Field of specialization

SnowyNe

Hello everyone! 
I'm here to ask you some advice on the learning path I should follow. 
I'm a beginner in the 3D field, so I'm a little confused about two things. 
I've studied industrial design and computer engineering (I love interdisciplinary paths) and worked as graphic designer for 2 years, but in these last years I've discovered 3D and I've really fallen for it.
I know that the competition is huge and that there are so many amazing artist out there who began at 15 years old, but I'd really love to enter the film industry. I'm searching for a job in line with my degrees now (I'm 25 years old so I need to work, I can't dream all day xD), so I will be able to study on my own only in the nights and weekends.
I want to premise that even if I'll never work in this field (I've read how it is difficult) I however wanna learn for my own culture and satisfaction. 
If I was a 18years old guy I'd just try to learn EVERYTHING 3d-related (I'd like to read stuff about modeling, animating, visual effect,ecc), but having a little time I think that for me it will be good to start with a clear objective in mind, try to build my portfolio step by step in the next years and maybe one day, if I will feel confident,  try to enter the industry. 
The first question is: In which field of 3D/film industry do you think I could use the knowledge I've aquired studying industrial design and computer engineering? 
I think I have a good eye for composition and colors, my design studies have thaugth me to project objects considerating function, usability, form, balance (the famous "less is more" rule) and to comunicate with images and forms a certain message (mostly in the graphic design environment, but even with the products' language). I know programming at college level and I like it (but I'd hate a work in which I have only to code, it's quite boring for me) but I really hate the hardware stuff. Some people suggested me to try my route in the technical department of the industry, because they need programmers everyday, but I feel I want to be more on the artistic side of the environment. 
I want to clarify one thing: I'm not asking you to choose my carreer path, I just want to know if there are some job roles I didn't ever think about I could aim for and in which I could use my previous education. 

For the second question I have: 
Now I'm studying on my own modeling (digital tutors )  and I really like it even if I'm on my first tutorials, but I'm not able to hand-draw at artistic level (I studied perspective, proportions and how to sketch for design, but I don't know anything about anatomy and so on) and I fear this could be a HUGE limit. I know I could take anatomy or drawing classes, but I think it's hard to match up with people who draw from when they were 10 years old and maybe it's better to work on my skillset to aim for something that is reachable.  I often think about specialize in environment-modeling, because for me environments have the same charm of characters and creature (I often fall in love with scenery more than with creatures, some environments steal my heart) and it feels like it would be easier to learn without a traditional artistic education (if it's not true please disprove me). Should I keep trying both character and environment modeling in equal measure or should I specialize more in the second one from now, trying to be very good only in that field?
Thank you for your time! 

Kevin Albers

I suggest considering becoming a Houdini specialist, doing wild environment/prop/architecture stuff like the fx scenes from Inception. Houdini is quite technical, but ultimately is an art tool that can benefit from the user's knowledge of programming. Put plenty of effort into learning how to make and alter modular environment assets.

Most game studios don't use Houdini much or at all, so this path would definitely make more sense for your targeted industry of film fx work.

Learn to draw, even if putting in just a bit of time now and then. Being able to draw is a huge help for visual design, although some people exclusively design stuff in Zbrush or whatever these days. Learn to draw 1- what you see (i.e. still lifes, figure drawing etc) and 2- stuff you dream up (i.e. environment props, cool modular systems that Houdini manipulates etc). These are two different skills, both of which are really useful (although if for some reason you never plan on doing textures, learning to draw what you see is not quite as useful).

You could put off doing lots of character stuff for now, since there are tons of skilled people super-focused on characters.

SnowyNe

Yeah, I've been thinking about letting go of character exactly for this reason. I don't exclude to come back to it later (I'd love to be able to model animals and fantasy creature) but I think it's better to first concentrate on something that can help me to find a job in the industry and after that have fun with something else like characters to enrich my knowledge and for personal pleasure. 
I had excluded Houdini because I thaught it was only for effects like water, explosion and so on, but I'll take a look at the environment stuff. 
And yeah, you're right, I should improve my drawing skills step by step, it would be useful even for my current job (I'm a 2D graphic designer)  
Thank you for all your precious advices! 

sacboi

If you're interested in procedural modelling, then Houdini covers that specialty as well. 

SnowyNe

Yeah, I've an interest in procedural modelling! In particular I'm charmed by all the procedural natural environments (terrain, trees, leaves, and so on). 
Where woul you suggest to start to study this field? Should I try even other programs like Nuke?  

Larry

to answer your first question, you can incorporate your computer engineering skills to become a level programmer/level designer or a vfx artist.

2nd question. It is always good to have a background in as many traditional arts as you possibly can, because they help you "look" at the artistic detail that distinguishes something "good" from something "perfect". But drawing is only a mere tool for expressing your imagination. Same goes for 3d software. You can learn drawing with your mouse, as good as someone else learned drawing with a pencil

NikhilR

Larry said:

to answer your first question, you can incorporate your computer engineering skills to become a level programmer/level designer or a vfx artist.

2nd question. It is always good to have a background in as many traditional arts as you possibly can, because they help you "look" at the artistic detail that distinguishes something "good" from something "perfect". But drawing is only a mere tool for expressing your imagination. Same goes for 3d software. You can learn drawing with your mouse, as good as someone else learned drawing with a pencil

If op intends to draw on a computer, better to use a tablet with pen. Drawing with a mouse is very difficult!
Life drawing is good if you are learning characters.

SnowyNe

NikhilR said:

Larry said:

to answer your first question, you can incorporate your computer engineering skills to become a level programmer/level designer or a vfx artist.

2nd question. It is always good to have a background in as many traditional arts as you possibly can, because they help you "look" at the artistic detail that distinguishes something "good" from something "perfect". But drawing is only a mere tool for expressing your imagination. Same goes for 3d software. You can learn drawing with your mouse, as good as someone else learned drawing with a pencil

If op intends to draw on a computer, better to use a tablet with pen. Drawing with a mouse is very difficult!
Life drawing is good if you are learning characters.

Yeah, I use a Wacom (I work as a Freelancer Graphic Designer now and it's quite useful)
 Larry said:

to answer your first question, you can incorporate your computer engineering skills to become a level programmer/level designer or a vfx artist.

Does a vfx artist also model environment/assets or is he only concerned about particle's systems, water, explosion and so on? Everytime I see vfx artists' demoreels I can't understand if they do even the scenery or add only the effects