Bit of an odd thing to ask, I know...
Greetings, all. Some of you will remember me as AxeL from days gone past, but theres a lot of new faces that I don't recognise, so, basically, 'Hi, I'm a born-again-noob' 
.
Basically, I used to be really into the whole videogame art thing, a long while back, and mostly focussed on skins and textures and all that for the old Quake games, just as a hobby. I had no real aspirations for doing it for a living, and when I discovered music and recording I pushed myself in that direction, putting my time and energy into learning that craft, and am currently studying sound engineering and production at Degree level. However, due to a rather nasty tumorous growth in my left ear, I went half deaf, and despite reconstruction to fix the bones that had been eaten away (resulting in a slight improvement), a year or so later it's come back, meaning that I may (or may not, as it may be) permanently lose all hearing in that ear.
Thinking about this got me wondering about what else I might do if I decide not to pursue production much further (after all, the only half deaf record producer I've ever heard of is Brian Wilson, and I'm no Brian Wilson ), and I remembered that back in the day I really enjoyed making skins and general game art, and it might be worth me putting some more time into it and learning it as a craft, as an extra string to my bow as it were, should I have to change career direction.
Bringing me to this: It's all changed! I don't understand any of this stuff, normal mapping and bump mapping and all this. When I last paid any attention, 1000 polys for a character was a little on the large side. Now, of course, things are different, but I don't have the first idea where to start again.
Is it worth pursuing a Diploma course or suchlike after I finish my current degree, or are they not generally considered to be worth the time/money? If they are, which ones in the UK should I look at? Should I invest in 3D software and learn modelling/animation or is there still any form of career in texturing or concept design alone?
Sorry for the long winded post, I should stop now.
.Basically, I used to be really into the whole videogame art thing, a long while back, and mostly focussed on skins and textures and all that for the old Quake games, just as a hobby. I had no real aspirations for doing it for a living, and when I discovered music and recording I pushed myself in that direction, putting my time and energy into learning that craft, and am currently studying sound engineering and production at Degree level. However, due to a rather nasty tumorous growth in my left ear, I went half deaf, and despite reconstruction to fix the bones that had been eaten away (resulting in a slight improvement), a year or so later it's come back, meaning that I may (or may not, as it may be) permanently lose all hearing in that ear.
Thinking about this got me wondering about what else I might do if I decide not to pursue production much further (after all, the only half deaf record producer I've ever heard of is Brian Wilson, and I'm no Brian Wilson
), and I remembered that back in the day I really enjoyed making skins and general game art, and it might be worth me putting some more time into it and learning it as a craft, as an extra string to my bow as it were, should I have to change career direction.Bringing me to this: It's all changed! I don't understand any of this stuff, normal mapping and bump mapping and all this. When I last paid any attention, 1000 polys for a character was a little on the large side. Now, of course, things are different, but I don't have the first idea where to start again.
Is it worth pursuing a Diploma course or suchlike after I finish my current degree, or are they not generally considered to be worth the time/money? If they are, which ones in the UK should I look at? Should I invest in 3D software and learn modelling/animation or is there still any form of career in texturing or concept design alone?
Sorry for the long winded post, I should stop now
.
Replies
This has been my exact experience. Don't get me wrong though, it was incredibly helpful to have access to the tools necessary, as well as have someone with experience show me the basics. But, if you want a job at the end you are going to need to do the majority of your research and work outside those courses.
I would say you and you alone will have to decide if the courses are necessary. But if you feel that you can learn the programs on your own, I would do that. You are already posting in just about the best resource I have found. These here polycounters know the secrets, and are more than willing to pass along their advice. The day I am hired I will be posting my thank-you here.
And above all good luck to you.
my vote says don't stress about the technical B.S and just get your fundamental art skills down. time and again, the important skill sets that i see in people who make beautiful work have to do with being passionate about what they're doing, as well as a good sense of appeal. i do know artists who are overly technically oriented and are still kinda nerding out about the whole "i make three-dee" thing, and as a generalization, their art usually suffers.
on another note, it pains me a great deal to hear about your tragedy.. and, as i'm sure that the mr-positive we all have in our lives informs you, Beethoven was stone-fucking-deaf.
Vancouver Film School (VFS)
Think Tank (http://www.thinktanktrainingcentre.com/)
Animationmentor.com (an online only animation school)
GNOMON
Also, stay away from the Art Institutes, they're little more then money pits from my (and just about everyone else I've spoke to thats gone to them) experience.
It took me about 3 years to get totally up to speed, but that was teaching myself everything, and learning a lot more than just 3D modeling. And I have seen a lot of people with terrible portfolios get work anyway-- getting paid less, but learning on the job.
There is still a place for a person who specializes in low poly, working on PSP, DS and now iPhone. Although you have to be pretty awesome to get that work.
Also, am I wrong in assuming they just hire graduates and various other un-experienced people for some six months and then dump them before the next shipment comes in?