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BiGJoN · Posted: Sat Oct 20, 2001 9:19 pm

Okay. I am at a crossroads in my life right now... I am at the wonderful stage of university. I realise that these questions have probably been asked, but I want to get a more direct response (maybe some guidance from some Aussie pros out there, please!). I'm 18, I'm Australian, and starting to get doubts as to whether or not I could complete my dream of becoming a game artist. I just need some guidance from the pros. So here goes with the learners' questions.

How am I proceeding in relation to the professionals in the crowd (I am 18 remember and have had no formal training besides high school, some links down the bottom)?
Whats the average age of professional artists out there?
Is doing a visual arts degree the way to go, or should I go with commercial design? I am currently doing a general computing degree, its not what I wanted though.
When do I start sending out port-folios?

Okay, well my mate just showed up so I am gonna leave it at that. I am eager for a response.

[edit] I forgot the art... Damn.
www.stormpages.com/gamingvision/image/Scott.htm

www.stormpages.com/gamingvision/dragon.htm

[ October 21, 2001: Message edited by: BiGJoN ]

[ October 21, 2001: Message edited by: BiGJoN ]

daz199 · Posted: Sat Oct 20, 2001 9:23 pm

post some of your work

BiGJoN · Posted: Tue Oct 23, 2001 4:46 pm

Arts up... please help me out. Time before choosing next years stuff is disappearing fast.

Jason Manley · Posted: Tue Oct 23, 2001 5:13 pm

see the post about courses to learn digital art.

take a foundation art course of study..

the courses listed are in the other post...if the program has LOTS of courses like that then you are ok.

j

roundeye · Posted: Tue Oct 23, 2001 5:44 pm

personaly, i dropped out of art college after less than a year. in my experience, a good portfollio is most important to get your foot in the door. after that happens, then experience is the most important. none of the companies i worked for (the full range of design) cared that i didnt have a degree. they didnt even want a resume. oh and i started lookin for work at 20. but at the end of the day, everyone is different, and just because school wasnt for me, dosent mean thats the case for everyone. its very personal. but most of the shit they teach you you can learn on your own if youre dedicated!

Jason Manley · Posted: Tue Oct 23, 2001 7:13 pm

roundeye...

while that path worked for you...which is just fine...it is not the path I would reccomend for most.

BigJon....Studying in groups with your peers and some decent instructors will teach you things like color theory, well rounded idea development, visual composition etc... not to mention that you will be able to be critiqued (without getting upset) and see others perspectives on a regular basis...Working on your own is completely respectable. Without that, even a good school can not help you.

It is not the school that will help you the most...tis you...but if a student is in an environment every single day with other artists and instructors who can provide answers to the many questions they have then that student will be better off. period.

I can tell whether a person has a traditional art education just by looking at their portfolio. Talent is a must to get a good job...but Ive seen talent fail when it doesnt have a strong foundation.

some people are not meant to go to art school..some people learn better on their own...but I do think that EVERYONE benefits from spending time with other artists on a full time basis. For most people fresh out of High School going off to study art in college is the only way to do so.

Personally...I would rather hire and or work with someone who has good education than not...but that is just my opinion.

A good education does NOT mean a degree.

I learned a hundred times more from others than from on my own..but I am just that way.

jason manley

[ October 23, 2001: Message edited by: Jason Manley ]

StrangeFate · member Member # Joined: 20 Feb 2000 Posts: 199

Well, like roundeye said, most companies won't care if you even can write, all what matters are the skills.

An art degree or anything the like sure won't help you get a job.
If you take some art courses then please for learning out of them, not for the degree.

You can gain experience in the games community working on free projects and such. It's A LOT harder to get a job without any experience like that.
You have to keep in mind that there are hundreds of jobless pros out there with years of experience and a filled portfolio, you have to outdo those.

If you have some talent and a portfolio filled with on topic in game art then it should be all fine.

BiGJoN · Posted: Fri Oct 26, 2001 5:18 pm

...hmmm I am still undecided as to what I am doing next year. But thanks for the feedback.

How am I going for an 18 year old anyways...???

edit:: okay okay. From my experience with high school art, I don't want to end up spending most of time doing art that won't really count in the long run. I don't want to be forced to do abstract art that kind of stuff, that isn't really game based. Is this a reasonable assumption?

[ October 26, 2001: Message edited by: BiGJoN ]