AkujinNoNinjin
01-15-2009, 08:24 PM
Hi,
I'm English, 22, and currently working for a year in Canada. I'm degreeless. My one day dream is to be a successful 3D artist. The question thusly arises, how?
My main desire at the moment is to remain in Canada (I could go off on a long tangent about why I like it out here so much); so I've been researching the Vancouver schools (VFS, VanArts, etc) on recommendation of these forums, and reading through all the discussion topics about them; but all these types of places appear to be 1-year courses with a certificate at the end. I've read a lot of the debating backwards and forwards about where is better - but the general consensus is always that if you want a work visa you need a degree. And, since I'd prefer to work abroad, that's a key consideration for me.
So where do people advise studying to get a degree? I'm happy to go back to school in the UK if that's what it takes; but obviously I'd prefer a school out here in Canada. Equally, I'm happy doing a course of any length -although I'd assume it's going to be a 3 year for a degree course.
Also, when contacting these places, what are the questions I should be asking? I've already attempted university once (for Electronics - something I was highly knowledgeable of but just not passionate about), so I know the general questions and procedures to go through; but on these forums I find a lot of "talk to your departments - it's important!" Are there any important questions that I should be asking that I'm unlikely to have thought of? Finding out course content, discussing the software used (so I can get some practice in advance), discussing the rate of job placement after the fact, and of course costs.
Also, would you advise once I have a degree that I then went on to a course such as those offered by VanArts or VFS?
Thank you very much for any and all help in advance.
PS. Obviously, I'd prefer a school that would actually teach me something, rather than a 'going through the motions because I want a visa'. My main interests are modelling and concepting; although I have little experience of animation. Most of all, I just want to learn and expand on the skills I've picked up doing this as a hobby since my early teens, and get to a point where I can make informed decisions, and eventually do something I love to do.
I'm English, 22, and currently working for a year in Canada. I'm degreeless. My one day dream is to be a successful 3D artist. The question thusly arises, how?
My main desire at the moment is to remain in Canada (I could go off on a long tangent about why I like it out here so much); so I've been researching the Vancouver schools (VFS, VanArts, etc) on recommendation of these forums, and reading through all the discussion topics about them; but all these types of places appear to be 1-year courses with a certificate at the end. I've read a lot of the debating backwards and forwards about where is better - but the general consensus is always that if you want a work visa you need a degree. And, since I'd prefer to work abroad, that's a key consideration for me.
So where do people advise studying to get a degree? I'm happy to go back to school in the UK if that's what it takes; but obviously I'd prefer a school out here in Canada. Equally, I'm happy doing a course of any length -although I'd assume it's going to be a 3 year for a degree course.
Also, when contacting these places, what are the questions I should be asking? I've already attempted university once (for Electronics - something I was highly knowledgeable of but just not passionate about), so I know the general questions and procedures to go through; but on these forums I find a lot of "talk to your departments - it's important!" Are there any important questions that I should be asking that I'm unlikely to have thought of? Finding out course content, discussing the software used (so I can get some practice in advance), discussing the rate of job placement after the fact, and of course costs.
Also, would you advise once I have a degree that I then went on to a course such as those offered by VanArts or VFS?
Thank you very much for any and all help in advance.
PS. Obviously, I'd prefer a school that would actually teach me something, rather than a 'going through the motions because I want a visa'. My main interests are modelling and concepting; although I have little experience of animation. Most of all, I just want to learn and expand on the skills I've picked up doing this as a hobby since my early teens, and get to a point where I can make informed decisions, and eventually do something I love to do.