Don’t sit back and expect your course to do all the work. Ensure that you get the job you want on graduation with our 10 practical tips for getting the most from your education
01 Do preliminary research before choosing a course
NAME Phil Organ
JOB TITLE Senior lecturer, School of Digital Media, Swansea Metropolitan university
ROLE Educator
While it’s impossible to fully appreciate what three years of undergraduate study will entail until you’re actually there, try to get a taste for the various aspects of 3D in advance. “I would always suggest that prospective students spend some of their time in preparation for a course looking at tutorials, downloading trial versions of software and studying jobs available to see what employers look for in these roles,” says Phil Organ. And if you still find yourself choosing the wrong career path, don’t be afraid to speak up. “Once there, if you find that the course isn’t what you were expecting, talk it through with the staff. There will always be options to transfer or advice on what to do next.”
02 Ask questions of the college before signing up
NAME Jim McCampbell
JOB TITLE Computer animation department head, Ringling College of Art and Design
ROLE Educator
Don’t assume that all courses offer an equal standard of education. Start asking questions of the university before you decide upon a programme of study. Ask about awards won by past students, how old/fast the workstations in the department are, the lecturers’ experience, what key skills are taught, how many visiting industry lecturers there are, and which studios they work at. “Also ask for clear evidence of the school’s success with placing graduates,” says Jim McCampbell. What was the size of last year’s graduating class? How many of those graduates found jobs in the industry? A college that cares about you as an individual will take the time to answer your questions.”
03 Forget about short cuts: sign up for a full degree
NAME Andy Boyd
JOB TITLE CG Supervisor, Method Studios
ROLE Employer
Given the wealth of shorter-term 3D training available, it can be tempting to think that there’s little point expending time and money on a three or four-year undergraduate course. Shorter courses can certainly prove valuable when it comes to teaching vocational skills, but there’s no substitute for the rounded education a good degree course can offer. “There are a lot of short courses out there now, some very expensive,” says Andy Boyd. “I really think these are no better than teaching yourself. As much as I’m a fan of being self-taught, graduates, especially those whose degrees spend time on maths and basic programming, have a much better foundation to build on.”
04 Pick a course tailored specifically to your needs
NAME Sofronis Efstathiou
JOB TITLE Programme Leader, MA 3D Computer Animation, Bournemouth University
ROLE Educator
While there are thousands of courses available for ‘3D animation’, no two are really alike. Some will be more geared towards ‘standard’ industry work, while others will aim to produce graduates with loftier aims. “Students need to decide whether they wish to work within the private sector or be grant-funded filmmakers,” says Sofronis Efstathiou. “Would-be independent animators should look for a focus on things like project management and production, copyright and intellectual property, business skills, scriptwriting and narrative development, history and theory. Modules of interest for industry-geared candidates will emphasise CG fundamentals; standard pipelines, tools and techniques; programming; observational studies; and best practice.”
05 Sign up for additional drawing or painting classes
NAME Tom Dillon
JOB TITLE Pipeline manager, Blur Studio
ROLE Employer
Many studios, particularly those dealing in character animation, place great store in traditional art skills. Consider refining yours, either by undertaking a foundation course first or enrolling for additional classes while studying for a degree. “Traditional painting and drawing classes are important in order to really learn to ‘see’,” says Tom Dillon. “I also tell students to look at a lot of different artists and different areas within the creative world. If you are excited about painting, look at a lot of different painters and paint. If you are interested in philosophy, read. If you like comic books, look at all of them and draw. School is the time to explore in order to find out what really turns you on.”
06 Don’t forget the basics: study Photoshop as well
NAME Alan Mealor
JOB TITLE Art manager, Bizarre Creations
ROLE Employer
While immersing yourself in 3D modelling and animation, it’s easy to forget that basic 2D skills need honing, too. “Know Photoshop!” warns Alan Mealor. “Texture creation is by far the most important part of your skillset as you leave university. It seems to be overlooked in too many student portfolios, but so many jobs in the industry hang on good texturing skills. A low-poly model can be made to look amazing with a good texture, but a good high-res model can be made to look poor with a bad texture.” If your course assumes that you already know more 2D than you actually do, teach yourself with the aid of the many training DVDs currently available.
07 Seek professional feedback on your work from the start
NAME Martin Bowman
JOB TITLE Digital animation senior lecturer, University of Hertfordshire
ROLE Educator
Don’t let your education become a passive experience: actively seek feedback on your work from people outside your college, then use the contacts later. “Post your work on forums like CGTalk and ask professionals to offer advice on how to make it better,” suggests Martin Bowman. “The more your work gets seen, the more likely you are to make contact with other people. It’s also a good idea to socialise with students in years above you, as this can help you get work when you graduate.” Bowman also suggests attending as many conferences, festivals and professional body meetings as possible. “Don’t be afraid to pass out your work and ask for advice.”
08 No one likes a prima donna, so collaborate: don’t compete
NAME Sarah Hill
JOB TITLE Animation supervisor, Vancouver Film School
ROLE Educator
Remember that today’s classmates will be tomorrow’s work colleagues, and that any ties between your university and the industry will further expose you to potential employers at an early stage. “Be nice, as your reputation while in school will follow you into production, and you don’t want to establish yourself early on as someone who is hard to work with,” says Sarah Hill. Your attitude to the work can also affect your chances of employment. “Pay close attention to the constructive criticism you receive and execute every change with as much professionalism as you can manage. Employers look for people with great skills, but the other important factor is whether they will fit in. Compatibility is a major factor in whether someone makes the final cut.”
09 Think about postgraduate education early in your degree
NAME Jeremy Moorshead
JOB TITLE Animation department chair, Savannah College of Art and Design
ROLE Educator
To get ahead in the job market, many graduates now go on to study at postgraduate level. If you’re sure this will be the right path for you, work to ensure your undergraduate years are tailored appropriately. “For anyone applying for graduate school, I would expect to see a desire to be a filmmaker, with core skills but not necessarily a specialisation,” says Jeremy Moorshead. “There should also be a desire to pursue original aesthetic directions; and an intention to contribute to the body of work in the field. At SCAD, we look especially favourably on applications from individuals with an art background, such as illustrators, who bring great storytelling abilities and creativity to the masters program.”
10 Go the extra mile: do your own research during time off
NAME Vic Rodgers
JOB TITLE HR manager, Double Negative
ROLE Employer
While it’s possible to graduate simply by following the curriculum, it’s by putting in extra hours that you’ll truly impress prospective employers. “There are too many students who simply follow modules and go to tutorials prescribed by the college,” says Vic Rodgers. “The students who get jobs are those genuinely interested in the subject, who spend a lot of time with cameras stuck to their faces and spend many, many hours in their own time perfecting CG techniques. This involves late nights in front of the computer throughout the course, not just in the final year. And if you can’t attend conferences, make sure that when you do have guest speakers, you research [who they are and what they do] in advance.”
USEFUL LINKS
UCAS
UK body for degree applications, offering central directory of courses
www.ucas.ac.uk
Skillset
Government-backed body for UK degree certification
www.skillset.org
The CG Society
Influential forum for 3D artists to share career advice
www.cgsociety.org
Gamesindustry.biz
Leading games industry site: includes education section
www.gamesindustry.biz
Animation World Network
Student area of the leading animation news site
studentcorner.awn.com
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