If You Love Art, then Animation should be One of Your

Top Career Choice – says Animator Narmada Reddy

AUGUST 1, 2018

Insights
1. Animator makes animation movies, self-help videos, games etc.
2. Like IT and ITES, the Animation industry in India growing at a great pace.
3. In terms of visual pleasure, no other media can probably match the power of 3D
animations.
 4. The challenges in this profession are long working hours and low income, especially
when you consider the amount of hard work and creativity required in this profession.
5. One can attend professional courses or can learn through free online courses.
6. If you feel your art is fit to be conveyed through entertainment, tipping the limits of
reality through media, you might follow VFX design.
7. Animation programs are rewarding but highly demanding. Your creative abilities and
passion for the medium will hold the key to growth.

Personal Details
Name – Narmada Reddy
Profession – Animator
Age – 36 years
Gender – Female
City – Pune
Industry – Animation
Quora – ​https://www.quora.com/profile/Narmada-Reddy-20

Where have you been born and raised?

I was born in Bathinda, Punjab. When I was about 5 years old, we shifted to Chandigarh
due to my father’s job. I studied there until my graduation and then I moved to Pune to study
animation. I was born into a well-educated family. My father is an engineer and mother, a
teacher.

Who had the most influence on you and how?

My father always taught me to lead an independent life. I was set totally free to choose my
career. Being quite interested in art, I chose animation.

Please give us a summary of your career.

I completed my 12th from D. A. V. School, Chandigarh. After my 12th, I was not very sure
about what to do next, so I decided to complete my graduation and then decide further.
I did my B.A. from ​MCM College, Chandigarh​.
After that, I moved to Pune do animation course from Arena Animation. After completion of
my course, I worked for an animation firm and then was hired by the same institute I was
studying in. Initially, I was not very satisfied with the salary but after 6–7 months of work, my
salary was doubled. I am earning 4 times that of my first salary now.

Which institutions are best for the education/ training of

animation?
I would suggest Arena Animation as one of the best in terms of course content, as they
keep updating it on regular basis. The oldest center in India is in Pune. IIT, Mumbai & NID
also has a course in animation design for which you need to qualify ​UCEED​ with a rank in
top 100.

What are the costs associated with education/training of

animation?
If you are pursuing an undergraduate or postgraduate course in animation, then annual fee
could be around 80,000 to 1 lakh INR/annum or more depending on the institute.
You can also learn basic animation from numerous software available, and tutorials online
which will cost you very less or nothing at all.

IWhat are the typical entry-level jobs in animation?

You join as an animator and you also retire as an animator. The difference is that when you
join, you have some basic level skills and with time you gain more skills. You keep
upgrading from 2D to 3D, from Web design to ​VFX design​, etc.

What is the range of income one can expect when starting out
the in the animation industry?
As a fresher, you typically get between 10–20K INR per month. However, I have seen
increments happening very fast.
Usually, good animators start earning between 40–60K INR per month after about 4–5
years. Some animators have become Venture Capitalists or Business Owners of Large
companies or even famous celebrities.
Starting out – 10,000 to 20,000 INR/month
5 years’ experience – 30,000 to 40,000 INR/month
10 years’ experience – 40,000 to 60,000 INR/month
15 years’ experience – 80,000 to 2 lakhs INR/month

Please describe your work.

It begins with the main concepts which are then turned into a full story. Once a story has
been finalized, other things such as the script, shot sequence, and camera angles are
worked on.
Some major work involved is storyboarding, layouts, model sheets, and animatic. You have
to keep redesigning till the design gets finalized.
Then we work on the music, the effects, and the background.
We have to adhere to project timelines at all cost as everybody is working on their piece
and the entire project is like a symphony. You are able to take a sigh of relief only when the
entire production takes place successfully.

What are some of the positives, which would encourage

someone to consider a career in animation?
The animation industry in India is expected to grow at a great pace. The animation is the
right career choice for those who are passionate about art. There are many opportunities in
different industries.
There is no other feeling comparable to when we see our name in the movie/game credit
list.

What are some of the challenges that you would want someone
to be aware of when considering a career in animation?
This job needs full interest and concentration. You cannot continue in this profession if you
are not creative and imaginative.
This job is beyond a regular office job of 9 to 5. This job requires a lot of hard work. You
don’t have any fixed schedule to work.
Salary is low for the amount of hard work and creativity we put in. So, there is always a
feeling of being underpaid.
You also have to travel to different places for work, which is very exhausting.

What are the relevant trends/skills/ technologies that are

currently commanding a premium in animation?
These days 2D animation is being replaced by 3D animation in movies and gaming.
Software like ​Autodesk​, ​Maya​, C
​ 4D​, ​Zbrush​, ​Blender​ etc. are highly recommended.

What kind of person would be happy in your career?

The person who is creative, imaginative and passionate about art will be very happy in this
profession. Also, one must be flexible to work long hours.

Give another choice, what would you do differently as far as your

professional selections are concerned?
I would like to become a teacher, just like my mother. But I was quite passionate about art
so I chose to be an animator.

What would be your advice to students or professionals, who are

just starting their journey on a path similar to yours?
Yes! this job is good, especially when it is treated as a specialization. Animation career is
rewarding but highly demanding. Your creative abilities and passion for the medium will hold
the key to growth.

Contributing Writer - ​Pawandeep Kaur

Also check out ​Disha Rohira Journey Of Passion into Video Editing