2D Animation Fastrack Course

When it comes to 2D animation, the first thing that usually comes to our mind is old cartoons. Usually, animation is associated with cartoons. However, the term animation in the true sense means motion or movement. Any object can be animated – be it a cartoon character, an icon, a logo, or even a few lines of text. Thus, the scope of 2D animation lies beyond cartoons. It is seen in advertisements, in educational videos, on web pages, and on reels.

The Scope of 2D Animation Today

2D animation is used in several industries today. Other than animated series and movies, it is also used in short videos which may be made for commercial or educational purposes. Following are the industries using 2D animation:

Film & Television

Some old films and cartoons were made using 2D animation for a long time. Even though most animated films and cartoons today are made with 3D animation, the industry still has scope for some 2D animation. For example, animes are made in 2D animation. Some spin-off short films of the Kungfu Panda film series used 2D animation to depict flashback scenes. 

Marketing & Advertising

2D animation is more widely used in the advertising industry today. Many promotional videos made for television and cinema ads, YouTube, and other social media platforms are made using 2D animation. Brands like Coca-Cola, Nike, Red Bull, and Oreo have made some great commercials using 2D animation. Even motion graphics that you see in reels and YouTube videos made by brands are a part of 2D animation.

Web Design

2D animation can be used on many websites pages to enhance the user experience of the viewers. The use of motion graphics to animate logos or break up the text on the page is a classic demonstration of 2D animation used on websites. A common example is how Google uses animation on its logo on its home page, especially on special occasions.

Education

A lot of educational videos are made using 2D animation. They can be made for different types of target audiences including school and college students, company employees, clients, tutors, parents, or generic audience. For example, SimpliLearn used 2D animation to create a video on Big Data for university level students. Zoho created an educational video using 2D animation to explain the process of approval workflow for its clients.

Video Games

While the gaming industry today has evolved greatly with 3D animation, there are still plenty of video game apps that use 2D animation. Simple games that people play on mobile phones like word games, number games, and puzzles use 2D animation.

How Does 2D Animation Work?

2D animation works in a space where there is height and width, but no depth. To create a 2D animation video, there is a step-by-step process that is followed in the professional industry. Following are the various steps we follow when working with 2D animation:

Character & Environment Design

Using software such as Illustrator and Photoshop, we can create some great vector graphics for our characters and the environment.

Creating Time Frames

Once the characters are ready, we work on their movements and expressions in different time frames. It is done using various animation software where you can make key frames.

Working on the Audio

The voice-overs and background music is recorded, after which we work on enhancing the sound quality by removing background noise. We also work on the various sound effects we wish to add.

Video Compositing

All key frames are exported as video files and compiled in a video editing & compositing software. This is the stage where we start preparing the final video.

Adding Visual Effects

Once the videos have been compiled, we work on other visual effects such as removal of green screens or adding other visual elements to the video.

Adding Sound

The audio files that were prepared earlier are now added to the final video. We also ensure that the voice-overs and sound effects are in sync with the main video.

Completion of Final Video

We keep playing and replaying the final video to ensure that all animations, time frames, and sounds are in sync and the video has a smooth flow. It is then ready to be exported for release.

What You’ll Learn About 2D Animation at eQuinoxx Creative Academy

We, at eQuinoxx Creative Academy provide you with hands-on learning experience. Our academy focuses more on the practical aspect of training over theories with professional courses like these. We intend to prepare you for getting work experience in the professional industry. Following are the aspects we cover for 2D animation:

Fundamentals of 2D Animation

The course begins with an introduction to 2D animation. Explore how 2D animation has evolved over the years and how we use computer-generated graphics. Gain an understanding of the process of 2D animation, which starts from storyboards and character designing, to creating time frames and adding sound to a completed video. We’ll learn about the various software used for designing characters and elements, how time frames work to add motion to characters and elements, and how we can add life to a 2D character or object.

Adobe Photoshop

Being one of the most popular image editing software used by professionals, this software can also be used for making graphics. In fact, you can also create time frames and add 2D animation in Photoshop. You can also import characters and add life to them using 2D animation features of the software. Utilizing the photo editing effects for colour corrections, brightness and contrast, and other features can help you enhance the overall image quality while making the animation frames.

Adobe Illustrator

This software is more popular for creating vector graphics from scratch, which include frames and layouts, logos, and. Both motion graphics and 2D animation require a 2D figure which can be made on Illustrator. These graphics include logos, icons, infographics, typography, detailed illustrations, a 2D environment or backdrop, style frames, charts, graphs, and characters. These 2D figures can then be imported to 2D animation software like Adobe After Effects and Adobe Premiere.

Adobe After Effects

Professional 2D animators prefer using Adobe After Effects to add life to their characters and graphics. It provides you with plenty of tools and effects that help you add motion to the graphics imported in the software from Illustrator or Photoshop. The software can be used for all sorts of videos ranging from advertisements and educational videos to films, series, and video games.

Adobe Premiere

This software is primarily used for video editing where 2D graphics can be brought to life. This is the software used during the post-production process, where all the video clips made in Adobe After Effects can be compiled and assembled to create a larger video. Adding voice-overs and sound effects can also be done here to complete the animated video.

Adobe Animate CC

This software is popularly used for making the traditional cartoons that we often relate with when using the word “animation”. You can also import hand-drawn characters and create time frames here. Additionally, you can use its vector based drawing tools to create your own characters and environment. You can easily work on frame by frame animation using this software.

Adobe Character Animator

This software has some exciting tools to add your characters to life. Use the Puppet Maker tool to customize characters and add motion to your characters using the performance capture tools. Character Animator allows you to make a live interaction with a 2D character as you capture real-time, live motion through web cam and real-time live voice through the microphone. It is a great software for making dialogue-heavy content too.

Why Choose Us for this Course?

Our institute has been established in Ahmedabad for the last 15 years. Many of our students are now successful professionals in the field of 2D animation, working with some of the best companies in the industries. Following are some of the reasons why our students choose to learn from our academy:

Experienced Faculty

Our faculty team comprises of experts having industrial experience in their respective fields. They are capable of providing our students more than mere technical skills to handle software. We impart professional skills to our students and provide them with exposure on how things work in the real world.

Hands-on Learning Experience

Our course focuses more on practical implementation of 2D animation over theories. Majority of the course revolves around learning how to use various software for designing and animating 2D characters as well as understanding how the process of 2D animation works in the professional industry.

Free Access to Our Software and Facilities

Learning the art of 2D animation does require a lot of practice. Our institute is open from 9 am – 6 pm, from Monday – Saturday. Our students are welcome to come in any time in these hours and practice working on our machines. You have free access to all the expensive and paid software that we use for 2D animation in this course.

Flexible Hours

We provide you with the flexibility to fix your own class schedule with us. In order to accommodate your busy schedule, we allow you to choose your class timings and days. These are designed to help you ensure you can attend all your classes.

Portfolio Building

As a fresher stepping into the professional world, having a portfolio can be of great use to you to showcase your skills and potential. Our faculty guides you to create a strong portfolio, which can range from having different characters to all kinds of animation videos that you can make using different software.

Placement Assistance

Our institute provides you with placement assistance to help you kickstart your career in the field of 2D animation. Some of the best companies in the industry have recruited students from this institute in the past as well. While our placement team will update you regarding vacancies and help you with the application process, our faculty will guide you with your CV, portfolio, and interview skills.

The Career Path Ahead

The scope of 2D animation remains wide even after the evolution of 3D animation in the industry. Commercial videos, educational videos, and some series and films still make use of 2D animation for the effects it can have. Following are some of the fields you can specialize in after learning the art of 2D animation:

2D Animation Artist

Having more scope in the entertainment and advertising industry, the role of the 2D animation artist is to create characters and create time frames to add animation. Films, series, advertisements having animated characters, and 2D video games can be made by 2D animation artists.

Motion Graphics Artist

Motion graphics is more commonly used in advertisements, educational videos, and 2D video games. They are also used to display credits at the beginning and end of a film or series. The role of a motion graphics artist is to add animation to icons, logos, typography, infographics, or illustrations that can then be used to compile in the main video.

Video Editor & Compositor

The role of the video editor and compositor is to compile all the work provided by the 2D animation artist or motion graphics artist. The process of video compositing includes assembling all video clips to create the main video which could be a film, an episode of a series, an advertisement, or an educational video. The video editing process also involves adding sound effects and voice overs.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the eligibility criteria for this course?

The course is open to all beginners who have interest in pursuing 2D animation as their career. Having basic knowledge of using computers may be helpful.

Do we need to be experts with drawing to learn 2D animation?

Having good drawing skills may be helpful if you wish to be a 2D animation artist. However, it is not mandatory for this course as we teach you the skills you require for designing characters using computer software like Adobe Illustrator and Adobe Photoshop.

Is prior knowledge or experience in graphic designing mandatory for this course?

Having prior knowledge or experience in graphic designing may certainly be helpful, but is not mandatory for this course. You will be taught how to use graphic designing software to make illustrations, characters, and 2D environments from scratch.

What is the duration of this course?

This is an intensive hands-on training program that lasts for 5 months.

What are the class timings?

Our institute is open from 9 am – 6 pm, from Monday – Saturday. You can choose your class timings after discussing with our admission team. We offer flexible hours to all students to accommodate their busy schedules.

Which software will we learn in this course?

In this course, we teach you to use Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Premiere, Adobe After Effects, Adobe Animate CC, and Adobe Character Animator.

Do you provide a certificate or diploma at the end of this course?

Yes, you shall receive a professional certificate in 2D animation at the end of this course, which is after 5 months. It officially qualifies you as a professional 2D animation artist.

What are the course fees?

To know our current fee structure for this course, please contact the admission team or visit our office.

Do you provide us with placement assistance?

Yes, we provide you with placement assistance in some of the best companies in the industry. Our placement team will update you with vacancies and help you with the application process. You can build your CV, portfolio, and interview skills with the help of our faculty.