Is a career in animation a good choice after school?

Stories of love, friendship and family have always found a special place in the film industry. ‘Shrek’, ‘Finding Nemo’, ‘Frozen’ and ‘Inside Out’ are a few of the endless movies that cater to all age groups. The magical world of these animated creatures has never seen an empty seat in the screening hall. And that is how animation has cast a magical spell and made every story extraordinary!

What is Animation?

Animation is breathing life into inanimate objects using computer imagery. It is often confused with cartooning. But, cartooning refers to 2-dimensional drawings which are generally caricatured. On the other hand, animation creates an illusion of motion. Traditionally, animators drew images on transparent, celluloid sheets. They were then moved in rapid succession to imitate real-life situations.

Modern animation implements the ‘rigging technique’ where an animator needs to create only two frames for each sequence, i.e., the first and the last frames. The computer program generates all the intermediate frames. Also, the artists today have the freedom to choose from a plethora of digital tools. Some of the most popular animation and graphic designing software are

• Adobe Illustrator
• Adobe Photoshop
• Adobe Flash
• Adobe After Effects
• Autodesk Maya
• Autodesk 3ds Max
• Autodesk Mudbox
• Autodesk MotionBuilder
• Houdini
• Foundry Nuke

A Brief Overview of the Industry

Animation is one of the fastest-growing industries, with an increasing demand for professionals. Its valuation in the Indian market in 2020 was ₹53 billion. It is estimated to grow to ₹129 billion by 2023. According to Mordor Intelligence, the animation and VFX market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 9% between the years 2021-2026, globally. Industries like E-Learning, Advertising and Marketing, too, are applying animation. With the increase in OTT platforms, many producers are pursuing products that rely heavily on animation and VFX. The projected growth of the demand for special effects artists and animators is 4% from 2019-2029 which is similar to the growth rate of all occupations.

Who should pursue Animation?

• Any student with a passion for art, storytelling and a strong interest in multimedia is perfect for this course.
• Being skilled at sketching and designing is a benefit. But, even without drawing skills, a student can flourish as an animator.
• After completing 10+2 from any stream, a student can pursue animation courses.

Details about the Animation Courses

• The animation courses educate students in different ways of animating images.
• Most of the animation courses need a 10+2 examination from any of the recognized streams.
• The duration of a course can vary from 6 months to 4 years.
• Basic subjects taught in animation include 2D and 3D Animation, graphic designing and digital animation, character animation and body design, performance animation- basic and advanced, texturing, composing, editing and basic photoshop.
• A student can earn different degrees in animation such as Bachelor of Vocational Studies (Media, Animation, and VFX), Bachelor of Arts, MSc (Multimedia and Animation) and Master in Animation Design. The duration of bachelors in animation varies from 3 to 5 years and explores all the important concepts in animation.
• In India, there are over 300 animation studios. On completion of the course, jobs are available as game designers, 3D animators in Web Design, etc.
• An animation career can fetch the artist a salary of INR 3-10 lakhs per annum.
• Many colleges extend scholarships to meritorious students. Some of the most sought after scholarships include the Kala Srishti Scholarship by Aptech Arena, and the Diversity in India Animation for women by the UD School of Animation, Hyderabad.

How to start?

Many students rush to sign up for online courses on different online platforms. We always suggest starting from the beginning. While in school, a student can develop the aptitude in sketching, drawing and computer. It is equally important for students to groom themselves to be able to work in a team. The animation industry demands good soft skills, not just to deal with customers, but also to maintain harmony in a team. At the undergraduate level, it is appropriate to pursue a degree in Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA).

Frequently Asked Questions

Are Animation Courses available online?

Yes, many online platforms provide quality animation courses at a reasonable cost or sometimes for free. Udemy, SkillShare and Coursera are the top websites for opting for courses.

Can I join animation courses right after 12th?

Yes, students have the option of joining a certification course, a diploma course or a bachelor degree course after the completion of 12th school level examinations.

Which colleges have the best animation courses?

The top Indian colleges offering Animation Courses are:

• National Institute of Film and Fine Arts, Kolkata (Fees: ₹8,00,000 per annum)
• Arena Animation, Mumbai (Fees: ₹9,50,000 per annum)
• MAAC, UP (Fees: ₹15,00,000 per annum)
• Zee Institute of Creative Art, Noida (Fees: ₹4,50,000 per annum)
• Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT), Vellore (Fees: ₹7,00,000 per annum)
• Birla Institute of Technology, Jaipur (Fees: 6,00,000 per annum)
• Sharda University, Greater Noida (Fees: 9,20,000 per annum)
• St. Xavier’s College, Kolkata (Fees: ₹5,00,000 per annum)

What is the average course fee in animation?

The average course fee can range anywhere between ₹50,000 to ₹2,00,000. Many institutes extend scholarships and other easy funding options to meritorious students.

What are the skills required for an animation course after 12th?

Some of the most relevant skills that a student can start developing and acquiring before joining an animation course are:

• Teamwork Spirit
• A keen eye for details
• Good observation power
• A focused mind with good retention capacity
• The clarity in sketching/ drawing
• Capability to get into the character
• Equipped with sound computer software skills

What is the minimum percentage required for pursuing a course in Animation?

A student must score more than 50% in 10+2 to fulfil the criteria of eligibility for any Animation course.

Conclusion

Students in the 21st century have the freedom to build a career in animation without worrying about the lack of employment opportunities. In this article, we have provided a roadmap for all the students seeking clarity in the field of animation. Apart from the courses, a student should also focus on building a portfolio. A portfolio is an excellent way of showcasing one’s skills to a potential employer or customer. It also helps in creating an online presence for an artist which can amplify the reach to the intended audience.