Profession Advice
by Michael Hovgaard · in General Discussion · 05/28/2007 (11:40 pm) · 8 replies
Hi to all and thank yous to those that give advice:-) Now a little history before the ? at hand. I am now a Retired Army Field Medic due to injuries received in Iraq. I'm currently getting ready to go back to school and since the V.A. is gonna pay they have us make a plan to get where we want to go. So...What advice can you give to an aspiring Game Designer? Thanks again for any and all advice:-)
#2
This is OT -- you're from San Antonio. Cool.
Ok. Now back on topic. If you are determined to go back to school, and you have funding for it, following a general curriculum at a typical College or U. probably won't give you what you need. And it will probably distract you from your goals.
Since you mentioned Game Designer, I would suggest that you craft your own curriculum based on the things that are likely to expand your vision for the world. I'm sure some of the pros around here can give you some suggestions for classes to take, but here are just a few I would recommend . . .
Photography - train your eye to look for expressive images
Film - train your mind to tell stories visually
Art - some kind of survey course - get comfortable with the works of the masters
Art - a practical sketching kind of class - train your hands to capture an image quickly and accurately
History - some kind of western civ/survey course - look for story ideas from a rich source
Creative Writing - train your imagination to build new ideas from your interests and studies
Technical Writing - train your mind to explain your ideas and designs to others
That's just a start. Depending on what you want to do and where you want to end up, there are lots more that will come in handy.
Again, it would be great if some of the pros could offer some advice here.
Oh. One more thing. Read up on some of the stuff Ben Mathis has written. Here are a few good articles . . .
www.poopinmymouth.com/tutorial/formal_art_training.html
www.poopinmymouth.com/tutorial/analytical_thinking.htm
www.poopinmymouth.com/tutorial/money_mouth.htm
05/29/2007 (4:40 am)
@MichaelThis is OT -- you're from San Antonio. Cool.
Ok. Now back on topic. If you are determined to go back to school, and you have funding for it, following a general curriculum at a typical College or U. probably won't give you what you need. And it will probably distract you from your goals.
Since you mentioned Game Designer, I would suggest that you craft your own curriculum based on the things that are likely to expand your vision for the world. I'm sure some of the pros around here can give you some suggestions for classes to take, but here are just a few I would recommend . . .
Photography - train your eye to look for expressive images
Film - train your mind to tell stories visually
Art - some kind of survey course - get comfortable with the works of the masters
Art - a practical sketching kind of class - train your hands to capture an image quickly and accurately
History - some kind of western civ/survey course - look for story ideas from a rich source
Creative Writing - train your imagination to build new ideas from your interests and studies
Technical Writing - train your mind to explain your ideas and designs to others
That's just a start. Depending on what you want to do and where you want to end up, there are lots more that will come in handy.
Again, it would be great if some of the pros could offer some advice here.
Oh. One more thing. Read up on some of the stuff Ben Mathis has written. Here are a few good articles . . .
www.poopinmymouth.com/tutorial/formal_art_training.html
www.poopinmymouth.com/tutorial/analytical_thinking.htm
www.poopinmymouth.com/tutorial/money_mouth.htm
#3
A very broad education is the way to go, and IMHO serves one well for a lifetime. Unless one is committed to being an engineer, for example. Even then it doesn't hurt.
05/29/2007 (7:00 pm)
I rather agree. The one thing I would not do is focus exclusively on Computer Science. Not if Designer is what you want to do.A very broad education is the way to go, and IMHO serves one well for a lifetime. Unless one is committed to being an engineer, for example. Even then it doesn't hurt.
#4
HTML
JavaScript
Flash
C# and C++
Math classes (physic based)
Art
3d modeling (Maya and 3d Max)
Sound engineering (Protools, sound forge, Acid)
You probably won't start out as a game designer, but with these skills atleast you'll be able to get a job.
After you get enough experience then you can work you way up.
You don't just go to school to become a game designer and go into the field as a game designer.
Atleast with these skills if you decide to make your own game you can.
I'm in a school of Game Design and these are the classes they teach you.
05/29/2007 (8:55 pm)
If I were in your position and was having school paid for; I would go to a community college and take these classes:HTML
JavaScript
Flash
C# and C++
Math classes (physic based)
Art
3d modeling (Maya and 3d Max)
Sound engineering (Protools, sound forge, Acid)
You probably won't start out as a game designer, but with these skills atleast you'll be able to get a job.
After you get enough experience then you can work you way up.
You don't just go to school to become a game designer and go into the field as a game designer.
Atleast with these skills if you decide to make your own game you can.
I'm in a school of Game Design and these are the classes they teach you.
#5
First i would look at my overall strong points and ask yourself in what areas you could possible excel. Start with something like "What are my talents?",
Can i draw/paint well? (concept artist, texture artist, mesh skinning)
Do i understand spacial relationships? (3d modeler, level designer)
Am i good at math? Can i organize code concepts? (programmer, networking specialist)
Do i have writing talents? Can i conceptualize well and communicate them clearly? (story writer)
Am i good with music and sound? (sound designer, composer)
How are my people skills? Can i organize large scale projects? (project leader/coordinator)
Tackling your strong suites first will give you a better overall outlook on the rest of the pieces for game design in general. If you excel in a few areas you could translate that into being lead project manager for large scale games somewhere down the road.
Since the government is paying, you could certainly take a few courses at the local college and get a feel for the areas you really do well with then focus on those. Some people know early on what they are best with, while others take the roundabout approach and just dabble in everything till they find their nitche.
05/29/2007 (9:25 pm)
Personally i agree with everyone, but...First i would look at my overall strong points and ask yourself in what areas you could possible excel. Start with something like "What are my talents?",
Can i draw/paint well? (concept artist, texture artist, mesh skinning)
Do i understand spacial relationships? (3d modeler, level designer)
Am i good at math? Can i organize code concepts? (programmer, networking specialist)
Do i have writing talents? Can i conceptualize well and communicate them clearly? (story writer)
Am i good with music and sound? (sound designer, composer)
How are my people skills? Can i organize large scale projects? (project leader/coordinator)
Tackling your strong suites first will give you a better overall outlook on the rest of the pieces for game design in general. If you excel in a few areas you could translate that into being lead project manager for large scale games somewhere down the road.
Since the government is paying, you could certainly take a few courses at the local college and get a feel for the areas you really do well with then focus on those. Some people know early on what they are best with, while others take the roundabout approach and just dabble in everything till they find their nitche.
#6
05/31/2007 (9:18 pm)
Thanks for the advice all and to let you know my final school that i want to go to is Full Sail for their Game Design & Development program. The V.A. is making a plan that they have to coordinate w/in Orlando but i was relieved to find that V.A. covered Full Sail as one of the schools for my job field of choice:) Thanks again for the advice this is really gonna help me with the V.A. to plan this out!!
#7
05/31/2007 (9:20 pm)
Thanks for the advice all and to let you know my final school that i want to go to is Full Sail for their Game Design & Development program. The V.A. is making a plan that they have to coordinate w/in Orlando but i was relieved to find that V.A. covered Full Sail as one of the schools for my job field of choice:) Thanks again for the advice this is really gonna help me with the V.A. to plan this out!!
#8
My suggestion is get into digital game art if you can. Like 3dstudio, Maya, Blender etc.
Gives you the abilty to work at home, on your own schedule and is VERY high in demand.
Come on over to www.cgsociety.org for ton of industry info.
If your programmer then you'll want to get a general programmer education. Like at
your local community college etc.
Feel free to email me if you need any particular advice. I am on a civil service disability myself so I can relate. I have done home school for 5 years and GG is one of the best sources of self education and tools of course.
Vash,
06/01/2007 (12:14 pm)
Good luck and looks like you got some good advice. In addition you'll need to start home schooling. Setup development environment at your home office.My suggestion is get into digital game art if you can. Like 3dstudio, Maya, Blender etc.
Gives you the abilty to work at home, on your own schedule and is VERY high in demand.
Come on over to www.cgsociety.org for ton of industry info.
If your programmer then you'll want to get a general programmer education. Like at
your local community college etc.
Feel free to email me if you need any particular advice. I am on a civil service disability myself so I can relate. I have done home school for 5 years and GG is one of the best sources of self education and tools of course.
Vash,
Torque Owner Lee Latham
Default Studio Name
I daresay Torque is essentially an ideal place to start.