ANIMATION AND MULTIMEDIA
Animation is the design, drawing, layout and production of photographic sequences that are incorporated in the multimedia products in order to give it a smart appearance. In other words, animation involves the manipulation of still images to create the illusion of movement. Using computer technology, a sequence of staggered images captured in related positions are made to appear as if they’re really moving.
Multimedia is any combination of text, graphic art, sound, animation and video delivered to us by computer or other electronic means. Technically the term “multimedia” can be used to refer any combination of visual and audio material from a range of sources into a single presentation. More specifically the term “multimedia” is used for the combination of materials within a format or medium that can be used by a computer, including CD-ROM or digital video, interactive touch-screen monitors, internet or web technology, streaming audio or video, and data projection system etc. Modern cinema has gained great heights by absorbing the gift of multimedia in Hollywood and Bollywood blockbusters viz., Jurassic park and Krish etc. Television advertisements, cartoon serials, presentations and model design are no exception.
Animation
The career is concerned with the design, drawing, layout and production of graphically rich and attractive multimedia clips. Animators may use 2D or 3D animators for gaming, instructional programs, CD-ROM or Web, kiosks and video. Animator may or may not be a great artist. His/her talent may lie in 3D modeling and following a designer’s sketch. Those with strong drawing skills could be hired as storyboard artists who can visualize a sequence of events from frame to frame. Using laser equipment, computer animators scan images of real objects onto a computer and convert them to digital form. Usually the animator has to model the character or object in the computer, drawing curves, constructing surfaces and using primitive objects (such as spheres and cubes) to produce a wireframe model. Controls are then added to the model to allow it to be bent and posed. It is advantageous to understand photography, lighting and movement for those planning to work in computer animation. They must be able to visualise how an object will look in three dimensions and have the know-how to make an animate object look real.
Multimedia
The work of multimedia professionals can he described as the generation and manipulation of graphic images, animation, sound, music, text and video into consolidated multimedia programs for entertainment, education or instructional media. Multimedia development includes a combi-nation of different skills viz., combination art, music, education and many other areas with comput-ing and information technology. As such there is no single background that can be considered as ideal pathway in the profession. But knowledge of more than one skill in animation, author-based programm-ing, computer-based graphic design, digital audio-video mixing and editing, educational and instructional design and multimedia pro-gramming is necessary. Besides, creativity, pioneering personality, flexibility, mathematical and analytic art, strong verbal and written communication skill, ability to work well with others, flair for innovation design and artistic talent are other traits which can give more advantage.
