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View Full Version : Texas Schools and Programs: Finding Something Worth the Effort

Skeezor
02-07-2010, 06:34 PM
I was hoping someone might be able to give me a real world perspective on some of my choices as a student in Texas. I live in San Antonio and a couple of years ago I took several semesters of classes at a local community college in a game design and cinimatics program. I was in the first run of the program and it was obvious to me that even with the training from the school I would not be equipped to jump into real world jobs. After dropping out of the program to persue job oportunities and pretty much giving up on my higher learning I am now a full time employee and no longer have the advantages I had as just a student.

I have recently been looking at going back to school online or trying to find some kind of program that I can do even with my 48 hour work weeks so that I can get back into concept art and design. I recently talked with someone from the Art Institute of Pittsburg Online program and I have a chance to enroll in full online classes with them but I am worried that the money and the effort may be wasted in real world job terms.

Due to my family and financial obligations I do not have the ability to "go off to school" anywhere and with places like Bioware and Blizzard only a short drive away I do feel like there is a market in Texas for me to work eventually. Any advice you guys can give me in which direction I should go or maybe some places I can research would be awsome. Ever since I started learning about game design and concept art I have been in awe of the work displayed here on Cgtalk so I know I'm asking the right crowd.
darthviper107
02-07-2010, 11:51 PM
I was in a similar position, although in Dallas--although there's a strong industry in Texas there aren't many choices in terms of colleges to attend.

My brother worked at the Art Institute in Dallas for a bit as a recruiter and they offer a lot of good things to learn, but really short classes, it's just a 2 year degree but they cover a wide range of subjects. You'd still have to do quite a bit outside of class to learn what you need. And it might not be worth it to get the degree since most places would require a bachelor's degree. That's why I had to come up to Arkansas to find a college that offered a 4 year degree in 3D animation.

If you're going to do an online school I would also spend some money on training DVD's--Gnomon, Digital Tutors, and such, you honestly won't find better learning material, even at a good Animation university. But since you won't have a bachelor's degree you'll have to work and make sure your portfolio is really good.
Skeezor
02-11-2010, 11:41 PM
Thanks Darth. Yeah I was acctually looking at the Art Institute of Pittsburg online, but for what I would spend getting an associate's, let alone a bachelor's degree I just cant afford. I will definately look into the gnomon vids and such to get me started. Again thanks for helping me out!
gawl126
02-13-2010, 02:52 AM
If you do ever get the chance to "go off to school" and are only able to attend schools in Texas. Then you might possibly want to also check out Texas A&M's Visualization Sciences program. More information can be found on their website:

http://www.viz.tamu.edu/

If you just want to learn skills without earning a degree, then maybe take a look at the classes offered online at fxphd. They're not very expensive and there isn't a contract.
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