Our five-pronged approach focuses on your individual strengths to develop your unique qualities towards making you an exemplary pi- designer.
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Bridging Imagination and Moving Images
From classic hand-drawn animation to new-age digital film design, learn the art of creating dynamic visual narratives. Discover the world of moving images through animation, motion graphics, visual effects (VFX) and films.
The Animation Film Design course provides a deep dive into the world of animated storytelling and visual effects. Covering both 2D and 3D animation, you will learn the basics of animation principles, storytelling, and narrative development. The course also provides a comprehensive understanding of the animation and visual effects process and explores it's integration into filmmaking.
Students of the Animation Film Design course are equipped to bring ideas to life through moving images, with innovation and the realisation of a personal and original style. They develop proficiency in character design, motion graphics, storytelling, digital narratives and more, by exploring both traditional and digital animation techniques, along with developing expertise in industry-standard software skills.
Students gain hands-on experience in animation techniques and the development of storytelling across various media and platforms. Practical demonstrations and an exploratory approach further demystify the subject matter, making it accessible. Building on fundamental principles, each project encourages/takes the form of a unique exploration, enabling students to discover and refine their own distinct voice as storytellers. Students have worked on collaborative projects such as DesignUp Digital Packaging, films for Folklog & the National Museum (New Delhi), projection mapping for Martyr's Memorial Museum Hussainiwala & Rumiyana (Ishara Puppet Theatre Trust) etc.
Active collaboration is at the heart of animation and film industry practice, and the Animation Film Design course emphasises diverse skill building, industry interaction and the development of an entrepreneurial spirit through partnerships with peers, faculty and professionals. Taking a multidisciplinary approach, students develop key attributes for employability, including subject knowledge, the ability to pitch ideas and networking, with feedback and consideration from various stakeholders.
Part of a dynamic discipline at the forefront of innovation, our students are equipped to drive change through impactful narratives that not only entertain but inspire action and awareness by representing diverse voices and perspectives. Through carefully crafted human-centred projects, they develop captivating solutions that educate, inform and contribute to societal well-being.
Foundation serves as a stepping stone, easing your passage from school to higher education.
It offers students a gateway to confidently immerse themselves in the ever-evolving, creative, exploratory and experimental world of design education at IIAD. They gain a wide range of design skills and expand their design vocabulary. Upon successfully completing the Foundation year, students smoothly transition to the specialised Animation Film Design course.
VISUAL COMMUNICATION PRINCIPLES & TOOLS + FUNDAMENTALS OF ANIMATION + MOTION GRAPHICS + FILM MAKING + VISUAL STORYTELLING
The first year of Animation Film Design entails a journey of ‘unpacking the self’. By digging deep into their memories and childhood, students discover the inner storyteller within them. Students will learn the basics of visual communication, narrative building and visual storytelling in the first semester. In the second semester, they learn the fundamentals of animation: concepts of gravity, weight, and mass and their impact on motion are explored, leading to the study of motion and emotion in visual media. Students learn kinetic typography and motion graphics, as well as anticipation, ease in and ease out, follow-through and the role of exaggeration. The course also introduces game design to highlight design as storytelling. By the conclusion of the year, you will have acquired the skills to manifest your ideas on digital, audio-visual and spatial platforms.
MULTIDISCIPLINARY + PRACTICE-BASED + LEARNING BY MAKING + EXPLORATION-BASED + PROBLEM-SOLVING-BASED + INQUIRY-BASED
At the end of this year, your first industry interface will be facilitated with an 8-week Learn On-Site internship, which will focus on multidisciplinary learning experiences. Animation Film Design students can opt to work in various avenues—film, animation, motion graphics, storytelling, digital products—to name a few.
FILM LANGUAGE + CHARACTER DESIGN + VISUAL SCRIPTING + DIGITAL NARRATIVES + VISUAL EFFECTS (VFX) + INDUSTRY PRACTICES & PROCESSES + 3D ANIMATION + DIGITAL BRAND COMMUNICATION
In the second year of this specialisation, students are introduced to the theory of narrative structure and concept of film langauge and film theory. The students learn visual scripting as a tool for narrative and non-narrative projects, they are also introduced to scriptwriting, storytelling, experimental animation and animation as a documentary medium. There is emphasis on inventiveness and creating dynamic imagery ustilizing various techniques across mediums. Students are also introduced to sound design and projection mapping as ways to enhance immersive storytelling.
INDUSTRY PRACTICE + COLLABORATION + STAKEHOLDERS RELATIONS + ORGANISATIONAL SET-UP + REAL-WORLD CHALLENGES
The 16-week Learn On-Site internship provides extended industry exposure, serving as the gateway to the students’ professional careers. Students gain the opportunity to work in real-world industry settings, understanding the intricacies of organisational structures. They will work in environments such as design studios, advertising agencies, and production houses, both in India and internationally. Ogilvy & Mather, Denstu, Studio Fry, Folklog, Quicksand, Animal, Caravan, Katha publications, Double Barrel Production house, Star Struck and Reliance, among many others.
JOINING THE DOTS + AN EVOLVED SELF + ADVANCED ANIMATION AND FILMMAKING PROCESS + ENTREPRENEURSHIP + MAJOR DESIGN PROJECT
Beginning their journey by ‘unpacking’ and now ‘repacking’ the self, students come full circle in their final year of the Animation Film Design course. They establish a unique, industry-relevant practice while enhancing their networking and entrepreneurial skills. By engaging in socially relevant design projects, they evolve into ethical and purposeful design professionals committed to “designing for a better future.”
Exposure to diverse areas within this versatile discipline, along with on-site work experience, allows them to focus on their areas of interest and strengthen their design abilities in those chosen fields. The Major Design Project combines the students’ chosen medium of specialisation with their subject area of interest. Animation Film Design students work on projects spanning sectors from social to business to entertainment, creating a diverse portfolio. Whether self-initiated or industry-sponsored, they undertake projects grounded in business and social realities. Throughout the process, students make independent design decisions while receiving close mentorship from faculty and industry experts.
The Major Design Project marks the culmination of their previous learning, focussing on storytelling in various forms, including narrative, non-narrative, documentary filmmaking, explainer videos, brand animations, world-building for brands, music videos, and storytelling through motion graphics. This project brings a sense of accomplishment to their transformative design education.
"A supportive and nurturing community that has empowered me to push the boundaries of creativity and innovation."
This award-winning animated film explores masculinity and feminism through dreams, thoughts and personal experiences which inspire complex characters and narratives. Award: Animation Xpress ANN Award 2023 Sreeram Jayaram (Batch 2019-2023)
This film illustrates how a simple argument can spiral into city-wide chaos, warning of the dangers of fake news and people's tendency to believe what suits them. Award: 24FPS International Animation Award Tarika Jain (Batch 2019-23)
This animated docu-film features history and culture of Gond art, examining its origins and techniques through research and direct engagement with Gond art communities. Awards: Chitrashaala: A Short Film Festival on Rural India and Mokko International Film 2024 Nanki Ghuman (Batch 2020-2024)
This deeply personal project revisits Bombay, drawing on firsthand experiences gained during my internship. The film captures the city’s essence through immersion in its rich cultural tapestry and interactions with its diverse people, vividly portraying Bombay’s dynamic heritage. Harshita Sood (Batch 2020-2024)
Mud n Water Production
Essential Five
NH1 Design
Clay Design Strategy
Mirra India
Vihara Innovation Network
Purple Monkey
Child Right and You (CRY)
Evoking emotions that resonating deeply with your audience through our work is the pinnacle of a storytellers success.
The most valuable lesson I learned was to trust the process, as it ultimately leads to achieving the goals I set out to accomplish.
Animation Film Design is an innovative and captivating field that spans multiple entertainment and educational mediums. From animated movies, television shows, and video games to educational animations, advertisements, motion graphics for digital products and virtual reality experiences, an animation film designer is involved in bringing stories to life through dynamic visuals and storytelling. Animation film design offers a wealth of opportunities to explore various animation techniques and styles. The central task of an animation film designer is to create compelling narratives and visually stunning animations that captivate and engage audiences.
Committed to advancing design through a creative blend of business acumen and design education, Sakshi is a designer and an educator. She has over a decade of industry experience, ranging from publication design, animation, branding, and storytelling to design for social impact and education. Sakshi is a graduate in Visual Communication Design from the National Institute of Design with a Masters in Business Administration from ISB, including certification from INSEAD. She also holds a postgraduate certification in higher education from Pearl Academy.
Head Of Department
Rich experience of over 20 years in Animation, Design and Storytelling, Shaaz has been an explorer in methods and mediums of visual narratives. As the Founding Director of Mud n Water - a Communication Design Studio, he has produced Animations, Urban Art, Space Design, Ad Films, Short films, Documentaries and Performance Art.
Inderjit Singh Jassel is a seasoned industry professional with over 13 years of experience in Visual Communication and Graphic Design. He has hands-on experience in creative project management and is highly skilled in tech applications in design
With nearly ten years of experience, Avanish has an M.A. in Sequential Design & Illustration from the University of Brighton, UK, and a Graduate Diploma in Communication Design from the IILM School of Design, Gurgaon.
With a PGCert in Learning and Teaching in Higher Education from the University of London and a Masters in Animation Direction from Supinfocom, Pranay Patwardhan is an art director and design educator with over 12 years of experience across the fields of animation, advertising, and video games.
Mohd. Urooj Ul Aziz, a certified UX Design & Design Thinking educator, is a versatile design professional with expertise in architecture, industrial design, and UX design. His extensive experience working with renowned firms across healthcare, product design, and UX design has solidified his position as a seasoned designer and educator.
IIAD’s purpose-built campus is designed to foster a dynamic and collaborative learning environment. With state-of-the-art studios, digital labs, and a well-equipped library, the campus provides students with the tools and resources needed to explore and develop their creative potential. The campus also offers open spaces for discussions and relaxation, promoting a supportive and inspiring atmosphere for future designers.
At IIAD, students have the unique opportunity to engage with industry experts through masterclasses and workshops, held in state-of-the-art campus facilities.
At IIAD’s flexible studio spaces, students can explore their creative potential in the field of Animation Film Design. These versatile environments are designed to foster innovation and experimentation, providing a supportive space for students to develop their skills in various design disciplines.
IIAD's Knowledge Research Centre offers students a comprehensive collection of resources to support their academic pursuits. The library collection includes books, journals and up-to-date digital materials, providing the foundation for in-depth research and creative inspiration.
At IIAD’s advanced Mac lab, students can bring their digital ideas to life through animation and film production. The lab provides an exploratory space where they can design and animate their concepts using the latest software and technology.
Open spaces at the campus allow IIAD's up-and-coming desginers to explore, innovate and create outside confinements.
IIAD’s photography lab is equipped with tools like DSLR cameras, professional lighting, backgrounds and screens made available for students to explore visuals, moving images and for documentation purposes.
Visual communication and graphic design are two seemingly intertwined disciplines that often perplex both newcomers and seasoned professionals alike. Although they do share common objectives of conveying information, ideas, and emotions through visual elements, there are essential distinctions between the two.
Communication Design students, under the mentorship of Shaaz Ahmed (Associate Professor, Communication Design) engaged in a comprehensive series of masterclasses led by industry experts. The main premise of these masterclasses was to offer the students an introduction to filmmaking by exploring the art of meaning-making within the domains of storytelling and the fabric of Indian cinema.
The 2023-2024 academic year has been another catalyst for extraordinary achievements at IIAD. Our students, driven by passion and innovation, excelled across diverse disciplines making a mark on both industry and community. From groundbreaking research to captivating creative projects, their designs have not only garnered recognition but contribute significantly to their respective fields.
Are you creative with a flair for design? Do new-age visual formats and effects inspire you? If yes, you should consider a career in animation. Animation refers to the technique of bringing inanimate objects to life with an illusion of movement. The animation uses computer-generated imagery to produce 2D or 3D objects like puppets, cartoons, etc.
Cartoons and animation are two terms that have often been used interchangeably not only for ease of communication but also because they share several similarities that blur the boundaries between the two. However, there are certain distinctions and characteristics that differentiate them from one another, not only for purposes of categorization but also conceptually.
One of the most prominent forms of entertainment for years now - movies have the capacity to transcend time and space. Filmmaking, however, is much more than that. A visual art, movies and films are a medium to communicate and express ideas, thoughts and stories. A much loved genre of films, animation, contrary to popular opinion, finds an audience across all age-groups and across geographical borders.
At its core, Animation Film Design is a dynamic discipline that blends storytelling and visual narratives. It combines conventional hand-drawn animations with cutting-edge digital methods such as motion graphics, visual effects (VFX), and film design, preparing you to work on various platforms—from short films and motion graphics to video games and digital content.
An Animation Film Designer is responsible for creating the visual and narrative elements of animated films, combining artistic and technical skills to bring stories to life. Their role is multifaceted and involves collaboration with writers, directors, and production teams to develop engaging and memorable animations.
Here’s an overview of what an Animation Film Designer typically does:
Concept Development: They contribute to the creation of the film’s overall concept, including themes, storylines, characters, and visual styles, ensuring alignment with the director’s vision.
Character Design: Designing characters with distinctive appearances, personalities, and movements is a critical aspect. They ensure that characters are relatable, visually compelling, and suited to the narrative.
Storyboarding: Animation Film Designers create storyboards to outline the visual flow of the story, including camera angles, key scenes, and transitions, serving as a blueprint for production.
Environment and Background Design: They craft immersive settings and backgrounds that complement the story and enhance the film’s visual appeal.
Animation: Depending on their specialization, they may animate characters and objects, ensuring smooth movements and emotional expressions through 2D, 3D, or stop-motion techniques.
Visual Effects and Styling: Adding visual effects, lighting, and textures to scenes, they help create mood, depth, and realism in animated films.
Collaboration and Problem-Solving: Animation Film Designers work closely with teams, addressing challenges like syncing visuals with audio, optimizing workflows, or adapting to new software and technologies.
Their work requires creativity, technical expertise, and a deep understanding of storytelling to captivate audiences and leave a lasting impact.
Undergraduate Degree (4 Years): This comprehensive degree teaches everything from the fundamentals of animation principles, storytelling, and narrative creation, to 2D and 3D animation. The course also provides a thorough overview of the animation and visual effects process, as well as an exploration of its use in filmmaking.
Postgraduate Degree (2 Years): Advanced specialisation in character animation, visual effects supervision, or animation direction. This programme is ideal for graduates seeking to master specific animation techniques or transition into leadership roles in animation studios.
Specialised Diplomas (1 Year): Training in niche areas like game animation, motion graphics, or visual effects. These programmes cater to professionals looking to upgrade specific skills or transition into animation from related fields.
Your four-year journey at IIAD starts with a foundation year that bridges the gap between school and higher design education. In your first year, you’ll master the fundamentals of visual communication, storytelling techniques, basic animation principles, graphic design and animation. The second year deepens your expertise with advanced courses in film language, character design, visual effects (VFX), and 3D animation. Your final year focuses on entrepreneurship and culminates in a major design project that showcases your unique creative voice.
Throughout the programme, you’ll have opportunities to experiment, learn, and grow in a supportive environment.
While our comprehensive curriculum serves as the foundation of your education, several distinctive features enhance your learning experience. Here’s what sets our programme apart:
For more details, please visit the international progressions page or speak with our admission councellors.
We provide multiple coveted opportunities via on-site internships and live projects with a well-connected network of 350+ organizations. Learn more about placements and opportunities.
Our unique programme features are designed to prepare you for a successful career in the animation industry. Let’s explore the diverse career paths available to our graduates and how they’re making their mark in the industry.
Many work with leading animation studios, production houses, and gaming companies, while others have established their own successful studios. You could become an animator, VFX artist, animation film designer, motion graphic designer, concept artist, or narrative designer.
The skills you learn at IIAD are versatile—they’re valued in entertainment, education, advertising, and corporate communication.
The career services division actively supports students through internships, placement assistance, and professional workshops. Students receive guidance in portfolio development and interview preparation.
Do you still have questions about how we can help your professional trajectory? Contact the career service division at [email protected].
Potential students must appear for the IIAD Design Aptitude Test (IDAT) to gain admission to animation and design courses.
Have more questions? Our admission counsellors are here to guide you through every step of your journey into the exciting world of Animation Film Design at IIAD.
IIAD provides merit cum means scholarships to deserving students. All students who qualify for the entrance test are eligible to apply for scholarships. Information about applying for a scholarship will be made available along with the admission offer. Know more about the fee structure.
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