Is a degree worth it? University. What do you think??

#4

I would say that if working overseas is a goal of yours, then do a degree. Bear in mind though that your degree doesn’t necessarily have to specifically be a CG degree, it can be anything related to the field, and that includes fine art, which is definitely something worth considering, especially since so many CG degree courses are not very good.

Look, to be honest I have no degrees myself but I’ve worked in the States and I’ve been living in the UK for a long time now despite being from South Africa. But that’s been due to a combination of luck and hard work, and it’s not necessarily a route I’d recommend that others try to rely on. Getting a degree is definitely going to make your life easier if you have ambitions of working outside the EU, and from a personal standpoint, that’s definitely something I’d recommend, as living and working in different countries is an awesome life experience that I’ve absolutely loved.

I know when you’re young the thought of spending four years at uni may seem like an eternity but if you pick a course wisely you’ll not only make things easier for yourself in the long run, but you’ll also benefit from a good education not to mention the social opportunities that education provides you with.

#5

Thanks for the reply! It does look an awesome experience to work and live in other countries :smiley:

Anyone else has any opinions?

#6

Ok, I can see you´re in Portugal. Been and lived there until very recently.

This country is a special case as I personally do not believe that Portugal will rise out of the current difficulties. Contrary to what the politicians say, I believe that a couple of years from now people will literally suffering from hunger over there.

I´m half Portuguese, so don´t think I´m trashing the country. But there´s something seriously wrong with the Portuguese mentality, and combined with the current economic situation I´m pretty sure this decade will be VERY ugly for the Portuguese people. So yes, do get all the degrees you can while you´re still at a young age. And it´s an unfortunate fact that in economic contexts like what we have there right now all the luxury services like 3d, design etc are the first to fall and the last to recuperate.

When you enter the media market you will be very happy to have all the requirements to just get away from there. Obviously train yourself auto-didactically in the specialization that most interests you, while you study.

Oh man, to be 15 again and know what I know now…that would be something.

Good luck!

#7

I’m 50% Portuguese as well :slight_smile: I was born in Russia and have the passport. I was raised in a Russian mentality, so yeah.

I think Portugal will come back in a few years, but still the industry in this country is almost none.

I’m not going to study in Portugal! At 18 I will be in the UK, or at least I hope so. Going to a university or a course it’s what I’m trying to figure out by this forum post! And after that I’m gonna work and live there.

As much as I like Portugal, I’m gonna be leaving this country in a few years.

Yeah I’m glad I started earlier than others. I just hope I make the best decisions thought!

Thanks for the reply!

#8

Anyone else has any view? Maybe one of you would choose to go to a course instead of a uni? Thanks!

#9

I’m in the process of making the same decision myself, and after some thinking and reading, I discovered that it varies from person to person. In my opinion, it depends on how mature you are and how confident you are with you skill set. In my case, as I still got a lot to learn and the path beyond me is a still a little dark, I’m planning on going to an university. It just gives you more time and you can build that confidence, along with the networking you will be making.

The big decision now is whether to focus on a CG uni or maybe a visual arts one. haahaha

#10

Getting a degree is not just about a bit of paper , its where you will meet life long friends and spend 4 years focused on learning a field. Even if you do not take up a career based on the degree you will of picked up very useful life skills. Like learning how to approach research… Sure in VFX the money you earn is not tied to owning a degree but in every other walk of life it is. Things might not work out in VFX for you so having a good degree to fall back on will be worth its weight in gold.

If you want to earn the big dollars in VFX and be the first to get hired and the last to get fired do a technical degree in computer science or a basic engineering degree. Technical skills like Maths, programming are highly sought after.

b

#11

Yeah… I’m really considering University right now…

technokill :

Yeah… it does vary from person to person… I think my skill set is far from the requirement…I do have some good knowledge of 3ds Max /AE/PS but next year I really gotta start with Maya/Nuke/Zbrush So I can have a pretty good base knowledge and learn from there… because you’re always learning…

And going to a uni will also help you out build your portfolio… which is pretty cool :slight_smile:

Mr Bob :

Wouldn’t it be better to do a vfx degree or computer animation so I can meet “life long friends” that have the same passion and interests that I do? I think being good friends with a compositor is a bit more helpful for me (being a 3d artist, or will be) than being friends with a mathematician.

#12

Most of my friends work in entirely different fields. Friendship isn’t based on what you do for a living, it’s based on shared values and attitudes.

#13

Oh dude… you got the wrong thing… I’m not talking about that… of course it doesn’t matter if your friend has a job… or what kind a job…

I was just replying about getting contacts with people in the industry, that it would be easier by getting a degree on that business.

I’m sorry if I said the wrong statement… I didn’t mean to do it…I would prefer having a friend that cares about me and I care about him than one that is useful in a certain profession to me…

Hope I fixed the mistake…

#14

You seem to be forgetting comping has maths at its core as does doing anything in 3d. As I have pointed out already if you want to earn the better pay rates and be the first to get hired and the last to be let go, go for a technical degree.
If that’s not you, you do not have to go that path, but having a technical degree behind you will be more valuable than any vfx degree should things not work out for you in the industry. At least then you will have an in demand degree and something to fall back on.

b

#15

Thank you for the reply! I’ll think about it :slight_smile:

#16

What exactly do you mean by technical degree? Wouldn’t it be better to have some art-related degree in the background?

#17

Aren’t you responding him Mr Bob?

Well… anyway… thanks for the replies… if anyone has anything else to say please do! Appreciate it.

#18

Maybe this isn’t the right place, but has anyone finished a university in Germany that you would recommend to me ? If any, please do share your experience.

#19

Not really different from what other said but I’ll add my input

  • a degree is not a “must have” in this industry but definitly makes life easier when it comes to working abroad. at least, less difficult and more choices.

  • a more generic degree in art or technology (depending on your skills and taste) seems more interesting to me than pure CG, especially if you are strong in learning softwares by yourself.

  • time in schools brings other things, if the school and teachers are good : future professional contacts, learning new ways of doing and exchange with both like- and different-minded people. Also, you’ll get to deal with people who’re going to tell you that your stuff isn’t so good : you’ll receive critics, lots of them, and will learn how to cope with them. This essential in this industry.

  • and it’s time that you can usee easily to get better at anything you are interested in. You’ll start in the industry with much better skills and it will be a much better start.

of course it has to be balanced with the price of studies. In Europe you may find not expensive cursus.

#20

a degree is not a “must have” in this industry but definitly makes life easier when it comes to working abroad

i agree with above, if plan to working locally at yur own country, dun woryr so much a degree or diploma, learn properly and produce a reel dpends on your focus, unless you want to work oversea or move overseas to work, degree is needed only for immigration to get work visa, when I wanted to apply for work visa i have to submit my so called diploma to apply for it

#21

I’ve decided to go in Germany and study, does anyone know or has studied in the Academy of Media Arts in Cologne?

It seems that they teach pretty well and I really like the student’s projects on youtube.

I was wondering if it’s hard to get the student visa for Germany. I found some information here http://www.mawista.com/blog/en/schengen-visa-information/

But can anyone confirm if this is correct and up to date?

Also any tips from personal experience would be very highly appreciated.

#22

Must the degree needed to work overseas related to art or any kind of degree would do it?

#23

Here is a post that I did several years ago. It presents a different perspective. I think it is still applicable today:
degree is very worthwhile…
I see alot of folks noting that a degree isn’t necessary for an animation position. Since, I am not in animation, I accept what everyone said about this. BUT!!! Let me present a different point of view.

There are some very good reasons to get a degree among which are:

  1. As Leigh noted, in foreign countries, it might be necessary to get a job there.

  2. More importantly, it opens up many doors that might not be available otherwise: I have found that folks never know where their life will take them or what changes will ocurr in their life. What happens if suddenly studios start wanting degrees or want those with degrees and experience for higher level positions?
    This has certainly been the case for other professions and can certainly start happening here too.

More to the point, what happens if you want to leave the field of computer graphics? This could happen due to outsourcing, problems with the industry ,or simply changed objectives by you. Having a degree opens up more options.

I know someone who switched from animation to eventually going to law school and specializing in intellectual property law. Having a degree will open up other doors.

Also, if a school has a stringent admission policy, you will learn from other top students as well. Top schools also tend to attract top faculty. Lets face it: faculty would prefer to teach the better kids.

Also, I would bet that top faculty have a lot of industry connections. If you go to a good school and do well, it is common for faculty to recommend students to employers and for employers to ask top faculty for recommendations. This happens all the time in many fields of endeavor.

Personally, I STRONGLY recommend that you get a degree. Now once you have one, you don’t need a second degree unless you want to teach. You can attend a trade school to get the skills needed such as Gnomon or Animation Mentor or even study books or take online programs for the skills. However, having a degree can’t hurt you. It can only help!

With all this said, you still will need a strong demo ( which should occur if you work your butt off at a good school) and would need decent interviewing skills.