What qualifications are needed to study animation?

Answer 1

Erik Baker, one of the 3-D animators who worked on a Super Bowl ad, went to a community college and obtained a fine arts degree. He spent some time working in graphic and web design before entering the Animation Mentor school--an online animation school started by employees from companies such as Pixar, Disney and Dreamworks. He suggests books such as The Illusion of Life and the Animator's survival kit. (from a January 2009 article of the Arizona Daily Star) Number one skill you must be able to draw - if you want to do computer animation it is still best to learn traditional drawing first - animation is long tedious work even for simple animations so you will need patience and perseverance == == More than education you need to be very creative and you should know to draw and should have good knowledge on 2d and 3d animation software. == == One of the hottest job markets out there today is the field of computer animation. With technology getting simpler and its possible applications growing, the number of opportunities for you to become a computer animation professional is on the rise. It's not as easy as just saying you want to be a computer animator, though. Knowing what skills, training, and experience it takes to be a success is the first step in achieving it. Computer animation is a unique field in that it requires you to be proficient in both the creative and the technical processes. Having just one of the strengths isn't enough; you need to be fluent in both the basics of art and the basics of computers. A solid art foundation where you learn the fundamentals of drawing and color principle is the basis from which the rest of your creative education grows. From there, you can move into two- and three-dimensional illustration, and technical design. These are all important skills to have before actually venturing into digital media training. With software packages becoming increasingly user-friendly, specific knowledge is no longer a prerequisite to gaining employment. It's more beneficial to master the core skills that translate from program to program, such as motion capture and texture mapping. By concentrating on being comfortable in the digital medium as a whole, you can widen your employ-ability by not limiting yourself to a program that could very well be defunct in a year. While having a solid background in art and computers is vital to your success, so is being an effective communicator. As with any production of this kind, there is a substantial amount of pre-production that takes place, requiring you to interface with clients and co-workers in order to determine the structure of the project. Sound interpersonal skills make the difference between an automaton and an artist. More so than many other fields, computer animation is ideally mastered in an academic environment. It's possible to get the technical training on software packages at home, but not only does that require a lot of time and money, it also shortchanges you on the other skills that will make you a great employee. Having the tools is very different to knowing how best to use them. Choose a school that will give you a well-rounded education. Because different colleges focus on different areas, deciding prior to selection what your career goal is will help you find the one that fits your needs. It should have trained and competent instructors, varied coursework, and a top-quality computer graphics lab. The latter will assist you in putting together a demo reel of your work, the most valuable asset in finding your first job. Computer animation is a versatile industry, offering you a productive and exciting career. Whether your dream is to do the effects for the next Hollywood blockbuster or to design the next bestselling computer game, you can succeed as a computer animation professional if you enter it with the right tools and education.

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Answer 2

Don't know the exact science behind it, but a job in animation is fun as well as complex. One must keep up or have pretty good knowledge of the latest software such as CAD. Students should join robotic or artistic clubs, as it all intertwines together later one. Get familiar with both types of computers (mac/window). Depending on what you want, you should attend drafting classes, paintings and clay works, so you get a sense of depth, and shape manipulation. Watching a variety of animations always helps: Bee Movie, Shark Tale, Flushed Away, Panda Garden, Ratatouille, Monsters Inc, Ice Age, Madagascar, etc. You must really watch them, study each clip, Behind the Scenes.

Answer 3

The following is written by and according to the U.S. Department of Labor and particular to the education and training required for animators and related workers.

Artists usually develop their skills through a bachelor's degree program or other postsecondary training in art or design. Although formal schooling is not strictly required for craft and fine artists, it is very difficult to become skilled enough to make a living without some training. Art directors usually have years of work experience and generally need at least a bachelor's degree. Due to the level of technical expertise demanded, multimedia artists and animators generally also need a bachelor's degree.

Education and training. Many colleges and universities offer programs leading to a bachelor's or master's degree in fine arts. Courses usually include core subjects such as English, social science, and natural science, in addition to art history and studio art. Independent schools of art and design also offer postsecondary studio training in the craft, fine, and multi-media arts leading to certificates in the specialties or to an associate or bachelor's degree in fine arts. Typically, these programs focus more intensively on studio work than do the academic programs in a university setting. In 2007 the National Association of Schools of Art and Design accredited 282 postsecondary institutions with programs in art and design; most of these schools award a degree in art.

Many educational programs in art also provide training in computer techniques. Computers are used widely in the visual arts, and knowledge and training in computer graphics and other visual display software are critical elements of many jobs in these fields.

Medical illustrators must have both a demonstrated artistic ability and a detailed knowledge of living organisms, surgical and medical procedures, and human and animal anatomy. A bachelor's degree combining art and premedical courses usually is required. However, most medical illustrators also choose to pursue a master's degree in medical illustration. This degree is offered in four accredited schools in the United States.

Art directors usually begin as entry-level artists in advertising, publishing, design, and motion picture production firms. Artists are promoted to art director after demonstrating artistic and leadership abilities. Some art schools offer coursework in art direction as part of their curricula. Depending on the scope of their responsibilities, some art directors also may pursue a degree in art administration, which teaches non-artistic skills such as project management and finance.

Those who want to teach fine arts at public elementary or secondary schools usually must have a teaching certificate in addition to a bachelor's degree. An advanced degree in fine arts or arts administration is usually necessary for management or administrative positions in government or in foundations or for teaching in colleges and universities.

Other qualifications. Evidence of appropriate talent and skill, displayed in an artist's portfolio, is an important factor used by art directors, clients, and others in deciding whether to hire an individual or contract for their work. A portfolio is a collection of handmade, computer-generated, photographic, or printed samples of the artist's best work. Assembling a successful portfolio requires skills usually developed through postsecondary training in art or visual communications. Internships also provide excellent opportunities for artists to develop and enhance their portfolios.

Advancement. Artists hired by firms often start with relatively routine work. While doing this work, however, they may observe other artists and practice their own skills.

Craft and fine artists advance professionally as their work circulates and as they establish a reputation for a particular style. Many of the most successful artists continually develop new ideas, and their work often evolves over time.

Many artists freelance part-time while continuing to hold a full-time job until they are established. Others freelance part time while still in school, to develop experience and to build a portfolio of published work.

Freelance artists try to develop a set of clients who regularly contract for work. Some freelance artists are widely recognized for their skill in specialties such as cartooning or children's book illustration. These artists may earn high incomes and can choose the type of work they do.

For the source and more detailed information concerning your request, click on the related links section (U.S. Department of Labor) indicated directly below this answer section.

Answer 4

10

Answer 5

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