Often, there have been discussions on a career in design and question on, how suitable is it for Indian young generations? My answers to them was pretty simple, Quoted from Mr. Arunachalam Muruganandham, "Don't search for opportunities, rather create jobs" and that is something which Design Industry does, strive for innovation.
India is one of the fastest growing economies of the world, with greater percentage of young population, higher purchasing power, technological advancement; India has gained a better momentum than other growing countries. In 2016, when the global growth rate has been sluggish, India was able to project a GDP of 7.1 percent, which leaves huge scope of development in various sectors.
Indian media and entertainment industry is one of the largest industries and it has poised a sturdy increase in its CAGR. Proving to be a key element in the transformation of country, the Indian ME industry is driven by the ever-in-creasing consumer demand, higher purchasing power of individuals, digitization, high Internet usage, smart-phone penetration, demand for alternative screen for media consumption and the roll out of 4G. As per the reports published in FICCI PWC KPMG, March 2017, the Indian Media and Entertainment industry is expected to grow at CAGR of 14 percent over the period 2016 21, to reach US$ 37.55 billion by 2021 from US$ 19.59 billion in 2016, outshining the global average of 4.2 per cent. The industry provides employment to 3.5-4 million people, including both direct and indirect employment in CY 2017.
The Indian animation, Gaming and Visual Effects industry plays a predominant role in the share of overall GDP of Indian media & Entertainment Industry. As per the reports of FICCI PWC KPMG 2017, it is predicted that the Indian animation industry would become a global juggernaut. With the digitalization of nation and with the access to internet and smart-phones, the Gaming, Animation Industry has started reaping its benefits. The capacity of Indian market to provide high quality animation and visual effects at a competitive price, and the quality of technical work done by Indian industries has been globally recognized. With the advantages of Indian English speaking youth and technically savvy artist, Indian market takes the lead of its competitors, Philippines and China.
Animation, Visual effects industry is not only limited to Film and entertainment, rather the industry is wide spread with its technicalities being used by almost every single industry. Medical, Science, Space, Aviation, Defense, Agriculture, manufacturing, Automobile, Forensic and every dominant industry, depends upon the need of animation and visual effects to communicate their ideas or solution to multiple stake holders. Additionally, with developments in technologies like augmented reality, Virtual reality, Mixed Reality (AR, VR & MR) and Artificial intelligence, the scope of Animation, Gaming and Visual effects industry have gone limitless. Companies like Microsoft, Facebook, and Google have been investing billions in developing technologies like AR, VR & MR with a view to dominate the market, as they clearly understand that this would be the future.
Further, Indian government initiative has been very supportive, as for policies like AVCG has been in place for the states, to develop animation, visual effects and gaming sector to a greater extent. Government of Maharashtra has proposed various facilities for the Animation, Visual effects and Gaming industry with allocation of 20 acre land in Goregoan film city and to set-up the national centre of excellence for animation, visual effects, gaming and comics. Additionally Telangana government, which has been aggressive in supporting, has aimed at setting up an incubation center called Innovation in multimedia, animation, Gaming and entertainment which would provide an ideal environment for business in animation, visual effects and gaming industry. Further governments of Karnataka and Gujarat have also been equally focusing on developing the sector. The Indian government has in its recent reforms has allowed up to 100 percent FDI, which has been a great benefit for the sector.
Though said, India being a fast-paced country, which has become a digitally thirsty nation, the demand of Indian market is still not yet met. One of the major reasons for a high demand and low supply gap is owing to the factor of dearth of qualitative professionals. There are very less number of premier educational institutions in India, which has the skill or the know-how of pedagogy required to train young Indians. Indian government has been trying to introduce programs like national skill development council, where they aim to train Indian youth to become skillful, but the reach of the program and the quality of the program has been very much limited due to various factors.
Fortunately, many private educational institutions have realized the gap and using their resources, have aimed at catering international standard of education to Indian youth at a very afford-able prices. With Indian government recognizing these programs through UGC has given a high advantage for Indian students to pursue their dream career which is approved and recognized. It is the right time for the country and its youth to start a career in Media & Entertainment sector.
At Annapurna International school of Film & Media, which is strategically located inside a 22 acre working studio, gives a competitive advantage for its students to learn the theory and also practice them in a professional environment. The legendary studio provides a platform for the young harbingers and dreamers to start their career in the field of film and media by exposing them to latest technologies and industry standards.
Varunan Balasubramaniam
Varunan Balasubramaniam is the Chief Academic Administrator at Annapurna International School of Film & Media, Hyderabad. He has an overall experience of 16 years as an academician and entrepreneur and has been a forerunner in imparting creative knowledge for design aspirants, in India for more than a decade. His forte has been in Animation Design, Academic management, International university liaison, Designing and developing new curriculum in the field of communication design. He has certifications from National Skill Development, Indian Design Council and Birmingham City University. His research interests are in the field of creative education, augmented reality, virtual reality and innovation.
