Lovable characters such as Buzz Lightyear, Woody, Shrek and others have captured the imaginations of both young and old. Animated movies such as ‘Toy Story’, ‘Wall-E’, ‘Monsters Inc.’ and ‘Up’, among many others have shown how popular such films are by becoming huge box office hits. The video game industry similarly has many hooked to animated games such as ‘Resident Evil’ and ‘Counter Strike’.
Animation is the process by which 2D or 3D images move in rapid succession giving the illusion of movement. This technique is employed in a variety of media formats including television, movies, video games and more. There are a number of animation colleges available for those interested in entering this creative and cutting-edge industry.
Animation Programs and Degrees
Animation colleges are the place to find the necessary educational qualifications to lay the foundations for a successful career in the animation industry. You can find animation related programs at the Associate, Bachelor and Master levels depending on your particular area of interest. For example there are animation programs available in video game design, digital video media and simulation programming among others. Programs related to video game design and programming are useful for those who wish to enter the gaming industry. 2D and 3D graphic programming methods and game designing techniques are taught in such programs. Animation colleges offering 3D animation programs teach students about the electronic arts and equip them with animation skills.
Animation colleges teach students how to create 2D and 3D characters for use in television, games, films and digital media. Students learn how to use various kinds of animation software. They are taught to use drawings and storyboards for conceptualizing and developing ideas for cartoons and characters. Students also learn to bring characters and backgrounds to life using life rendering techniques and methods. Students are also taught how to give life-like movement to characters and how to combine audio and visual effects. Learning post-production techniques is also part of an animation program’s curriculum.
Careers in Animation
With the increasing popularity of animated movies and games, the animation industry is rapidly growing. As a result those with degrees from animation colleges can find themselves highly sought after. Animation experts can be found employed at television studios, animation studios, game design and development companies and at digital media corporations. Production houses and special effects studios are also potential employers for those who have graduated from animation colleges. Advertising agencies and web design companies also employ animation professionals.
Animation graduates can find a multitude of career options available to them. Game design and digital entertainment companies are always on the lookout for those with a degree in game design and simulation programming. Game designers, programmers and testers are all possible roles for animation experts. 2D and 3D background scene creators and designers are also job options available to game design graduates.
Storyboard artists and character animators are other possible career options for animation professionals. Animation experts are also employed in roles involving modeling, lighting and texture mapping. This exciting industry offers any of a number of career options depending on the area of animation that you are most passionate about.