Cartoons were cartoons in our childhood…Oh those simpler times, where have they gone! They have been replaced by cutting edge technology and super awesome experiences. The animation is much more than cartoons and it is definitely looking at targeting more than just children. The industry has undergone an unrecognizable change and to keep up with the same has become more important than never before. With 2D, 3D and even 4D, it’s all about the best user experience and upping the bar. There are so many children today who are looking at animation as a serious career path and want to have a go at this exciting stream.

To make an impression on a prospective employer, one must have a great portfolio which is a personalized file of the work done by the individual that shows the person’s ability and knowledge. The demand for courses in animation is huge and all are aimed at portfolio building and management. Where there is demand, there has to be supply, which is why, more and more animation institutions are mushrooming, among these, the dilemma is to choose the right one. Below are a few to help one, make that choice.

Arena Animation

Being located in the major cities of India – Mumbai, Bangalore, Delhi and Noida, Arena offers the Arena Animation International Program. The institute was established in 1998. The cost of the animation program is ?1,80,000/- and is a full time certification course of 18 months.

Global Institute of Gaming and Animation

Degree, diploma, post grad, grad, online and virtual courses are being provided here. The annual feed ranges from 1.6 to 1 lakh. It is located in New Delhi and Chennai.

Picasso Animation

Located in Delhi, Hyderabad, Lucknow, Bangalore, Chandigarh, Ghaziabad and Udaipur, it has a single vision of bringing global standards of the animation industry to India. It provides a range of courses as BSC, MSC, game design, animation film making and other short term programs.

MasscoMedia

This institute is in Noida provides a 1 year diploma in animation and special effects. The institute is affiliated to Punjab technical university and Deakin University of Australia.

ZICA

Zee Institute of Creative Arts offers all diploma courses in animation, filmmaking, visual effects, 2D animation, graphics and web design. This is part of the Zee Group and situated in Mumbai and other places.

The Toonz Academy

Listed in Kerala, Kolkata and Lucknow, it is dedicated to making professionals for the animation world. This institute is fully owned subsidiary of Toonz Entertainment Pte. Ltd., Singapore. Courses provided are-Advanced Certificate Program in Animation Film Making (1year program), 3D finishing program (6 months) and certificate courses of 3 months in graphics and multimedia and visual effects for films and broadcast.

Animaster Academy

ProvidingBSC, Diploma courses and Certificate programs in animation, this institute takes the trade every seriously and has something for everyone. Affiliated to KSOU and reached graphic design, web design, 2D, 3D and vfx, to train all students for the industry.

NIIT

A sharp name with a well-advertised background, NIIT provides industry recognized courses and had faculty known ad experiences and seasoned in the industry. It is located in Gurgaon and other places.

Whistling Woods International

WWI School of Animation is located in Mumbai. The courses offered are-BSC in digital filmmaking and the graduate program in animation which is a 3 year course and a diploma in visual effects which is of 2 years.

Apeejay Institute of Design

One of the leading institutes of the country with a single aim of conserving the arts and providing a platform to the creative, the institute has been around since 1991. The courses in animation that it provides is a 3 year integrated design course with specialization in GPAD (graphic, photography, animation), another is a bachelor of design with specialization in animation and multimedia which is 4 years in duration and lastly master’s degree with specialization options in animation and multimedia which is 2 year long.

Animation is not just cartoons and not merely for kids, its serious application of creativity and amalgamation of tech know how. If the foundation i.e. education is poor then so will be the execution, however it is very important to choose the right college to ensure success.