A team member at FHS exploring the Virtual Reality session
The pandemic has accelerated the use of technology multifold. Augmented and Virtual reality are technologies of the future. There is a misconception that a career in a tech world is not ideal for someone who is creatively inclined. There is nothing further from the truth. From illustrators to coders and animators to web professionals – creative design is a key element. Goa is an ideal hub for creative and tech talent, say professionals of animation studios in Goa.
COVID-19 pandemic has adversely impacted the professional sector across business verticals all over the world except for the technology driven companies which have witnessed a boost. As technology keeps advancing and businesses go online, career opportunities in the diverse field of technology is certainly on the rise.
“Tech companies, both big and small can expect to witness an upward swing. Everything is moving online; from businesses to education. This creates a broad spectrum of career opportunities in the field,” says Rohan Ponniah, Co-founder and Partner at Fat Hamster Studio, an Animation, Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) studio based in Porvorim, Goa.
The requirement for skilled and dedicated tech professionals will continue to exist during the pandemic and beyond. “There is a constant need for artists, engineers, coders, illustrators, animators, project managers, 3D artists, graphic designers and a host of other professions which will constantly be in demand in the future”. he explains.
Rohan along with his friend Vesley Carrasco hailing from Mapusa, founded Fat Hamster Studio along with the assistance of angel investors who believed in their concept and vision.
There is a misconception that a career in a tech world is not ideal for someone who is creatively inclined. There is nothing further from the truth. From illustrators to coders and animators to web professionals – creative design is a key element. “There is a constant demand for creative professionals in the field of technology. From creating an animation series to designing an application for the phone, creating aesthetic designs for pleasant user interaction is critical”, explains Vesley.
Goa has a pool of creative talent and that’s the key reason why the state can also be a hub for creative techies, say tech professionals and entrepreneurs from Goa.
“The field of animation and the more advanced technologies of augmented reality and virtual reality need professionals from the fields of creativity and technology to collaborate and work together to create a fantastic product which offers a pleasant user experience. Goa has a great mix of talent in the creative field and in the field of technology. This is across age groups, right from the younger generation to more experienced professionals. The academic and creative environment in Goa certainly supports and encourages growth in this sector,” explains Pranav Phadte, Founder and FX Technical Director, Kellan Design and Animation Studio based in Merces.
Pranav also mentions that a creative mind is key to this profession. “A person with a formal education may not necessarily make the cut when we select candidates. Instead one needs to have a creative mind. The first level of an interview involves a sketching activity. If one can sketch well and has a fair amount of tech know-how we can offer the candidate a position in an animation studio”, he said.
Balkrishna Kamat, Founder of Animation Studio in Panjim adds, “The students that pass out of institutes in Goa such as the engineering institutes and the college of arts have a sound knowledge of theory but lack the practical know-how. Once they come onboard, we train new candidates and help them skill themselves if they have an aptitude for it”.
With Covid, people want to return home more than ever before. The use of technology has allowed people to work remotely from any region.
“Besides fresh talent from Goa, there are experienced professionals working in other parts of India in the animation industry and even abroad who want to return home to Goa and work here. There are ample opportunities in the industry and we encourage talent to return and be a part of it in the coastal state,” says Balkrishna.