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Animated aspirations

Whether we accept it or not, animation is here to stay - it will never get old and dated. 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.

Animated aspirations


Gauri Chhabra

Whether we accept it or not, animation is here to stay - it will never get old and dated. 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 observed oflate 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 one needs to get a graduate degree or a diploma. However, a graduate degree in animation is not very prevalent in India as yet and only a few institutes are offering 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 arts, computer graphics, animation, or a related field to take the first steps in the field of animation. 

Programmes in computer graphics often include courses in computer science, such as programming, and in graphics. Bachelor's degree programmes 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 this field, you need to have a creative mind, passion to do something different and sincerity towards work.  Integrity towards fine arts, imagination and hands full of creative strokes are some of the key requirements for this career. Besides, an aptitude for 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 Plus II as the minimum qualification required, in order to pursue diploma courses. But some institutes do give admission after Class X. 

Certificate courses:

Certificate in 2D 

Animation

Certificate in 3D 

Animation

  • Certificate in VFX
  • Certificate in CG Arts and Effects

The certificate courses mentioned above are beginner's courses. Such courses will help one to 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 programmes:

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
  • BSc in Animation and VFX
  • BSc in Animation and Gaming

Advanced PG courses:

Advanced courses are available in the forms of MSc, Master of Animation, PG Diploma and PG Certificate courses. Some such well known courses are: MSc in Animation and Multimedia, MSc in Animation and Digital Filmmaking, MSc 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 specialise 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.

Work profile

Animators create animation and visual effects for films, video games, television, mobile devices, and other forms of media using illustrations and software programmes. 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 specialise in animated movies and video games, becoming deft at characterisation 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 programmes. 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.

A career in animation is all about passion and being 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 with your passion set the ball rolling now.


Institute scape

  • Desh Bhagat University, Mandi Gobindgarh, Punjab (offers BSc Animation)
  • Frame Box, New Delhi   (offers BSc in Multimedia)
  • Academy of Animation and Gaming (AAG), New Delhi (offers BSc with specialisation in Animation, Multimedia and Gaming. It also provides 1-year full-time Diploma in Animation and 2 years Master's in Arts with specialisation in Multimedia)
  • Industrial Design Centre (IDC), Mumbai   (offers four year, Bachelor of Design (B.Des) and a five year dual degree B.Des  and  M.Des)
  • National Institute of Design (NlD), Ahmedabad (offers 4-year B.Des in Animation Film Design and 2.5-year Master of Design)
  • Maya Academy of Advanced Cinematics (MAAC), New Delhi, Kolkata and Mumbai (offers 3-year degree in 3D Animation and Visual Effects)
  • Toonz-Webel Academy, Kolkata (offers courses in 2D and 3D animation, Graphic Multimedia and Visual Effects courses)
  • Whistling Woods International, Mumbai (offers 3-year degrees  in Animation, Media & Entertainment, Communication and Fashion)
  • The Heart Animation Academy, Hyderabad  (offers diploma in animation)
  • Zee Institute of Creative Arts (2ICA), Secunderabad (offers undergraduate as well as postgraduate diplomas)

Emerging fields

Forensic artists & animators

This is a cross integration of roles which is relatively new. Forensic artists work in a highly specialised 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 displays are used frequently 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 specialised 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 utilise 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.

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