Top 10 Schools Abroad for Animation, VFX and Gaming

Animation, VFX and gaming are art that brings compelling ideas and thoughts into our lives. It is more just than pretty visuals that try to tell a story in themselves. If it intrigues you, then signing up for a course in the same would be the best decision that you make in your life.

The creative industries across countries are burgeoning at galloping paces and there is scope for everyone to showcase their inherent talent in front of the world. Universities abroad are trying to help students to sharpen their technical skills in animations, visual effects and gaming and help them in building their expertise in captivating art and the complex science behind computer animation.

The course gives you command over the cutting-edge technologies that are used for visual effects and animation industries. Also, there is high demand for professionals in the market and these job roles offer good competitive salaries to graduates. Here in this article, we will take you at length through the reasons why you should choose to study animation, VFX and gaming, and the top institutes in the world to study the course.

Highlights of Animation, VFX and Gaming Course

The basic overview of the animation, VFX and gaming course is given below:

Why Should You Study Animation, VFX and Gaming Abroad?

Do you dream to work on the next big animated movie, create visual effects or build a game? Are you a creative person looking for some hands-on training and practical learning? Then you have come to the right place. Here we will discuss how to bring your passion and creative instinct to life and the reasons to study a course on animation, VFX and gaming:

• Industry Standard Courses and Facilities: Given that the curriculum includes practice with industry-standard equipment and software. The course is almost entirely practical and is a good choice for those who want hands-on experience. Universities provide their own studio space and digital design suites, motion capture suite, shadow motion capture system and much more. Therefore, when you practice with industry-standard facilities, you are ready to begin your career as you are already equipped with the practical knowledge required.

• Learning from Highly Qualified Teaching Faculty: The staff that delivers the course at universities have had links with the animation industry for several years. They even keep working in the industry to continue teaching up-to-date ideas and knowledge. Therefore, you get to learn from experts who have a wide range of experience in advertising, TV, and cartoons, to 3D video games and arts. They help you to shape your portfolio. Further, they teach you to utilise most of the software and create the best artwork.

• Engaging Course Curriculum: The course is so diverse and broad with several skills to learn that you could never be bored of studying animation, VFX and gaming. The broadness of the course helps you to explore your creative instinct while developing specific skills required for the career paths you wish to follow. Also, the animation and VFX industry is ever-changing and developing.

• Opportunity to Work with a Team: The course teaches you to work with a team from brainstorming ideas to giving shape to them. You will always be surrounded by people who share the same interest as you. Learning from each other is an enriching experience and a great way to explore new things.

Top 10 Colleges for Animation, VFX and Gaming

Animation schools across the world will help you learn the art of storyboarding and explore all aspects of filmmaking. They also offer placements for three to six months to help gain professional experience. The top 10 colleges for animation, VFX and Gaming are:

Note: The course fee is subject to change.

Skills Required for Animation, VFX and Gaming Course

You must have strong creative ability demonstrated through your portfolio and a keen interest in the animation world, visual effects and computer games production. You also must be a passionate innovator with a strong imagination. The universities look for candidates who possess the following skills:

• Intellectual and creative abilities

• Good oral and written skills

• Passion for computer animation

• Understanding of animation, visual effects and the gaming industry

• Have a strong creative background

• Basic programming skills

• Must be open-minded

• Aptitude for teamwork

• Real motivation for learning

Things to Consider While Choosing an Animation, VFX and Gaming College

Animation, VFX and gaming is a dynamic industry which is ever-expanding its horizons. However, not all animation schools provide students with the same degree of theoretical and practical knowledge. This brings us to the place where we should consider certain parameters before finalising a college for the course. The top criteria to look for while choosing an animation school are as follows:

• Updated video editing and animation software: In order to transform your video into art, it is necessary that schools provide updated video editing and animation software. You will be able to access the latest technology in such cases.

• Training in 2D and 3D animation and motion capture: The motion capture for the animator adds mocap gear. It also helps in setting up any drawing, character and creature as a live digital puppet with real-time animation. This training forms a core part of animation, VFX and Gaming.

• Training in storyboarding and script writing: You will also need training in writing stories to suit the animated characters. It is a mandatory skill required in this course.

• Access to high-end drawing tools: Animation and drawing tools are vital parts of the career of a digital artist, games developer and character designer. Therefore universities must give access to different tools to students for learning and practice.

• Good job placements after graduation: The guarantee to get good jobs after graduation is an important aspect of studying this course. Look for universities that provide students with placements in top animation and gaming companies on graduation.

How do Colleges Select Students for Animation, VFX and Gaming Courses?

If you are applying for a bachelor's or master's course in animation, VFX and gaming, then the university will require you to fulfil certain entry requirements. Your application will be judged holistically and it is necessary to make your application stand out of the crowd.

The universities inspect individual applications and inspect students based on a number of factors such as your portfolio, your academic achievement, work and other experiences, personal statements, and references. Some universities also conduct personal interviews before selecting candidates for this course. Also, you need to demonstrate your arduous interest in moving images, animations and visual effects.

For a creative course like animation, VFX and gaming, it is necessary to submit a portfolio that is outstanding and marvellous. Portfolios can include observational studies in any medium, sketchbooks and work demonstrating self-motivated research, life drawing, appropriate application of details and works that demonstrate creativity and proficiency in composition, form, structure, colour and design in both 2D and 3D form.

Job Prospects after a Course in Animation, VFX and Gaming

A degree in animation, VFX and gaming abroad helps to kickstart your career in industries such as books and comics publishing, gaming, movies, advertising, 2D, 3D, stop motion animation, animation and design. The graduates rarely struggle to find a job after studying this course. During the course itself, you will get opportunities to work with the country's leading animation organisations. The careers you can consider after completing the course are:

• Animator: The job of an animator is to create a series of images known as frames to simulate movement. They also work with creative professionals including storytellers, designers and voiceover artists to produce games, graphics and films or other forms of television entertainment.

• Illustrator: Illustrators are creative artists who use their creativity to create original images for digital products. They need to specialise in drawing, photography and digital illustration. They have to coordinate with clients, editors and authors to understand and interpret their business needs.:

• Graphic Designer: Graphic designers use computers to create posters, websites, logos, brochures, magazines and many materials to communicate visual ideas and information. Their responsibilities include conceptualising visuals based on requirements, creating images using design software and testing graphics.

• VFX Artist: VFX artists create photo-real and digitally generated imagery. The role requires them to work in creating computerised animations and special effects, fixing up details for film media and following instructions to complete a project.

• Games Developer: Games developers are in charge of creating and designing video game software for computers and gaming consoles. They construct the base on which the game will run and produce prototypes of gameplay ideas and features.

Note: Other jobs where the degree can be useful are advertising art designer, artwork, film director, game artist, multimedia specialist, special effects technician and television production coordinator.

The above-mentioned schools for animation, VFX and gaming open career pathways for networking events, internships and placements with renowned companies besides supporting you with state-of-art facilities and the latest technologies. Graduates are highly employable and the course opens up doors to multiple opportunities in the creative arena. So, if your creative spirits are driving you, then start applying to these top schools without delay.

If you have any queries to study animation, VFX and gaming abroad, then write to us at abroad@collegedekho.com.