Events

Introduction:

This year, we will focus on projects involving design, animation, and multimedia content creation, promoting accessibility and creativity through tools like GIMP, Inkscape, Scribus, Blender, and Synfig Studio.

Important Notes:

• Participants must complete one task from the list.
  There are two tasks: 1) Graphics Screening Task and 2) Animation Screening Task 

• For any queries, email to contact-focal@fossee.in with the subject line as "Summer Fellowship 2026 FOCAL - Query"

SCREENING TASKS for FOSSEE SUMMER FELLOWSHIP 2026

Task 1: Graphics Design Screening Task

Complete any FOUR tasks from the following list using open-source software such as Inkscape, GIMP, and Scribus.

Submission List for Graphics Design Screening Task:

1. Design a Book Cover (A5 size) - Create an attractive book cover with proper title placement and design elements in Inkscape.

2. Object Illustration (Vector Drawing) - Use Inkscape to create a vector illustration of a real-life object or concept.

3. Infographic Layout (A4) - Design a professional infographic for a scientific topic using Scribus.

4. Educational Poster (A4 size) - Create a poster for a specific subject/topic, such as a physics concept, using Inkscape or GIMP.

5. Newsletter Layout - Design a visually appealing and professional newsletter layout using Scribus.

6. Photo Manipulation - Create and edit a series of images related to an educational topic using GIMP.

Submission Requirements for Graphics Design Task:

A google drive folder link containing:

• Editable files (Inkscape:- .svg, GIMP:- .xcf, Scribus:- .sla, etc.).

• Fonts and any reference images used for the designs.

Task 2: Animation Creation Screening Task

Complete any one task to create a short animation (1-2 minutes) for academic content using Synfig Studio or Blender. You can work on any subject from 9th grade onwards. The animation should aim to help explain or visualize an academic concept.

Submission List for Animation Task:

1. Create a Short Animation in Synfig Studio - Design a simple 2D animation that explains a scientific concept, such as "The Water Cycle" or "Newton's Laws of Motion."

2. 3D Animation in Blender - Create a 3D animation of a mechanical or biological system, such as how a muscle works in the human body or the workings of an engine.

3. 2D Animated Explainer Video - Use Synfig Studio to create an explainer video that simplifies a difficult concept in mathematics or physics.

4. Interactive Animation - Create a 3D animation in Blender that involves user interaction (e.g., rotating a model to explore its structure).

Submission Requirements for Animation Task:

A google drive folder link containing:

• The native file format (Synfig:- .sifz, Blender:- .blend).

• Output file (e.g., .avi, .mp4, .gif).

• All supporting assets (fonts, reference images, textures).

• A brief description of the animation and how it is educational.

Technical Requirements

• Using knowledge of  open-source graphic design and animation software.

• Familiarity with Inkscape, GIMP, Scribus, Synfig Studio, and Blender is required.

• Understanding of how to design and produce educational content in a creative manner.

Resource and reference to use:  

https://fossee.in
https://focal.fossee.in

Download software from:

https://inkscape.org/
https://www.scribus.net/
https://www.gimp.org/
https://www.blender.org/
https://www.synfig.org/

Links for learning software:

spoken-tutorial.org

The following references may be useful for additional learning: Youtube tutorials, documents on Inkscape, Gimp, Scribus, Synfig Studio, Blender on internet sources

Evaluation Criteria

Submissions will be evaluated on the following parameters:

1. Technical Proficiency:

   • How well the software tools were used to complete the task.

   • Proper use of layers, vector graphics, and formatting techniques.
      

2. Creativity:

   • Originality and creative approach in solving the design/animation task.

   • Innovative use of open-source software.
      

3. Educational Value:

   • The quality of educational content, how well the animation or graphic explains the concept.
      

4. Presentation and Design:

   • Aesthetics and clarity of the design or animation.
      

5. Plagiarism:

   • Submissions must be 100% original; plagiarism will result in disqualification.

Procedure for Submission

1. Prepare your project folder with all the necessary files:

   • Native files (Inkscape .svg, GIMP .xcf, etc.)

   • Output files (PDF, PNG, JPG, Video format)

   • Supporting assets (fonts, images, textures)
      

2. Create a folder on your google drive and upload all the necessary files.
    

3. Fill the form SUBMISSION FORM  and insert google drive link
   
   Or Scan QR Code to submit 
   
    

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Additional Notes

• Make sure to check your submission for plagiarism. All submissions must be original and reflect your creative work.
   

• You will be notified of your status 1-2 weeks after submission.

For any queries, email to contact-focal@fossee.in with the subject line as
"Summer Fellowship 2026 FOCAL - Query"

ANIMATE 2025 was an online Animation Hackathon organised by FOSSEE, IIT Bombay under the National Mission on Education through ICT (MoE, GoI). The event invited animation enthusiasts, students, and professionals to create original 2D and 3D animations using open-source tools like Synfig Studio and Blender, providing a platform to showcase creativity and storytelling through technology. Participants competed across different categories, and the top submissions have been announced — see the full results here

The FOSSEE Summer Fellowship 2025: The students get an opportunity to work with the FOSSEE team for around 1.5 to 2 months. This is a hybrid fellowship, where students comes to IIT Bombay campus if they wish, and physically work with the FOSSEE team. To get shortlisted for the fellowship, they have to select a project and choose a screening tasks. Complete the screening tasks and submit. The selection will be purely based on the evaluation criteria of each screening task. 

See the reports of students FOSSEE summer fellowship 2025

INKSCAPE WORKSHOPS

Benefits:

• Hands-on experience with Inkscape.
• Participants who complete both workshops will receive a digital certificate.
• Direct entry to future graphic competitions.
• Selected college students may receive a FOSSEE Internship at IIT Bombay.

Requirements:

• Basic knowledge of computer operating
• Desktop / Laptop with mouse
• Stable internet connection
• Completion of Basic Workshop assignments is required for the Intermediate Workshop.

This year in 2021, the FOCAL team planned to create educational content, graphics, animation, etc, by using open-source software namely GIMP, Inkscape, Scribus, Blender, and Synfig Studio. So this material can be uploaded for students free of cost on the FOCAL website.

Due to the outbreak of COVID-19 and travel restrictions placed by IIT Bombay, the FOSSEE Summer Fellowship 2021 has been done remotely.

Duration  -  from  24 June 2021 to  3 August 2021.

This is an initiative of the FOSSEE Project, IIT Bombay in association with Whistling Woods International.

Registration: 02 Nov 2020 – 23 Nov 2020
Launch of Hackathon and announcement of the theme: 25 Nov 2020
Hackathon duration: 25 Nov 2020 - 15 Dec 2020

During the Hackathon, the participants had created an original 2D animated short movie of about 2 mins duration using Synfig Studio. The animation (graphics, audio, etc.) has been done by using ONLY open-source software. Animation narration is in (22 scheduled) Indian languages and English.

https://hackathon.fossee.in/synfig

Synfig Studio is a free and open-source 2D animation software. This software can be used in Ubuntu, Windows, and MacOSX. With the help of this application, you can create high-quality vector drawings, animate cartoon characters, and import and animate bitmap images. Features, such as gradients, bones, distortions, converters, effects, and many other tools, enable the user to create easy and productive output. This powerful software helps create web animations, film-quality animations, E-learning animations, and much more.

Advanced Synfig Studio: One-Week Workshop on 31 October 2020

Beginner Synfig Studio: One-Day Workshop on 7 November 2020

For more details 

http://www.it.iitb.ac.in/nmeict/announcements.html

The FOSSEE Summer Fellowship 2020 commenced on 20 April 2020. Due to the outbreak of COVID-19 and lockdown restrictions, the fellowship was conducted remotely. The fellows opted to work full-time (8 hours per day for minimum 6 weeks) or part-time(6 hours per day for minimum 8 weeks) based on their availability and academic commitments. In this fellowship, many students from different institutes across India participated remotely and contributed to FOSSEE. Their detailed work report can be viewed below.

FOSSEE Summer Fellowship 2020 Reports