Education - what should I do?
polycounter lvl 7
Hey polycounters
I've been thinking hard about what I should do next in life to achieve my goal of becoming an artist in a good studio, here's my story so far:
I am 21. I studied art & design, computing and emedia A levels at college, decided I wanted to aim for the games industry, but unsure whether to do programming or art (I was good at both, but master of neither)
Went to Portsmouth University to study BSc computer games technology - this is a generalist course, but allows specialisation from the second year onward. I chose the art pathway but didn't put much effort into it at all. I was happy to coast through.
Second year of the course, I fell off a statue and almost died - after 5 weeks in hospital I rethought my life and decided I needed to excel and make something of myself, and approach my work with enthusiasm and vigour.
Over the summer I got a work placement with a small studio and learnt a tonne doing low-poly environmental modelling. It was good but I was not satisfied with working in a tiny studio like that - I wanted to aim higher
I am now retaking the second year and my marks have been good so far. But, I must be honest, this course is a cesspit of mediocrity (I wish I had done the BA at Bournemouth uni). There is NO recognition of the importance of art skills in 3D - so I've been attending life drawing classes in my own time and working on my 2D traditional art but finding it difficult to make progress.
I've been thinking of doing a post-graduate course in art, but it's hard to find the right kinda thing, the postgraduate courses I've seen tend to develop specialisms further - either that or they don't involve much tuition, mostly independent study - http://courses.brighton.ac.uk/course.php?cnum=1257
I'm doing things in the wrong order - I should have done the traditional art first, then learnt 3D later![:\](https://polycount.com/plugins/emojiextender/emoji/twitter/confused.png ":\")
I've considered summer school short courses at art colleges in London - but this is expensive!
http://www.ucl.ac.uk/slade/slade09/summer/foundation.php
Also I worry that if I did something like this, it would be too focussed on the conceptual abstract type stuff - hell no! Art for art's sake is pointless, I feel that it needs a practical real-world application, or at least some kind of figurative function!
I think I would benefit from an art education but the question is, what kind of course, and would it be a waste of time and money?
So - anyone had a similar experience?
What kind of course is the most useful for acquiring foundational skills?
To what extent do studios insist on their artists having a traditional art education?
What kind of qualification facilitates better 3D work and is valued by studios?
I've been thinking hard about what I should do next in life to achieve my goal of becoming an artist in a good studio, here's my story so far:
I am 21. I studied art & design, computing and emedia A levels at college, decided I wanted to aim for the games industry, but unsure whether to do programming or art (I was good at both, but master of neither)
Went to Portsmouth University to study BSc computer games technology - this is a generalist course, but allows specialisation from the second year onward. I chose the art pathway but didn't put much effort into it at all. I was happy to coast through.
Second year of the course, I fell off a statue and almost died - after 5 weeks in hospital I rethought my life and decided I needed to excel and make something of myself, and approach my work with enthusiasm and vigour.
Over the summer I got a work placement with a small studio and learnt a tonne doing low-poly environmental modelling. It was good but I was not satisfied with working in a tiny studio like that - I wanted to aim higher
I am now retaking the second year and my marks have been good so far. But, I must be honest, this course is a cesspit of mediocrity (I wish I had done the BA at Bournemouth uni). There is NO recognition of the importance of art skills in 3D - so I've been attending life drawing classes in my own time and working on my 2D traditional art but finding it difficult to make progress.
I've been thinking of doing a post-graduate course in art, but it's hard to find the right kinda thing, the postgraduate courses I've seen tend to develop specialisms further - either that or they don't involve much tuition, mostly independent study - http://courses.brighton.ac.uk/course.php?cnum=1257
I'm doing things in the wrong order - I should have done the traditional art first, then learnt 3D later
I've considered summer school short courses at art colleges in London - but this is expensive!
http://www.ucl.ac.uk/slade/slade09/summer/foundation.php
Also I worry that if I did something like this, it would be too focussed on the conceptual abstract type stuff - hell no! Art for art's sake is pointless, I feel that it needs a practical real-world application, or at least some kind of figurative function!
I think I would benefit from an art education but the question is, what kind of course, and would it be a waste of time and money?
So - anyone had a similar experience?
What kind of course is the most useful for acquiring foundational skills?
To what extent do studios insist on their artists having a traditional art education?
What kind of qualification facilitates better 3D work and is valued by studios?
Replies
Maybe 1% of the time. I've only ever seen it listed once and that was for a concept artist position. It's sometimes listed as a "bonus" ability, but pretty much never required.
Depends on what you're looking to do. Character or env? I'd suggest taking anatomy classes if you plan to do characters and an architecture class if you plan on doing env work. The studios don't care about your education though, just your work. So if the classes help you work, awesome. If they don't, it's not like you'll get props or preferential treatment because you have an art degree.
But in the end, this is one of those industries that unless you want to be management, higher education is irrelevant. If you have the artistic skill, you can get a job.
It seems like I should be looking at courses aimed at undergraduates then - it would feel like a step backwards in education terms, haha, but then that's probably what I need - a fresh start!
It's a relief that studios don't see an art qualification as absolutely necessary. I'm more interested in what it can do for me (as in, how it can improve my art) rather than what it makes people think about me anyway.
As for my specialism - I haven't decided yet :poly122: I know how important it is that I choose a specialism NOW and work solidly towards it - but I haven't given myself much opportunity to try my hand at both disciplines yet. I feel like, at this stage, I would do better with environments - but I don't want to give up on characters yet so I will keep up the life drawing and do some character practise over summer
May I ask - as an environment artist, which of your past experiences has benefited you most in that capacity?
No matter what I end up doing I must not forget that I've gotta keep working on my portfolio if I'm going to improve. I gotta keep reminding myself that:
Non-education is no excuse for failure
Education is no automatic entitlement to success
I agree that they list it 1% of the time but the reality is they are always looking for it with art positions. I would say the main reasons why companies get so many trash demo reels is because of their lack of foundation art skills. When you have those skills they guide you in the right direction no matter what it is you're doing. So I think it's one of those silent requirements while being a master of those for a concepter is strongly made aware.
My advice for you Benji is to go in the direction that you feel most passionate about. Feel from within and take that energy and put it to use creating something. If you are happy doing something everyday at home then odds are you'll like it at the studio and will be much happier about a educational direction. However if what you're passionate about you end up not being good at you need to recognize that. Start figuring out what it is that you are good at and rebuild from there. Whenever there is passion for something you will always have good creative input within a group even if it's not what you were hired to do.
so whatever gets you to that dazzling portfolio is the way to go..
Also, i am a firm believer that traditional art helps a lot! like it gives you that extra push to bring your portfolio and work to the next level. But... keep learning, keep practicing and update your work, and i am sure you will find a good job at a good company.
Almost never a bad thing by the way, so don't be afraid of it
Having said all that I have learnt ridiculous amounts there. The tutors are amazing and there are clinics run by industry people where you can go and show them your work. And like Heat seeking HandGrenade said you can get help a lot faster while at uni. there are so many people you can ask for crits etc So I guess it depends if you are willing to go through some stuff that isn't quite what you want to do in order to improve then I guess you should look into going back to uni. If you feel you know enough and you just need practice then just practice
I don't know how helpful this is, if not at all I apologise!
yes Dan I know what you mean! Over the past year my portfolio has been lying stagnant - I've added about a couple of weeks worth of work to it at best
btw your background is awesome and I think its cool you are changing your life! or changed your life!
Do you mind telling me what studio you worked at on your placement?
haha yes, in some ways falling off a statue has been beneficial to me I think
the studio I worked at was called RedBedlam - they do small-scale developments for clients, I was working on an educational Unity web game called Bamzonia. It's amazing how much you can learn just by being in a working environment right? There was only 1 other artist at the studio, so I had plenty to do and it was a good feeling to be needed, and it was incredibly gratifying to see my work in the final game - even though it was a dorky little web game for kids hehe
I think small studios are probably the best bet when looking for work experience. They are more likely to need you and it serves as a great step up for something bigger later on!
I will have to check them out! Yeah small sudios i think is the way to go! I am desperate for a placement before I do my final year at uni. I would love to know what a working environment is like!
Anyway! I hope you chose the best option for your career
Here some information on the University of Hertfordshire Animation courses
http://www.polycount.com/forum/showthread.php?t=68766&highlight=hertfordshire
The University of Hertfordshire has a BA & MA Games Art course, here is our showreel.
Click here to see The University of Hertfordshire Website
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Also you are welcome to talk to our student on this forum and here from them. www.3dhit.co.uk
Best Wishes,
Neil