Computer Science

Quote:

Original post by sereal_killa If I'm interested in programming and making 3D art (involving 3D applications like Maya), will a degree in Computer Science be the answer?

Yes to "programming", no to "making 3D art". (At least in the case of my CS degree).

Geoff

Well, that depends on what the question is. A degree in computer science will not focus on art, 3D or otherwise.

If you just want to do this as a hobby (hint: you just want to do this as a hobby), then you don't need to major in anything. You just need practice, and maybe some reference books so you can teach yourself useful bits of theory. Assuming you're currently in college, odds are decent that you can take at least some classes that are part of the computer science major without actually majoring in computer science, which will help with implementation troubles. 3D rendering and the like tends to be "deeper" into the major, but then again, it also has relatively little to do with creating 3D models; that's an art thing, and I've no idea what prerequisites there might be.

In general, if you like doing something, keep doing it and you'll get better. You don't need to major in anything. Formal training can help - quite a bit in the more technical realms, in fact - but it's not required.

Ok but what if I'm actually serious in doing 3D computer art as a job in the gaming industry? What do you suggest I do?

You could go to an art school and study art, they should have courses in 2d and 3d art teaching you how to use those programs.

Another other option, I don't know if they have them in your area, there's tons around where I live though, is private colleges where they teach you how to do art for gaming.

http://www.artinstitutes.edu/

Most of the artists in the industry that I've worked with have gone to that school.

*edit* I should note that they were smaller indy game companies with 60-70 people, the current company I work for a lot of the artists have come from the film industry but we do have a couple AI people there.

I thought Art schools did not offer a well rounded education?

Well I guess it would depend on what you wanted to be. Did you want to become an artist?

If so I would say an art school would be a good place to go to develop your skills as an artist and build your portfolio.


*edit* I just re-read your original post. You need to choose whether you want to be an artist or a programmer, you can always do both, but one will always be a hobby while the other one will be a profession.

Quote:

Original post by sereal_killa If I'm interested in programming and making 3D art (involving 3D applications like Maya), will a degree in Computer Science be the answer?

There are so many factors involved with this sort of question, but here are some of my suggestions/questions:

- Are you right-brained (e.g. artistic) or left-brained (e.g. analytical)? If you have a natural bent toward one of these topics, you might consider formally learning the other in school where you can have more personalized mentoring.

- In the area in which you live, which of the two professions is in higher demand in the job market? No sense in investing money into a program which will offer you skills that are in surplus in your area.

- Have you considered speaking with a career counselor from a respected institution? They may be able to help you identify your aptitude, and help you decide which option would be best given your personality.

Good luck in your endeavors! If I had to do it all over again, I would have majored in graphic arts in school, and learned programming on my own (as I've done post-scholastic-enrollment anyways), but that's just me. Choose the path which best suits your aspirations.

As a general correlation in the industry:

1) 3D artists do not know how to program
2) programmers do not know how to make 3D art

There are exceptions but that's the general case. They are almost completely different domains of knowledge: one directed at ordered analytical thought, the other at creative art.

Other than that both appear in games and have influence over each other, they have nothing in common: they would be completely different majors in college, probably sharing exactly zero courses in common.

-me