A very tough decision

[angryswine]

Hey guys, I wanted to specifically target the kind folks of conceptart.org with this question, in hopes of some advice. Right now I am at the university of colorado dever campus studying 3d graphics and animation. I do believe its a decent program, check out the gallery at www.cu3d.org if your interested. The program focuses on film but requires a visual arts foundation (and currently I am double majoring to include drawing). I am interested in both film and games, I love storytelling, I love art, and I love creating worlds. For the past two years I have been trying to decide between going to a drawing and painting degree or staying with 3d graphics and animation. Between the conceptual work that takes place before a game or film is created and the actual production of the film, I cannot decide which I love the most. In either decision, I know I will want to be the best I can possibly be which means whichever I do not choose, I will probably have to give up for the most part as both areas require a lot of attention. I am as lost now as I was when I first took interest in all this, I love both categories the same. Any advice that anyone could give me would definately be put to good use.

[Leukeh]

Well if you love them both the same, it would make sense to ask yourself some other questions... such as:

Which am I better at?
Which would be easier to find a job in?
Which gives me a better career path?
Is there an option that incorporates both?

I'm sure there's more... I just can't think of any. Find out the answers to those questions and hopefully you'll have a direction to head! =)

[angryswine]

Thanks for the advice, well if you look at my sketchbook you would probably tell me to go with 3d, lol. Those are from a long time ago though, I wont post again until I am less ashamed. I think games could incorporate both. I have read Seedlings Game Industry and Concept Art 101 threads (which I very much appreciate). How about the possibility of teaching myself 3d as a tool while at the same time becoming a decent enough artist to get into concept art? Is that even a possibility considering I just started drawing like a year ago?

The drawing and painting program I am looking at, while definately not an illustration degree, offers classes such as life drawing on many levels, perspective drawing, and etc. That is it focuses on composition, communication, and focuses more on representational work than abstract..... but 3d is so fun.... AHHHHHHH. I COULD get a job easier in 3d, but would I love it as much as concept art? Or vice versa.. I don't know what to think. When I draw or paint, I want to do nothing else. When I do 3d, the same thing happens.

[angryswine]

I guess the issue I am running into is this: I can see that in the future I can make a world, a personality, a mood, or a story in just one single image, but that world will only exist in my mind and not be real to very many other people aside from those who have the capability to imagine along with me, the people who I love to be around the most (artists, musicians, writers, the whole lot). Even so, to me it will only exist in my imagination. It won't move or talk or scream from inside its gasmask as it's being ripped down by world war one rifle bullets. On the other hand, if I went 3d and had my way and even had the power to make a whole 3d film on my own, which I assure you that would be impractical, my world would lack in concept. Has anyone learned both profeciently?