animation.
Some multimedia artists and animators create their work primarily by using computer software or by writing their own computer code. Many animation companies have their own computer animation software that artists must learn to use. You may also prefer to work by drawing and painting by hand and then translating the resulting images into computer programs. Some multimedia artists use storyboards or “animatics,” which look like a comic strip, to help visualize the final product during the design process.With the internet becoming ubiquitous, you may put your creative work on the Internet. If the images become popular, you can gain more recognition, which can lead to future employment or freelancing.
Emerging fields
Forensic artists & animators
This is a cross integration of roles which is relatively new. Forensic artists work in a highly specialized role where they are responsible for recreating crime scenes or events. They work closely with witnesses, police officers and other forensic experts to produce visuals or animations to help illustrate how the event or crime played out in addition to sketches of potential suspects. Forensic artists and animators typically have a background in criminal justice as well as animation, as the work requires a strong grasp of the legal system as well as human form.
Motion graphic designer
Motion graphic designers create visual effects in video or other “moving” formats. These eye catching displaysare common used in advertising as a way to stand out while still communicating a brand’s message. Opportunities for motion graphic designers aren’t just limited to those working in film and television. Businesses looking to create a visual splash have started increasing demand for these professionals as websites become more and more engaging.
Interaction designer
Interaction design is another very specialized field whose growth is closely associated with the increase in digital applications and more sophisticated websites. The goal of an interaction designer is to create a user experience that is both intuitive and visually appealing-often some of the best work goes underappreciated because the experience is seamless.
Instructional designer
Instructional designers are responsible for determining the best way to present information to students or trainees. You need to have a background in education and utilize your knowledge of how people learn to create effective teaching materials or visual aids. You would require a breadth of knowledge and a skill for visual layouts and design is beneficial for presenting the most important information in an eye-catching way.
Summing up
An animation career is a career all about passion and always in motion. You have to constantly upgrade your skills for being updated with the latest trends in the industry and try to cross integrate with other emerging fields.So, if you wish to ignite the world by your passion and set the ball rolling now.
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