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View Full Version : Need advice on what path to take

dark3630
03-14-2010, 07:09 AM
Well, I'm 19 years old, currently enrolled in a community college. My current major is computer engineering, which is a long story because I've always loved art, but now I'm realizing I made a mistake. I want to get into the area of 3D, more towards video games than movies. I'm going to take some traditional art classes at my community college, I really need to build that up. I'm good with Photoshop, I became ACA certified before I graduated from high school, and made a name for myself locally doing artwork here and there.

I'm confused about where to go to college though. I live in Ocala, Florida which is really a slow town. There is really nothing for me here, and as far as 3D goes, there is not a single school worth looking at that is offering anything within the 3D field. I've talked to my dad about moving and he believes it would be a good idea as long as I go to school. So my question is, what should I look for as far as schooling? I don't know what information to give to help answer that, so any questions I'll be more than happy to answer. I've looked at a few schools in Florida and nothing that really looked worth going to... several people pushed me towards Full Sail, but after researching that school, it doesn't seem a good fit. I don't want to be put on an assembly line and rushed out the door, I WANT to learn. It's 3:08 here, so I'm going to go to bed, but if anyone can help me, I'd really appreciate it. CGSociety looks like it's full of very knowledgeable and friendly people that enjoy the same thing I do, I think I'll like it here.
GoldenCamel
03-14-2010, 03:22 PM
Ringling in Sarasota, Florida is one of the best schools for 3D animation. If you can afford it. They have graduates in all the major studios including Pixar and Dreamworks. One of their animation graduates directed a short for Blur Studio and was nominated for the best animated short in Oscars a few years back.

Here's the link to their website:
Ringling College of Art and Design (http://www.ringling.edu/)

Also, remember this, as far as learning 3D, you can do what I (and many others) did. Buy a good computer and a 3D software. Plus a few books and learn on your own, the info is already on the web and learning 3D is mostly done by trial and error. You can take some basic art classes like drawing, color theory, art history, etc. at your community college to broaden your vision at the same time.
dark3630
03-14-2010, 03:57 PM
Thanks for the reply! At the moment I'm doing what you suggested beneath the link. I've downloaded the 3DS trial and am going through some lessons I found online. I plan on taking some traditional art classes my next semester at the community college.

Ringling looks amazing, although I don't really have any money. Everything would have to come from financial aid and loans, but if financial aid will cover most of it that doesn't really bother me.

As far as learning on your own goes, I've done it many times, but I would prefer to go to a college of some kind at least while I learn on my own too. No one in my family has gone to college so I will be the first and quite honestly I don't have any idea what I'm doing and no one within my family does either, lol.
WeezTheJuice
03-14-2010, 04:56 PM
She's right, Ringling is one of the best schools, but their portfolio requirements are pretty high as far as I know, so without a good amount of traditional art background it might be tough to get in if you can afford it.
Ibeechu
03-15-2010, 01:10 AM
I highly recommend looking into Animation Mentor if you want to go into character animation. As far as character animation goes, it's definitely one of the best, if not the best.
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