All About Animation Courses, Careers and Salaries in India

ANIMATION: AN INTRODUCTION

Animation is one of the most attractive industries for students. Every year more than 500+ big and small animation films are produced. Films like Avengers, Avatar, Toy Story, Frozen have completely changed the perspective of viewers. Animation is not just limited to teens and kids but has become all time favorite in all generations.  

Animation Industry in India started in the 90s but within 2 decades India has become the hub of animation. Animation giants like Walt Disney, Pixar, Sony and Dreamworks Animation studios have many Indians working for them. Animation Studios in India have gained a lot of popularity over the years and programmes like Chota Bheem, Little Singham and Motu Patlu have become some of the most successful Animated shows of Indian animation Industry. 

According to various reports of reputed bodies like KPMG, NASSCOM and FICCI Media & Entertainment Industry is expected to see a new boom in India. 

ANIMATION COURSES IN INDIA

As the demand of Animation and VFX content is increasing rapidly, so is the demand for quality animators and vfx artists. Companies are now looking for creative artists who can be the part of various national and international animation projects. Fortunately the Animation Education scenario in India is quite better compared to a decade back. Now there are various reputed Universities and colleges offering various UG and PG programmes in this discipline. 

Broadly you can divide these programmes into four categories like 

• PG/Post Graduate Courses in Animation 
• UG/Undergraduate Courses in Animation
• Diploma Courses in Animation 
• Certificate Courses in Animation

Selection of the right animation course could be one of the most important decisions as it can make or break your future plans.  In this article we will also discuss the important points you should consider before selecting your right course and college. 

1 PG DEGREE COURSES IN ANIMATION 

Post Graduate courses in Animation come in the top row. As this is the highest level of mainstream academic programme offered by Indian Universities. Postgraduate courses can give you scope of doing specialization in your favorite animation section such as Modelling, Lighting, Texturing, Animation or VFX.  A person who has completed a bachelor programme in Animation or VFX can pursue a PG degree course in Animation. The most common nomenclature of master programmes are as follows

• M.Sc. in Animation
• MA in Animation
• M.Des (Master in Design) 
• M.Sc. Game Designing 
• MA Game Design 
• Master in Design and VFX 
• M.Sc. Film Making

Selection Criteria: Normally the master programmes of Animation need a student graduated from the same stream or at least poses required basic skills to join the course. Some universities conduct entrance examinations for the same. Duration of these master courses can be 2 to 4 years. A postgraduate course in Animation or VFX can cost you somewhere between 2 L to 5 L per annum. 

2 UG COURSES IN ANIMATION 

Bachelor degree courses in Animation and VFX design is one of the most searched categories of animation courses in India. Cities like Mumbai, Pune, Delhi, Hyderabad, Bangalore, Kolkata, Chennai are in the top 10 of the list. You can find many reputed institutes in these cities and since they are closely connected to animation and entertainment companies you can get internship opportunities and good placements too.  A bachelor course in animation and multimedia include one or more branches of visual arts like animation,vfx, graphic design, web design, video production and gaming. It is good to join a programme where you get a chance to explore all these areas. Some most popular UG degree programmes are as follows

• B.Sc. Animation
• B.Sc. Media, Graphics & Animation
• B.Voc Animation
• B.Des
• B.A In Multimedia
• B.A Animation
• BSc Film Making 
• B.Sc. VFX and Game Design 
• BA Game Design 

Duration of any bachelor animation course can be 3 to 5 year. Selection criteria varies from university to university. Maximum colleges conduct their entrance exam or live interview to select the students. Students who have cleared their 10+2 from any recognised Indian Education Board can apply for admission. Normally percentage of 12th class has no major impact on your selection but having good artists skills or drawing knowledge can add a plus in your application.  

Fee: Many reputed Animation and VFX colleges In India charge 1 L to 3 L Rs per annum for the course. 

3 DIPLOMA COURSES

Another very popular set of courses in the Animation and Media sector is Diploma level course. These courses are being offered by recognised colleges and universities. Although there are many private institutes offering Diploma courses in animation and design, their diploma is not approved by any Government Educational Body and hence students should verify the recognition of such diplomas. Some Popular diploma programmes are as follows

• Diploma in 3D Animation
• Diploma in 3D Animation & VFX
• Diploma in VFX 
• Diploma in 2D Animation
• Diploma in Web & Graphics Design 
• Diploma in Game Designing 
• Diploma in Graphics Designing
• Diploma in Film Making 
• Diploma in Animation Film Making 

Duration: Diploma Programmes are normally 1 to 2 year long. Admission to diploma programmes can be applied after 10th or 12th. Students who are already enrolled in any other degree course and want to get additional qualification should join such diploma level programmes. 

Fee: Diploma Programmes in Media, Animation or Design can cost Rs 1L to 2.5 L for the complete programme. Fee of these programmes depends on the software, infrastructure and education quality of the institute. 

4 CERTIFICATE COURSES IN ANIMATION & VFX

One good option to test your interest is to join a certificate course in Animation, VFX or Design. Certificate Course are normally of small duration and can be joined if you are not sure about your interest. Students who are looking for only a specific skill and do not have much time can also join a certificate course. But we strongly recommend that if you are really interested in making your career in Animation, Media or Design start your journey with a good degree programme. Some popular certificate programmes are 

• Certificate in 3D Animation
• Certificate in Video Editing 
• Certificate in VFX 
• Certificate in Rotoscopy
• Certificate in 2D Animation
• Certificate in Web & Graphics Design 
• Certificate in Game Designing 
• Certificate in Graphics Designing
• Certificate in Filmmaking 
• Certificate in Animation Film Making 

Duration: These certificates can be done in a period of 6 to 12 months. Students having qualification of 10th or above are good to join such a course.

 Fee: Institutes charge Rs. 20,000 to 1L for such certificate programmes.  

Market and Career Opportunities in Animation 

As we have mentioned above India is set to becoming the next global destination for Animation,VFX and Gaming. There are more than 512 animation and vfx studios in India looking for creative artists, designers and animators. There is another very flourishing segment in this i.e. E-Learning. Animation and design plays a very important role in E-Learning and thus demand in this sector for quality animators are on Top.  During Covid-19 Pandemic the graph of other live action video production decreased but animation content saw a J curve in the Industry. 

ANIMATION, DESIGN & VFX SALARY

Normally in India a fresher who is just out of his college with a bachelor degree can earn Rs. 20,000 to 25,000 per month in metro cities. However within 5 years your graph can touch to 60 to 80,000 PM with additional perks. 

Having said that Indian Studios are ready to pay even smart salaries to the talented artist. According to India’s leading Job Portal Indeed.co.in an average salary of 3D Animator in India is Rs. 20,423 whereas payscale.com mentions Average Animation Designer Salary $60,103. 

Perks and Salary in Animation, VFX or Gaming also depends on the applicants portfolio, year of experience and multi tasking ability. Students after completing their course can apply for the following roles in the Industry 

• Animator 
• Jr. Key Animator
• 3D Modelling Artist 
• Lighting Artist 
• Texture Artist 
• Rigger 
• VFX Composter
• Game Designer
• Concept Artist 
• Pre Production Artist 
• Post Production Artist 
• 2D Animator 
• Illustrator 
• And many more. 

In case you want to know more about the topic do get in touch with our course advisors, and we will be happy to assist you.