3D Animation at Uni

Fortnox · Aug 2008

I was just wondering what people's thoughts on this were- I may be going to uni in a year and I've seen a few courses in 3D Animation.

Who here learned their modelling/animating skills from university? I know there are at least a few people still at university.
I can't model but I'm not totally un-informed about it, I spent a lot of time the past few years hanging out with modellers and learning tons of things about modelling. And honestly, I've never been so fascinated or in awe of any art form in my life.
I would love to learn 3D animation in university, but I'm not sure what kind of skills or knowledge you need beforehand, nor where my life would then lead. I'm really good with computers so 3D Animation or ICT in Business/Computing are my options.

Sorry for the not-so-short post, but anything you can clarify or any opinions/experiences you can offer about 3D Animation courses in universities would be appreciated.

Jeremy Lindstrom · Aug 2008

I'd say for the most part unless you plan on going to VFS or Guild Hall, stay away from most of the game design programs, some are ok, but most aren't. Get a fine art degree and learn to model/texture/ 3d-ize stuff through tutorials and help via websites like this one. I also hear Spark is doing good things over at AI Dallas I'd actually think about taking a class of his if it was $1200 per class

Most game design programs aren't suited for the fast changing industry, your portfolio will be king. Period. You'd be better off with a nice fine art degree and a few months of modeling via tutorials. If I could go back I'd take the time off to do tutorials and hang out in irc with the fella's here at polycount to help you out if you had any questions.

I did that 'and' went to school and got into 60k in debt, the degree is ok and will probably 'never' hurt you other then the debt, but i learned WAAYYYYYYY more from a few select students and sites like this. Most of the students 'wanted' the degree but didn't have the 'desire' and ended up creating shitty work and played WoW during class when they should of been in the program learning.

Also I went from an 11 year career in IT over to 3D (which I had dabbled in for many years) and also decided to get my degree) just for some history. I hated IT after 11 years of the negative atmosphere of people only calling to ream you out.

Target_Renegade · Aug 2008

I agree with Dekard, unless you aim specifically for animation. If you want to be an 3D artist - environments and characters, best stick to art theory/fiine arts, you'll get a better understanding of what works. Something that I need to grasp. I completed an MSc in animation, it was challenging but something I could have done in my spare time and not as qualification. It was also very theoretical - its academic, so you're being graded on the way you think above the actual practical. And to be honest people can still get decent grades and still not get a job in the industry.

Don't confuse animating 3D and modelling 3D, they're two different things. Animation has a lot to do with acting/movement, enroll on a drama course in your spare time and study movement that way. University still remains a good experience, and for some people it gives them objectives to complete, just make sure you're doing more than what they want in your spare time.

Fortnox · Aug 2008

Hmm thanks, this gives me some clarity. I certainly understand the degree more now, and most likely won't go for it. I'm entirely useless with drawing skills which would have made life difficult anyway, as I have no experience with human anatomy or even shapes.

aesir · Aug 2008

i went to uni for animation. I couldnt draw shit when I came in. I can draw alright now.

achmedthesnake · Aug 2008

- i agree with all thats previously said - you really have to know your endpoint (field of specialization) before jumping in - here's a few things/advantages/disadvantages i had/have in my current studies....

- i attended a 2 yr 'games' course offered at the local tafe/tek course, which was orientated around 3ds max - and had a basis in production/deadlines and stuff like that, with the aim that you'd would have demo reel/ job by the end of the course.......that didn't work out for me but i'm blaming more myself than the course - which was great (some of my mates got jobs either straight out, or atleast half a year later).

- afterwards i went (and still attending) to a 'new media' course offered at uni (3 yr bachelor of digital arts course) - with majors in animation (maya based) and interactive digital media (anything to do with digital video/web/flash animation ect...), and one downside is that you have to do all these 'theory' courses that might have little or no relevance to the majors.....
an other side of that is that you'll build up a repertoire of abilities like critical thinking and stuff instead of just being an antisocial computer drone..... and the bad side is that you'll rarely have anytime to do any 'epic' projects on your animations....

-looking back - i'd kinda agree with Deckard's direction of doing a fine arts degree (to get the fundamentals down) and self - teach yourself the rest....meaning you'll have more time to do personal/portfolio worthy topics/works than conscripting to uni assessment 'themes' that you just to to get the marks....
( I'm in a different boat - in that i wasn't ready to get a job straight away and this period of uni keeps me up to date and gives me time to compose a bigger portfolio ).

gavku · Aug 2008

If you want to do animation, don't do a games course, do an animation course. Animation Mentor is pretty good. A friend of mine did it, an she learnt a crapload.

Jeremy Lindstrom · Aug 2008

gavku wrote: »

If you want to do animation, don't do a games course, do an animation course. Animation Mentor is pretty good. A friend of mine did it, an she learnt a crapload.

Yup, animation mentor is great. Just remember VFS and Animation Mentor don't give you a degree just a certificate. You probably won't need a degree if you get through the program though.

3D Animation at Uni

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