Expert: Andre Hickman - 3/10/2011

Question
Below is link that leads to my question & the answer.

http://en.allexperts.com/q/Animation-3158/2011/2/Career-counselling-animation.ht...

Let me thank you for giving me your valuable time & advice.

I researched the institutes & their syllabi. I have come down to two. First one has following.

1 year animation course (5 days week + Saturday practice session or seminars):
Other than drawing & basics, Photoshop, Illustrator, Flash, HTML/DHTML, CSS, XML, 3D Studio Max, Maya, SoundForge, Aftereffects.

The another institute has:

About 2 & half years (3 days teaching, 3 days practice & Saturday seminars, plus library facility)
Other than drawing & basics, Photoshop, Illustrator, CorelDraw, InDesign, Flash, Toonboom, Soundforge, 3D Studio Max, Maya, Aftereffects, Combustion, Zbrush

Fees of both are nearly same.

I like 2nd option, since they have 2D & 3D animation both & many softwares. And, I've heard that their 3D & compositing faculty is good. Only thing, their duration is long, 2 & half years. But, it doesn't include web design in this syllabus, besides it has separate web design course.

Which one do you think I should go with?

I know other institutions which are recognized here, but they teach only 3D and other compositing softwares; but have no 2D or web design. Is 2D animation losing its existence?

Also, I have come to know of Visual Effects (VFX), a related course which requires me to do 3D animation prior to go for it. How is VFX? Is it globally good? for jobs?

Answer
I wouldn't say that 2D is losing, but it is much quicker to develop using alternative methods...If you are not some prodigy artist, then don't worry about not having 2D.  You will still learn the techniques in a combination of programs like Flash and After Effects.  As for the software differences of the 2 institutions, I wouldn't base my decision on that, because from what I can see, There is some redundancy in the 2nd option's software packages.  For example, If you have Photoshop and Illustrator, there is no "real" need to necessarily have CorelDraw.  Sure things like Toonboom and Zbrush are a plus to learn, but they are more of a caveat to the more staple programs like 3DS Max and Maya, and learning how to draw, paint or shade, or create textures can easily be translated to those (relatively speaking) once you have a mastery of other programs.  I'm not saying that it is not worth the exposure.  What I am saying is that you can probably learn those extra software on your own.

If you looked at my videos on youtube, that is basically VFX.  There are both 2D and 3D elements composited in the scenes.  If you don't know 3D, then you could only composite elements that someone else created for you to comp in a scene.  If you understand and know both, you can create your own elements (i.e. vehicles, particle, natural environments, characters, etc.) in 3D, and then composite it as well.

I just don't know how much you are required to, or will be able to learn in those relative time frames of each institution.  I would imagine that the 2nd option will give you more time to immerse yourself in the software, and really get a deeper understanding and grasp of the software.

Cheers,
Andre