Few questions from a neebie!!

[jamescondliffe]

Hi guys.

 

Names Jimmy, first time post. I have a few questions that I'm hoping some of the professionals can answer for me. I'm currently in the process of changing careers, and wanting to break into the architectural vis sector. I've been in the games industry for the past three years as a 3D artist. I'm extremely confident in the use of 3Ds max, and all the modeling and texturing methods used. I'm confident using mental ray currently teaching myself V-Ray.

 

I want to take a course in arch vis, and been looking at what is on offer here in the UK. There are a few attractive options out there especially around the London area. But my query is whether or not studios will be looking solely at the quality of portfolios, or would taking an academic course such as an MA be beneficial. My concern is that I would be forking out over £6,000 for an MA and could be in no better position landing a job than if I took a short diploma course almost half the price. My experience in the games industry is that studios look mostly at the quality of your portfolio, and care little if you have any postgrad degrees.

 

Obviously I really want to take a course of some description as theres only so much you can learn from online tutorials, and I want to get my head round other pieces of software such as CAD and SketchUp. But any advice you could throw my way would be very much appreciated before I take the plunge.

 

Thanks in advance!

[cg_Butler]

Welcome Jimmy. You've found a great forum here and I hope you enjoy it, find the answers you are looking for and can contribute what you know.

 

It sounds like you've got some of the hard part out of the way.......learning the software. As much as learning 3dsmax or vray on a course is going to be beneficial, in my experience, having work experience under your belt is more beneficial. Studios have their own techniques, find their own shortcuts or ways around problems that these courses don't teach, so learning these tricks of the trade will be useful for you. Perhaps trying to get an internship would be a good option for you? Have you thought about that option?

 

Online courses can be taught in your own time, as you are already and you have shown yourself to be proactive and that's a good start and bodes well for you. I don't know which sites you use but Lynda and digital tutors are two that I have come across to be useful.

 

I've not had any games experience, purely architectural visualization for me, but I suggest you do some Google searching of some architecture, pick something you like and try and replicate it using your skills. Build up a portfolio of renderings and send your CV out to a few companies and see if you can get some work as an intern or a junior. I expect a lot of the techniques you know can be applied to the architectural industry.

[jamescondliffe]

Thanks for the advice Andy. I had considered trying to find an intern or junior position, my idea was to find a position either during or after taking a course. My only worry is that I would be going up against guys that could have fantastic portfolios and possibly having a qualification under my belt would give me an edge. I am finding my experience from the games industry is transferable, especially from the modelling/texturing aspect, so for me its simply a question of getting my head round the many many options in V-ray; which i'm slowly doing. So possibly just getting my head down and producing a new portfolio would be the best/cheapest way to go.

 

Again thank you for the advice .

[cg_Butler]

I think your being realistic and sensible. Maybe over the next couple of weeks to a month get some renderings going and keep teaching yourself. Post your WIP images on here for critique and if you stumble across any problems just ask the forum.

 

PM me too please, I 'd like to have a chat. :-)