Program Overview
The technique of animating still two-dimensional photographs (2D) or three-dimensional (3D) into moving visuals is called animation. Animation may take any still image to appear moving, but it is most commonly utilised in entertainment to give characters in a story life. Animation is a kind of art that may be used by various organisations and individuals that rely on pictures as well as for special effects in films, television shows, and video games. For instance, advertising, architecture, and engineering professionals utilise animation to improve their ideas and create more precise and detailed images.
When people first realised the captivating power of sequential pictures, the history of animation began. Early people produced paintings in prehistoric caves that might be viewed as the first examples of animation. Imagine yourself in the 19th century, when innovators like Émile Reynaud and J. Stuart Blackton were experimenting with motion pictures and hand-drawn animation methods.
However, animation took off in the first decade of the 20th century. With the debut of synchronised sound in “Steamboat Willie” (1928), which starred the well-known character Mickey Mouse, Walt Disney completely transformed the business. Since then, animation has developed quickly, using various methods like stop-motion, claymation, and computer-generated imagery (CGI). It has developed into a potent vehicle for narrative, entertainment, and artistic expression that enthrals viewers from all walks of life and across all cultural boundaries.
Animation is significant because it enables us to convey stories and express emotions and ideas in a distinctive, simple-to-understand manner that young children and adults can comprehend. In a way that writing and live-action movies sometimes can’t, animation has aided in fostering global connections. Anyone may use a drawing tablet to share their thoughts and creativity.
To make the observer feel more at ease, drawn figures might be amusing or give something depressing or severe a lighthearted, less threatening sense. It has frequently been used only to create a touching narrative that provokes thought. People may develop prejudices through live-action films based on an actor’s portrayal of a character’s appearance and demeanour in real life. However, the animated figure feels like its own entity.
An animation degree covers various topics, including narrative, 2D and 3D animation, and the technical computer abilities required for animation work. Optional programs allow you to learn specialised skills for careers in video games, visual effects, cinema, and television. These abilities are essential in various fields, including design, advertising, architecture, and medical imaging.
- Animation Principles
- Experimental Studio Practices
- Design and Modelling
- Storytelling for Animation
- Animation Practice
- VFX Principles
- Innovative Storytelling
- Game Design Principles
- Animation Studio
- Animation Research Project
- Professional Practice and Portfolio
The future of the animation industry seems bright. There is a rising demand for experienced animators due to the desire for animated material across several sectors, including cinema, television, gaming, advertising, and internet media. As technology develops, producing realistic and engaging animations becomes more manageable, allowing animators to demonstrate their ability. Additionally, the growth of streaming services and online content production has enabled independent animators to connect with viewers worldwide.
Animation is essential because it has made it simple to convey emotions powerfully. Computer graphics can capture the audience’s imagination by accurately capturing and using real-world setting elements. You can use this guide to assess your suitability for the animator position.
Why Study This Program
Explore New Possibilities
There are so many distinct skills to learn, and an animation course is so comprehensive that learning it will never become boring. You will gain transferable skills that will help you keep your career options open, including the possibility of further study if you decide to change your career path, by situating your study of animation and games art within the broader context of design (studying everything from life-drawing to 2D and 3D animation, modelling, and character rigging).
The breadth of the course gives you the creative flexibility to explore your area of interest further and build the specialised skills required for the professional route you wish to take. Studying animation guarantees a constant diversion from monotony. You may immerse yourself in a world of imagination, bring characters and tales to life, and continuously push your abilities thanks to the limitless creative possibilities. The dynamic fusion of art and technology that animation offers makes it an exciting industry that never fails to enchant.
Experienced Faculty
With years of experience working in the animation business, animation course instructors are highly qualified. Some faculty members continue to work in the field, keeping their instruction current with the most recent methods and trends. There is someone who can share their real-world knowledge with you and help you develop your portfolio since they have experience in a variety of animation fields, including concept art, 3D video games, and cartoons.
Additionally, highly qualified technical specialists help you use the program to its fullest potential and get the most out of your job. Studying animation allows you to learn from people with a lot of expertise. These professionals are willing to impart their wealth of knowledge, know-how, and insights to budding animators. Their instruction and mentoring guarantee a thorough comprehension of the technique, hone your skills, and pave the way for success in the cutthroat animation market.
Financially Rewarding
A compelling incentive to pursue a career in the animation industry is the opportunity to earn a high salary, one of the fascinating career paths that studying animation provides. In several sectors, including cinema, television, advertising, and gaming, animation has experienced tremendous growth. Skilled animators are in great demand and may earn good wages due to the growing need for compelling visual material. Well-paid professions like lead animator, character designer, visual effects artist, or animation director may arise from a successful animation career. Due to the significance of the necessary skills and experience, these positions frequently come with attractive compensation packages.
In addition, the development of streaming services, augmented reality, and virtual reality have created new opportunities for animators to display their skills and earn a solid income. Talented animators can also discover possibilities to work on international projects and cooperate with famous studios as the animation business grows internationally. Exposure to different cultures improves their talents and increases their chances of earning more money and receiving more attention. While pursuing animation for its high earning potential, it’s necessary to remember that drive and commitment are essential for success in this industry.
A Wide Market
Studying animation is a desirable choice for prospective professionals since it gives enormous potential in a broad market that covers several sectors. Animation has expanded beyond conventional entertainment and is now essential to industries like virtual reality, cinema, advertising, gaming, education, and even scientific visualisation. Animators are in great demand due to the increased need for exciting and aesthetically appealing material. Animation is used in the film business in live-action and animated films, thanks to visual effects and CGI. Animation and striking imagery are frequently used in advertising campaigns to convey messages successfully.
The game industry constantly seeks talented animators to bring characters and virtual environments to life. Educational institutions are adopting animated content to make studying more dynamic and exciting. In addition, virtual and augmented reality development has given animators new opportunities to create immersive experiences. Animation is crucial to these cutting-edge technologies, from architectural visualisation to medical simulations. Studying animation gives people the skills they need to succeed in this enormous and constantly growing industry, which offers many job options and creative avenues to explore.
Be Flexible in Expressing Ideas
Studying animation offers a unique platform for the adaptability of concept expression. Through animation, people may transcend the constraints of reality and bring their imaginations to life. It allows artists to design and alter people, settings, and objects in ways that aesthetically captivate the audience and convey their ideas. Through animation, it is possible to visualise abstract concepts, simplify complex ideas, and effectively communicate emotions. This kind of expression is great for people looking for a vibrant and expressive outlet for their ideas because it allows for boundless inventiveness.
Animation is an adaptable and flexible way to achieve your goals if you want to explain your thoughts in depth to a broad audience. You may animate the complete narrative, including all the instructions, dos and don’ts, etc., to show a problem-solving scenario like “how to help a drowning person.”As an illustration, we were not present when the Titanic sank. However, based on the information acquired, the whole incident was shown using graphics and animation on the big screen. As a result, a broad audience could understand the significance of that occurrence.
Why Study In Malaysia
Educates a Wide Audience
Using animation, you may connect with a worldwide audience. It serves as a suitable avenue for persuading and instructing a broad audience. The benefits and usefulness of animation in Malaysia are frequently apparent in instructional content. Examples include instructional DVDs for businesses, schools, moms, athletes, and older people. The varied audience regularly accesses the instructional materials. Therefore, if you are animating knowledge, you are educating someone somewhere.
Modern-Day Career Alternative
There is a well-known obsession with success and accomplishments in practically every civilisation. We are well aware of society’s prejudiced perceptions of our professional decisions. Engineers and doctors are respected professions. However, new jobs have evolved due to the development of the internet and technology, including positions for animators, designers, developers, technical writers, bloggers, YouTubers, etc. It has brought about a fundamental shift in our generation’s decisions and viewpoints. With the continual market need, the field of animation is projected to grow thanks to its endless potential.
Affordable Course Fees
The fee required to study animation in Malaysia is comparatively less than that required in many other countries, such as the USA, the UK, Australia, and Canada, to name just a few. With animation degree expenses shooting up worldwide, Malaysia comes across as a reliable option to receive a high-quality education at an affordable cost.
Globally Recognised Degrees
Animation degrees from Malaysian universities enjoy global recognition. Studying animation in Malaysia allows students to pursue the program in Malaysia and then move anywhere globally. Several students continue their master’s and specialisation in Malaysia or transfer to other countries to pursue different pathways.
International Education Standard
The standard of animation programs in Malaysia meets international standards. This ensures exceptional education for students who enrol in this course. The course curriculum is rigorously developed, keeping in line with international benchmarks to ensure students learn the latest developments in animation in Malaysia.
Excellent Campus Facilities and Infrastructure
Malaysia offers excellent campus facilities, modern infrastructure, and innovative teaching aids for studying animation in Malaysia. The schools in Malaysia offer a great learning atmosphere. Several leading universities have developed in-house labs and testing facilities dedicated to helping students learn with hands-on experience, operate with state-of-the-art machinery, and stay up to date with the latest innovations.
Career Prospects
Characters, objects, and surroundings come to life through the animation process thanks to the expertise of animators. Using their creativity and technological know-how, they design and create appealing images for many mediums, including movies, video games, and ads. To produce natural motions and convincing expressions, animators use various methods, such as hand-drawn or computer-generated graphics. Their work necessitates meticulousness, endurance, and profound narrative and visual communication knowledge.
In an animation production, animators frequently collaborate with a creative team. Depending on their area of expertise, their daily tasks can include developing avatars for video games or storyboards for animated films or advertisements. Regardless of their areas of speciality, animators often do the following tasks:
- Putting creative skills to use to communicate facts and tell a narrative visually.
- Making rough drawings and using creative or marketing team input to improve them.
- The development of 3D characters and the production of CGI.
- Creating animations using software and animation methods.
- Developing actions, narrative points, character qualities, locales, and other story aspects in collaboration with directors, producers, writers, and other animators.
- Making mock-ups and prototypes of original things and design concepts.
- To create concept drawings for clients, conceptualise and brainstorm ideas.
- Presenting the customer with the finished animation design.
Perhaps the most important quality among the abilities needed to build a career in animation and gaming is imagination. Although it isn’t strictly required, you should be passionate about sketching and drawing because it will help you tremendously in almost every business element. It’s essential to comprehend visual storytelling and visual communication. Here are some skills needed to become an animator:
- Imagination and creativity.
- Patience and focus on the small things.
- Drawing abilities.
- Proficiency with computers and graphics software.
- Presentation and communication abilities.
- Ability to cooperate with others and fulfil deadlines.
Production Assistant
Production assistants serve the producers and senior staff of television and radio shows by working behind the scenes. They oversee a database of digital photographs, take phone calls, interact with visitors, hand out scripts, and monitor production timelines.
Art Director
Being an art director is a senior job. The art director will receive the majority of creative staff reports. A career path typically requires you to advance from lower-level positions. Salary depends on the size of the project. The typical range is $70,000 to $80,000.
Video Game Designer
For computers and gaming devices, video game creators create video games. Some bachelor’s in animation programs provide a gaming specialisation that teaches students how to build characters, a storyline, sound effects, and game mechanics. In a gaming lab or during a practicum, students can gain hands-on experience.
Stop-Motion Animator
In this position, you’ll need talent, focus on detail, and a lot of patience. Before utilising specialised software, stop-motion animators must put up physical rigs. Most stop-motion animators are self-taught and hone their craft through contract work. Most individuals in this position make roughly $60,000 a year.
Storyboard Artist
Even though this isn’t animation, storyboard artists interact with animation and film production businesses. You need a strong network and portfolio to succeed in this field. Earnings for storyboard artists range from $80,000 to $100,000.
Multimedia Artist
A multimedia artist produces pictures and special effects for video games, movies, television, cell phones, and other media. Students pursuing bachelor’s can improve their programming, painting, and sketching abilities. Additionally, students learn how to animate their works in 2D or 3D using specialised software.
Film and Video Editor
Studios, broadcasting firms, advertising agencies, and other businesses employ film and video editors. These editors choose the plot pace, sound effects, visual effects, and other elements while splicing together frames from digital video using specialised software.
Animation Director
These individuals hire and manage groups of in-house or independent contractor animators. They are essential in facilitating the production process by managing timetables, finances, and deliverables. These jobs typically require at least three to five years of animation experience.
Character Animator
These animators focus on producing 2D and 3D characters for media such as movies, video games, mobile apps, and advertisements. They make sure that the characters in these virtual worlds behave authentically. Character animators build the locations and models that animated characters live in.
Effects Animator
These experts focus on the special effects used in various forms of animation. They use their proficiency with software tools and user interfaces, such as Houdini and Mantra, in collaboration with VFX supervisors, art directors, and other animators to transform conceptual ideas into realism in special effects.
Program Duration
The duration to study animation in Malaysia is three years for the bachelor’s program. English is the medium of instruction followed in schools across all major international private universities.
The first year will have a number of common subjects between different specialisations. As students progress to years two and three, their modules and subjects will become more specialised as per their field of choice.
Students can sometimes switch from one specialisation to another, but it will require approval from the University faculty and the relevant authorities in Malaysia.
Students who want to opt for program transfers to another University will usually need to prepare the transfer paperwork and start processing from their second year onwards to ensure all the paperwork and approvals are in place so the program transfer can be done.
Entry Requirements
The Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA) sets the entry requirements and guidelines for university admissions in Malaysia, which all universities must adhere to. All prospective international students must meet the minimum entry requirements, as the Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE) takes these standards into account during the application acceptance and processing phases.
The admission requirements to study animation in Malaysia for international students may vary from one university to another. However, the basic entry requirements are the same for most universities.
Usually, there are two pathways to entering a degree program in Malaysia:
- First, students can join a foundation program after completing their secondary schooling, O levels, or equivalent qualifications. After completing the foundation in Design, they can continue to the bachelor’s degree as per their choice.
- Second, students who have completed their higher secondary school or A levels or equivalent will be able to join the bachelor’s degree programme directly into year one.
If a student fails to meet the entry requirements for a bachelor’s degree programme, the faculty may offer different pathways into the degree programme, for example, through a foundation or a diploma programme.
Universities may raise the entry requirements to ensure incoming students are academically prepared for the rigours of their programmes. So, prospective international students should consult with an admission advisor to determine the precise entry criteria for their chosen programme and their preferred university.
General Entry Requirements For Bachelor’s Degree
A Levels or Equivalent:
- Pass A Levels with a minimum of Passes in any two (2) subjects.
Foundation:
- A pass in Foundation studies with a minimum CGPA of 2.00.
English Language
International students who wish to study animation in Malaysia will need to also provide proof of their English language proficiency with IELTS or TOEFL exams. Students who have studied the British or American curriculum are generally exempted from the English proficiency requirements since the medium of instruction for that curriculum is in English by default.
Students who have studied other curriculums where the medium of instruction is also English will usually need to provide a supporting letter from the school stating that the instruction language for their schooling has been English. With that letter, English language requirements are proven to have been completed.
Fees & Cost
Students sometimes only look at the tuition fee during the comparison. However, depending on how forthright and clear the fee guidelines from the university are, the extra fees can be a hefty amount that could be a surprise. So students are advised to correctly add all the fees and decide which university fits their budget requirements to study animation in Malaysia.
Various factors will contribute to the overall cost structure, such as:
- Tuition fees
- Accommodation fees
- Admission fee
- Registration and Visa fees and
- Other one-time fees.
These fees vary from university to university and can depend on varying factors. The quality, infrastructure, facilities and teacher-to-student ratio will also determine how much a university charges.
You must find the right balance between quality and cost to get the best education possible. The average cost to study animation in Malaysia is between RM 30,000 to RM40,000 per year, depending on the University.
For reference, that’s around USD $7,000 to $9,000 per year for a 3-year animation degree program at the current exchange rate.
Accommodation
Accommodation cost is going to be another recurring fee for international students. Generally, students have two options: they can either stay at the on-campus accommodation provided by the university or at private accommodation. The prices will differ according to which university and area you choose.
Generally, campus accommodations at major universities start at around US$150 per month and can go up to $400 per month. The pricing for on-campus accommodation is determined by the size of the room, whether a student will be sharing the room or will be staying alone, or if the student is taking a master room which generally comes with an attached bathroom or decides to stay at a sharing room with shared bathroom.
Some universities also offer cooking facilities and on-campus accommodation, which are shared facilities which will also be factored into the accommodation costs. Utility costs are generally an add-on fee.
While choosing the university, you can check with your admissions advisor on the options available for accommodation and how much they will cost so that you have an idea of how much of a monthly budget you will require as a student.
Admission Procedure
Researching, applying and managing overseas admissions is a tedious, time-consuming and often confusing process. Incorrect application submissions can lead to lengthy processing, delayed approvals, or rejections. You can visit education, exhibitions and fairs to collect information. However, that is not enough. You can only collect cursory information at these places. However, your admission processing will usually take much longer. During that time, you will need consistent and dedicated support to ensure your application is in the right experienced hands.
This is where we help.
Edmates helps international students from around the world with complete admissions processing. Our integrated one-stop centre helps international students with everything. We help you find future-driven programs that match your abilities and interests in leading universities.
We handle the entire process from the beginning until you have joined the university. Our international support system will manage everything for you, absolutely free.
Each student is assigned with a dedicated admission advisor who will manage the complete admission process and also guide the student throughout the admissions process. The advisor will also liaise with the university admissions department to ensure clear communications and faster processing.
You can speak with your assigned advisor anytime by booking a free call online through the website. You will also receive regular updates regarding your application via emails, SMS and WhatsApp.
To learn about each step of the admission process, you can read our complete guide to start applying for your higher education the right way.