The global Animation market was worth around $45 Billion in 2007 and is expected to jump to between $50b and $70b in 2008 (compare this to the Gaming Industry which is worth only $10b per year).

Traditionally Cartoons were produced in the developed world, mostly USA and Canada; however, with the increased costs in production in the west and with an increasing number of Countries promoting Animation talent within their own boundaries more and more studios from the West started outsourcing Animation work to foreign Studios. Recent years have seen the growth of Outsourcing Animation studios in Ireland, Mexico, Czech Republic, Hungary, Israel, Russia, Egypt, India, China, Korea, The Philippines, New Zealand and Brazil.

           

Take India for example which will gross around $2 Billion over the next three years in outsourced Animation work alone. India currently has around 100 studios with approximately 1,500 Animators but the market requirements for the next 3 – 5 years is around 30,000 Animators! In addition to undertaking outsourced work from the West, India produces home grown cartoons like Hanuman which is a full feature movie and three “four part “ TV series on Krishna, which was one of the top three shows across all Cartoon Network channels in 2007.

The Government  of Singapore has invested heavily to make Singapore the talent capital of the world and a knowledge based Economy. The Singaporeans have signed co-production treaties with Canada, implemented Toon Boom products in the 5 largest vocational Colleges and Universities and have Animation Contests sponsored by their Media Development Authority.

While Countries in Asia have a long history in Animation outsourcing they are finding it challenging to keep costs low to compete with emerging outsourcing destinations like Africa. South Africa has always lead the way for the technological race and probably boasts highest number of Animators in sub-Saharan Africa. However, an unlikely candidate, Madagascar, has taken the lead to establish the first official outsourced Animation Studio in Sub Saharan Africa. The Malagasy project is currently underway and has reportedly secured the funding necessary for mobilization and sustenance for the next three years.

If we are to promote Kenya as a favorable destination for Animation Outsourcing we need to grow our pool of talented and affordable Animators by actively promoting the inclusion of 2D Animation in the curriculums of our local Colleges and Universities and make training in 2D Software accessible to more Kenyans.

Toon Boom is actively encouraging growth of the Animation industry in Kenya by offering Educational pricing for products and offering massive discounts on training and software. In addition, they have also offered to introduce Animation Studios to Studios in USA and Canada.

To read more on Toon Boom products click on the individual product icons on the right side of this page. To get more information on Toom Boom please fill our Request Information form.

Join our mailing list to keep abreast of Animation News, if you have something to share in the Animation Industry please send us an email.