ANIMATION AND MULTIMEDIA CAREER

Animation is the design, drawing, layout and production of photographic sequences that are incorporated in the multimedia products in order to give it a smart appearance. In other words, animation involves the manipulation of still images to create the illusion of movement. Using computer technology, a sequence of staggered images captured in related positions are made to appear as if they’re really moving.

Multimedia is any combination of text, graphic art, sound, animation and video delivered to us by computer or other electronic means. Technically the term “multimedia” can be used to refer any combination of visual and audio material from a range of sources into a single presentation. More specifically the term “multimedia” is used for the combination of materials within a format or medium that can be used by a computer, including CD-ROM or digital video, interactive touch-screen monitors, internet or web technology, streaming audio or video, and data projection system etc. Modern cinema has gained great heights by absorbing the gift of multimedia in Hollywood and Bollywood blockbusters viz., Jurassic park and Krish etc. Television advertisements, cartoon serials, presentations and model design are no exception

Read: Work from Home

The work of multimedia professionals can he described as the generation and manipulation of graphic images, animation, sound, music, text and video into consolidated multimedia programs for entertainment, education or instructional media. Multimedia development includes a combi-nation of different skills viz., combination art, music, education and many other areas with comput-ing and information technology. As such there is no single background that can be considered as ideal pathway in the profession. But knowledge of more than one skill in animation, author-based programm-ing, computer-based graphic design, digital audio-video mixing and editing, educational and instructional design and multimedia pro-gramming is necessary. Besides, creativity, pioneering personality, flexibility, mathematical and analytic art, strong verbal and written communication skill, ability to work well with others, flair for innovation design and artistic talent are other traits which can give more advantage.

Global animation industry is estimated to grow around US$75 billion by 2009 and Indian share is expected to be $950 million in the same period, thereby witnessing annual growth rate of 35% from 2005-2009. The market for another multimedia product i.e., gaming is expected to reach $300 million by 2009. In India, there are around 90-100 million TV homes, hundreds of TV channels and over 70,000 cable operators. They are demanding round the clock information and entertainment services for TV viewers. These figures shows a promising growth, bright prospects and opportunities for multimedia industry. The only factor which hampers the growth of multimedia sector is the dearth of skilled professionals. It is expected that in next few years the requirement for multimedia professionals can swell to 2 lakh. Moreover, the IT-enabled services sector, which includes interactive or digital multimedia, animation and gaming, is expect to employ around 1.1 million professionals by 2008.

There are various courses on multimedia offered all over the country. For acquiring a diploma in multimedia, one has to pass the 12th standard examination from any recognized board with a minimum of 45% marks. For the bachelor’s degree program the same eligibility criterion is applicable, while for the PG program one must have a bachelor’s degree.

Before starting a multimedia career, you should keep following points in mind in order to make entry in this career to become a professional :-

Specifically think what you want to be or do? Choose one among graphical designer, art director, animator, video producer, multimedia desig-ner, cartoon or game designer, CD-ROM developer or presentation artists etc.

Make a list of skills you required in your chosen field.

Join for a course and/or training in the field you have chosen, keeping in view the skills you have to acquire. But before joining the course and/or training know the facilities in term of equipment, faculty and placement records of the institution before you join one.

1. Find and get work experience.

2. Generate different resumes for different jobs.

3. Keep a professional looking, well focused and polished portfolio.

Animation ‖ Author-based programming ‖ Computer based graphic designing ‖

Digital video-sound editing ‖ Multimedia programming or designing ‖

Interface designing ‖ Instructional designing ‖ Production artist‖Website designing or development ‖ Technical writing

Animation : the career is concerned with the design, drawing, layout and production of graphically rich and attractive multimedia clips. Animators may use 2D or 3D animators for gaming, instructional programs, CD-ROM or Web, kiosks and video. Animator may or may not be a great artist. His/her talent may lie in 3D modeling and following a designer’s sketch. Those with strong drawing skills could be hired as storyboard artists who can visualize a sequence of events from frame to frame. Using laser equipment, computer animators scan images of real objects onto a computer and convert them to digital form. Usually the animator has to model the character or object in the computer, drawing curves, constructing surfaces and using primitive objects (such as spheres and cubes) to produce a wireframe model. Controls are then added to the model to allow it to be bent and posed. It is advantageous to understand photography, lighting and movement for those planning to work in computer animation. They must be able to visualise how an object will look in three dimensions and have the know-how to make an animate object look real.

Author-based programming : It involves writing scripts or extensions in order to integrate a variety of images, text animation, graphics, presentations, and sound before selecting and applying the desired program structure to produce a multimedia product.

Computer based graphic designing : In this career, individual uses computing technology and specialist software packages to mange production, interface and integration of various graphics and other mediums into the multimedia package design. The primary role in this profession is design of art and copy layouts for multimedia products.

Digital video-sound editing : The career is concerned with using computer-based editing systems to prepare video sound for multimedia products. One should be familiar with editing and formatting a video or audio, voice-overs and mixing music.

Multimedia programming or designing : It involves writing code to incorporate the range of audio-visual elements contained within a given multimedia package, and solving problems associated with conversion between different platforms. One should be having specialization in video systems development or programming with awareness of various operating systems and usability issues. The programmer or designer can use authoring system or programming language. Preparation of blueprint for project in terms of contents, media and interaction would be prime responsibility of the multimedia designer.

Interface designing : The profession is concerned with devising navigation pathways and content maps. How the screens and dialog boxes are interrelated and flow together, which buttons do what, what happened in various situations? Interface designing requires good ability of programming and familiarity and integration of various multimedia products.

Instructional designing : This category of job is associated with the design of educational multimedia systems. The designer can be a multimedia designer/programmer or/or interface designer having ability to transform various educational instructional media in to a single multimedia product. Instructional designers are used to target specific learning objectives and audiences through multimedia productions.

Production artist : He/she works with the project manager or designer to scan, format, batch and produce various parts of the project.

Website designing or development : The work is associated with design and development of website keeps focus on the overall look and feel of a website. Work may be supported by interface designer and/or graphic designer. Knowledge of image editing tools is pre-requisite.

Technical writing : This career is concerned with the development of characters, point of views, scripts for voice-overs, instructional text, etc. much like in film or video scripting. The professional’s particular job description is to write software installation instructions and user manuals.

Some Universities and Institutions in the country offers long term and short term courses in Multimedia depending upon the qualification and depth of training to be given.

National Multimedia Resource Centre (NMRC), Centre for design of advance computing (C-DAC), Shivajinagar Pune, has taken lead in multimedia training programs. They have designed latest academic curriculum for their multimedia courses. Multimedia training programs covers the topics like high-end 2D and 3D Animation, Non Linear Video Editing, Virtual Reality Authoring and Web Multimedia to produce highly trained manpower in the field of Multimedia.

The multimedia tools and technology development at NMRC covers Multilinguism in Multimedia, Digital Library Authoring Tools, Content Archival, Usability Evaluation, Content Editing and Database driven software.

The centre is also engaged in the development of ActiveX components for multimedia support in applications and extending it in the areas of sensing devices, Virtual Reality (VR), Human Computer Interface (HCI) design and multimedia applications of sensing technologies.

Besides, Punjab Technical University, Jalandhar; National Institute of Design (NID), Ahmedabad; Industrial Design Center (IDC), IIT at Mumbai and Guwahati; Film & Television Institute of India; Centre for Development of Imaging Technology, Thiruvananthapuram; Kerala Cartoon Academy, Kochi; Toonz Animation India Private Limited, Thiruvananthapuram; AFA-Animation and Fine Arts Academy, Coimbatore; College of Fine Arts & Applied Art, JNT University, Kukatpally, Hyderabad are also providing education in multimedia. Some other leading private sector institutions are also creating manpower in the area by providing sophisticated training.