Teaching Digital Animation On An Online Learning Platform

By Dr. Rasslenda-Rass Rasalingam

Department of Computing

Photo by Cristofer Maximilian on Unsplash

Online learning is a part of the modern transformation of higher education. This is because the COVID-19 pandemic has brought significant change and challenges to the delivery of the educational system worldwide. 

Most of the educational institutions were urged by their respective governments to deliver online learning. Educators around the world were advised to create and design a better learning experience with the help of technology. 

Through utilisation of an online learning platform both educators and students are able to engage within two-way communication, whereby the educator is able to mentor, guide and teach students online. 

The online learning platform is a space, or portal, filled with educational content and live instruction on a particular subject. Imagine having a virtual mentor that interacts and guides students towards mastering a topic on software skills. It is a totally engaging, motivating and individualized mode of delivery. 

In this article, let’s take a look at how we teach digital animation online and how beneficial it is to our students.

What is digital animation?

Artists utilised pencil, paint, and paper in the early days of animation. Today's rising usage of digital technologies provides artists with new and intriguing options. 

The word animation is derived from the Latin word "animus or anima", which signifies air, life, spirit, and mind. As a result, animation creates the appearance of life in inanimate objects.

Hence, digital animation is the art of using computers to create moving pictures or animated visuals. This allows for representation that is so realistic that it aids in the creation of the cinematographic illusion.

Photo by Senad Palic on Unsplash

How does teaching animation online work?

Photo by Mikaela Shannon on Unsplash

So, you might be thinking how you could possibly learn how to animate when classes are not conducted physically? In UOW Malaysia KDU Penang, we offer a Diploma in Digital Animation and this program is being conducted through an online platform during the Covid-19 pandemic.  

Digital animation is a program that develops a students’ ability to apply an effective narrative in 3D animation; building upon basic animation skills. 

Students will experience the techniques and skills necessary to convey a story through movement, and produce a performance of their animated 3D elements and objects. The program is designed to make sure that students are exposed to all relevant aspects of computer graphic creation utilising Autodesk Maya with an eye toward giving the student a base upon which to explore and expand. 

In Digital Animation, students learn animation software tools such as Autodesk Maya, Pixologic Zbrush, Adobe Animate, Adobe Photoshop and so on through an online learning management system. Both lecturer and students can use the online learning tools to interact in order to create an interactive educational experience. 

Besides that, the advantage of learning online is that it can be done anywhere, anytime depending on the tutors availability. Not only that, with cloud based content available 24-hours a day students can also learn at their own pace. 

Meaning that, after the classes have been conducted online, they can download and rewatch the recording of that particular class whenever they want or whenever they need clarification. 

Not only that, students may also have live interaction with the educator to further ask questions on a particular subject.  In totality, it can be seen that online learning has several advantages over the traditional educational system of face-to-face campus based delivery. 

Lastly, the advantage of learning through an online learning platform enables students to learn in a relaxed and enjoyable manner. Graduates of a Diploma in Digital Animation are assured of good career options with them able to pursue jobs in the demanding fields of mobile application development, animated films, cartoons, and game development. 

Digital animation careers

With a digital animation degree, you can work in various fields. Here are some examples of sectors you can seek jobs in Malaysia as an animator:

• Educational videos
• TV series
• Movies
• Video games
• Commercials and ads

Why should you study digital animation?

Here are some reasons why you should take up digital animation as your next educational pathway:

• You want to work in a job that is enjoyable, creative, and fulfilling.
• You want to put your innovative and creative abilities to good use.
• You can pursue a career in different creative sectors

Who should study digital animation?

You should consider taking a digital animation course if you have the following attributes:

• You are creative and imaginative. Digital animation students are often tasked with bringing art or their ideas to live. As an animator, most of the time you will have to think outside the box and creatively.
• You are dedicated and strong willed. This course is heavy and the majority of the work assigned to you will involve hours of work and time. It is also highly competitive, so you need to be highly motivated to join this programme.
• You need a keen eye for detail. Because you're analysing and gazing at the tiniest of details, animating may be incredibly tiresome, but it can also be extremely rewarding and fulfilling to see the results of your labour.

Concluding remarks

Being an animator can be both a fun and rewarding job if you love making art and bring them to live. Send your enquiries here on this amazing programme and we will do our best to help you learn all the in and out of a digital animation diploma.