Animation is the art of drawing or capturing a sequence of still images, which are then digitally or manually manipulated to generate the illusion of motion.
Animation is a stream of design and comprises two basic types- traditional and digital. Traditional animation uses hand-drawn image frames placed in a sequence manually whereas digital animation employs computer-generated images which are digitally sequenced to produce motion. Animation comprises a vast variety of specializations employing various methods, some of which include stop motion animation, motion graphics, 2-dimensional animation, and 3-dimensional animation.
Undergraduate degrees offered in Animation include the following-
Bachelor of Science (BSc) - 3 years
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Bachelor of Arts (BA) - 3 years
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Bachelor of Design (B Des) - 3 to 4 years
Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) - 3 to 4 years
Bachelor of Visual Arts (BVA) - 4 years
Bachelor of Computer Application (BCA) - 3 years
The undergraduate eligibility criteria for aspiring animation artists are as follows-
Candidates enrolling in animation courses must have passed their 10+2 (or equivalent) examinations from a recognized Indian board with a minimum aggregate of 50% marks.
Candidates can opt for animation courses from any stream (Science/Commerce/Humanities).
Candidates opting for BCA (Multimedia and Animation) must have Mathematics and Computer Science as compulsory subjects in class 12.
Admission to animation courses is conducted through merit or entrance exams.
In the case of merit-based admissions, candidates must meet the eligibility criteria and obtain the cut-off marks to secure a seat in the college and course of their choice.
In the case of admission through entrance exams, candidates must qualify for the minimum eligibility for the animation and design entrance exams. Interested candidates can apply for UCEED and other animation entrances by registering in the online portal and submitting the required documents. Candidates will then be shortlisted based on their entrance scores and rank in the counseling session of the college/entrance.
Shortlisted candidates may then finalize their admission at the concerned college by paying the fees and submitting the required documents for verification.
Undergraduate Common Entrance Examination for Design (UCEED)
UCEED is the common entrance test for students wishing to pursue a degree in design. The entrance is conducted once a year on a national level across 24 Indian cities. UCEED is conducted by the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Mumbai with 16 participating colleges.
UCEED is a three-hour entrance exam with 300 questions and consists of two parts:
Part A (240 marks) is a computer-based test (CBT) comprising 68 questions. Candidates are allotted 150 minutes to complete Part A. It is divided into three sections:
Section 1 (72 marks) contains 18 numerical-type questions. Every correct answer is awarded 4 marks, and there is no negative marking for incorrect answers.
Section 2 (72 marks) contains 18 multiple-select questions (MSQs). Candidates will be awarded 4 marks for selecting all correct answers, 3 marks for selecting three out of four correct answers, 2 marks for selecting two out of 4 correct answers, and 1 mark for choosing only one out of four correct answers. There is a negative marking of one mark for each incorrect answer chosen.
Section 3 (96 marks) contains 32 multiple-choice questions (MCQs). 3 marks are awarded to candidates for each correct answer. There is a negative marking of 0.71 mark for every incorrect answer.
Part A questions test the candidates’ theoretical knowledge of design, visualization, spatial ability, logical and analytical reasoning, problem-solving and observational skills, environmental and social awareness, language, and creativity.
Part B is a pen-and-paper test and comprises only one drawing/sketching question carrying 60 marks. Candidates are allotted 30 minutes to complete section B.
The part B question tests the candidates’ creative ability along with their practical understanding of perspective, shading, and composition.
NID Design Aptitude Test (DAT)
NID DAT is the national-level entrance conducted for admission into B.Des. and M.Des. programs in the National Institutes of Design (NIDs) across the country. NID DAT conducts the Prelims test first, qualifying which candidates can appear for the NID DAT Mains test.
NID DAT Prelims is a three-hour exam comprising 26 questions worth 100 marks. It comprises two sections:
The Aptitude Section carries 30% weightage and tests candidates on their logical reasoning, quantitative aptitude, general knowledge and current affairs, and English proficiency.
The Design Section carries 70% weightage and tests candidates on their practical drawing, sketching, and modeling skills.
NID DAT Mains consists of a Studio Test; candidates who qualify for NID DAT Mains also must upload their Statement of Purpose (SoP) along with their portfolio.
NID DAT Prelims and Mains scores constitute 40% and 60% weightage respectively in the final tabulation of results.
The NIFT Entrance Exam is the national-level entrance conducted for admission into B.Des., BF.Tech., M.Des., MFM, and MFTech programs in the National Institutes of Fashion Technology (NIFTs) across the country.
Every program has its specific entrance modeled toward the content of the course. Candidates have to clear the GAT (General Ability Test) and CAT (Creative Ability Test) to qualify for the NIFT courses.
Candidates’ CAT and GAT scores are considered to shortlist candidates for the next round, which comprises a situation test and/or a GDPI (Group Discussion and Private Interview).
All India Entrance Examination for Design (AIEED)
AIEED is the nationwide entrance exam for design programs conducted by The ARCH College of Design & Business.
The AIEED comprises a series of tasks candidates must complete to be shortlisted:
Video screening process: Candidates must send a video to ARCH Academy based on the questionnaire sent to them for the screening procedure.
Portfolio round: Candidates must present their work in their portfolio to the admission panel.
Interview round: This is the final screening process where candidates are required to present themselves before a panel of expert candidates.
Other popular entrances include the Symbiosis Entrance Exam for Design (SEED), the Chandigarh University Entrance Exam, the WLCI Aptitude Test, and the Manipal Entrance Test (MET).
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Some of the best animation colleges in India are-
Industrial Design Centre (IDC), IIT Mumbai
Unitedworld Institute of Design (UID), Ahmedabad
National Institute of Film and Fine Arts, Kolkata
Srishti Manipal Institute of Art, Design and Technology, Bangalore
ITM Institute of Design and Media, Mumbai
Fergusson College, Pune
World University Of Design (WUD), Sonipat
Creatively inclined students with technological prowess may find animation a suitable career. Students may gauge their aptitude for animation with the following criteria:
Creative outlook
Visual imagination
Technical Acumen
Communication Skills
Visual effects
Knowledge of current trends and styles
Attention to detail
Computer literacy
Knowledge of animation software systems
Aesthetic visualization
Time management skills
The most popular and lucrative specializations in Animation include the following -
3D Modelling Animation
Interactive Animation
Medical Animation
Mathematical Modelling
Character Animation
Science Visualisation
UI/UX Motion Animation
Undergraduate design programs in India span between three to four years and six to eight semesters. Students are assessed on a grade-point average (GPA)/percentage basis through internal assessments and end-semester written exams.
Design courses cover both theoretical and practical subjects, some of which include visualization and sketching techniques, graphic design, story-telling for visual media, animation techniques, design management, and digital design tools.
Besides written tests to examine the theoretical bases of students, assessments also include practical tests, animation film projects (four projects in a four-year degree), internship credits, and a final degree project.
The total fee structure for design colleges in India ranges between 20,000 to 10 lakhs per annum for a 3-4 year animation course. The fee structure may vary depending on the college, duration, course, and specialization of choice.
There are also several part-time/correspondence/distance/online courses for animation whose fees are lesser, ranging between 10,000 to 50,000 rupees per annum.
Several organizations and institutions offer scholarships, fellowships, and grants to students wishing to pursue a degree in animation; some of them include -
Kala Srishti Scholarships Program, Arena Animations
UD School of Animation, Hyderabad’s Animation Scholarships for meritorious students
Diversity in Indian Animators (DiiA) Scholarships for Women
Creative Reward Scholarship, Maya Academy of Advanced Cinematics (MAAC)
The Indian Institute of Digital Art and Animation’s First Year/Annual/Research Project/Associated Institution Scholarships
Frameboxx Animation Scholarship for meritorious students
Teaching/Research Assistantships | Quality Improvement Programme (QIP) scholarship, IIT Mumbai
Gaining industry experience through internships is a vital and often mandatory requirement for design students. Most colleges have Training and Placement (T&P) cells to help students gain industry experience through professional training sessions and internships.
The University Grants Commission’s (UGC) 2022 guidelines state that all undergraduate students studying in recognized Indian universities must compulsorily do an internship for eight to ten weeks.
Moreover, most animation courses have mandatory internships as animation is an applied field and it is necessary for candidates to apply their theoretical learning in the professional world to develop their style, build a brand, and gain practical working skills and creative industry experience during their formative years.
After completing undergraduate animation courses like B Des/BSc/BFA/BVA/BA/BCA, students may opt for higher education with master's/PhD degrees. Here are a few postgraduate study and research opportunities in India:
Master of Design (M Des) - 2 years
Master of Fine Arts (MFA) - 2 years
Master of Arts (MA) - 2 years
Post Graduate Diploma (PGD) - 1 to 2 years
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) - 3 to 6 years
Candidates can secure admission into postgraduate animation courses by clearing the Common Entrance Examination for Design (CEED). Some institutions and colleges have their respective screening procedure and entrance exams.
Several universities and colleges abroad offer excellent animation programs and courses. Here are some of the best global institutions for students wishing to pursue an animation degree abroad:
Sheridan College, Canada
California Institute of the Arts, California
Savannah College of Art and Design, Georgia
Gobelins, France
Bournemouth University, England
Royal College of Arts, London
Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) – Rhode Island
Emily Carr University of Art + Design, Vancouver
RMIT University, Australia
Beijing Film Academy, China
After obtaining a design degree/certification, students can offer their skills as animators in the public and private sectors as well as on a freelance basis. Several colleges and institutions offer placement opportunities to their students through their training and placement (T&P) cell in the penultimate/final year of the animation degree.
Some of the top animation studios recruiting in India include:
Digitoonz
UTV Toonz
Reliance MediaWorks Ltd
Pentamedia Graphics
Toonz Animation India
Maya Entertainment Ltd
Reliance Animation
Nipuna services
Vibgyor 360
Visual Connections
Some of the leading firms in the world recruiting animators include -
Walt Disney Studio Animation
Pixar Animation Studios
Sony Pictures Animation
DreamWorks Animation
Warner Bros.
Studio Ghibli
Technicolour
Acer
Adobe Systems Pvt. Ltd
After completing their animation degrees, students may choose from various career prospects depending on their specializations. Some of the popular and lucrative career prospects in animation include:
3D Modeller
2D animator
Animation Graphic Artist
Video Game Animator
Special Effects Animator
Character Animator
Cartoonist
Storyboard Artist
Animation Software Developer
Background Painter
Art Director
Medical/Forensic Animator
Scientific Visualisation Animator
Motion Designer
VFX Animator
The average starting salaries for animation graduates range between 1.5 to 3 lakhs per annum and can go as high as 12 LPA for senior animators.
Creative direction, medical/forensic animation, software animation engineering, game design, visual effects animation, and 3D modeling are some of the highest-paying specializations in animation.
Candidates interested in pursuing a career in animation may also consider the following streams and subjects-
Graphic Design
Fashion Design and Technology
Product Designing
Gaming/Game Design
Computer Graphics
Art Direction
Portraiture
Comic designing and conceptualization
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Which is the most lucrative specialization in Animation?
Mathematic modeling, medical animation, forensic animation, 3D modeling, and art direction are some of the highest-paying specializations in animation.
Which is the best animation studio in India?
Digitoonz, Maya Entertainment Ltd, Reliance Animation, and Nipuna Services are some of the top animation studios in India.
How much does a freelance animator earn?
Freelance work depends largely on the client roster- both, the frequency, size, and paying potential of clients. A freelance animator’s salary can range anywhere between 1-5 LPA.
Are online animation courses any good?
While receiving in-person learning from experienced industry professionals is always more beneficial for strengthening foundations, online animation courses from reputed institutions and organizations can be helpful as long as the learner is equipped with the required software and technical requirements.
What is the difference between 2D animation and 3D animation?
2D animation, as its name suggests, deals with a two-dimensional world and characters. Animation in two-dimensional comprises flat features and features only height and with- no depth perception or realism. An example of 2D animation would be cartoons and animated films like Lion King, Tom and Jerry, and the Looney Tunes Show.
3D animation refers to three-dimensional animation. 3D animation features depth and realism in addition to height and width in its world and characters. An example of 3D animation would be animated films such as Toy Story, Shrek, and The Adventures of Tintin, as well as animated special effects/CGI in movies like Jurassic Park and The Avengers.