Animation is not simply a science of moving still cartoons. It is also an art of mirroring emotions and telling a story through an exciting medium. In keeping with the current trend in the animation industry, many reputed institutes in India are now offering under graduate and post graduate courses in animation. The animation and cartoon courses in India cover topics like Animation Principles, Computers for Animation, Animation Processes & Styling, 3D Animation, Pre Production Design and several other related Courses. Students have the option of choosing between diploma as well as degree courses in animation.
The animation industry in India is witnessing an unprecedented growth due to low cost of animation production facilitated by talented technical manpower, the expected demand of domestic Indian television channels, formation of domestic animation studio & training centers and of course outsourcing. According to a NASSCOMM study, “ The size of the Indian animation market (from the developers' perspective) was estimated at USD 285 million in 2005. It is expected to witness a CAGR of 35 percent from 2005-2009 and increase to USD 950 million by 2009...In entertainment, the share of fully animated movies is expected to increase significantly, from 15 percent in 2005 to 28 percent by 2009.” While India's Animation Industry is gaining prominence steadily quite a few important factors like government support, production of original content locally and good training will push the industry to greater heights. In view of the current trend, a number of young graduates are aspiring for a career in animation.
The growing demand for trained and qualified animation artists have led to the establishment of several animation institutes in the various cities in India. Some of the reputed training institutes that are producing quality animation professionals are – National Institutes of Design (Ahmedabad), JJ School of Arts, ZEE School of Creative Arts Mumbai, Industrial Design Center (IIT Mumbai), IIT Guwahati, C-DAC's National Multimedia Resource Center, Graphiti Multimedia Pvt. Ltd., Arena Animation Academy, Frameboxx Animation and Visual Effects, Integrated Management College, Academy of Animation and Gaming, Toonz Animation Acdemy, Maya Academy of Advanced Cinematics etc.
Animation courses are an integral part of good art and design program. There are animation scholarships offered by many institutes for students who have talent and knack in this particular field. Students enrolling in the various animation programs are generally required to complete a common coursework in computer design and graphics together with film and photographic techniques and conventional illustration. Animation scholarships for students are aimed at enabling students to take up a career in animation and Visual FX industry. Recently Arena Animation, the worldwide leader in animation & multimedia training has announced the Kala Srishti Scholarships. This animation scholarship is being offered to students on the basis of 3 main criteria, namely last board exams results, performance at the scholarship test and interview.
