As a seasoned Animation Professor out of Pune I have had the opportunity to work with a great many students which are very much into animation. What I have come to see is that parents play a large role in the growth of their child’s interest in this dynamic field. If you happen to be a parent and are reading this, congratulations! You have just taken the first step in learning how to help your child's artistic adventure.
I will be sharing practical advice and professional analysis on what you can do to support your child’s growth within the animation world and at the same time also to help them stay true to what makes them unique.
Before we get to what is doable, I’ll tell you why animation is a very good career choice at present. Animation used to be the domain of cartoons and kids’ movies which it certainly still is of course, but the field has grown into a multi-dimensional industry which includes gaming, advertising, virtual reality, augmented reality, medical visualization, architectural walk through and education.
According to Statista the global animation market is to see growth from 587 billion by 2030. Also, we are at the beginning of what is to be a very large growth which has no end in sight, which is a great time for young animators to get in.
For students in Pune, we have an amazing array of opportunities right in our own backyard. At Suryadatta Institute of Vocational Advanced Studies (SIVAS), we see state of the art facilities and very specialized training programs in animation, which also include other creative fields. What they offer is not only technical skills but also cultivation of creativity, storytelling and problem solving, which are key to success in any field.
Here is how you as a parent may play a key role in supporting your child’s interest in animation.
Children have a born curiosity which when they direct animation, we as parents or caregivers should foster instead of putting it down. We can do this by getting them involved in the world of visual storytelling. For example, take them to see a range of animated films which may include beyond the usual Disney classics like Onward by Pixar or the very artistic films from Studio Ghibli such as Spirited Away. Also discuss what it is that they are into in these films. Do they love the art style? The characters? The plot?
You need not be an expert yourself; what is important is that you approach things with an open mind and ask lots of questions which in turn will encourage your child to think critically about their craft. Also introduce them to a variety of media which may include stop motion animation (Coraline, Wallace and Gromit) or hand drawn classics (The Lion King, Akira). This exposure will broaden their experience and stimulate new ideas.
Pro Tip: Also consider signing up for services like Netflix or Disney+ Hotstar, which have a great selection of animated content. Also check out your local libraries and bookstores for animation history and techniques.
One issue which some parents have is that they think animation is a very expensive pursuit. While there are indeed high-quality tools out there which break the bank, we have many free and affordable options which will get your child into it. For example:
Software: Programs such as Blender (free of charge and open source) and Tinker CAD which are great for newbies to try out 3D modeling and animation at no cost.
Drawing Tablets: Brands such as Wacom present entry level tablets which are affordable yet at the same time very effective for digital drawing.
Online Tutorials: Platforms that include YouTube and Skill share which have put out thousands of tutorials for all levels. Channels such as “Draw with Jazza” and “Alan Becker” are very popular with aspiring animators.
At the opportunity to present itself invest in the basic tools early on which will allow your child to practice often. We stress at SIVAS that consistent practice is the key to success in any art form. At SIVAS we are focused on hands-on learning which uses industry standard software, and, in this way, we can give our students real world experience before they enter the job market.
Animation is a hard field which at times is filled with defeat. Your child may have trouble with smooth transitions, character design, or getting to grips with complex software. Through those times which may see your child struggle, what they need is your support more than ever.
Instead of being so results oriented, praise the process and what they bring to it. Tell them for instance, "I am really into how you developed that character’s gesture!" or “That you didn’t give up on the light design is great. By weaning off perfection and instead zeroing in on growth you instill in them confidence and resilience which are what every animator requires.
Research reports support this approach. In her groundbreaking work on the “growth mindset” Carol Dweck reports that, which we praise, makes a difference, we do better to focus on effort rather than innate talent. Also, it is the students which adopt a growth mindset that does very well, they embrace challenges and spring back from failure which in a competitive field like animation is a very valuable trait.
Collaboration is at the core of what we do in animation. We may be creating separate cells within the frame, but most of the time we’re all working together. Also get your child out there to mix with others that have the same interest. Try out local workshops, summer programs, or extracurricular activities which are interested in art and design.
In Pune we see that institutes like SIVAS are the ones which put on events and exhibitions which in turn become platforms for students to display their work. Attending these events also gives you the chance to network and at the same time introduce your child to a variety of styles and techniques. Also, seeing what others have created motivates them to go beyond what they think is possible.
Another is to get into online communities like DeviantArt or Art Station which young artists use to put out their portfolios and get constructive feedback. These platforms also provide a sense of community and inspiration for constant improvement.
While self-learning is a great thing, formal education sets the stage for great success. We put our children in reputable institutions which in turn give them structured training from expert mentors. At SIVAS, for instance, we have a curriculum that ranges from the basics of traditional animation to the latest in motion capture and VR.
Our staff have an extensive industry background which we bring into the classroom, thus providing students with theory as well as practice. Also, we help graduates get into internships and jobs at top companies.
If your child is interested in a career in animation, we recommend a campus tour or info session. Interact with present students and graduates which will give you a better picture of what to expect and how to best prepare.
Also bear in mind that balance is key. As you encourage your child’s passion, see to it that they also maintain a healthy lifestyle. Out of home screen time which may stretch for long at a go can led to fatigue, eye strain and even burn out which we must avoid.
Encourage breaks, physical exercise and pursuits which are not related to animation. Activities such as outdoor drawing, sports, or meditation will refresh their minds and stimulate new ideas. A balanced life increases creativity and productivity, which in turn benefits their total development.
Supporting your child, which they are into animation, is not just about going out and getting them tools or enrolling them in classes; it is about seeing what they can do and rooting for them at every turn. In the right environment which includes guidance and resources young animators from Pune have it in them to achieve great things.
At Suryadatta Institute of Vocational Advanced Studies (SIVAS), we are committed to bringing you the best in the field of animation and related areas. Our goal is to see your dreams take flight through our innovative programs and personal mentorship. If you would like to know more about what we have to offer or to set up a consultation, do get in touch with us, we can’t wait to hear from you!
To end, tell your child which of their animation journey is unique. Point out their achievements which may be small scale and have faith that their effort will pay off in the future. Also, it may be that the next great success story will be put forth in their name!
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