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Creating Creatures
If you have a flair for sketching or illustration and want to see them come to life, animation is the career for you
By Victoria Tang
Ever wondered what it would be like to breathe life into a cartoon character? To make it hop, skip, jump, and juggle? Animators get to do just that – transform stationary drawings into active 3D works of art.
It might be assumed that successful animators need to have a natural artistic ability. And while it’s important for those considering this career track to carry a sketchbook around, it’s even more important to have a dynamic imagination and clear understanding of spatial dimensions. Additionally, adept animators possess the ability to communicate a message or tell a compelling story.
To get a job in an animation studio, a strong portfolio matters more than education. There is no specific academic requirement to become an animator. In fact, most colleges across the country don’t offer a degree in animation, so students usually opt for studies in arts, computer science or communications instead. After receiving a diploma, they can then enhance their skills at institutions such as FX School, Maya Academy of Advanced Cinematics and Whistling Woods International.
“You start with a basic knowledge of drawing,” Professor Dhananjay Khort from the animation department at Whistling Woods International says. “Then, you have to observe your surroundings – make note of living and non-living objects. Every subject has different challenges and you have to be ready for it.”
Animation programs begin with courses in mastering simple animation sketches and making flip books. Then students learn how to animate in 2D before trying their hand at 3D. Rigging turns still characters into living beings – certain points on bodies and faces have to be pushed and pulled to mimic anatomically accurate gestures. In a texturing class, students become familiar with different type of coverings for their creations, whether it’s skin, fur, or scales. To place characters into a broader story context, the next step is to design their emotional and personality profiles. A full project comes together with the addition of scenery, sound and lighting. Classes are also available in specific types of animation, including stop-motion animation, clay-mation, and rotoscoping.
Animators’ salaries vary depending on the quality of their portfolio and the extent of their experience. Straight out of school, a trainee animator can expect to make Rs 10,000-15,000 per month. With three to five years of experience on the job that figure can grow to Rs 25,000-40,000. A veteran animator can make up to
Rs 60,000 per month. However, these are just estimates since an animator could hit the jackpot by being able to offer the aesthetics a studio wants.
Kavan Ahalpara, a graduating animation student at Whilsting Woods International, wants to also learn about the business side of the animation industry. “You have to learn how to sell your product too,” Ahalpara says.
Although animation is closely associated with the entertainment industry, the skill is valuable in countless other industries. Animation is used in many areas for training purposes, such as education, medicine, and essentially any field in which visual movement enhances comprehension.
The animation industry in India is expected to grow in the next few years, as new ways of exploiting the medium are being discovered. And, there is an expected trend for increased locally-produced content.
To dive into the animation boom, get out your pen and start illustrating.
Romancing the stone
Have an eye for detail and fancy working with precious stones? Try gemology. It is exciting and there is money in it
By Diane Karen Pereira
The extraordinary growth in the Indian fashion industry has brought with it an increase in the demand for fashion merchandise across the board, particularly jewellery. Because of this rise in demand, its design and manufacture is no longer just in the hands of family jewellers, as was the wont earlier. Trained professionals have now entered the arena, and designs and materials are changing, making the gems and jewellery industry one of the top foreign exchange earners for the country. This is a sophisticated line of work requiring aesthetic skill and scientific proficiency, and with new technology it is producing exquisite creations in a rapidly-growing market.
While gemologists study the quality, characteristics, and value of gem stones, jewellers typically do the handiwork required to produce a piece of jewellery. In jewellery design, identification is one of the key elements of business. Some stones, like rubies and garnets for instance, sometimes look alike but their values are considerably different and only a gemologist can identify these differences. Gemologists may work in laboratories or as quality control experts for retailers, importers or manufacturers.
As a result, gemology has emerged as a career option for anyone with a keen eye, technological proficiency and artistic skill. It includes the study of gem deposits, physical, chemical and optical properties, identification, grading, cutting and polishing of gemstones. To distinguish between treated and untreated gems, natural from synthetic is actually quite a big challenge. The value of a gemstone is decided by four Cs — cut, clarity, carat and colour. Thus a gem could range from Rs 100 to even lakhs of rupees. Only a gemologist can decide the real cost.
A course in gemology covers various aspects like the physiology of the stones, its identification and colouring, design methodology, ornament making and understanding its physical and optical properties.
There are several institutes in India offering various courses in gemology. The Gemmological Institute of India (GII), Mumbai, offers short-term, long-term and correspondence courses.
Other institutes such as the Gem Testing Laboratory (GTL), Jaipur, offers regular and correspondence courses on gem identification. A regular diploma course is spread over three and a half months. The Indian Diamond Institute and Indian Gemological Institute offer advanced one year fellowship programs for science and engineering students.
Once you have become a certified gemologist, it is essential that you join the International Gem Society (IGS), which gives its members industry updates through newsletters and professional development courses.
You should know that a course in gemology can only instil technical know-how. Only an inherent ability for crafting fused with hard work can make you a truly skilled designer. Gemologists get paid extremely well once their designs and ideas are appreciated. However, freshers can expect to earn around Rs 8,000 to Rs 10, 000 as a starting salary.
Today, the Indian gems and jewellery industry is recognised the world over for its high quality pieces. And the range of raw materials used is extensive. For those captivated by gems and jewellery, the present upsurge in the industry offers a sparkling future.
