Watch Bleach Anime Videos Online

Being a die-hard fan of the popular Bleach anime myself, I have explored a variety of websites and came across various interesting ways of watching Bleach anime videos. Finding a streaming website isn't really a difficult issue, however, to find a website that provides you a variety of information on your favourite anime would definitely be worth your attention.

The fascinating part about Bleach anime is its enormous cast of characters. Bleach characters consist of the Captains of Soul Society, the current foes of Espada to the oncoming ranks of Vizard. The variety of weapons which every character possesses, termed as Zanpakuto, contains a unique feature to its own, and these special features create a sense of mystery to the new oncoming bleach characters that will possess new Zanpakuto.

Apart from watching the latest Bleach episodes, a true anime fan looks into other aspects such as the soundtracks, movies, histories and even studies the creator of the anime. First and foremost, let us look into the Bleach soundtrack or OST. While enjoying the visual effects of the anime, enchanting music and sound effects are always utilized to support the high action movements. This music triggers your emotion and evokes the burning desire within you which enhances the show to be immensely exciting.

The reason why we are able to enjoy Bleach anime today is due to the effort and perseverance of the creator Noriaki Kubo, also known as Tite Kubo. Long ago, Bleach was initially rejected by Weekly Shonen Jump for publication as it resembles Yu Yu Hakush in many aspects. Therefore, only a controlled group of readers are given the opportunity to read. In addition, the chances of an official publication were very slim.

The rejection has very much discouraged Tite Kubo. However, Akira Toriyama, the creator of the mega hit Dragonball series, has inspired him to persevere. In 2001, Bleach was published in Weekly Shonen Jump, achieving more then 300 chapters, plus an anime adaptation begun broadcasting in Japan in 2004. Bleach manga was named a winner of the Shogakukan Manga Award for its category in 2005. In 2006, the very first Bleach movie was broadcasted in Japan, following a second movie in the last quarter of 2007. Bleach has succeeded in becoming a mega hit in both the manga and anime world today.

Now, I would like to recommend the best Bleach anime site which combines all these key components, allowing all Bleach fans to enjoy watching Bleach episodes and acquiring useful information at the same time. Remember, the Ultimate Bleach Site understands Ultimate Bleach Fans by providing Ultimate Bleach Information.

Discover the Ultimate Bleach Anime [http://www.bleachanimeguide.com] Site that provides you with wealth of information such as episodes, latest characters, Soundtracks and many other interesting news about Bleach. Watch Bleach Anime Videos [http://www.bleachanimeguide.com] today; it will definitely rock your world!

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How Animated Videos Make Your Brand More Popular?

Marketing is one of the most crucial aspects when it comes to the sales. Everyone knows that without a proper advertisement, no company will be able to gain customers and as a result exist on the market. Still, there are some old and new means of advertising. One of the latest methods of popularization of products is the use of explainer videos.

Importance of movement

Advertisements in the form of short text or slogans are no longer something which attracts the attention of viewers. An ad with a photo or picture is something more eye-catching but does not make people think about the content they see. For this reason an image that moves is more attractive for human mind than a still one. We cannot help but look at the animated clip and once we do it for a longer time we gradually become more interested in the story it presents. The content of the video should be first of all thought-provoking. If something makes people think about what they see, they become more interested in a product or service that is being advertised. If explanatory web videos are supposed to gain popularity, they should be laughable.

Funny becomes popular

On the Internet there are many short animated films which are not of the best quality but contain such hilarious scenes that people immediately send them to their friends. Such videos are good examples of how to make your brand more popular on the Web. If a clip is considered humorous, people will popularize it on many social websites. Once a person watches it, he or she may become eager to learn more about your company and in consequence you will gain customers. If people see a clever, entertaining video, they will have positive associations with your brand. Even if they do not buy your products or use your services immediately, they will eventually do it once they remember the amusing animated video they saw thanks to you. So as you can see, those so-called viral videos are very helpful in building a good company reputation.
Animated video is one of the best ways of popularizing our brand among customers. The reason for this is the fact that motion picture is something which attracts people's attention. Furthermore, animated videos can be easily shared between Internet users and thus reach more customers. For this reasons such animated clips will help you raise your company's sales.

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Getting a Animated Video Background - Benefits You Have to See to Believe

There are far too many people out there who are creating boring videos. That is definitely not something the world needs another one of! It's easy to understand why this happens, however.

Common reasons for boring videos include:
- Not enough time
- Not enough money
- Not enough patience

Those things are enough to cause even the most careful and professional person to skimp on their videos! It's no wonder- not everyone is a professional designer or wants to be. All you want to do is make sure your video presentation goes as smoothly as possible and that your information gets through to your target audience.

It's time to make a change! While those things are all good excuses, there are animated video background options out there that will be totally headache free for you. The answer? It's time to get royalty free backgrounds.

These are backgrounds you buy one time and then you have free reign to use them in all your videos. Once you get the hang of putting the backgrounds in to your presentation it's as easy as 1-2-3. The simplicity of it will astonish you, but the quality look will really surprise you.

That's because it's the professional designers who really know their stuff that are selling these backgrounds. They enjoy it because they get the income from several different people buying royalty free rights. You'll enjoy it because you get the benefit of their expertise without paying the high costs. This is literally a case where everyone wins.

Once you start using animated backgrounds your videos will:

- Capture the attention of your audience
- HOLD their attention
- Help you get more of the desired response
- Save you money
- Save you time
- Reduce your headaches in creating video

That sounds like an excellent way to manage your next video production!

The great thing about royalty free is that you'll get to use the background as much as you like without having to pay any more fees. That is a huge money saver. Not only are you saving the first time you buy the backgrounds, you are then saving a lot of money each time after that. Not a bad deal at all!

Listen, creating videos is not easy but it's ultra-important these days. Everyone is turning to video on the web to buy, sell, learn, and entertain. If your videos are up to date and attention-grabbing you'll be missing out for sure.

Finding a great animated video background is the best way to spruce your videos up now. There is no reason to keep on making boring videos when you can have a high-quality and interesting video ready in a very short amount of time. Take note of the benefits, and get started with your new backgrounds today.

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Masters Degree Education Online - Study from Home and Earn a Degree

Education is extremely important to survive in today's world. Technology has taken over our lives and today each and everyone are working with technology in each and every sphere. With so many new facilities people are making use of these technologies to get educated at their convenience. This means they can earn as well as learn without having to go to a college.

These days a basic qualification is not sufficient and one must be armed with a Masters degree to make significant progress at the workplace. Most people want to pursue a degree but cannot leave their jobs for the same. The solution for this is online Masters degrees. These online degrees help one to get a degree and at the same time continue working.

The Masters degree mainly requires a research paper or a dissertation or thesis to be submitted at the end of the course. Also it does not require one to attend lectures and classes in the two year duration. The course syllabus of these online courses varies from the basic course and one needs to check the syllabus and the course schedule before applying for the course.

Certain online Masters degrees courses ask for the work experience and based on this some universities will award the student certain credits. For all this one must present and show the necessary proofs of previous and current work experience. Hence one should check all these details before applying for any course online.
Students applying for these online masters degree courses need to attend classes online and take assignments online. These assignments should be completed well on time and submitted. The benefit of this online
Master's course is that one can follow the course according to one's convenience and can pursue the same without having to leave the job. One can study from home and complete the assignments from time to time. The tutors will check these assignments and award grades and credits according to the performance of the student.

However, before applying for any online universities one needs to check for its accreditation. It is recommended that one joins a well recognized university, since there are a number of fraudulent universities which may cheat prospective candidates.

There are a number of subjects in which one can pursue an online degree. The courses are wide and varied and the syllabus may vary from university to university. Even the crediting and grading system may differ from university to university.

An online masters degree is a benefit in disguise since it helps one complete the course and earn a degree and at the same time not leave their job. So people who have to pay back loans and mortgages can do so without having to worry about leaving their jobs.

People with a Masters will also get a better and a higher pays and will also be eligible for a promotion at their work place. Thus a Masters degree makes a lot of difference and benefits the person.

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How Custom Animated Videos Can Make Your Brand Popular

Popular brands have a large fan base. The allegiance of the fan base is with the basic idea behind the product and its services. This idea about a product/service has to be presented in a compelling manner.
The problem is that people have a short attention span. They pass over information that is not compelling. What cannot engage them has to go. Hence, even if your product or service is the best in the market, you are unlikely to engage potential customers if you cannot tell them what you have to offer. So how do custom animated videos make your brand popular?

Custom Animated Videos Grab Your Audience's Attention

A sudden move, a startling or an unusual animated scene, or a sequence of computer generated special effects, are things that easily grab attention of the audience. Such engagement is the prerequisite to communicating your brand to the target audience.
Popular brands offer their target audience a great user experience from everything they have to offer. This begins with the content that they have to offer. A custom video offers business the opportunity to deliver their business idea, product, or service in a compelling and engaging manner within few minutes.

They Give Your Audience a Quick Visual Summary of Your Product/Service

A custom animated video is a visual equivalent of a "sound bite". It gets the message across to the target audience within minutes. Several long blog posts can easily be summarized in under 2 charged minutes.
It is very dynamic, capable of demonstrating an idea from different angles without taxing the imagination of the audience. Hence, it can communicate complex details that cannot easily be visualized by the audience while reading lengthy posts.

Brands become popular when their audience is well aware of what they have to offer. A well-educated audience itself can become a medium of advertising your products by sharing your content. An engaging custom animated video is something that everyone is confident of sharing with someone they know.

They Go Viral

A brand has to become popular before it can maintain its stride. Custom animated videos can offer both a direct route to popularity and an indirect one. A direct method would be of placing the video so that it goes viral and rake in a lot of traffic to the product which the business will maintain afterwards. Secondly, a custom animated video can be made part of the marketing strategy to support other content.

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How to Use Animated Video

Let's kick off with some statistics from Forrester research:

• 64-85% of people are more likely to buy from you after seeing a product video
• You are 53 times more likely to appear on the 1st page of Google if you use video on your website

The whole point about video is that people readily engage with it as a medium.
At one time animated video was solely for the realm of the big businesses with big budgets, but advances in technology have made it a possibility for more companies.

Video gets its message across quickly and the use of animation combines the power of images, text, voice and music to create something that is engaging, watchable and highly memorable.

But that doesn't mean it's the perfect choice for everyone and every occasion.

Reasons for animation

No limits
Well, there are 2 limitations - your imagination and your budget. But other than that, animation can help you create all sorts of effects that would normally be impossible.

Simple
Let's get one thing clear, animation isn't simple, but the way it gets your message across is. If your product or sales message is quite complex it will also probably be dry. Animation gives you a way of injecting some fun to create something entertaining.

Story
We've all grown up with animated films and cartoons, so it lends itself perfectly to story telling. Better than live action video, animation gives you the freedom to do anything so you can let your imagination run wild.

Brand
Using your brand's colours, fonts and general feel within your animation will reinforce your brand and create a visual connection between your brand and your viewers.

Reasons against animation

OK, that sub-title is a bit misleading because what follows aren't really reasons not to use animation (the main thing that fits that criteria is lack of budget), but rather situations where it wouldn't be appropriate. Such as:

• Testimonials - live action is always best here as people relate to people
• Human touch - sometimes a real person is needed, such as with charity appeals that need to convey emotion
• Products, people and places - at times, a brand is recognisable by one of those three Ps, in which case a live action video would be more effective (think Richard Branson and Virgin)

The video format you go for will depend on what you're doing, why you're doing it and who you're doing it for.
Animation definitely has its place, but just make sure you use it appropriately.

Pendragon Productions is a London Creative Digital Marketing Agency. The guys love to listen, so give them a call on 0207 584 8861 and tell them what you want to achieve.

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Anime Video Details

As long as there has been home video, there have been anime video releases. Starting with the first VHS and turning into the present DVD and Blue Ray formats, anime has maintained its portion of the market. Presently, fans are not held so firmly to the area of straight home video releases. The Internet and myriad on demand programs have started entirely new avenues with which to hand out the awesomeness of Japanese animation.

Anime has always held a special spot in the minds of its adoring followers. However, even in its original Japan, it had a sort of bad reputation associated with it. People had thought that anime series were somehow not thoughtful and were poorly made. Nevertheless, true anime fans could see ahead of this unreasonable belief.

With the generation of home record, every possible genre of entertainment and documentary was quickly unveiled. It is fortunate that this was around the same period that Mobile Suit Gundam hit the big time. Mobile Suit Gundam unveiled to Earth that Japanese animated TV and films were not to be taken so calmly. The franchise adjoining Gundam continues to be a staple of anime film into the modern time.

Original video animation has been one of Japan's most integral methods of unveiling anime. While straight-to-video unveilings are standardly seen as a sign of letdown, in Japan, unique video anime is well praised. If a program does not go to TV, a new anime video release makes positive of its distribution. With the mix of fresh video animation, long standing fan favorite series, and Internet distribution, anime video has an awesome outlook ahead of it.

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Download Bleach Anime Videos At The Minimum Cost

Many anime fans look for ways to download Bleach anime videos from the Net - either for free or as cheap as one can get. This is understandable: after all, this highly popular manga series is comprised of 150+ episodes and downloading them all would mean spending a huge sum, which the majority of anime fans cannot afford even with all their love to this Japanese cartoon style.

In search for free Bleach episodes, some anime fans go to shady p2p networks. But this is not the best place to download Bleach anime videos, really. Illegal, copyright violating file sharing is the shortest way to land up in a trouble.

Apart from legal charges you may face, one big problem with these sites is an inadequate virus protection. In fact, there is rarely any protection at all. Any file you download may contain a virus, while file sharing software you use may install additional elements in your computer and slow down its performance. Aggressive and hard-to-manage pop-ups can harm your PC as well.

Needless to say, for you to download Bleach anime videos, a site should allow unrestricted download speeds and bandwidth. However, this is not the case with free file sharing networks, where to download each episode may take up to a few days. And it is really disappointing when at the end of a painfully long download you get pathetic quality or an incomplete episode.

Amateur websites set up by a few anime enthusiasts may provide free downloads, but they are similar to p2p sites in many features. Besides, they often distribute pirated Bleach episodes of very poor quality and with bad translation.

However, if you are ready to pay just a little, you can avoid all the risks and disappointments of torrent sites and download Bleach anime videos of your choice legally. There are sites, where at a single cost of $30-40 you can download all Bleach episodes and other anime series. Fast download speeds, full virus and malware protection and professional customer support make these sites a delight to use.

To find genuine anime video websites might be difficult, though. If you are not very experienced in Internet downloads, you are at risk of being scammed. Yet, if you reading this, consider yourself lucky, because the best Web resources for affordable anime downloads have been listed for you to choose.

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Animated Video Production

I am starting to see more and more animated commercials on T.V. and online. Ever wonder why there is more animated video production?

Animated videos are great for explanation.

The reason so many businesses are using animations in their videos is that they are better able to explain a topic. Since Internet surfers are in the market to buy a product or service, they are seeking useful information. With an animated video, a company can better express its idea or concept. The flexibility that a filmmaker has with an animated video is huge in comparison to using a video with just people. He/she is able to show images in a way that makes it easy for the viewer to understand. I personally like to use animations to explain certain concepts. Also, with technologies like adobe after effects, it is easier to make a cool video production than it was in the past. If you are not trained in making a video, I suggest that you either take classes to learn the software, or hire a professional. The point I am trying to make is that making animated videos is easier and less expensive than it was in the past. For this reason, we are seeing these type of videos more frequently online and on T.V.

You may be interested in making an animated video for your business but not sure of what subject.
Many websites now have videos with animations that highlight their benefits and features. These types of videos are also best when describing "how it works". By using animations, a business can better show exactly how a complicated concept functions. This engages the customers and shows them the information in a user friendly manner.

Whatever a business's goal for using videos, I am sure that it will find using animations helpful.

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Watch Anime Videos Online Now

There are so many people all over the world who prefer to watch anime videos online these days. This hobby is quite the favorite amongst people belonging to the age range of 8 to 25 years old. Watching anime videos online can be a bit costly, and this can become quite a problem when you are just a kid. Good for teenagers and young adults who have their allowances and starter jobs to support this intriguing hobby. But what about the kids? This then becomes the problem of the parents as well.

Fortunately, there are certain methods that parents can use so that their children can watch anime videos online at cheaper rates. There are so many paid download sites that give you many options. The main thing that you can enjoy here is the fact that you can download an entire season's worth of your favorite anime videos. There are some sites that charge for each downloaded season. Other sites offer the service for a monthly fee. There are also other sites that impose a one-time fee and you can then move on to downloading the anime videos that you want. This is actually dependent on the particular site that you choose. But there are some sites that peg a monthly limit capacity for the number of anime videos you can download. There are also other sites that do not impose any limit at all. Obviously, this last option to watch anime videos online should be the most attractive.

Whatever site you choose, all you have to do is complete your registration, and you can then start downloading anime videos. Here are some of the popular choices today: Slam Dunk, Naruto, Dragon Ball, Gundam, and Full Metal Alchemist. Go for the website that offer the latest seasons because these can boast of real-time updates!

Once you start visiting the many websites you can find online, you will also come across sites that let you access Manga media files, and the like. These sites come with downloading software that allows you to download these videos right onto your personal computer or television set. You can also have these videos converted into compatible formats so that you can watch these videos on your PSP, or even your iPod. Yes, there are that many options available for any avid anime fan!

With so many sites to choose from, you have much to weigh. Take time to do research on the site so that you are sure to get the best deal ever. More importantly, go for the website that offers high-quality customer service and technical support. Once you have picked that perfect website, you can then watch anime videos online whenever, wherever!

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How to Download Anime Videos For Pennies

Anime fans are always searching for the key to download anime videos without costing them much. In fact, since the majority of fans are all young kids, teens and young adults in the age group from 8 to 25, it does make sense that being able to buy videos of their favorite Japanese cartoon series for a cheap price becomes important. This article will reveal how to download anime videos for pennies that even kids can afford.
There are now paid download sites where you can download anime videos in its entire series. These sites either charge you for per download or a monthly or one-time fee for the videos you wish to watch.

Depending on the site, there could be a monthly limit cap at the number of videos you can download, or there is absolutely no limit at all. Since this is the case, many people prefer to go for the one-time lifetime membership which costs no more than $50 in some cases. The most popular one is going for less than $30.

At each of the sites, you can just register and start to download anime videos like Full Metal Alchemist, Neon Genesis Evangelion, Gundam, Bleach, Naruto, Slam Dunk, Dragon Ball, Shana and more. Good sites often update their database so that you can find the latest release of new videos. With well over hundreds of videos, you can spend hours watching these favorite anime series and not get bored.

You may realize that some of the places where you can download anime videos also allow you to access other media files like Manga, movies adapted from Manga and Anime and so on. All the downloading software are provided for you to easily download the videos directly to your computer. Watch it on your computer, TV or convert it into a format compatible with your digital portal device such as iPod or PSP.

Since there is a dozen of sites which allow you to download anime videos, you have to exercise some discretion in your selection. Everyone wants to get the best deal. So be sure to check out a couple of factors. Read the terms and conditions of each site to see if you are comfortable. Also check out the download speeds to make sure it is fast enough, as well as whether they provide excellent customer and technical support so that should you run into problems, you can always seek for their help.

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The Best Anime Video Downloads on the Net

Anime video downloads is the new craze on video downloads nowadays. No doubt those anime fads are so much into it. If you can't get a reception of the anime in your cable network or have missed several episodes, you can simply log on to the internet to get a copy. However, what makes a download site a good site when it comes to downloading anime videos?

First, take a look at your options for video downloads. You have the option of downloading from a free site or for a pay site. Each holds different advantages and disadvantages. Knowing these differences will help guide you in getting your hands on the best copy of an anime on the net.
Free sites usually have limited choices when it comes to anime video downloads. You also risk downloading a crappy copy of your favorite anime. However, with pay or membership sites, the anime you download come from DVD or VCD copy. Pay sites also hold copies of all the episodes of your favorite anime.

Look at the prices pay sites offer for their video downloads before you opt for the free sites. There are many pay sites out there who offer affordable packages, giving you quality videos for a price that fits your budget. If you meet a pay site that requires you to pay forty dollars and up you really shouldn't take the offer.
A good site holds different anime genres, both new and old. This is rare nowadays so you can really point out which site is good or not. A good site will also have other video download options aside from anime video downloads, giving you the freedom to choose which video you want to download if you want to stray from anime.

You are assured that a site for anime video downloads is good if the files for downloading are safe. Safety in downloading means that while you are in the process of downloading, you don't get to download adware, spyware, and virus at the same time. Pay sites scan their files before making them available for downloads.
You should also check out the download speed for your anime video downloads. Good and reliable sites offer stable and fast download speed that will allow you to watch your favorite anime as soon as possible. If you're waiting too long for a download to finish, then that probably is not a good download site.

Bring your anime experience to a different level. Check my cartoon blog and see more information on the best anime video downloads.

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How to Get Affordable Anime Video Downloads For Your Child

As a parent, sometimes you may wish to pamper your kids by getting them their favorite Japanese animation. Today, anime video downloads are available quite readily on the internet. You no longer have to purchase the DVDs and VCDs available at the video shops. Anime series can be educational at times so you need not worry unduly about its content all the time.

While Japanese animation movies are created out of fantasy, they are not just entertainment programs. You may think that watching them is a waste of time for your kid, and all such cartoons are violent. This is not true if you understand its origin and values that are embodied in the videos from the Japanese culture.

If you dissect an anime, you will find drama, emotions expressed through the cartoon characters, body language, and also a strong moral element of righteousness, good, justice and so on in it. In all such animation, you will have good and evil characters.

Anime videos are often categorized accordingly. You have the special educational and fun anime series for young children and teens. Normally, the website for anime video downloads will specify clearly the intended audience group for each movie.

There are of course also adult cartoon videos. Some can be rather warped in the sense that homosexuality, perversion and immorality are weaved into the shows. These are often coded and labeled so that they are for adult eyes only. Japanese animation culture caters to the needs of all age groups and profile, and not just for children. This explains why some of its fans are grown ups in their 30s and even 60s. Watching anime series is not restricted to any age group.

Most series have many episodes, at least 20 to 30 onwards. If you were to spend on DVDs especially the latest releases which your kid wants, you are going to spend quite a bit of money. And it will happen pretty frequently as there are hundreds of titles today. It is therefore easier on your wallets to get the amine video downloads on the web for much cheaper prices.

On the internet, there are dozens of websites that offer a huge database of anime movies across many genres and age groups. You can choose to pay for an annual membership or a lifetime one. The most affordable is to opt for a lifetime membership which grants you unlimited access to anime video downloads for as long as you wish.

To summarize, for the price of less than $40 to $50, you can enjoy zero limits on the number of episodes or complete series you can download each day. Whether it is for your kids or yourself, it does not matter. You still save a great deal while keeping your child happy. Very often, professional sites also provide games, manga and other stuff related to popular anime videos, on top of the anime video downloads.

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2D or Not 2D, The Disney Feature Animation Legacy.

Disney CEO Bob Iger has casually announced that Disney Animation Studios has no 2D animated feature films currently in development. The news has left many artists and mouseketeers wondering what this could mean for the beloved animation company with its 2D feature legacy.

Lets take a look at the background. Walt Disney moved to Hollywood in the early 1920s to create live-action feature films with actors, scripts and high production values. It was by circumstance that he found himself setting up an animation studio, though he considered himself a business man and filmmaker, not an animator. He hired others who could animate for him, some of whom became affectionately known as the ‘nine old men’.


He then directed the first Hollywood animated feature film, 1937’s Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, setting a precedent for future animation. Walt died leaving behind a huge legacy, having created the company that started with simple, soundless black and white shorts and finished with full-colour animated feature films. The Disney name became synonymous with 2D, handcrafted ‘magic’.

After Walt’s death, filling his shoes and keeping his legacy alive proved a daunting task. The animation department declined once the ‘nine old men’ each went into retirement.  New Disney talent struggled to fill the void against the corporate side of Disney, which had became disillusioned with animation; The future was live-action and animation had many ups and downs. The years of stagnation ultimately peaked with the release of The Black Cauldron which failed to live up to the standards of yesteryear, and people began to question the need for Disney feature Animation.

Michael Eisner, Frank Wells and Jeffrey Katzenberg were brought into the ailing company by Roy Disney in 1984 (to replace Walt’s replacement Ron Miller) and formed the much needed Dream Team; they collectively became what ‘Walt Disney’ was. It was Roy Disney and Jeffrey Katzenberg who decided to stick with Walt’s animation, keeping the art alive with his literal vision; good storytelling with solid characters, drawn by artists eager to get the job done. Pushed hard to release a high-quality film each year, artists and animators succeeded under their new supervision and Disney enjoyed a renaissance between 1988 and 1995.
Following the untimely death of Frank wells, however, a split in management forced Jeffrey Katzenberg to leave and Dreamworks was born. Critically speaking, Pocahontas, Mulan, Hunchback and Hercules didn’t live up to the high standards set by previous features such as The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin and The Lion King. But why not? The films still followed a proven formula and Disney had more money than ever before.


In the early 2000s, Disney became rattled by the money studios like Blue Sky, Pixar and Dreamworks were making above them. Disney flooded its brand, releasing straight-to-video sequels in an attempt to solidify its kingly status.

In March 2002, Disney fired their 2D feature animation staff whom they had shared success with 10 years prior. Disney Studios didn’t renew its distribution deal with Pixar either, instead they boasted about their new CG department and released Chicken Little and Meet the Robinsons. Their plan didn’t exactly work and Disney ended up purchasing Pixar for $7.4 billion almost as if it was their plan B all along. Pixar’s top Director John Lasseter took over as chief creative officer for Disney, hiring all the 2D animators back and
helping set Disney on the right path again. Michael Eisner left and The Disney legacy became 2D hand-crafted animation again.

But is 2D really Walt Disney’s Legacy?

 

In 2012, Wreck-it-Ralph was released and it was a fun movie. Not just funny, but a FUN movie; it captivated the audience with playful art and imagery, stunning design and a charming story. Sound familiar? Well it’s the formula that Walt Disney established all those years ago. It’s what Pixar was inspired to follow and Dreamworks, LAIKA, Aardman and Blue Sky all emulate. A good story inspires good concepts, good art, which equates to a good movie. As the credits proved, Wreck-it-Ralph would have been just as good in 2D as it was in CG. Every animation lecturer will tell you “Good storytelling makes a film, no matter what the medium”.

2D animation certainly isn’t dead with Bob Iger’s announcement, just not in production. Recent features The Princess and the Frog and Winnie the Pooh were both critically acclaimed by reviewers and audiences, but they didn’t make the same money as Bolt or Tangled. This can be put down to the times; 2D is traditional, loved by audiences for its familiarity but with the novelty of technology, larger audiences seem more curious to see how far CG is developing than how 2D is faring after 75 years.  Audiences want developed visuals every time they go to the cinema. There is still scope for 2D to develop, it can offer just as many interesting visuals as any medium.

A feature film that uses the same CG technique as the Oscar winning short Paperman hasn’t been announced, but it would certainly please an audience. Paperman really did something new and beautiful; and not just with style, it played on the principles that Disney established; beautiful visuals, charming stories and the often-quoted “Disney magic!”

We sympathise with traditionalists who had hoped Disney would shift focus back to 2D, leaving CG digital animation in the safe hands of Pixar, but if anything it has taken much needed pressure off Disney’s shoulders. All Disney needs to do now is release a film once in a while, a good film, a fun film, to prove they’ve still ‘got it’. After a few years of pioneering, giving the paper and pencil a needed break, maybe they will find a story that will suit the traditional medium again.

Disney is not planning any more 2D hand-drawn feature animation for now, focusing instead on its many arms of global entertainment. This gives the audience a gap of at least five years for the chance to see another traditionally drawn Disney film. But the positives should be clear; Walt the business man would be happy, Walt the filmmaker would be happy and, finally, Walt the pioneer would be very happy.

As for the artists at Walt Disney Studios, I hope they are happy; it’s not like CG is any easier.

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10 Steps to Choosing the Best 3D Animation - Video Production Studio For Your Project

Here is a 10-point checklist to help you choose the best 3D Animation and Video production company for your project. It ceases to be a tricky risky decision when you know what to look for and when you are armed with just the right questions.

1. Size does matter
To do justice to your budget it is important to pick the right type and size of 3D animation or video production company. So just what is out there?

Option A:
Large production companies thrive on luxurious budgets and big ongoing projects. They work with expensive resources and a big staff and all that comes with just as big overhead costs. Great for big extensive 3D animation or video projects. Certainly not suitable for small or medium sized budgets.

Option B:
Medium sized production houses are more nimble, dexterous and willing. They may also be competitive on the price factor as they are compelled to remain lean. They cut costs by 'not' owning big studios or employing teams of people. Instead they may be a set of partners or a network of 3D animation and video professionals who get together as and when projects demand. The quality of their output purely depends on the quality of people in their network. So before taking your pick your challenge will be to find out more about them.

Option C:
Then we have the part-time individual professionals. These professionals can underbid everyone else across the 3D Animation and Video production industry. This is because they are usually already employed elsewhere and are looking to make some extra money in their free time. Depending on their individual talent, you may take them up to do part of the work such as create storyboards or write scripts. Their ability to comprehend corporate vision in its entirety or your marketing and creative strategies or execute entire pre-production, production and post are usually limited. And that will show in the quality of output.

2. Watch demo reels and compare

The one thing that you must look for and compare in any demo reel is the complexity and finesse of imagery. Demo reels usually show little else. If you need to further understand a production company's creativity, their story-telling abilities or their way of simplifying complex ideas for audiences, then watch one of their complete videos and pay attention to the story, script, voice, visuals and the overall effect. No matter what your specific subject matter is, a 3D Animation and video production company with a great looking show reel or portfolio should be able to deliver a great film, unless they specify that they cannot. Remember they are in the business of making the film. The only thing that changes with each project is the subject matter expert. The rest of the production process always remains the same.

3. Get team details

Ask upfront about who, how many and what profile of people will be working on your project. Their answer must assure you that your project is being given the adequate attention and involvement it needs. The number of professionals they choose to work on your project will depend entirely on the nature and scope of the project itself. For example a 3-minute 3D animation product demo, if made from scratch would need

1. A subject matter expert to take the brief from you.
2. Script writer
3. Illustrator to create storyboards
4. 3D modelers
5. Voice artists
6. Animation experts

For complex ideas or products such as medical devices, 3D animation production companies usually prefer to get a written script from the client. Which is not a bad idea at all as the project is clear when complex technical details come from the experts closest to the product. In this case lesser people are involved and the production cycle is shorter and tighter.

4. Have them walk through a past work project

This is the best way to know what work channel your project will go through. Even if the past project may be different in scope and subject matter, the general process of work will remain more or less the same. By going through their work process you will know what communication to expect from them and how cued-in will you be in the production process. Will they involve you every step of the way in an set approval process or will the final 3D animation video be delivered all at one go in the end. A been-there-done-that-this-way will help a great deal in understanding a 3D animation and video production company's approach to your project.

5. Ask for their work process document

Every decent sized 3D Animation and Video production company will have one. A work process document will specify the various steps they will take to produce your video. It may have details like agenda of initial meetings, at what stage will the storyboards be ready, approval processes etc. Go through it and see if it suits you and your team's work process for the project. Ask questions and suggest changes if any.

6. Look for frequent fresh ideas

How willing and open are they to experiment and try new things while discussing your project? Are they proactive even before getting the project? Do they instinctively generate ideas to make yours a better looking and more effective video? They may not have begun work on it but what you may look for is their attitude towards their work. If they are an excited bunch, they wont stop themselves from thinking about adding value right from the beginning.

7. Judge by speed and quality of response

A good way to predict the nature of things to come from a 3D Animation and video production company is the initial speed and quality of their responses. Quick replies usually mean they are in the habit of giving prompt service. Detailed, informative replies usually mean that they will not cut corners and will go that extra mile to make your project successful. It also means their internal processes are in place. This can't be called a foolproof method of prediction but is definitely a good indicator.

8. Production details and more details

Make sure the 3d animation or video production company keeps the production process transparent right from the beginning. There are ways to cut corners while making a 3D animation video as well as with video production. Make sure you have the details like the number of cameras to be used in the shoot, number of people being involved and paid, (cameras can be manned or unmanned!) or quality of the 3d animation that matches a reference material of the past.
On the other hand, as transparency is a two way process, the project if not worked out in utmost detail might throw in surprises. More demands from the client in the middle of the production process may force the production company to cut corners. So it is best in both parties' interest that project details be worked out and understood in the most detailed way possible before work begins.

9. Compare price but only so much

As with shopping anywhere, it is always good to compare prices. It is good to know what's out there. It helps you protect your budget and get the best out of it. However, do keep in mind the old adage - one gets what one pays for. Some 3D animation production companies may seem to charge way more than others but they have good reason to. One look at their output and we all will know why. They will not compromise on the quality of their 3D animation videos no matter what. And producing 3D animation videos is an expensive, time-taking and tedious process. On the other hand some companies may send in inflated quotes while their output may not justify the price tag. This is where you need to be alert and apply all the points above to discern their ability to deliver a great product.

10. Your single point contact

3D animation or video production even if it is for education and training) at some level is a creative process. And so clear precise communication between you the client and the production team is of utmost importance.

The 3d animation and video production company may assign one or two people to work with you on a daily basis. One of them may be a subject matter expert if your project is complex enough to require one. It is important to know their profiles and establish a rapport with them. Know if it is going to be an account executive or the producer himself. In any case the person closest tot he producer will be the best bet. Know him well and you will be able to see your project through smoothly.

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What is 2D Animation?

What Is 2D Animation?

2D animation creates movement in a two-dimensional artistic space. Work in the field of 2D animation requires both creativity and technological skills. Read on to learn about education and career information related to this artistic practice. Schools offering Animation degrees can also be found in these popular choices.

2D Animation Defined

2D animation focuses on creating characters, storyboards and backgrounds in two-dimensional environments. Often thought of as traditional animation, the figures can move up and down, left and right. They do not appear to move toward or away from the viewer, as they would in 3D animation. 2D animation uses bitmap and vector graphics to create and edit the animated images and is created using computers and software programs such as Adobe Photoshop, Flash, After Effects and Encore. These animations may be used in advertisements, films, television shows, computer games or websites.

2D Animation Training

Students seeking to learn more about 2D animation could enroll in certificate, associate's degree or bachelor's degree programs related to animation. While some programs specifically in 2D animation do exist, classes in this topic can also be found in general animation, computer graphics or art programs. 2D animation programs often include both artistic and technical classes in topics such as:

•     Character design
•     Life drawing techniques
•     Digital animation
•     Digital video
•     Stop motion animation
•     Web animation

Additional courses may cover storyboards, acting and character development. Many programs also include a course where students can create a marketable portfolio.
Career Information

After completing an animation training program, you may be able to seek a job as an animator. An animator's job is to study scripts and get into the character's frame of mind to design a believable character. More specifically, 2D animators can:

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3-D Animation in France

It has been said that four countries have provided leadership in 3-D computer animation: the United States, Japan, Canada and France. One could expand that list to include other countries, such as England; but in any case, France is certainly one of the leaders.

A Little Bit of History
Three-D computer animation is not new in France. Its history goes back to the 1960s and the experimental works of Peter Foldes at Service de recherche de l'ORTF, an experimental art/technology lab run by Pierre Schaeffer. (Its beginning, of course, actually dates back to the flight simulators used by the French Army, which are much the same as those that now run on personal computers.) Soon after, a firm called Sogitec emerged from this prehistoric period and eventually became the largest company of its kind in Europe, and is now known as Ex Machina.

At the time, more than 15 years ago, the computers being used were big, expensive and slow. The pictures Sogitec/Ex Machina generated were flat, ugly and expensive. Very few classically trained were interested in this new way of making films.

In the early 1980s, the French government gave a lot of money to spur the growth of this new industry and a film festival, Imagina, was set up to showcase 3-D pictures from all around the world.

Production companies, and especially post-production companies, began to buy equipment to produce 3-D pictures for TV commercials and advertising. They used, and still use today, a very complete software package called Explore, from Thomson Digital Image (a division of Thomson, a French company specializing in computer and hi-fi equipment). And when these companies could not find the right software to create the images they wanted, they wrote one themselves.

Today's Hardware and Software
As is customary elsewhere, a variety of software is used in France. A large percentage run on Silicon Graphic work stations, a platform that uses the old, but powerful Unix operating system. It is a very flexible platform, which allows each individual animator to customize his or her own setup with small, personalized programs. The amount of software that runs on UNIX is large and today even includes small applications written for personal computers. These work stations are often linked with PCs and Macintoshes, where one can prepare the "maps" (the textures you can see on the shapes of the 3-D objects). Frequently, several programs are used in making a single film: each one has its own niche, as an all-purpose software still doesn't exist.

The hardware and software used today are the same around the world. The main exception being the in-house software developed for internal use at various companies. For instance, MacGuffline has developed an excellent program to do morphing; Duran has a program that quickly integrates several layers of imagery, while Ex Machina has one that one can handle muscle distortion; K.O. Kid was made at Buff with software that creates an animation of a "3-D flat" character; etc., etc.

Who Works in 3-D?
Dino Island produced by Ex Machine for Iwerks Entertainment
© Iwerks Entertainment
Different kind of people work in 3-D: There are those who model the shape and volume of objects (an object can be anything you want-a character, an animal, furniture, etc.), others paint textures, animate and do the lighting.

For complicated shapes (like animals), artists start by sculpting the objects with plaster. Then, the object "appears" in the computer by inputting coordinates from a series of points drawn on the shape with a special pen linked to the computer.

Today, more and more traditionally trained animators are coming into 3-D animation. An increasing number of artists who create textures come from a traditional painting background. In other words, these two separate worlds are now becoming one. The war between the two universes (traditional/computer) is over.

Latest Techniques
There is a new way to animate, known as motion capture, which has been around for a few years. It's a kind of "rotoscoping" that involves shooting a real person in a special studio, with sensors attached to key points on the body (with some on the clothes or even the skin). The system provides a computer all a person's coordinates while he or she is moving, which can then be reproduced by the computer with great accuracy. The interesting thing, of course, is that you can change the character while keeping the movements intact; for instance, a realistic dancer can be turned into a cartoon one, while continuing to do the same dance.

Another interesting development, in the field of virtual reality, is being done at MediaLab. Every day, in France, you can see puppets being animated in real time on the Canal+ cable network. Two classical puppet animators wearing data gloves make the character act: one handles body movements, the other works on the face. Of course, this sort of technique needs a very powerful computer. More amazing, though, is that the system is used with an interactive TV game: the players, sitting at home, call in to indicate the route a pizza delivery man has to take through a city "built" just for the game, which is seen in 3-D, in real time.

MediaLab, as its name implies, is a kind of laboratory that specializes in TV production. In the field of virtual reality and real time 3-D animation, they probably have a two or three year lead over everybody else.

Another spectacular system was created by I.N.A. (Institute National de l'Audiovisuel). A background, a car, or any other solid object is photographed, with several graphic targets included on the field or the object itself. A computer then analyzes the movement with absolute accuracy and you can then change whatever you want. For instance, you can put a synthetic car in real landscape (like in a film made for Renault, the French automobile company), or you can do the exact opposite and create a 3-D landscape for a real car (used for advertising Italy's Lancia). I worked on these projects and I can assure you that the system is very impressive.

So, What About the Pictures?
Companies specializing in 3-D each have their own unique styles. If you want to generate a ride (dynamic cinema) the power of Ex Machina is the best. If you want to do special effects for 35mm theatrical films, Duran has the most experience (they just won a prize at Imagina for their work on La cite des enfants perdus - The city of the lost chidren).

The principal markets for these companies, which include both the domestic and international markets, are: advertising films (including TV commercials) done on videotape or 35mm film; the occasional industrial film; special effects for feature films; TV specials; and films used for theme park rides and exhibitions. Several studios work on video games, with the most important company in this area being Cryo.

In Europe, France's major competitors are Great Britain, Italy, Germany and Switzerland; other European countries have 3-D computer animation industries, but most highly developed are in the UK or France. It is to these two countries that European producers usually come to get to realize their projects.

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Graphic Design Jobs and Careers

The scope of the graphic designer is far from narrow. Graphic design jobs cover all ends of the creative spectrum. We'll be taking a look at some of them below. Click on a graphic design job to learn more including what training is needed as well as salary information.

    Creative / Art Director

    Art directors, or creative directors are in charge of a creative team that produces artwork to be displayed in magazines, on television, on billboards, on the web, or on products. A creative team.... (Read More)

    Layout Artist

    A layout artist deals with the structure and layout out of images and text in a pleasing format for printed media. This can include... (Read More)

    Brand Identity Designer

    Brand identity design is concerned with the visual aspects of a company or organization’s brand or identity. A brand identity design is the visual element that represents.... (Read More)

    Logo Designer

    A logo is a sketched or graphically designed symbol, set in a specific typeface or font, and arranged in a unique way, with distinct colors, shapes, and designs to represent a company, product, organization, agency, or service.... (Read More)

    Illustrator

    Illustrators conceptualize and create illustrations that represent an idea or a story through two-dimensional or three-dimensional images. Illustrators may do drawings for.... (Read More)

    Technical Illustrator

    Technical Illustrators conceptualize and create three-dimensional images, storyboard sketches, and moving illustrations for animated productions, television commercials, movies, computer games, or set and exhibit designs. Technical illustration primarily involves.... (Read More)

    Photo Editing / Photoshop Artist

    Photo editing, and new photo editing software like Photoshop has helped professional photographers and designers more easily bring their visions to life through advertisements, magazine layouts, billboards, logos, and just about every other multi-media medium.... (Read More)

    Multimedia Designer

    Jobs in multimedia design can be found in such career fields as television or film production, animation, audio production, and set design, as well as several other multimedia, and production design fields. Earning a.... (Read More)

    Photographer

    Photography is more than just capturing an image. Professional photographers need to learn how to use the camera and other photography equipment such as lights, film, lenses, filters, digital technology, as well as their own creative vision to produce images that communicate the desired.... (Read More)

    Prepress Technician

    Prepress involves a variety of tasks including checking proofs for errors and print clarity and correcting any mistakes, transforming text and pictures into finished pages, and making printing plates of the pages.... (Read More)

    Web Designer

    As a web designer, your work could be viewed by thousands of people everyday. Web designers create the pages, layout, and graphics for web pages, and play a key role in the development of a website. Web designers have the task of creating the.... (Read More)

All of these graphic design jobs require attention to detail, design sense, problem solving skills, and up to date knowledge of the latest software. The best way to land a graphic design job and enter into this exciting field is to get the right training at a graphic design school or college that offers a graphic design degree. While talent goes a long way, many employers won't even give you a chance if you don't have some sort of degree.

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Animation Career Information

A career in animation requires strong artistic skills and a solid familiarity with the latest in computer animation technologies. It also requires the ability to turn creative thoughts into compelling images, using them to effectively communicate an idea. Is this industry right for you? Could you become an animator?

There are a number of different career paths for animators. We often think of animators as the talented artists who create the cartoons we love, either for film or movies. Animators continue to work in these areas, but increasingly, many are employed creating animated graphics for a variety of projects.

This can include websites, online advertisements and video games. Animators can find full-time employment with movie or television production companies, with advertisers, web design firms, video game companies or with animation firms. Free lance work is another option for animators, particularly those specializing in web animation. Most entry-level positions will require an animator to have a bachelors degree in a related field such as fine arts or media. There are a number of Computer Animation Schools that offer course work specifically in computer animation and associated technologies. In addition, a strong portfolio of work which a training program can help you to develop is an essential part of landing a job in computer animation and becoming an animator. 

Video Game Animation:

The video game industry is just exploding right now, with no slowdown in sight. Nearly all games will need a team of animators to bring the games to life. Motion capture often is being used here as well as in movies to nail down convincing character animation. But there is still a lot of work involved obviously. This is where you could come in. : ) But this of course is one narrow example. Texture mapping, lighting effects, and other special effects are just as important to the success of a video games attempt to draw you in and immerse you. It might sound like many of the same elements in a feature film. That's because technology is closing in the gap, and the paying consumer demands more.

There is an obvious bridge between animation and video game design. This connection is often reflected in video game design programs and degrees that have strong elements of animation in their coursework.
Movie & Television Production:

The full spectrum of animation in these areas is quite large. Jobs may include character animation in the form of a cartoon, logo, special effect and more. In case you haven't noticed, 3D really has taken off in the realm of computer animation and animation in general .Movies such as Lord of the Rings, Finding Nemo, the latest Star Wars prequels are all relying extensively on 3D computer animation. What would have looked fake and rigid a mere 6-7 years ago now looks photo realistic and seamless for 3D rendering and animation. A program like Maya can spit out amazingly detailed and convincing characters like Gollum (seen below), Ring Wraiths, and an insane amount of fighting, screaming Orcs. Exciting techniques involving motion capture can really add to the realism of characters. It really is an exciting time to be in the industry. Texture mapping, lighting effects, collision detection and special effects also need to be covered.

TV also offers a fair amount of opportunity in computer animation. Commercials are littered with animated logos, cats that sing, and bottles that dance. : ) Local News always has an animator of some kind doing the logo fly in or that kind of thing. There are also TV movies, and obviously shows that rely on a computer artist to do some digital special effects. Some may start their animation career this way.

The Internet:

More and more, you are seeing animated advertisements dance across your screen as you're on the Internet. You go to a movie site or a band site, and you have a very good chance of seeing a flash animation. Much like other media industries, the Internet is expanding at a mind boggling rate. And with it comes new websites and advertisements that need a way to stand out. Static images don't always cut it, so why not get the attention of the viewer with animated characters or text?

An Outlook on the Computer Animation Industry

Salaried animators and multi-media artists (grouped together) are earning an average of about $44,000. In the video and motion picture industry the median salary is higher, at around $60,000. As with every career, the salaries animators earned varied greatly with their employer and their region.
Computer animation, like many creative fields, is fiercely competitive. As the web, the entertainment industry, and other multimedia outlets continue to grow, there continue to be opportunities for talented artists to work as animators. But you really need to get the proper training at a computer animation school or related program to be on that cutting edge that these employers seek. Not only do you get hands on training with the best equipment, but you also rub shoulders with those who know the industry well. This is just as important as the training itself.

If you are artistic, have an eye for detail, can meet tight deadlines, then maybe an animation career is what you have been waiting for. Do YOU have what it takes to become an animator?

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Going with the Creative Flow: 3 Rules Every Motion Graphic Artist Should Live By

While static graphics are easy to scan and understand, motion graphics bring dynamism and give life into otherwise static content. This particular industry is growing, much like how the software it’s created with is becoming more accessible to everyone.

Everything from school projects, to TV commercials, to professional demo reels and portfolios, now contain great motion graphics. To help everyone out, we’ve listed some tips and rules that everyone should follow. These basics will be of great help whether you’re just jumping into the world of digital animation or are already trying to master your skills.

Always Follow Client Instructions

Even though this is more for freelancers and professionals, it’s still applicable to everyone.

Clients may not always be the easiest people to work with, but they’re the ones whose opinion matters. Clients often come to you with an idea and concept in mind, and it’s your job to give life to their idea in the best possible way.

While a little creative licence is allowed, it’s still best to know and follow what the client wants. This ensures revisions will not be needed and that you finish the project in a timely manner. It’s important to note, too, that while you need to follow their instructions, you are allowed to have creative input, especially when what they want doesn’t translate well in terms of motion graphics.

Have a Game Plan

Before firing up your After Effects, CINEMA 4D, Final Cut, or any other application, you have to have a game plan. This can be anything from a few notes from your brainstorming session with the client, a few sketches, or even a rough draft on a piece of tissue paper.

Creating any motion graphics project is a lot of work, and having a game plan will help keep you on track and make the whole project easier.

Don’t be Afraid to get Creative

Motion graphics and other digital animation pieces are all about letting your creative juices flow. As long as the client approves it, and/or it makes the work better, go ahead and include images and other elements to the project. Mastery of using animations, stock video clips, After Effects templates and the like should be part of your repertoire.

These and other tips are very valuable tools for everyone who is in the field of motion graphics.
If you’re ever in need of animations, stock video clips, templates and other similar elements to improve your craft, get in touch with us! We’ll be happy to provide you with digital elements that can inspire you and your work.

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Role of 3D Animation Software In Designing Graphics

With new technologies coming up in the modern era, the role of 3D or three dimensional graphics have increased. Before you read further on the role of 3D graphics, first you must know the meaning of 3D graphics. As 2D or two-dimensional graphics only represent the width and height of graphics whereas 3D graphics represent the width, height and depth of graphics displayed. There is an added 3rd dimension to the previous two.

3D Graphics are used widely in cartoon, movie and gaming industry, which will depend on the type of software used. Some software are programmed to design living creatures while other software are programmed to design non-living objects like cars buildings, etc. These 3D software are also important for creating specific scenes not doable in the real world. For example, scenes depicting cars blasting and people getting involved in car accidents are the type of shots that can’t be taken in the real world. So what happens is that the directors of these movies make use of special software programs like 3D animation software where they stitch both real-time shots and computer generated images to develop a whole scene.

The choice on the 3D animation software depends upon your need and the price at which it is available. Some open source 3D software are available free of cost while there are some commercial 3D software are available at a price range of 30 to 50 dollars. There are even alternatives whose price reach the 1000 to 2000 dollars price range.

One of the best 3D animation software used by graphics designers is Maya. Maya 2012 is the latest version available and is compatible for use on Linux, Mac OS X and Windows. An Autodesk version of Maya is also a popular software for the creation of 3D animation graphics in movies, cartons and games. It has number of features like classic cloth feature which allows you the access to the movements of clothes over animated figure.

Anim8or is a freeware available for character animation and 3D modelling.  The images created in it can be saved in BMP, GIF and JPG formats. It has Open GL based real time operation, built in 3D object browser and joined character editor and more. It has the ability to create 3D scenes. Its True Type Font Support feature allows 2D and 3D extruded text for TrueType font. Furthermore, it also has OpenGL shaders for preview which looks real. It runs smoothly on Windows with 1GB Ram and 25 MB of disk space.

With changes in time and environment, the demand for new software like 3D animation software has also risen. On the plus side, the number of applications currently available at the market offer intuitive UIs that are easy to learn and navigate, making the process of creating 3D art as manageable as it could ever be in history.

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Motion Graphics Major: Information and Requirements

Read details about degree programs in and relating to motion graphics. Find out what courses are taken at each level of study, career opportunities for graduates and detailed employment statistics including salary trends for professionals in this field.

Essential Imformation

Students wanting to study motion graphics learn about digital media, art, design and computer-based animation. Most degree programs focus on using computers and artistic concepts. Industry employers often prefer employees with bachelor's or master's degrees, though some may take applicants with associate degrees. Entry requirements vary depending on the level of study and can range from possessing a high school diploma to completion of previous graphics courses.

In some cases, motion graphics might be an area of concentration within a digital art, digital media or computer graphics program. Degree programs at any level will require that students complete video and animated projects which they can assemble into a portfolio to be used for job search purposes. Program enrollees are often given occasions to produce and showcase their work for selected audiences, namely conventions, business meetings and entertainment events. Internships in professional studios or related settings could be offered in some programs.

Associate Degree in Digital Media and Motion Graphics

Students studying digital media and motion graphics often may choose a concentration provided by the associate degree program. These emphases may include directing, editing or creating graphics for digital media. Many programs offer art or technologically concentrated certificates to supplement the degree program, such as a certificate in webcast technology or digital video production. Prerequisites for an associate-level program are minimal, usually consisting of a high school diploma or GED.

Program Coursework
Motion graphics associate degree programs are designed to teach students the necessary fundamentals of graphic production software, movie production and digital art. Digital media and motion graphics curricula often include internship opportunities. Common course topics are listed below:

•     Understanding the Web
•     Digital image production
•     Animation software
•     Artistic expression
•     Video production

Popular Career Options

Associate degree recipients may qualify for some motion graphics entry-level jobs. Positions may deal with Web, digital or DVD media. Position examples are listed below:

•     Animated graphics designer
•     Web graphics developer
•     Digital motion technician

Bachelor's Degree in Digital Art and Design

Digital art and design bachelor's programs often encompass a range of digital art mediums. Some programs offer students concentrations in a focused area, such as animated graphics, art and design, film and video or Web-based media. Applicants will need to hold a high school diploma or GED to enroll, and they may need to submit standardized test scores (such as from the ACT or SAT). Familiarity with computers is beneficial.

Program Coursework

Bachelor's-level students use software and artistic concepts to create projects showcasing what they have learned. Course goals culminate in a professional portfolio intended for job interviews or graduate school applications. Course topics students may study include:

•     Digital art history
•     Web design
•     Computer illustration
•     3-D graphic manipulation
•     Creating digital art

Popular Career Options

Program graduates may obtain positions in digital design, film and game production, website design and interactive graphics fields. Possible jobs titles include:

•     Animator
•     Video game designer
•     Special effects artist

Master's Degree in Computer Graphics and Animation

A master's degree program allows students to study the theory and practice of creating computer-based graphics and animation. Graduates can enter motion graphic careers or research fields. The computer graphics and animation master's degree is different from others because the final thesis includes not only written work but video and photographic items as well. Some programs may ask students to take a prerequisite graphics course to ensure they have the necessary background for the program.

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What is Virtual Business Cards? and Beautiful vCard Designs

Gone are the days when people carried their business cards with them so that they could give these small paper business cards to colleagues and business associates. The small paper business cards where often made of high quality paper that included business and contact information of the person. Nowadays people are opting to create virtual business cards that are online business cards that can be directly sent to associates directly online. This is a great concept as virtual business cards are the high tech Eco friendly option to paper business cards as using paper is not very Eco friendly as trees are cut down to make paper.

Moreover the business individuals do not need to carry a stack of paper business cards in their pockets or wallets anymore. Also one will never run out of these types of business cards.

You may be interested in the following modern trends related articles as well.

•     15 Modern Free UI Kits for Web & Mobile UI Design
•     Parallax Scrolling Effect in Web Design: 25 Creative Examples
•     29 Awe-Inspiring Examples of Typography Design
•     45 Beautiful Vector Illustrations for Design Inspiration

Virtual Business Cards

Virtual business cards are online business identities in the form of online business cards that are exchanged virtually without any use of paper. There are various types of ways in which people can create their online business cards:

1.     There are some services that are available that will help you in the details in a business card format and then you simply sms these virtual business cards to associates or business colleagues.
2.     Mobile Web business cards are also very popular. There are mobile social networks for business cards. When you want to give a business card just give your username on the social network and the person can access your business card information.
3.     There are some great business social networks like LinkedIn where you can fill all your business information. Just make a connection with the colleague on LinkedIn and you can exchange all business details. Also details can be shared using other websites like Facebook and Twitter
4.     The business card information can be sent via great iPhone apps that are easily available on the App Store. There are some websites that offer services that help the users create a business card and then easily mail this business card to someone they would like to share their  business card with.

It is very easy to share business information through virtual business cards today. In some time the paper business card will become a thing of the past as more and more people are today opting to share business information online rather than print a stack of paper business cards to carry around.

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Whiteboard Animation Made Quick And Easy

Some on the gadgets like digital camera will save photos and videos as either in mov files of wmv files. Sometimes movies or videos could be watched in quick time on wmv file. File formats such as wmv and move could be converted without problems http://ldrkmedia.com in order to access on quick time and wmv. This indicates that the files in order to converted from wmv to mov apple computer. Well, one may be thinking that what naturally all about wmv and mov.

3D animation or video production despite the fact that it best education and training) at some level can be a creative practice. And so clear precise communication between you customer and the team is of utmost importance.

Combination: The experts know that the best videos are a mix of two perhaps more of the above options. You can, for example, start your video with a face-to-face introduction, introduce animation and a screen cast at certain times to get their point about. Don't create a jumbled video and instead make without your marketing efforts flow seamlessly in conjunction.

With this feature, which is suited to seamlessly stream videos from Metacafe. Prepare to enjoy anything from the funniest to essentially the most informative, on the entertaining to the sublime, and from the infamous for the sensational videos online. Furthermore, you can readily upload particular videos this particular platform.

Animation: This is where you take cartoon-like animation and show your audience what you're talking involving. You don't have to be Walt Disney to create compelling whiteboard animation marketing items. You can use a program like PowerPoint to create animated slides that after that you can convert into videos.

Now how exactly does this touch screen phone do this? It does this through the phone's full flash support. You may be thinking, "What does flash have anything to do with browsing web pages?" The platform has everything to use optimizing your browsing experience on a mobile smartphone. Here, you will discover.

You will most likely always keep making videos options . customers is and watch again and again. Boring content will just drive away customers and hurt organization. Instead, you want to reach out and engage viewers. Ideally, they always be eagerly anticipating your next video. The greater your videos are much better chance you will get at attracting viewers.

Examine the colors on screen - Upon getting made several test shots, it 's time to see the way that they look display. Simply load all test shots in order to your PC and take a closer look. Check for all of the things materials are for a wonderful animation. Practice until there is perfect anime.

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Why We Don't Use Storyboards To Plan Our Proposals?

Storyboards are a planning tool that many people have heard of, but very few have implemented successfully. With storyboards, you complete a form for each item in the outline. The storyboard contains headings for items that should be addressed in each section. Authors complete the storyboards to provide the information that needs to be presented in a section and complete the low-level outline. Stakeholders can add and review information on the storyboards to perfect the plan prior to writing. Storyboards work well for proposals that require brainstorming a unique solution to the customer's problems.

However, storyboards have a number of problems:

•     They are inefficient, requiring the production of a document that is separate from the proposal itself.
•     Because they are separate from the proposal, they are easily left behind and ignored by authors.
•     They don't work well in a distributed environment with remote authors.
•     There is a limit to the amount of information they can accommodate.

Storyboards have one big advantage. If you take a large room and put them up on the walls, you can walk around the room and see the plan for the proposal. This assumes that you have a large room, and that all authors and reviewers are physically co-located. This is often not the case, mitigating the primary advantage of using storyboards.

We prefer a different approach, one that we refer to as creating a Content Plan. We prefer this approach because:

•     The planning document becomes a set of instructions that the authors follow.
•     It smooths the transition from capture planning to proposal writing by providing a vehicle to carry intelligence forward.
•     Authors work directly in the planning document instead of leaving it behind.
•     Instead of creating extra steps, Content Plans make it easier for the authors.
•     Content Plans can be used with geographically dispersed authors.
•     The Content Plan turns proposal writing into a process of elimination and enables progress to be measured.
•     The Content Plan provides a baseline that enables the proposal to be validated.

While many of the goals are the same as storyboards, we find that this approach delivers better and more reliable results.

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Storyboards are a planning tool that many people have heard of, but very few have implemented successfully. With storyboards, you complete a form for each item in the outline. The storyboard contains headings for items that should be addressed in each section. Authors complete the storyboards to provide the information that needs to be presented in a section and complete the low-level outline. Stakeholders can add and review information on the storyboards to perfect the plan prior to writing. Storyboards work well for proposals that require brainstorming a unique solution to the customer's problems.
However, storyboards have a number of problems:

• They are inefficient, requiring the production of a document that is separate from the proposal itself.
• Because they are separate from the proposal, they are easily left behind and ignored by authors.
• They don't work well in a distributed environment with remote authors.
• There is a limit to the amount of information they can accommodate.

Storyboards have one big advantage. If you take a large room and put them up on the walls, you can walk around the room and see the plan for the proposal. This assumes that you have a large room, and that all authors and reviewers are physically co-located. This is often not the case, mitigating the primary advantage of using storyboards.
We prefer a different approach, one that we refer to as creating a Content Plan. We prefer this approach because:

• The planning document becomes a set of instructions that the authors follow.
• It smooths the transition from capture planning to proposal writing by providing a vehicle to carry intelligence forward.
• Authors work directly in the planning document instead of leaving it behind.
• Instead of creating extra steps, Content Plans make it easier for the authors.
• Content Plans can be used with geographically dispersed authors.
• The Content Plan turns proposal writing into a process of elimination and enables progress to be measured.
• The Content Plan provides a baseline that enables the proposal to be validated.

While many of the goals are the same as storyboards, we find that this approach delivers better and more reliable results.
- See more at: http://www.captureplanning.com/articles/we-dont-use-storyboards-to-plan-our-proposals.cfm#sthash.h5Qeu1fG.dpuf

Reuters to Distribute Next Media Animation's News Direct 3-D Animated Videos

LONDON, July 12th, 2012 - Today Reuters, the world's largest multimedia news provider, announces the launch of an exclusive partnership with Next Media Animation. Beginning the week of July 16th, Reuters will offer its clients approximately 20 animated news stories a week, produced by Next Media Animation's News Direct service, helping to reconstruct the story behind the main news events of the week and complementing the award-winning video, picture and text content produced by Reuters.

The innovative and engaging News Direct animated videos offer visual chronologies of major events that take place away from cameras, such as the sinking of the Costa Concordia in January 2012. The animations also provide clear illustration of news that is highly technical, such as the Elgin North Sea gas leak, and help explain stories that are conceptual in nature, such as the future of high speed travel. Accompanied by audio narration and natural sound, the 30-60 second stories will now be available through Reuters powerful distribution network.

Next Media Animation has gained widespread acclaim for its short and quirky animated videos, many of which have gone viral and have received millions of views. The News Direct service exemplifies the company's ability to also animate the news stories of the day. From the moment a top story breaks, the Next Media animation team begins its end-to-end process, working from concept to production and making videos available to customers in a matter of hours. Reuters will partner exclusively with Next Media to distribute its 3-D animated news videos in all global markets, with the exception of Japan and Taiwan.

"Our partnership with Next Media Animation has allowed us to a create and shape a video solution that enables broadcast and online publishers to illustrate every angle of a story, adding depth to our reporting when video from the scene is not available," commented Owen Wyatt, Head of Video, Reuters. "This service will enable our customers to streamline their workflows, add colour to in-house graphics and access compelling and timely animations to support their programming."

Jimmy Lai, Founder, Next Media Animation says: "We are truly excited to partner with Reuters in offering our news animations on the powerful and innovative Reuters distribution network.  Our goal is to complement the world class content offered by Reuters in delivering leading edge solutions to newsrooms around the world."

For further insight into this exciting content, please view this video.

About Reuters

Reuters, the news and media division of Thomson Reuters, is the world's largest international multimedia news provider reaching more than 1 billion people every day. Reuters provides trusted business, financial, national, and international news to professionals via Thomson Reuters desktops, the world's media organizations, and directly to consumers at Reuters.com.

About Thomson Reuters

Thomson Reuters is the world's leading source of intelligent information for businesses and professionals. We combine industry expertise with innovative technology to deliver critical information to leading decision makers in the financial and risk, legal, tax and accounting, intellectual property and science and media markets, powered by the world's most trusted news organization. With headquarters in New York and major operations in London and Eagan, Minnesota, Thomson Reuters employs approximately 60,000 people and operates in over 100 countries. For more information, go to www.thomsonreuters.com.

About Next Media Animation

Next Media Animation (NMA) is one of Asia's largest full-service 3D animation studios and was founded in 2008 in Taipei, Taiwan. As a leader in the animation industry, Next Media Animation's team of 500 animators produce high-quality, informative animated graphics for broadcasters and online publishers worldwide. NMA's News Direct animations have been used by national broadcasters such as Fox News and BBC, metro broadcasters such as KDVR, WKYC, WUSA and WCSH, and online media such as The Daily Telegraph, The Globe and Mail, Bild, Der Spiegel, The Denver Post, The Huffington Post and Wired Magazine, among others.

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