Graduation in architectural visualization

[Hedayet]

Hi,

I completed my B.Arch in June, 2008. Now I am working in a consultancy firm. I started architectural visualization as part of the design process, it was like a hobby. But now I become a professional visualization artist. Most of the time in my office i am working on modeling and rendering rather than design or drawing. I also started working as freelancer (working after office time). I learned 3ds max & Vray by myself (online tutorials and help files).

 

Now I want to build my career in this field. I want to be a professional. I need some academic background. So I decided to graduate in this field. I searched many universities in USA, but I found very few architectural visualization program. Here is the list:

 

01. Texas A and M university - Master of science in visualization science

02. University of Southern Mississippi - Architecture & Construction visualization

03. Catholic University of America - Master of architectural studies

 

So I need some advice and guidelines, may be there are many other programs in this field in USA.

[Nic H]

go to artschool. learn to draw/paint/photograph/motion graphics/illustration/ sculpture etc.

 

basically architectural vis is like drafting for the most part, so try (as hard as it is) to treat it like artwork.

[Devin Johnston]

I don't know about the other two programs but the A&M program is more for people who are looking to work in the film industry.

[Hedayet]

I found 2 more program,

 

04. Cornell University - Master of Science

05. Texas Tech University - Master of Science

 

Right, some programs are more film oriented and some are game, there are very few programs really focused on architectural visualization i did not expect this situation.

[Crazy Homeless Guy]

I still find it hard to believe that schools offer degrees in arch viz. I always considered this an intense hobby, that turned into an addiction.

[Hedayet]

i can't agree with you. arcviz is another profession just like architecture, landscape architecture, urban design. it not only require some skills but also artistic quality. as long as i know there was a time when art/architecture were not taught in schools, they were learned by working with professionals. even landscape architecture, urban design, interior design were not separate profession. but in time they came out as branches, why not arcviz

[Jeff Mottle]

i can't agree with you. arcviz is another profession just like architecture

 

I'm with you on that one. People go to art school all the time, arch viz is no different except you require art school, as well as a heap load of technical skills ranging from network administration to technical software use, photography, film making etc.

[Crazy Homeless Guy]

Yes, I am corrected in that there is a lot to know and to learn how to do well. But part of me is impressed that there are degrees available specifically for arch viz.

[Justin Hunt]

Here is OZ there are TAFE courses for arch viz which seem quite good. A friend is doing one and is quite pleased with the programe.

 

jhv

[Hedayet]

thanks justin hunt, but i m not planing to study in Australia.

 

I found 2 more program:

06. Pennsylvania state university - Master of architecture

07. Mississippi state university - Master of science in architecture

 

any one know anything about these program please inform me.

[BrianKitts]

I don't think viz degrees have been around long enough to really mean a lot. Once there's an acredidation for those degrees than I might put more faith in it. If someone graduates from the local community college with a "rendering degree" there's a chance that it might not really mean much.

 

Getting yourself enough entry level experience to get hired at a good firm where you're paid to work for 4 years instead of paying to learn for 4 years will probably give you a far better hiring quality than a university "viz" degree.

 

In this field it's really about your portfolio and what you can do, but if I get two applicants one who has a degree in architectural visualization and one with a resume sporting time working in high-level rendering firm (insert your favorite .... neoscape, spine3d, hayes d, uniform, neighborhood, squint opera, or whatever ernest is calling his outfit these days...... ) ....then I'm probably going to lean towards the guy with the real experience.... this of course all dependent on the economy rebounding and we all get to start hiring again

Edited August 6, 2009 by BrianKitts

[Aaron2004]

You would be better off getting your foot in the door with a small firm with self education than waste 4 years in school. Education is incredibly important, but I feel like a lot of people I went to school with felt that the diploma would be their ticket to a job in Arch Viz. I'm only 4 years out of school and now the only thing that mentions my degree on my resume/portfolio is where I got it from and my GPA, everything else is experience.

 

Software and even just fads in the viz business change too quickly for a curriciulmn to adjust to. Sketchup may be a better choice in some cases, but the school already put thousands of dollars into MAX, so they are going to stick to that. Not saying that's a bad thing, but it's not as well rounded as you may think. Professors are going to be slower to learn new software to the point of teaching you it. Slow students hold you back in class. Some classes are not at all what you want. You'll learn mentalray, but your business will use VRAY (or visa versa).

 

If you wanted to go to school, focus more on art. Heck, just take a few evening art classes while you keep your job. Art concepts never change-software does.