We all have grown up watching cartoons. But never though how these cartoon characters came to life. We have watched lots of movies with visual effects like Independence Day or Avataar or ET. Games like PUBG etc. involve lots of characters, levels, surroundings and different challenges. All this is possible due to graphic animation VFX.
But what is Animation?
Animation is the art of bringing to life inanimate objects or characters. It entails combining of art and imagination with technology to generate interactive animated images. Animator produces multiple frames using digital or hand-drawn pictures, computer graphics or photographs of static objects. Sequencing together these frames creates an illusion of movement.
Strong imagination, visualization skills, understanding of the structures, expressions, and movement of living and non-living things and colour matching along with a penchant for sketching or drawing are the skills that ensure a great career in Animation.
Scope:
Growing demand forgraphic animation from various industries will fuel lots of lucrative employment opportunities. Following is the industry outlook:
- In 2020, India’s animation and VFX industry was valued 53 billion Indian rupees approximately. This is estimated to grow and reach up to 129 billion rupees by 2023.
- KPMG India reports that the online gaming segment is projected to grow at a CAGR of 21 per cent by FY25 to reach a size of Rs 29,000 crore from an estimated value of Rs 13,600 crore in FY21.
- There is an increased use of VFX and animation in both film as well as TV industry not only in India, but abroad as well.
- The pandemic has worked as a catalyst for growth in e-learning platform, whereby real classroom teaching has been replaced computer based learning since kids learn better using interactive media.
- Growth of e-commerce platforms like Amazon, Flipkart etc. is fueled by attractive presentation of products requiring animations and this will further increase the demand for good animation professionals.
Expert graphic animation VFX professional will be required by all the above Industries to develop content that is creative as well as interactive to attract prospective audience.
Points to ponder while deciding the right graphics and animation courses
In the market there are lots of colleges offering students to learn and explore graphics and animation courses. However, while choosing the right course one needs to deliberate on the following points:
- The course must offer industry centric as well as job oriented curriculum.
- The courses should offer professional degree and/or diploma that are recognized by government. Additionally it should also give you an access into the international market.
- You should choose the course from a national as well as internationally accredited college.
- The course must give competencies in the use of latest software and technologies so that you are market ready after your course. The course must teach those technical skills that are not only relevant currently but also is future ready.
- Since this field of study caters to various industries, the students should be given exposure to these industries so that they may acquire requisite skills to work in multiple sectors.
- Live projects to help build experience as well as portfolio.
- College must offer holistic internship and placement programs for the students
- Course must offer adequate knowledge related to character creation-character sketching, modeling, building of surroundings, storyboarding as well as writing
- Regular workshops and interactions with Industry experts
- Supplementary career support curriculum to enhance your competencies.