Soar High With Computer Animation Careers

Computer animation, as the name suggests,is the art of creating moving images with the help of computers. Unlike traditional animation where everything is hand-drawn, computer animation uses 2D or 3D graphics to bring life to images with the help of high end computers and pieces of software.The unprecedented boom in entertainment, game and advertising industry has made computer animation a highly lucrative and most demanding career for creative young minds. Television and film industry’s unquenchable thirst for visual effects and animation along with advertising industry’s need for brilliant 2D and 3D techniques to attract millions of viewer’s from across the globe has created boundless scope in this industry.

In order to pursue a career in Computer Animation, one must get a graduate, masters or diploma in various fields related to animation. But to be successful in this field, one should have a terrific portfolio with cross-platform demonstrations of his/her best animation and graphics work. Attending internship programs can also give aspiring animators a chance to work in a real studio set-up with professionals, thus giving them a hands-on experience in this field.

Courses in Life Drawing, Shading and Lighting, 2D Animation, 3D Animation, Anatomy, Physics, Color Theory, Graphics and Design, Computer Programming, Scriptwriting, Animation, Modelling, Rigging, Compositing, Digital Artetc, forms the framework of Computer Animation.Moreover, an aptitude in sketching or drawing combined with a flair for creativity and a thorough knowledge in various multi-media platforms and computer software can make you reach at the top in this field.

Animation industry is on the path of expansion in a world-wide scenario and the employment opportunities it provide to the 2D and 3D animators each year is huge.Successful animation is all about the execution of a wonderful idea combined with creativity and technological brilliance. After prospecting your interest and taste, you can always chose from different career options in animation such as:

• Modeller
• Background artist
• Layout artist
• Story Broad Artist
• Clean- up Artist
• Scanner operator
• Compositor
• Character animator
• Special effect artist
• Digital ink and paint artist
• Key frame animator
• Lighting artist
• Image Editor
• Video Editor
• Visual Effects Supervisor
• Rendering artist
• 2-D Animator
• Texture Artist
• Rigging artist
• 3-D animato
• Art Director
• Stop Motion Animator

Each position has its own pros and cons but with a patient mind and strict ability to work under pressure and not forgetting to meet with deadlines can put you through the industry well enough to reap off decent wages.

Computer animators plan, design and execute 2D and 3D motion graphics for diversified platforms including films, television shows, adverts, computer and mobile games and apps, websites and videos. The job of these animators include creating computer generated images of a character’s images, expressions and movements which are converted into three dimensional characters along with appropriate scenery or background with proper shading and lighting. For example, Blockbuster animated movies such as Frozen, Finding Nemo, Lion King, The Jungle Book, Up, Inside Out, Kung Fu Panda and supreme VFX specialised movies such as The Jurassic Park, The Batman, Avengers, 300, The Chronicles of Narnia are all the end results of the team effort of animators and the wonder that is, animation.

Computer animation is a window that opens up to an endless array of opportunities including the following:

• Film and Video making Industries
• Advertising and Public Relations
• Game and App Design Services
• Web and Graphic Design Firms
• Mobile technology Companies
• Software Developers and Publishers

Many animators work from home or on contract basis and are self-employed or freelancers who have equal job opportunities despite the field being quite competitive and challenging. But for them, career progression is solely based on their personal and technical skills and ability to promote themselves. With experience in the field, they can become lead animators and art directors and may even progress their career by adopting a teaching career.

Animation is everywhere. From mobile phones to televisions to computer games, we need animation to enhance our virtual experience and facilitate user friendliness. With more and more advancements soaring up in this field each day, it is sure that a computer animator will never run out of job for at least the next hundred years. So if you are a person who loves sketching and watching animated videos and enjoy the fuzz and buzz of a busy studio environment, this might be the right job for you.

Image courtesy: www.freepik.com