The degree poll!
ngon master
because this comes up a lot, I figure it'd be nice to have some numbers and figures to through around even if they are rough.
"Yes and I'm working in videos games or CG, BUT I didn't get a job right after school"
This option if for people that went to school for game design or whatever, and they don't really credit their school for getting them a job, but instead taught themselves for a little while before landing a job... if that makes since.
"Yes and I'm working in videos games or CG, BUT I didn't get a job right after school"
This option if for people that went to school for game design or whatever, and they don't really credit their school for getting them a job, but instead taught themselves for a little while before landing a job... if that makes since.
Replies
I worked as a freelance designer all the way through uni, and still do. I do take simulation art, game art and some music contracts, also.
I went for the second poll option. Seemed to fit me the best.
not sure how this is relevant to the poll though. But yeah this happened to me because I moved back to Europe....guess this applies to everyone who puts "Freelance" into their resume right after college
You shouldn't of explained this choice, especially like this. I woulda ticked that option without your explanation, but now I don't want to because my uni does deserve credit.
Also by including this option, it makes it look like the top option implies that you got a job right after school.
Need a "Yes and I'm working in videos games or CG, BUT I didn't get a job right after school, BUT I wouldn't of had this career if I didn't go to uni"
Back in 2000, i genuinely think the varied degree helped me to get my first job for a "proper" studio, cos the art director was/is a RIGHT ponce and is turned on by that sort of thing.
Even if you went, let's say VFS, you still need to make a good reel, show a good personality, get past the interviews, etc. A school can maybe get you in touch with some places, but it's still all about YOU (your art, your personality, your experience) and not your school as to which you can give credit for getting a job.
It wont get you a job, but it will help you become a better artist.
My option was "No and I'm working in videos games or CG".I'v been studying by my myself, while in school for a coupleof yers. Then I did one year at UNI studying interntaional affairs and international economy just not to be taken to the army. And to study a bit more. And after a year I dumped it and got myself a job.
..... still no gig
:poly103:
The other thing that I really learned from college was how to receive and give helpful, constructive criticism.
So I took art classes and worked on mods.
I've been working for:
3 years (next month) as an animator
1 year as an env artist
5 years IT/tech support/QA
You'll need drive, passion and skill regardless of which ever path you take.
Im a bachelor of Multimedia Design and got a job in the industry. My degree didnt get me a job, everything I learned while I was getting my degree did!
This.
My feeling is it's 90% the determination and talent of the artist that gets them a games job. Schooling only helps you shape what's there already.
Oddly enough, I had almost no training in web design and development when I was in college. But then, I also had almost no training in 3D modeling and CGI. And of course, I had no training in coding. (yet that is my primary job function at the moment)
I would still recommend college, I just wouldn't recommend an expensive game-specific college. I attended a liberal arts college, and I learned a great deal about a wide array of subjects. Even though most of it was not directly applicable to game development, all of it was interesting, and potentially useful. Uber-priced degrees focused on narrow subjects aren't worth the cost. A more generalized degree for a reasonable price, with ample opportunities for scholarships...that's the way to go.
Although, I got my job through a referral from Vassago here at Polycount. So networking fer teh win. I don't credit my school for getting me my job at all though. They gave me the most basic of tools and I had to learn most of it on my own at Polycount U.
School loans should be paid off in a couple months and I can look forward to having that beast off my back.
And I work in the games industry for a good few years now, so I'm with EricChadwick. If you can do it and you really want to do it and you keep trying to do it, you might just do it.
I later did a 9 month 3d certificate program.
I am currently an art lead with a predominant focus on environments. Been working in games nearly ten years.
Was the degree worth the $75 grand? Hell no, but did learn quite a bit. As for the job offer I have now, that is thanks to a very dedicated teacher and the help of his networking.
I left the course a year early (forfeited the "BA Hons" for the plain "BA"... didn't want to spend the time/money on it), and went straight into work in games.
Contacts and lots of practice were more useful to me when getting a job than my degree was. That said, if I ever wanted to work abroad (Canada or USA especially) then the degree will probably help a lot!
Ironically, right after I got declined, I got a job as character artist
...how...old are you????
Honestly though, I kinda got a gig going now for an Iphone game after working with some interesting people at the GGJ, but we'll see where that leads me.
well if you got the job without the degree I figure "No and I'm working in videos games or CG" would be the most accurate.
Its a place where you go pay shtload of money to learn whatever you are able to learn on your own.....*blink blink*
Seriously now. My thoughts with 2 cents here:
I have been getting calls from VFS and AOD for sometime now. Although; their offerings of 3d animation and game development courses are really catchy, but whatever they are teaching is what I have been learning on my own and can learn on my own further more.
Since I am the Software Engineer and wish to persue the same line as what I am. It will help me further on in terms to create my own custom made game engine (blocks of code written in C++ for D3D, which is what I have been learning on my own at the moment.) and will help me impliment the scenes and characters for the game. UDK is what I will learn when I will want to work in the gaming environment. (I know many people here just yell at me like always in terms of directions...not that drag and drop type of guy here <.<)
Moral of the story:
I'd rather pay 20-26k to have my IT degree, than 40k to learn 3ds max, 3d maths, UDK, game arts, game story writing, Project 1, Project 2 with business ethics, loads of electives and so on. What I can learn on my own. These 40k instences are easy to learn if you are a core gamer and wish to learn how to make them.
So whilst all you folks that claim that you dont need a degree, you can learn it on your own etc - no game company is going to sidestep immigration for you.
Even if your the best artist on the planet, if your without schooling / degree, your chances of relocating are severly reduced.
You all know and love Marko Djurdjevic dont you ? Even he had massive problems getting into the US.
Art Skill Versus Immigration.... Round 1 ... FIGHT... you loose.
HEED MY WARNING!
University in Canada is many orders of magnitude less expensive than the US ('cause we're a bunch of commies!) so it's harder to consider it a waste. I made business connections, made friends, got some more breadth of education, occasionally picked up useful knowledge, and had an excuse to mooch from my parents long enough to start a successful business.
I guess, looking at it that way, my degree is pretty awesome.
I noticed even with the degree, Tier 1 requirements for the UK are insanely difficult to build up enough points if you are over 30 years old or so. Age has some factor over there.
Luckily I live in the USA and have Canadian citizenship, so I got options even without a degree :P
But outside the USA it's probably best to get a degree.
Well, That is one of the Major Advantage to be in NorthAmerica! You are able to relocate accross the border on work permit OR go live there as long as you want, Canada to USA and wiseversa.
EDIT: There is an alternative for non-NA's(I am not sure if anyone tried it but...)
You can come on student visa, take a 2 year worth of 3d animation or game design or any CG course and make your portfolio on the side, or start working for free.
But thats hell lotta risky, and costs soo much money. =\