Student, Need tips & advice
Hey guys, I've been a member of this forum for a few months now, just browsing around and looking at peoples art, which as been really inspiring to me.
I started university back in September, my course is a BSc in Digital Media.
This year is a mix of different modules, to get a basic feel for digital media as a whole, In 3rd year we get to start specializing in what we want to do, there is a few 3D related modules I can choose from, Character animation etc. When I leave uni I hope to aim towards becoming a 3D artist.
I decided to make this thread because I need some really good and constructive advice and tips on what I should really be focusing on right now and what skillset I should have by the time I leave uni.
Abit about me; I'm 18, (still young!) I'm not great at drawing, I'm interested in designing and modelling things like vehicles, weapons and other objects and scenes, Not so keen on character design, I think that is becuase I have never really been able to draw so well.
So yeah, I'd love to hear some feedback from you guys, on what areas I need to address and focus on just now.
If you have any questions about me or anything just ask!
Many thanks, Arctik.
I started university back in September, my course is a BSc in Digital Media.
This year is a mix of different modules, to get a basic feel for digital media as a whole, In 3rd year we get to start specializing in what we want to do, there is a few 3D related modules I can choose from, Character animation etc. When I leave uni I hope to aim towards becoming a 3D artist.
I decided to make this thread because I need some really good and constructive advice and tips on what I should really be focusing on right now and what skillset I should have by the time I leave uni.
Abit about me; I'm 18, (still young!) I'm not great at drawing, I'm interested in designing and modelling things like vehicles, weapons and other objects and scenes, Not so keen on character design, I think that is becuase I have never really been able to draw so well.
So yeah, I'd love to hear some feedback from you guys, on what areas I need to address and focus on just now.
If you have any questions about me or anything just ask!
Many thanks, Arctik.
Replies
There's nothing you need more than a good portfolio. If you post it, and show it to everyone you can, you will get lots and lots of advice.
I don't mean about my current work. What I mean is, should I be learning to draw at the moment? focus on learning software ect?
Good luck!
How do we know what skills you need if you don't post your work?
And honestly if you are a student you should be doing all of the above. Drawing, software, everything.
You don't necessarily need to know how to draw to succeed as a 3D artist/designer, it is just the easiest/fastest way of learning art fundamentals and it is virtually guaranteed that the courses will be better than your 3D ones (which are virtually guaranteed to be garbage)
Learning software at school is a waste of money, buy DVDs and teach yourself.
You get out what you put in!
I've not yet started my 3D modules. Not had experience in 3D previously.
Want to get a head start before I do begin, hence posting here looking for guidance on what I should be doing.
Thanks for the advice so far guys.
Bibendum - do you have any recommendations DVDs etc?
Digital Tutors offers a lot of intro DVDs to most software. Things are well explained and no step is skipped. It's "follow along" training.
For techniques specifically relevant to the game industry: 3DMotive and Eat3D
3DMotive and Eat3D are more well rounded, they skip a lot of the repetitive material, but still cover everything important. Most importantly they are actually targetted at the game industry and most of the techniques are (at the moment, and probably for the foreseeable future) all still very relevant to game development.
For more advanced design concepts: Gnomon
Gnomon's DVDs are very abstract and most of the tedious "grunt work" in the videos is skipped to show core concepts which often leaves newer artists feeling like they've missed something important. Not what I would suggest for beginners to art. VERY valuable training material but probably inaccessible to most starting artists. This is mostly what I would consider professionals teaching artists who are already preparing to enter the field.
First step is good. You posted in Polycount. Half the students I go to school with don't even know about this place, and don't bother coming here.
However YOU have to pick something to start gaining a aptitude in. Modeling, texturing, concept art, hi-poly work, low poly work, etc. There are many of the core foundation skills that people above me have already listed. However YOU need to find something you enjoy doing before the community can really offer you guidance, and constructive crits.
When I started school I had no 3D experience just like you. Over the past year I've come to the realization that I prefer Environment Art. I suck at programming, and I don't have a strong enough skill base to do Concept Art. You just need to try the processes out and see which ones you get the most satisfaction/enjoyment out of at the end of the day.
For help getting started developing your artistic eye, I would check out a book called
Drawing on the Right Side of The Brain.
some people have suggested it on here before but it really informs you about how to use your observation skills to really see and gain useful information about your subject.
Check out and just keep working on 3d all the time.