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greysmith In reply to orbweaver [2006-10-03 04:46:23 +0000 UTC]

Hi!

I went to NYU's Center for Advanced Digital Applications and I'm currently enrolled in AnimationMentor which is awesome but focuses on the craft without paying too much attention to the actual tool. Like every artform that's usually a good idea, but I can understand how important a piece of software can be, especially if you're just starting out. If you live in the US I'd strongly recommend Ringling and Cal Arts. Both are awesome schools whose students always turn out amazing work. Another option is VFS in Canada, I'm always awestruck when I see the reels of the guys that studied there, especially in the Modelling department. They favor XSI over Maya though (which in my opinion is a great thing, it's such a better program. I'd also recomend Mudbox over Zbrush btw).
I might be wrong, but in my experience learning the technical aspect of a piece of software was something I've had to do on my own. Sure, the teachers gave us assignments and critiques but working out what button does what I want is something that you need figure out with the help of a good book, especially with 3D software packages that tend to be humongous. With that in mind, another option is buying the DVDs from the Gnomon Workshop. They'll cover far more in depth than any teacher could the ins and outs of Zbrush and Maya at a fraction of the cost that any of those colleges would charge you in tuition.
Sorry for the long rant, I hope this helps with a little with your decision

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orbweaver In reply to greysmith [2006-10-04 00:26:56 +0000 UTC]

wow, i did not expect that much information!- thanks! long rants are exactly what i need

the only reason i know about the software at all is because this summer i went to the SIGGRAPH convention in boston with my aunt who is a graphic designer. it really makes you realize how fast new technology comes out and how difficult it is to keep up in the industry. she realized what she learned in school is completely outdated now and that it's going to take her a while to get back into it if she wants to switch over from freelance branding to interactive design or something like that.

so one of my concerns with colleges is how well They keep up, and there are colleges whose students use nothing but photoshop, which can't possibly be sufficient. supposidly employers are looking for familiarity with programs above raw creativity, though of course you need to be strong in that as well. the goal is to find a school somewhere in the middle, that thinks both aspects of it are important. i can get into a tech-heavy school/major but my real passion is art so i'm not sure i'd be happy chained to a monitor all day either and want to make sure the conceptual aspect isn't neglected. it seems like there's always a side each school leans heavily towards. i'm worried i'll either be miserable a geek, or spend 4 years having a blast painting posters talking about green peace but be inadequately prepared for a career... (to be perfectly steriotypical and extreme).

california is on the complete other end of the united states from me. i had considered Ringling, but again, proximity. i at least don't want to start out that far away, so i'm looking within the northeast mainly. so far i have seen MECA/maine college of art, massart in boston, an art instutute school i was not impessed with, SCAD, and carnegie mellon (today). tomorrow i'll be at RIT. i'm also seeing syracuse university and pratt for sure, RISD, and possibly some more schools in NYC which is why i wanted to talk to you. i don't remember why i crossed NYU off my list :S. is there anything helpful you could tell me about it and/or any of the schools i mentioned?

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greysmith In reply to artistic-nudes [2006-07-10 17:23:55 +0000 UTC]

Hi, thank you for considering my work good enough to feature it in your journal. It's quite an honor. Best of luck and keep it up.

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artistic-nudes In reply to greysmith [2006-08-02 04:01:10 +0000 UTC]

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greysmith In reply to Happy-and-Bleeding [2006-05-21 21:32:49 +0000 UTC]

Thanks! I usually find the 3D look extremely lame for still images so I was trying to get as close as far away from it as I possibly could. I'm glad you like it.

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