BTW, if you want some of the job postings that come across my e-mail box from the Academy's career services, PM me. I might dig through my trash and find some 3D ones if you like. I'm a print and web/interface/interactive designer, so the 3D ones are way over my head.

 

Yeah thanks I have no idea what else I can do. I am trying to keep motivated and create more stuff for my demo reel.

If you are in the Academy now get a strong demo reel while still there, once you are out they do very little to help you out.

 

Yea....the market is different for my major. I'm a new media major (it's a new major that started 4-5 years ago and it's dept. is runned by John Woodbridge). Since we're the jack of trades, we can do the regular run of the mill design jobs (simple HTML or Flash websites, posters, flyers, logos, chop up audio tracks, light video editing, etc). 3D looked like a real tough major man. A lot of drawing, sketching, on top of a ton of computer work, compositing, math, and such. Then you have to wait around in the lobby with your dinner while your stuff renders. I always notice the 3D/special effects majors sitting in the lobby of the SGI workstation floor of the 3D department watching TV and waiting for their stuff to render.

Speaking of jobs, I need to get an entry level design internship ASAP because the career center's gonna do a follow up interview in February to see if I got my foot in the design industry yet. Gunslinger, check your PMs, BTW. I just sent you one I got a moment ago.

 

Well, you do realize that there are billionaires out there with not even a high school diploma, either. It's really great that you had the hard work ethic in you to succeed in life without a degree, but I'm sure you'd ruin the futures of a few kids by telling them to follow in your footsteps.

 

I've got a good friend who graduated AAC in 3d art a few years ago, dunno if you know him, Peter ****. He's having a hard time getting his portfolio and demo stuff out there as well and is game testing for EA in the meantime. Seems like his life is spiralling downwards though, I hope he gets hired soon. Wish you the best of luck.

 

To be honest skills are the primary concern. School is a tool for learning those skills and networking with the future of the industry. Many jobs now are requiring an art degree, but if your skills are good enough you can get the job anyways. Work your butt off in school because it will only take you as far as you take yourself.

 

thanks for all the info everyone. I do want to get into computer arts.

 

You have to be well rounded in the digital art field. The best thing I've learned so far is how to draw on a tablet and on a digital touch screen. Some people that go to the school can't draw which I think hurts them in the long run. If you can paint, airbrush, draw and use digital media your reels and resume can really shine. I helped a friend on his reel and it was lackluster to say the least. he wasn't a good artist but is a great 3d modeler and animator. His character design was terrible but I helped him with some ideas and designs. He's been working for pixar for a year now. I was hoping to get into a union down south after school if possible. pretty good pay to start and more with experience. check it out http://www.mpsc839.org

you could always start off as a digital painter to get in the door or whatever then move on and become journey man cgi animator/modeler.

 

If your major is "new media", you're in good hands as far as the "plan" goes. John Woodbridge is a great director of that department at my school and he picked a great list of classes required for that major. When I first started, he wasn't the director yet, so I had a crappy cirrculum plan early on, but good thing it was early. They'll have you taking foundation classes early on like figure modeling, a few drawing classes. They're long and tedious, but they help you with your everyday design work if you know how to draw and stuff. Good luck man. I've been told by numerous teachers that our department has a 90% employment rate. That's frickin' amazing. Believe me, those teachers will drill you hard during the last stretch. A good number of them teach on the side, so they're smack dab in the middle of the industry and give you tons of pointers, not only on how to use software and crap, but on what companies and design firms are looking for. If you have any more questions, shoot me a PM.

 

I graduated From CCa(C when i started) With a BFA in Illustration. The campus isnt huge like Academy( (we're not run by a Real estate company!!!) but the atmosphere is great and the teachers are great. Most of my teachers used to teach at the Acedemy but left because of the politics of that school. My opinion may be biased but CCaC rocks and kicks the Academy's ****!!!!The illustration Dept is second to none in the country!!!!

 

Hahaha, I feel so indirectly hated by everyone else just for going to the Academy. =)