What is taught in the Animation and Film (B.Des) course?

You're a young kid, sitting in front of the TV on an early Sunday morning, bowl of some stolen snacks or leftovers in hand. Your parents are still asleep and you are flipping through various channels searching for your favorite cartoon. You have finished your homework and it’s finally time to watch what happens in the next episode. You have already been introduced to the world of animation, but you are not aware of it, yet.

Fast forward a few years, many things could have happened. Maybe you outgrew cartoons. Or maybe you are still in love with them. Some of you probably started exploring different genres and styles, from Japanese anime to adult-oriented animated shows, and others started investing in cartoon merch and conventions.

And if you have landed on this blog, maybe, just maybe, animation has become more than just a form of entertainment for you - a community, a passion, and a part of your identity. Would animation be what you want to pursue?.

As an Animation and Film (B. Des) student, you will embark on a thrilling journey for four years — bringing characters and stories to life through animation, while simultaneously discerning the complexities of film-making, from cinematography and screen-writing to editing and sound design. By the end of your journey, you should have a comprehensive understanding of animation, filmmaking, and digital media production.

Having done my research, let me list down some of the topics that may likely be covered in your course curriculum:

1. Foundation Courses

- The fundamentals of design, including color theory, composition, and visual communication

- Drawing and sketching skills

- Computer graphics and design software

2. Animation Courses

- Animation history and theory, including the principles of animation

- Visual storytelling

-  2D animation and drawing

- 3D modelling and animation

- Stop-motion animation

- Motion graphics

- Sound design

3. Film Courses

- Film history, theory, and aesthetics

- Cinematography and lighting

- Editing and post-production

- Sound design and recording

4. Specialization Courses

- Script & screenwriting

- Character animation

- Storyboarding and visual development

- Animation production

- Film directing

Of course, the curriculum may vary depending on the specific program and institution.

A good Animation and Film course should also have resources to help you gain practical experience and build professional skills and networks, with internships, industry collaborations, and portfolio development opportunities.

After having graduated from this course, some of the potential career paths you could pursue are : 

- Animator 

- Film Director

- Screenwriter

- Film Editor

- Visual Effects Artist

- Sound Designer

This journey will be rigorous. It will challenge you and push you to your limits. While India has some of the most talented animators, the animation industry is still at its nascent stage. So, if this course connects to your inner artist and you dare to do great things, get ready for an exhilarating ride into the world of Animation and Film!

Explore our other articles for insights on design learning and the design industry, and advice to improve your design abilities 🙂

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Nandini Seshan

Communication Design/NID Vijayawada

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