How to get started in this industry

#1

Hi I’m very new all to this and really have no clue where or what to start with. I’m currently in my third year engineering in Computer Science and I’ve always been curious. I have no past education in arts or anything. I want to start off a little of animation and modeling on my own and have no plans of getting into an arts or animation school now. So how would one exactly go about moving forward?

I have two years now till I complete so I can acquire some skills by the time I finish up. Where and what should I start with? Also how would I be able to get a job? How is the pay these days for people in this industry? Last question: Does getting a degree in Animation or any arts from absolutely required for a job or can I get to a decent level by myself in two years?

Thank you so much.

#2

you can learn your self, try to get some dvd’s for beginner to understand any software you want to study it… you can find some in lynda.com, totaltraining.com, 3dtotal.com …etc… then you can improve your skills by watching some advanced tutorials on youtube and other learning source …

:thumbsup:

#3

Hi I am also in 2nd year computer science now. You should start learning 3D modeling and animation online from Digital Tutors . Try Maya or 3Ds max and start learning Introduction courses from www.digitaltutors.com. Also in this 2 years try to make a good portfolio and work hard for that if you’re really interested in this field.

#4

If you have no interest or education in Art, your Animation will lack a concept.

Its called 3D ARTist, not computerist. You can become a software programmer though.

#5

With all due respect, this is terrible advice. Not only because your perception of 3D being a purely artistic field is very misguided, but also because the OP isn’t saying he has no interest in art, but rather that he doesn’t plan to attend an art school.

To the OP, the best you can do in your current situation would be to check out as many high quality tutorials you can, and to practice a lot. Setting goals for yourself to complete is a good way to learn. Buy books, DVDs, you can learn on your own if you’re willing to invest a little in learning materials and do put in the time required to develop your skills. I do think that two years is very ambitious for someone with no art foundation though; it’s likely to take quite a lot longer than that for you to bring your skills up to an industry level.

#6

I have a child in the industry who has worked on a few projects and is currently working in a big, name studio.

 Having a degree is in my opinion very important for several reasons. First, you never know when a degree will be valuable in the future. Secondly, a degree will give you a strong foundation if it is art/animation and a structured curriculum.
 Third, if you do well, many of the instructors at top art and design schools have industry connections ,which can help you considerably. Also a college program will also expose you to all areas of the animation pipeline,which is very crucial  as I will note below.Finally, a college/art program will expose you to critiques ,which can be very valuable in improving your work. It is hard to improve solely watching videos without feedback.These critiques come from both the instructor and from other students. Watching what other students are doing is also very educational. Working at home on videos won't give you this and many of the other benefits that I described.
 
 Now if you insist on not getting a degree,which I think is a mistake as noted above, there are a number of things you need to know and do.
 
 First, in the 3d computer art field, there are a number of sub-specialties that you might be interested in. You have concept art( which is very art oriented), you have modeling, which also is art oriented, you story boarding,which is very art oriented, and character animation which is very art oriented. You also have a number of other disciplines that are part of the animation pipeline that are  a bit less art oriented but more computer oriented to various degrees such as lighting,rigging,particles and dynamics /special effects, environmental specialists, skinning, post production, programing tools etc. I would suggest that you take videos or courses in each of these subjects to see what area of interest you have. Gnomon has a lot of good videos as does Digital Tutors and other such organizations. Also, taking some foundation courses in color, design, drawing etc. , can also make your overall art work and advanced courses much easier than if you don't have a strong foundation in my opinion.

The problem with the videos though is that you don't get feedback unless you take them as a course that includes instructor feedback. Even with this, you won't get to see the work done' by  the other students.

Bottom line: Yes, you can develop the skills necessary by watching videos and practicing what you learn from professional videos. However, in my opinion, it will be MUCH MUCH harder to do that than attending a school with a tough, structured curriculum. You will need amazing discipline and drive, not to mention a LOT of innate talent. If you don’t want to go through all this, you can get a grad degree in computer graphics/animation and do programming for the studios. They do need good programmers and people to develop tools out of the off the shelf software such as MAYA, Houdini, Zbrush etc.
Hope this helps.

PS majoring in computer science can still get you into a grad program in 3d computer art/animation. I know that SVA and SCAD takes people who didn’t necessarily graduate in an art or design program. HOWEVER, you will need a decent portfolio to show that you have potential.Schools like University of Pennsylvania have grad programs for people with computer science programs to facilitate and expand their computer knowledge into graphic and motion arts. However, this leads solely to a programming type of job if that is what you want.

#7

Finish your degree its a great degree to have and highly sort after to work in visual effects. If you can top that off afterwards with some self study and you can actually show tools you have made to create effects you then go straight to the front of the attractive to hire line.
Even though the jobs can be very creative , they are also highly technical as you need people to write tools to those create those visuals ! . A prime target role for you should be effects TD .

B

#8

A job in the IT or Software industry will suit him better. Is also paid much better.

#9

Not directly related to your question, but being that are in engineering and computer science, you may want to check out the Disney Technology Internships
If you were accepted, such an experience would give you the opportunity to help judge or rethink your current educational choices. Maybe you might find doing technical things in a creative environment/company exciting, or not. Also you would be in a great position to see first hand what kind of supplemental learning you might want to pursue. Good luck.