Masters in Architectural/computer visualization

[vru]

Hi

I am an Architect from India. I am in US for the past two years. I have knowledge of AutoCAD and 3D studio Max. I have been looking for a job in US but with no luck so far.

I am interested in Architectural Visualization and have got admission for Masters program in Architectural / computer visualization at Mississippi state University. But I am very concerned about the cost of Education. The tuition fees is above ten thousand dollars. I wonder whether I will be able to earn back the money?

I would highly appreciate if you can give me some information about the value of this degree. Whether it will help me in getting a job and how is the salary in this feild?

Thank you

[Sawyer]

Masters program at 10k per year sounds pretty good for schooling in america. I paid 3x that for what I studied & I never made a cent at that (no I will not say what I studied in school).

 

Can you make $? Yes. Will you be rich? probably no but you will make $. One of the architects I work with I believe brings in around 60k per year. He has 16 years exp - 8 being an architect.

 

Hope that helps

[John Dollus]

If you are looking at a Masters of visualization, you need to take a careful look at the program.

How long has the Masters program been available?

Where are past graduates working and is it within the field?

Does the faculty support published research?

What is the graduation rate?

 

Also, a Masters of Architecture is very different than a Masters of Visualization. To become an architect, you need an accredited program. For a visualization artist, you need a computer.

[mbr]

Yes, look really closely at the classes. I've got a Masters in Arch from UCLA, where the computer animation/multimedia department was right next door and we had 0 classes in visualization and only one in 3D (I agree with that, though, as you don't need to render to be a good architect, I would actually think this could hurt you).

 

Honestly, all that I've learned about 3D is self taught with the help of books and tutorials. You don't need a degree to do good work. Just learn the programs and research on sites like this and you'll be fine. Spend the $10k on a really sweet computer, get some programs, and lotsa time looking through magazines, reading, and researching. Start building a library with the 1000s of free goodies all over the place on line (it's really great of so many people to share so much - makes life easier, and cheaper .

 

Much depends on what you already know, though. Can you read blue prints well? Do you know what a mullion is? And so on.

 

My 2cents. Something to think about.

[Dan J]

I agree with most everyone else, though you really need to decide what it is you want to get out of the master degree and your career.

I'm kind of in the same boat as you as I have been trying to decide which way to go after working in this industry for awhile.

-If you want to me a licensed architect and your 4 year arch degree won't work here in the states, then you will certainly need the M Arch degree and you will have several universities to choose from. Or you can work in the field for X # of years under a registered/licensed architect, depending on the state of course.

-If you just want to pick up the skill or get better at it then definitely just get a computer, the software and a good training book and work at it.

-If you want to use your background in architecture and use your visualization skills in other industries- film, TV, Game, Web (probably making more $ than in architecture) you just need the computer, a fantastic portfolio and a lot of blood, sweat and tears to get the work. Though if you feel you still need to get your master in this area of visualization check out this link through Carnegie Mellons program-

http://etc.cmu.edu/about/similar_programs.htm

 

I hope this helps a little.

 

Good luck

[vru]

I am very glad to receive your responses.

My position as of now is that I am on H4 visa which makes me ineligible to work in the USA. I need H1 visa sponsorship to work. Till now I could not find an employer who is willing to sponsor my H1 visa in the feild of architecture. But since my Green Card is also going on I am expecting my Employment Authorization Doccument (EAD) in about 8 months.

One reason for not getting a job is lack of US education ...that is what I felt. I have a 5 year B.Arch degree from India.

 

Masters in Architecture would have been definitely a better option but as of today I have got admission into Masters of Architectural Visualization. I want to get a job after getting my Green Card. Either (option 1) I can practice at home and wait till I get EAD ...then search for a job OR (option 2) I can get this degree in the meanwhile. And i feel that doing this course might help me. Since i am not going to get EAD for another 8 months.

 

I am trying to know what will improve my chances of employment.

 

Since I am new to the feild I would like to have your opinion on the subjects in the program. The courses are Digital Design I,II , Architect and the Internet, Story Telling in Computer Animation, Interactive Multimedia Author and Elective credits may be used to pursue the animation sequence in the Art Department, courses in Computer Science and/or Computational Engineering.

 

The students who completed the program are working in the feild of visualisation some are in architectural firms doing architectural visualisation.

 

Here is the program link. http://www.sarc.msstate.edu/programs/grad/grad-program.html

[Sawyer]

I gotta say that if you have the time & $ go to school. I took a quick look at the courses and they look great if that is what you want to do. If you are just trying to kill time till you get any job then go to a community college for $11 per unit. Quite honestly my experiance has been that arch firms are so hungry for drafters who know their stuff that you should be able to get work.

 

But regardless - your shool exp will knock you up a pay bracket when the time comes. A masters in Basket Weaving will look better than without.

 

Down side - This is a simular problem that I have seen a bit in this field:

 

A friend of mine graduated with his archi degree in the mid 90's. Five years of shool and he said they only had him take one computer course, so when he came out with his degree he was great at drafting on the table but he never saw one again and only worked at cad. I think the idea was that the school didn't want to train you on a program but at drafting. I guess something simular could happen to you - you could in theory learn maya at school but then go looking for a job and end up working at a place that uses form-z. Not the end of the world but it could be frustrating.

 

Just some ideas.

[kid]

Personally, I'd rather spent the time and money doing Fine Art, with a major in Illustration, or 3d Animation or something.

 

I can learn to use computer programs in my own time.

[mbr]

A good school is essential for learning to design or furthering your artistic abilities. Creativity is simply something that needs nurturing and guidance to mature. If this is what you hope to gain, school is the only choice.

Art school works, too, if you aren't interested in actual 'architecture', and may even be more beneficial to train your eye, esp. with your background.

 

All the technical stuff, like Max, ACAD, etc., can all be learned by buying books and going through tutorials - ie anyone can learn them, but not anyone can make 'art'.

[Richard McCarthy]

Personally, I agree with KID on this. Do a BFA with a solid grounding on traditional art is better than a Master of Arch in VIZ/CG. The "master of arch" is just a title really. I have been through some CG degree and I find what you learn at school you can learn almost all online for free. The school only provide some "creative guidance", which I view as sometimes harmful, sometimes benefitial to a CG artist. Too many times I see graduate of CG degree all come out and do the most "chic" rendering style/theme of the time....

(for now, it's GI and NPR with spaceship..LOL)

To be an true artist, you have to be "unique" and go against the trend basically, and invent something new.

 

 

-RM

[Crazy Homeless Guy]

Originally posted by vru:

I am very glad to receive your responses.

My position as of now is that I am on H4 visa which makes me ineligible to work in the USA. I need H1 visa sponsorship to work. Till now I could not find an employer who is willing to sponsor my H1 visa in the feild of architecture. But since my Green Card is also going on I am expecting my Employment Authorization Doccument (EAD) in about 8 months.

i have a friend that was late re-filing for his visa extension, and wound up having to go back to hong kong for a year. he has 2 months to go. we were talking one time about the firms we chose to work in. he said that he likes working for a larger firm better. larger firms tend to have a human resource department that is willing to work with you. they have been through the visa thing before, so they are familiar with the process, what they need to do, and what you need to do. smaller firms may not have this knowledge, so they may be a little more relucatant to hire you. opting for an easy hire, even if he is not as qualified as yourself. i don't know if that helps, but if you are still considering a job it might.

 

as for school... i agree with most that was said. studying design/art/architecture theory is infinetly more important than learning tech skills. the majority of peoplecan be taught a skill (maya/formz/max, ect...), but understanding the theory behind what you are creating and how to control and manipulate it takes someone a little more special. when you study this in school you are surrounded by like minded individuals who are interested in grasping a similar thing.