I''m going to a school in Daytona Beach called the Advanced Technology Center. My major will be Digital Media. For our Senior project we have to do a self-promotion peice of any kind. Preferably in the direction of our intended career. I want to do 3d animation for videogames. My first thought was to design a videogame box (in Photoshop, because that''s what we use in class. But my teacher said that that''s too obvious. Any suggestions? Keep in mind I don''t know any animation, just Photoshop, and, later this year, Ilustrator. Thanks for any help.

Please help.

If you want to become an animator for games, then I would suggest learning animation. And quickly if you''re a senior.

A senior project that just consists of making a video game box certainly is''nt much (unless I''m confusing this with a college level school). Many majors require you to do long research papers, and the art school at my university requires graduates to make art work based on what they''ve learned, and should be professional quality.

Think of what games are: interactive, games, escape from reality. That should give a starting point on what you want to depict.

Animation is not just something you "pick up" when the challenge is thrown at you. It must be studied, and it must be practiced ... hard! I am a computer animation student. I''m currently putting together my demo reel, so I''m doing many animations. But it''s not nearly enough. Computer animation is the ideal marriage of Art and Science. There is alot involved.

My advice to you is to begin animating. Look for Milkshape, Anim8tor, or any number of other free or quite cheap animation programs. Apparently you''re only being taught in the 2D realm right now, which means you''ll probably be a bit overwhelmed by all the pre-work that goes into an animation even BEFORE you can begin to animate (modeling, rigging, etc). 3D is a beast.

But on that note... I would also recommend doing standard 2D animations. Paper and pencil. Computer animation is just a ''new'' medium by which to apply all the standard animation principles. You must understand animation before you can do it (do it well, at least). Learn principles and techniques on paper .. where they can be "played with" and tested more quickly than you can do on the computer.

But, for your project: ... If you still want to stick to only Photoshop and 2D work. I recommend you create and draw a character. A REAL character (not stickman). And show him in a number of dynamic poses. Both action shots, and ones that express emotion for that character. This is a very good beginning for trying to go into Animation.

Best of luck,
-Veo

Animations need:
a) A animator
b) A 3d Modelling
c) a 2d drawing (texturer)

If you managed 2d but 3d then you logically must push in textures process. In fact, making the textures can be more importat that animator or 3d modelling.

No, this isn''t a college level school, students range from high school juniors to adults looking to follow up on earlier education. Although it is a college level class, I''m actually a high school senior. But I do agree that a videogame box isn''t much. Thanks for the advice so far. If anyone else is willing to join in, feel free to help. Thanks for any more in advance.