We have all been fascinated by animated movies as kids. However, the industry has come a long way from our favorite cartoons to motion graphics in advertisements and ed-tech. There’s an expanding market for 3D animated video games, live-action movies, and enhanced visuals.
If you want to be a part of this fast-growing industry and enroll in an animation course, this blog will help you get an idea of all the skills you need to get ahead of the curve.
- Creative Drive
The first step to any creative/artistic profession is to have a constant knack for creativity. Artists get inspired by things and the people around them. An animator needs to develop compelling plots, and relatable characters, and build moving stories. A higher creative drive ensures more engaging storylines and more exploration of mediums, styles, and techniques. If you’re planning to join an animation institute, make sure you get your creative juices flowing.
- Drawing Skills
Most animation courses don’t expect you to be a master in drawing. But, some basic skills and an idea of different elements can come in handy, especially if you are going to work as a traditional animator. So, before you join a professional program, you might want to brush up on your sketching, basic anatomy, and capturing movement. Knowledge of perspective drawing and constructive drawing will ease your way through the course.
- Digital Skills
The animation industry today is highly tech-dependent. From CGI and digital illustrations to post-production, an animator must be well acquainted with the latest software and industry tools. 3D Modelling and illustration software, character animators, and background building are some of the areas to focus on. Adobe’s range of software is perfect for anyone who’s pursuing a formal course. In addition to these, there’s Blender, Autodesk Maya, Toon Boom Harmony, and Houdini Animation are used by industry professionals.
Read Also : Getting Equipped With Skills Necessary For Building Career In The Animation Industry
- Understanding Color Theory
Colors are an important part of any composition. Using the right colors creates a sense of harmony, balance, and depth. Being thorough with color theory allows animators to add character to the non-living things depicted in their story, evoke certain emotions, and highlight the personalities of different characters.
- Storytelling
In addition to their artistic capabilities and digital skills, animators also have to be extraordinary storytellers. Developing a plot and subsequent storylines and introducing characters with their arcs can help build an emotional connection with the audience and engage with them on a personal level.
- Ability to Create Compositions
Compositions help maintain continuity and play with a sense of depth in the outcome. It’s like adding a finishing touch to the animation by bringing together all the elements and positioning them in the background/foreground. Having an idea of coherence in art helps with nurturing this skill in an animation course.
- Attention to Details
Much like any other art/design field, animated characters and their surroundings have to be intricately detailed. There will be tiny similarities and distinguishing factors that set them apart. You will need, for instance, an understanding of shadows when depicting daytime, or have an idea of the weight of a fabric to make it look realistic. All of this requires extraordinary focus on details.
- Versatility and Adaptability
Not only does animation include multiple styles, forms, and techniques, but the discipline is also witnessing changes accompanying the fast-evolving technology in this digital age. Animation and VFX courses are aimed at training their students in multiple skills, and types of animations, and preparing them for the industry. Adapting to dynamism is another key skill you will have to learn – it includes understanding industry trends and keeping up with them by constant upskilling.
- Creative Problem Solving
Creative problem-solving abilities and critical thinking skills can facilitate a hassle-free journey through the industry. It helps with getting over creative obstacles, and budget constraints, helps meet deadlines, pitch to potential clients, and maintains a collaborative environment. Working on your Problem-Solving skills will ensure a smooth creative workflow, help you get over artist’s blocks, tweak plotlines according to the client’s requirements, and so on.
- Time-Management
Industry professionals might have to work on tight schedules to meet deadlines. Animation projects involve multiple steps and require one to work with a diverse team of professionals. Allocating specific time for research, brainstorming, storyboarding, and character and frame development makes it easier for professionals to be punctual. It is a quality that will serve you both during your academic years and in the industry.
Key Takeaways
The Animation industry offers diverse and well-paid job roles to creative professionals. If you’ve just finished high school, this is a good time to start working on the skills so you can kickstart your career in animation.
AAFT offers Degree and Diploma programs in Animation that help you familiarize yourself with the discipline. It focuses on different types of animation in filmmaking, creating web-based designs, working with 2D and 3D animations and motion graphics, and building an impactful portfolio that can land you your dream job.
