Guides: Digital Media and Design: Illustration and animation

Animation

Animation (a history)

This film traces the evolution of Animation from the earliest feature, Winsor McCay’s Gertie the Dinosaur, and the genius of Walt Disney to the CGI megahits of studios like Pixar in Animation’s Second Golden Age.

Video length: 28 min

Industry information

Organisations / Associations

Australian Centre for the Moving Image
Located in Melbourne and the only museum of its kind in Australia, ACMI (formerly known as the Australian Centre for the Moving Image) is home to galleries, state-of-the-art cinemas, studios and labs.
Game Developers' Association of Australia
Represents the interactive game industry in Australia and aims to promote it both domestically and internationally.
Illustrators Australia
The peak Australian body for illustrators, with an emphasis on providing assistance with the illustrator-client relationship.
International Game Developers Association
Nonprofit membership organisation serving all individuals who create games. Brings together developers at key industry conferences and in over 150 chapters and special interest groups to improve their craft. IGDA is open to all creators, regardless of ability, location, or platform.
Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI)
Professional organisation specifically for writers and illustrators for children and young adults in the fields of literature, magazines, film, television, and multimedia. Provides advocacy, awards, and educational material and activities including conferences.

Anifex (South Australia)
Adelaide-based animation company.
Liquid Animation
Brisbane-based design studio.
Rising Sun Pictures
Adelaide-based visual effects (VFX) company, operating since 1995.
Motionlab
Animation and motion design studio based in Sydney.

Events / Festivals

Melbourne International Animation Festival
Held annually in the middle of the year, this week-long festival showcases a comprehensive line-up from award winners, outstanding industry veterans, inspiring independents, studios and newcomers from around the world.
Sydney Film Festival - International Animation Showcase
Supported by Screen NSW, Screen Australia; and the City of Sydney, the Festival’s Principal Local Government Partner. The Festival also runs the Travelling Film Festival year-round, taking the best of international and Australian cinema to 22 regional centres around the country.
Screen Australia - Festivals list
Profiles of over 50 international film festivals. Discover deadline and screening information, and links to each festival's official website to start entering your film.

Tutorials on techniques

Be inspired

Having creative blocks?

Here are inspiring resources from some of the industry professionals.

The Best Motion Design & Animation of 2023 (So Far...)

Sydney-based Illustrator/Motion Designer Ben Marriott shares a showcase & breakdown of some of the most interesting Animation & Motion Design projects from the first half of 2023.

Video length: 7 min 31 sec

You are fluent in this language (and don't even know it)
According to illustrator Christoph Niemann, humans are fluent in the language of pictures. In this talk packed with witty, whimsical drawings, Niemann presents a visual tour that shows how artists tap into our emotions and minds -- all without words.
Video length: 12 min 32 sec
The power of cartoons
Patrick Chappatte makes a poignant case for the power of the cartoon. His projects in Lebanon, West Africa and Gaza show how, in the right hands, the pencil can illuminate serious issues and bring the most unlikely people together.
Video length: 12 min 15 sec
The Eleven Second Club
This is a monthly competition, where animators around the world participate by animating a character speaking a line of dialogue provided by the club. Throughout the competition, participants can share their progress and critique each other's work. At the end of the month, everyone votes for whose submission they consider the best.