What now??

[rounsy]

I am currently a junior undergrad architecture major at Miami University (Ohio). I realized, about last year, that I didn't want to go on to my masters and become a practicing architect. As I went through the major, and different classes, I became much more interested in the computer graphic aspects of architecture.

 

I would like to go into visualization and maybe even animation. I've heard stories of architecture majors going on to work in animation and movies. That's one thing I would love to do. I've only been able to work with Form-Z so far. (I should be able to work with CATIA, 3dsmax, and maya this year or next.) After I graduate next year, however, I dont know what I should do. Anyone here that was in a similar situation?

 

I've briefly looked into computer art grad school, but other than that, Im not sure what to do after I graduate...Any help and suggestions, or just your educational details if they pertain, would be appreciated...thanks

 

p.s. - forgot to just say hi, and hoefully this will be the first post of many on this site...

 

Rounsy

[rounsy]

No advice ???

[AJLynn]

Learning more software (Max helps a lot) and putting together a portfolio would be a good start - take advantage of your time in school and the access that gives you to cheap software, computer labs and a community of people who know what they're doing to position yourself. Also, I've found that a lot of architects like hiring student interns to do their 3D work (we're cheaper than most professionals) and a lot of them are easily impressed by beginner-level work, so you might be able to get some experience and practice over the summer that way.

[Tim Saunders]

I guess it depends on exactly what you want to do. If you think renderings and architectural animations and flythoughs, my advice is quit school once you get your bachelors. I was in a similar situation, but I realized my passion for archviz far sooner quit after my associates. It seems what sells you the most in this business is your portfolio, not your degrees. Spend every waking moment making the best portfolio you can and improve your skills in artistic areas as well as modeling and speed. However if you want to make the shift more towards film, maybe Chris Nichols would be a good one to chat with. Film may be more interested in education credentials than the strictly architectural world is. I don't ave any ties to know what the film people are looking for. Good luck.

[Brian Cassil]

Anyone here that was in a similar situation?

 

Lot's of us! Christopher Nichols is "one of those architects who now works in special effects" guys and you can find him trolling around the forums here from time to time. He may be able to give you much better advice than I can. However, if you are serious about FX, then the advice I will give is to definetly go and get more schooling that focuses on that. The reason is you will learn the necessary skills (not just technical skills, but artistic as well) much, MUCH faster then doing it solo. I believe florida has a few good schools for this as well, but I'm not really familiar with any of the schools back east.

[rounsy]

Thanks for the responses, guys...and Chris, if you are around, I would love your advice...

 

As for grad schools, I have been looking at DePaul's M.S. in computer graphics and animation program...Im sure its a long shot, but anyone been through that program?

 

Also, I've briefly looked at Rochester Institute of Tech., Clemson, Drexel, Emerson, Purdue, Ball State. These just came up in looking at a grad school search website...

 

Again, thanks for the responses, and keep them coming...

 

rounsy

[Christopher Nichols]

Yeah I am here... Learn a lot, and be very patient. It may take you years before you get your first chance into VFX. Archviz is a great place to start and learn, and to be honest, I have seen things in Archviz that is the envy of VFX. GI is one of them.

 

It may be wierd, but it is a lot like actors trying to get into the movies. If you are really serious, start looking for architecture jobs in an area where there are VFX, it makes it easier to be available when the time is right. There are many short term gigs (2 weeks to 4 months). There are VFX companies in places like Los Angeles, San Fran, or London. Look at the boards, read a lot of internet news and gossip, and look for job postings.

 

But before you do that, and if you are really serious about VFX, learn Maya. I would learn 3dsmax for archviz AND Maya. Learning both is getting easier as they are both are getting similar to eachother.

 

Also try to figure out what you want to specialize in. Modeling, lighting, animation, compositing, FX, etc...

[Sketchrender]

God forgive me saying this , but to me, to study architecture for 5 -7 years and then go in to 3D arch viz , I think is a shame.

 

Why spend all that time studing and learning to design only to get to model and render somebody elses work.

I am a arch technician, who dose arch viz, so I knew what i was getting in to.

It is difficult enought to get in to architecture in ireland.

There are no part-time courses, so to get in you are doing well.

 

I would love to do it , but the life , ie morgage family come first, over everything.

 

It is always good to have 3D as an extra string in your bow, and to know what to ask for when you are getting work done.

 

phil

[Christopher Nichols]

God forgive me saying this , but to me, to study architecture for 5 -7 years and then go in to 3D arch viz , I think is a shame.

 

I agree... I was a good designer when I left architecture school. But when I got a job, I was too valuable as a 3d guy (which I guess to them was harder to find) than a designer (whuich was a dime a dozen). I never had a chance to get out of that role. So I when the right opportunity came along, I left...

[Ernest Burden III]

Why spend all that time studing and learning to design only to get to model and render somebody elses work.

 

To spend all that time studying and learning. Anything. Higher education is as much about self-enrichment as learning something specific. Or so I'm told, I never had the opportunity to go to college. I had to go straight to work, and architectural visualization was the easiest work to get. Now I'm being looked at for teaching posts at design schools. But I'll never be able to go back and do what you're doing now.

 

No point in learning meaningless skills, certainly. But design school should not be looked at as a waste of time even if you go right into arch-vis and VFX.

[rmoore97]

Ryan, you may want to check out the ACCAD program at Ohio State, since you're in the area.

http://accad.osu.edu

Randy

[Brian Cassil]

I never had a chance to get out of that role.

 

I did get the chance early in my career... and HATED it! I'm sure that for some people, mulling over codes and details, sorting out isues with contractors and consultants, and having the life sucked out of you over a building that has no design merit is an ok thing. I couldn't handle it and so here I am doing viz and being VERY happy with it! Plus, I'll let you in on a little secret... the pay is better. True, you probably won't advance into ownership positions in arch firms, but viz firms are growing all over the place.

[Brolloks]

Ryan

 

Nothing you learn is a waste. I went through the motions of an Architecture degree as well and realised it's not what I want to do. It is important though not to quit without that little piece of paper that says you did it. Having that piece of paper can often mean a slightly higher notch in salary. Having a knowledge of construction and design principles helps a lot in interpreting sketches and other peoples ideas.

 

Get to grips with software and spend as much time as possible on it.

[rounsy]

ACCAD looks really cool, and exactlty the kind of things i want to do...Would you guys recommend trying to apply to a place like ACCAD right after my bachelors in architecture, or trying to get an internship in a graphics firm first, and then going to grad school? Would I need to have had an internship to even get into a cg grad school like ACCAD? obviously I need to do more research, but what would you guys say? thanks again for the responses...

 

rounsy

[Paul Griger]

Hey Rounsy,

There are people who gain success in the field sans a degree, and I applaud them for the talent and tenacity that they must posses to break into the field. But generally speaking, a college education and sticking things out until you get your 4 year degree could not be considered a waste IMO.

I am in the unique position of being a full-time Architectural student in his Freshman year at age 34. I have almost 20 years experience in the design/build field, but never immersed myself in college to become qualified as an Architect.

Why am I doing this?

There are quite a few reasons, but I think the following two would be relevant to you regardless of the field you decide to pursue:

- NETWORKING: You will meet more people who have similar interests as you, including Professors, who will become valuable contacts for you in the future. This will be especially true if you immerse yourself in relevant student organizations that cater to your field.

- SUBMITTING to the PROCESS: By wholeheartedly submitting yourself and exposing yourself to the process of college, in my opinion something “clicks” inside yourself that you can’t get anywhere else. You find there maybe classes, professors, students or projects that you don’t like, but by forcing yourself [and paying $]to be in that environment, you learn valuable lessons about life in general.

In regards to the Viz field, I would say that learning to create art in traditional media would put you steps ahead of the competition. Whenever I see people here [like Ernest] or others on CG Talk who are skilled in traditional art methods, it seems that regardless of what software package they use that their work has a certain professional look that is a step [and more] above the rest. Just my personal observation and opinion.

FWIW, I am taking traditional art classes to improve my own skills in this area because I know that I dreadfully lack the needed skills. I have attended Mike Lin’s seminar [“be woose”, “I’m not finished yet” and “if you don’t like me, go to hell”] and am taking a Watercolor Painting course this semester. Fun!

Good luck with your future endeavors!

~ Paul