What Are The Courses for Animation?

Introduction

Animation is the art of bringing inanimate objects or characters to life, a world where reality meets imagination. It consists of graphics, special effects, and software technologies that create virtual experiences. A strong imagination, along with a penchant for sketching or drawing, is the driving force towards a great career in Animation. Colour-matching and visualization skills often come in handy. Besides these, you need to understand the structures, expression, and movement of living and non-living things, because, as Norman McLaren said,

“Animation is not the art of drawings that move but the art of movements that are drawn.”

Here are some other skills that you can focus on to be successful in your career pathway.

• Thorough knowledge of Software, such as Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Flash, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe FreeHand
• Knowledge of the colour theory
• Animation tools such as 3DS Max, Maya, Zbrush, Pixar’s RenderMan, POV-Ray, etc.
• An understanding of character development and storytelling
• Attention to details
• Presentation skills
• Communication skills
• Team spirit
• Innovativeness
• Time management
• Patience

Courses Available in the Graduate Level

Bachelors of Science (B.Sc.) in Animation

If you have a thing for animation and VFX, one of the best courses to pursue a graduate level is Bachelors of Science in Animation. Animation is often combined with VFX in most of these programs so that you get a dual specialization. It is a 3 year, full-time undergraduate program to introduce you to the world of motion graphics. There will be 6 semesters and each semester will end with a term-end theory and practical examination.

What Will Be Taught?

A B.Sc. Animation course provides the technical skills essential for a career in Animation (and VFX, if it is a B.Sc. Animation and VFX program), besides building a strong foundational base in art and design. It includes training in the application of Animation software, such as Adobe Character Animator, Adobe Photoshop, Autodesk 3ds Maya, etc. On course completion, you would be skilled in manipulating images, designing animated characters, background, colour scheme, storyboards, and related audio-video techniques for the Animation and VFX industry.

Following is a list of topics that are typically covered in a B.Sc. Animation & VFX program in India. Note that this is just the gist. As it is a practical-oriented learning model, most of the topics will have practical classes. Also, there will be projects in different semesters and internships on course completion (based on the policies of the colleges). Apart from the core subjects, there will be electives and skill and ability enhancement subjects to help you skill-up for the industry.

Eligibility and Admission

The minimum qualification required to join a B.Sc. Animation program is a pass in the 10+2 examination in Science, Commerce, or Arts streams from PUC, ISC, CBSE, or any equivalent board or a course recognized as equivalent thereto by the University.

The admission procedure is mainly merit-based. However, there can be an aptitude test or an interview session also.

Here are some of the B.Sc. Animation courses to choose from.

Bachelors of Fine Arts (BFA)

A Bachelor in Fine Arts or BFA is an undergraduate program in Visual, Fine, and Performing Arts. It is a full-time course for students who are interested in pursuing careers in creative fields such as Animation, VFX, Digital Filmmaking, Acting, Music, Painting, Gaming, Illustration, Interior Designing, Sculpting, and so on. It is sometimes called BVA or Bachelors in Visual Arts.

BFA in Animation is a 4-year, full-time program covering eight semesters, which include theory, practical work, project work, and internships* (*may or may not be included). BFA in Animation is often combined with VFX. If you go for a BFA in Animation and VFX, you will be specialized in both the domains equally.

What Will Be Taught?

A BFA Animation course imparts theoretical knowledge and practical skills that can help you launch your career in the animation industry. Besides becoming adept in drawing and designing skills, you will be learning some of the latest technologies such as Autodesk 3ds Max, Adobe After-Effects, Adobe Character Animator, Adobe Photoshop, etc., which will multiply your job prospects. The curriculum will cover figure drawing, character design, motion graphics, tone, colour, and storyboarding.

Here is a list of topics that are broadly covered in BFA Animation & VFX courses across India. Note that this is just the gist, with no separate mention of the practical labs. You will be taking up projects in different semesters and may have an internship program at the end of the term.

Eligibility and Admission:

To be eligible for a BFA program, you have to pass 10+2 exams (Academic or Vocational Stream) from any Secondary Board with a minimum of 40-50% marks (percentage may vary college-wise). Students from any stream – Arts, Science, or Commerce – can opt for it.

Admission can be based on merit or an entrance exam conducted by the institution to test the candidates’ creative, drawing, and compositional skills. Certain institutes conduct personal interviews as well. So, if you are sure about this course, start building a good portfolio presenting your work.

Courses Available in the Postgraduate Level

Master of Science (M.Sc.) in Animation 

Master of Science (or M.Sc.) in Animation is a 2-year postgraduate course for students who want to learn the advanced skills of animation. It is a full-time program and is divided into 4 semesters. If you go for M.Sc. in Animation, you will be able to apply the principles of animation to communicate your ideas, emotions, and believable actions. You will not only gain critical technical abilities for the industry but also learn how to appreciate the aesthetics behind animation.

On course completion, you will be able to create 2D and 3D characters, environments & backgrounds, and design layout, which will reflect your grasp in graphical clarity, design principles, performance principles, and theoretical constructs.

Eligibility Required

To be eligible for a M.Sc. Animation program, you need to fit into the following criteria. Note that eligibility criteria are different for different colleges; the following one is the widely accepted criterion across the country.

You must pass B.Sc. in animation or any equivalent degree with a minimum of 40-50% overall aggregate marks from any recognized University.

Besides merit-based selection, certain universities also admit students based on entrance exams and personal interviews.

Where to study M.Sc. Animation?

M.Sc Animation is available in only a handful of universities across the country. iNurture works with a range of potent Universities that offer new-age postgraduate programs for Animation. One such University is Jain (Deemed-to-be) University, Bangalore. It offers an M.Sc Animation course in Integration with International Moving Image Society, UK (Chartered Body). It is an advanced PG program designed with inputs from industry experts. The course is strictly industry-oriented, which would help you get groomed for the competitive and fast-growing Animation field. The curriculum is designed in such a way that it covers the complete script to screen process, emphasizing practical application-oriented learning.

What Will Be Taught?

A new-age M.Sc. degree in Animation is different from a normal M.Sc. Animation program in that it follows an industry-based curriculum designed with inputs from industry experts. It revolves around a well-balanced mix of theory and practical subjects that are in high demand in the industry. There will be projects in the last semester to help you align with the industry ways.

Here is a commonly followed curriculum for new-age courses across the country. Note that the curriculum may differ based on college policies.

Diploma in Animation

A Diploma is a short-term program that is generally imparted in 2 or 3 years. It trains students on a particular field and is usually for professional or vocational courses only. Several educational institutions (UGC-approved or not) offer Diploma courses in different subjects. However, the relative importance of a Diploma is lesser than a Degree.

What Will Be Taught?

A Diploma in Animation will help you explore the concepts of animation by applying them in reality. The curriculum is vastly different for different colleges. A typical Diploma may include topics such as basic artworks and anatomy study, storyboarding, modeling, composting, rigging, graphic design, 2D & 3D animation, motion graphics, VFX, and so on. You can join a Diploma to excel in a particular field of Animation too, for instance, a 2-year Diploma in 3D Animation after a B.Sc./BFA in Animation will help you master the techniques and relevant skills for 3D Animation, and would get you a great career in 3D Animation.

Eligibility and Admission

You can go for a Diploma course even after class 10. However, there are Diploma courses at UG and PG levels too. For such courses, you need to pass 10+2 and have a UG degree, respectively. There is no definite cut-off percentage to be eligible for a Diploma course.

Careers in Animation

Both private and government enterprises offer jobs for quality animation professionals—although opportunities in the private and public sectors are more than that in government enterprises. Freelancers have great scope too. Here are some of the career options to choose from:

• 2D Animator: Designing characters, backgrounds, scene transitions, and storyboards in a two-dimensional frame.
• 3D Animator: Creating moving images using digital models and adding details to landscapes, skin colour, clothing, etc.
• 3D Modeller: Creating a 3D environment or character skeleton by painting and wrapping a 2D texture on a digital frame.
• Stop Motion Animator: Physically manipulating objects in small increments between individually photographed frames so that the objects appear to exhibit independent motion when the series of frames is played back.
• Flash Animator: Creating videos for websites, marketing, games, and education material.
• Background Artist: Creating backgrounds for animated characters to move about—for instance, a village, a stadium, a skyline, etc.
• Character Animator: Designing characters using animation software, 3D modeling, 2D animations, and even puppetry, and manipulating them to interact with the digital environment.
• Texture Artist: Painting surface textures, such as wrinkles, scales, sweat, fur, body hair, mud, etc., on animated characters or the environment.
• Lighting Artist: Creating compositing rendering, colour keys, and light rigs to develop effects such as a rainy day, underwater, fog, a sunny day, night time, etc.
• Rigging Artist: Designing skeletons for 3D models to help in deformation and movement of the animated character. 
• Forensic Animator: Recreating crime scenes, accident scenes, etc., to help in real-life investigations.

Some of the areas where you will find ample job opportunities are as follows:

• Film and Television Studios
• Online and Print News Media
• Production Houses
• Cartoon Production Houses
• Advertising Agencies
• IT Companies
• Theater
• Video Gaming Companies
• E-learning Providers

Conclusion:

Now that you know there are ample career options in the Animation field, you need not think twice for an animation degree. Follow your creative mind, and at the end of the road, you will have a fabulous career and an outlet to express your creative self. If you have any difficulty choosing the right college for your Animation degree, you can always turn to iNurture for advanced, industry-ready animation and visual communication education across India.