On the right track?

[tonyd927]

Hey all, Im sure this has been posted a million times but I just wanna ask a few questions.

I am interested, ok scratch that, I really want to be involved in the game design process. Im not sure which one I like more: environment artist, modeler, or map designer.
I mostly model vehicles, weapons, buildings, terrain and props..things of that nature.

Im actually not sure which does what.

Traditionally speaking I think my drawings are ...ehh..sub-par. Not good but not bad either. Will this prevent me from moving forward?

3D speaking I have pretty well experience with 3ds Max, Lightwave 3d and Gmax. Not too much experience with Maya, again will this hinder me?

Photoshop Ive actually learned quite a bit of skills from school, mostly photo editing and manipulation.

In terms of education, I am a current student at a community college for graphics and design in 3d animation classes. After I graduate in spring 2013 I plan on going to Quinnipiac in Hamden, CT since they now as of fall 2012 offer a Bachelor's in Game Design.
Am I headed the right direction in the game industry or am I just shooting in the dark?

Thanks for any words of advice or encouragement!

[Valerien]

The closest job to game design in your list is level designer, which may involve some scripting depending of the firm you're working in. Nowadays you don't see that many modeler opportunities, the clivage is often placed between environments and organic creations.

You don't really to draw in order to become a LD, diagrams are likely to be sufficient and coding notions can help. On the other hand, a character or environment artist can be asked to design his work from the ground up (ubisoft works this way for example), and on AAA titles you'll need to be able to show detailed ideas on paper to your art/creative director.

If you want to become a visual artist, you should try to dive into classical art for an intense year (entertainment design, courses similar to what TAD can propose for example... just find a good school), in order to propel your creative skills and sense of observation to the next level. Game design courses might not give you much more than an overview of the game building process and of different areas, which is useful... for a game designer mostly.

Good luck.

[tonyd927]

Originally Posted by Valerien

The closest job to game design in your list is level designer, which may involve some scripting depending of the firm you're working in. Nowadays you don't see that many modeler opportunities, the clivage is often placed between environments and organic creations.

You don't really to draw in order to become a LD, diagrams are likely to be sufficient and coding notions can help. On the other hand, a character or environment artist can be asked to design his work from the ground up (ubisoft works this way for example), and on AAA titles you'll need to be able to show detailed ideas on paper to your art/creative director.

If you want to become a visual artist, you should try to dive into classical art for an intense year (entertainment design, courses similar to what TAD can propose for example... just find a good school), in order to propel your creative skills and sense of observation to the next level. Game design courses might not give you much more than an overview of the game building process and of different areas, which is useful... for a game designer mostly.

Good luck.

So who makes all the models? lol

[swag]

I think he means that environment artists (or others) will handle the modeling (and texturing), and that there are not any specific positions for just modeling.

[tonyd927]

Originally Posted by swag

I think he means that environment artists (or others) will handle the modeling (and texturing), and that there are not any specific positions for just modeling.

Makes sense, ok thanks guys.

[netflow]

From my experience, level designers require a lot more theoretical and technical skills than artistic ones.. When hiring an LD I look for game design experience(as in on paper) and in theory, I look for knowledge in light theory, shader programming experience is a huge plus.

To be honest every single person that's gone to a university to get a degree, with the exception of people who went to The Guildhall and maaayybbeee Full Sail, but that's questionable, all say the same thing and that's that their uni experience was generally a waste of money(in terms of what they learned, not in terms of having a structured environment that forced them to learn whent hey would have had no discipline to do it on their own). If you do have the will power to sit down for 8 hours a day and learn yourself a membership to digitalturors and 3dmotive and 2 years of solid work will get you much farther than any university degree and will cost a fraction of the amount.

[tonyd927]

Originally Posted by netflow

From my experience, level designers require a lot more theoretical and technical skills than artistic ones.. When hiring an LD I look for game design experience(as in on paper) and in theory, I look for knowledge in light theory, shader programming experience is a huge plus.

To be honest every single person that's gone to a university to get a degree, with the exception of people who went to The Guildhall and maaayybbeee Full Sail, but that's questionable, all say the same thing and that's that their uni experience was generally a waste of money(in terms of what they learned, not in terms of having a structured environment that forced them to learn whent hey would have had no discipline to do it on their own). If you do have the will power to sit down for 8 hours a day and learn yourself a membership to digitalturors and 3dmotive and 2 years of solid work will get you much farther than any university degree and will cost a fraction of the amount.

I plan on doing studies on 3dmotive and digital tutors while in said university, or is going to a university just a bad idea?

[tonyd927]

Update #1:

After less than 2 months of continuous training I personally feel that my modelling skills have improved quite a bit. I need more improvement in my photoshop, animating and environment skills. But, I am taking everything one step at a time until I am confident enough in my work to show off to a company to work for. Thank you to each and every one of you on this forum. Really helped alot.

[GillGamer]

Job roles in computer games.
Has all the jobs in computer games for Game Design, Art and Animation, Programming, Audio, Quality Assurance, Production Management and Publishing, and Organisational Management.

[tonyd927]

Originally Posted by GillGamer

Job roles in computer games.
Has all the jobs in computer games for Game Design, Art and Animation, Programming, Audio, Quality Assurance, Production Management and Publishing, and Organisational Management.

Sweet. Thank you.