Future schooling???

[jophus14]

I was just wondering if someone on here might be able to help out. I want to get into the field of a 3D modeler\renderer, but i'm unsure as to what type of schooling i should head into. I currently have an Associate of Art Degree and a Certificate of Animation. Should i go to an art school and continue my animation education or head into an architecture school and learn the foundation of the field from an architectural standpoint? Please help me out. Thanks.................Jophus

[Tim Nelson]

Yeah I would probably take a enty level architecture/drafting class. There you will learn a lot of the terms & methods of architecture. Getting a little drafting experience will really help you when you start getting rendering jobs. If you can't read the plans you won't be able to model it.

 

I was a drafter for several years and then I moved into 3d & rendering. At times, I still have a hard time reading some of the plans they give me, but at least I know its usually because there are mistakes in the drawings.

 

The only schooling I had was about a year & a half of community college courses, and that was enough to get me an entry level drafting job. From there its all about how much work you are willing to put into it.

[DennisHolland]

That's a tough one Jophus,

 

First of all I think there's no clear answer for your question since you've got enough education that gives you a solid basis for your future carreer in 3D. I will try to explain my point of view regarding schooling > 3D modeling/rendering as good or bad as possible.

 

Facts:

You allready have an Arty type of degree so the 'how-to's' in the creative field should be there, don't know in what specific direction your study was but that is not very important as long as they've teached you the fundaments of complementing colours, esthetics and functionality in design itself (customers' wishes etc) You even have an animation study and that's where you are ahead of most 3D visualizers, so there's a solid basis here sofar.

 

Questions:

1- Do you want to get a grasp on the basic rules within' architecture (or do you think it's necessary for you to understand cad-drawings, which is very important especially with the more complex assignments) Then sign up for an extensive 2 year course/school in architecture and engineering.

 

2- On the other hand, do you want to extend your knowledge in design-rules, colourmanagement, postprocessing/compositing renderings and animations? Then go for a follow-up art course or do a couple of years in interior/exterior design. Important thing here is to learn how to handle media and marketing (your 3D production is a marketingtool so the basics of mar-com is very handy) needed for the briefings at your clients place to extend your service and give some input and professionality towards your clients needs.

 

Advice?

I'd say go for a creative/art extension for what schooling matters, combined with the basics in media-management > academy of fine arts for instance and a very important skill in the field is some pragmatic knowledge in marketing/communication. The last one because you're producing a marketingtool and it's only purpose is to reach their target and generate the sales. At last, try to get a grasp on the way your prospects/clients are thinking! It's necessary to at least understand their point of view a bit

 

Hope my input was helpfull. Oh, another thing. Beside skills ambition is very handy now a days but something tells me you've got that allready so don't worry about a thing man...

 

(maybe some things can not be put into the right perspective here, but that is due to my high-school English)

 

Good luck!

Dennis

[jophus14]

Thanks for the fast replies. I am currently enrolled in an intro CAD class that ends next week, plus i just registered for Advanced CAD and 3D Modeling and Rendering for this summer. The only reason i want the 3D modeling class is because we get to use a machine that cuts our images into an actual 3D wax-type model.

 

I was concerned about whether an architectural institute B.S. degree would be a necessity in order to get into the field of modeling & rendering for an architecture firm or other types of an architecture businesses? I plan on attending UIC School of Architecture if accepted, but i don't want to be labeled as an architect. I mean no disrespect to the architects on this forum, but i want to do more of the 3D aspects of the work.

 

If i further my education in animation\media arts itself, then i want to apply at the Illinois Institute of Art here in Chicago. The only problem is.....the student gallery on the website is a joke and i don't want to spend 45K for an education that might hold me back from becoming a better modeler due to not teaching me what i need to know in order to get into the business. I like my work thus far, but i know they need improvements and that comes from trial and error.

 

Would a company that models for architects or firms accept someone like myself with an Associate degree, a certificate, some CAD knowledge and a portfolio or is a Bachelor degree generally needed to get my foot in the door?

[Tim Nelson]

Would a company that models for architects or firms accept someone like myself with an Associate degree, a certificate, some CAD knowledge and a portfolio or is a Bachelor degree generally needed to get my foot in the door?

 

I don't think you need a degree. If you wanted a career in design, then a degree would be good & get you more money, but for the type of work you want to do, the degree wouldn't be necessary. It would of course make you more well rounded and you might be able to take your work to the next level with the more education you have.

 

I have limitations on my abilities, and I wish I could go to school to learn more. So if you have the opportunity, time, & money you should take as much schooling as you can.

 

But get in the door at a firm as soon as you can. There is a shortage of good help and I'm sure they would take you in once you got a little relevent schooling under your belt.

[DennisHolland]

The only problem is.....the student gallery on the website is a joke and i don't want to spend 45K for an education that might hold me back from becoming a better modeler due to not teaching me what i need to know in order to get into the business

Well,...just don't! Spend your time on the development of 3D skils and your money on a cool set of hardware instead of 'art' class. Tim is absolutely right. I don't think a bachelor is needed for the job but 'a great portfolio' instead of 'a portfolio' + the necessary CAD-knowledge to be able to read the projects is very important. Also, schooling is always great when you're in the opportunity to take some classes while you're still young and it is not only for the pragmatic skills, it's also good for inner growth and selfconfidence. Again, it's just what you want to achieve in this field. You also must work on the marketing for yourself and your skills. Model and render yourself a cool portfolio and let them know you're out there!

 

Good luck,

Dennis

[jophus14]

I really do appreciate your responses and I think that I might just hold off on this fall semester until I find out what the summer brings. I want to improve my skills by finishing up some of my WIPs and bulking up my portfolio. Is there any point in putting any CAD work in my portfolio or should i just mention that i'm learning the software through school on my resume? I hear what you are saying as far as selling my work to clients and working on marketing. I am currently in a sales position and have been for some years now, so this may indeed give me an upperhand as far as face-to-face communication on a marketing level. Thanks for your help once again everyone..................Jophus

[DennisHolland]

Well there you go. As far as I can see you're in a comfortable position allready by dealing with sales and marketing right now. That could prevent you from quite a few mistakes that lots of others are making in the first couple of years in the creative business. The point is that being a creative AND a good salesmamager doesn't go along most of the times, strange but true. Since you're in a sales related job right now you probably will be able to deal with the hassling that clients somehow like to pull on creatives while negotiating about the money related side of it all.

 

In short? Being a cool creative guy is one...selling your artwork the proper way to your clients is an even more important item here. I've seen lots of artists with great potential and skills didn't succeed because of a lack of sales-skills and self confidence so keep that in mind Jophus.

 

Maybe you could change 'learning CAD through school' into 'I have an (extensive) knowledge in the production and reading of CAD-drawings'? This because the first rule in sales in that any appology should be avoided

 

Take care,

Dennis