MORE Jamaicans will now be able to better position themselves to tap into the booming overseas market of animation.

The alignment comes as a result of a new undergraduate degree, a bachelor’s of fine arts in animation, which is being offered by the Caribbean Institute of Media and Communication at the University of the West Indies (UWI).

When Career & Education spoke to David Soutar, programme coordinator and lecturer at the institute, he said the programme is one of two new undergraduate degrees which will be more focused on 2D and 3D animation, as well as motion graphics.

“Over the last year and six months we have offered short courses that run for six months in 2D animation, but the degree will be a combination of 2D, 3D and motion graphics,” Soutar said.

He added that over half of the graduates from the short- course programmes work at a local animation firm. He also said because of the interest of overseas companies to invest in Jamaica, graduates will be more positioned to join the platform of local animators.

He added that over half of the graduates from the short- course programmes work at a local animation firm. He also said because of the interest of overseas companies to invest in Jamaica, graduates will be more positioned to join the platform of local animators.

Soutar said animation is also more than cartoons.

“A few firms, like advertising firms, do motion graphics and on- screen graphics that you will see in the news and on certain TV programmes. The area is broad,” he said.

Other areas in which an animation degree can be useful include:

1. Broadcasting

According to Soutar, many of the digital signs that are created are done by animators as someone has to create the moving images.

2. Video game industry

“In this area the skills are transferable. Animators can design games and game designers can help out in animation,” Soutar said.

3. Architecture

Soutar said those with animation degrees can help to design and create the visualisation of buildings and their interiors before they are actually built.

4. Manufacturing and product design

Companies have the option to utilise animators to redesign products and create different products or packaging for an existing product.

5. Web animation

Animators work closely with graphic designers and create content and unique layouts for web pages. To enter this programme, one’s qualifications must meet the standard of UWI. The university requires that students have at least five CSEC subjects and two double units of CAPE.

“It is highly recommended that visual art and information technology be included,” Soutar said.

He explained that the programme is very intensive and focuses a lot on the use of the computer and technical skills.

“It’s an advanced computer software and drawing programme. The first two years will be based highly on drawing. The animation-based part of the degree will consist of both traditional hand drawing as well as computer-based work,” Soutar said.