Massive doubts and degree choices (concept art etc)

[H.U.N.K.]

I'm having a massive internal argument...

My logic is this, when the need for conceptual art has run dry within a project there is no work, unless I can scupt and animate in the 3D sense.

Shall I take up a 3D animation BA HONS course for 2010 and learn this seperate discipline or use that expenditure of time to continue learning the 2-dimensional discipline of illustration and art?

My calculated risks:

1) 3 years in BA HONS 2d related art/design/illustration, massive risk of unempoyability afterwards, risk of 'bogus course'

2) 3 years in BA HONS 3D and animation, traditional art skills do not progress or very little, STILL massive risk of unempoyability afterwards

I know I shouldn't be thinking like this but my goal seems so impossible. I just don't know what to do. Even if I do ascertain which type of discipline I take forward I still don't know if the results will be what is required to get into such an industry.

What courses should I be looking at? Ideally, is there a course that encompasses 3d animation AND traditional art and illustration disciplines? I see all these 'game courses' but I'm not convinced of that they're anything but a course for suckers...

I really need some guidance and perhapns even reassurance that what I'm doing will get me anywhere. Sorry to bother you all with my drama but I'd really appreciate some help from the people whose opinions I trust this most on this matter, which is you, conceptart.

[Storyboard Dave]

...when the need for conceptual art has run dry within a project there is no work...

What makes you think that concept art will go dry?

Sure, projects end but who's to say that there aren't more projects to do? Simply put, companies want to make money with their initial projects and want to make even more after that project is done.

[Medelo]

Both concept art and 3d fields are competitive. The fact is if you aren't actually committed to what you're studying, whichever path you take will not matter, because there are going to be people in both fields who really love what they're doing and will do it better than someone who's not as dedicated to it.

Ideally, is there a course that encompasses 3d animation AND traditional art and illustration disciplines?
The closest one I can think of is Gnomon which has more of an illustration base (they have that extra 1 year of concept art now) than other 3d animation schools. But in general there's no such course dealing in both fields with equal depth, because it takes a while to get good at both of them, and cramming courses into a syllabus does not a good artist make. Art takes time to learn and master, simply put. I believe many Gnomon students already went to art school before going into the CG program too, because of this reason.

It's kind of a tough pit to dig yourself out of because there's always this "how am I going to get better so I can make money, how am I going to make money so I can pay the bills to practise and get better" mantra going around in your head, but at the end of the day I think it really is which path you'd feel you can better devote yourself to.

[H.U.N.K.]

It's kind of a tough pit to dig yourself out of because there's always this "how am I going to get better so I can make money, how am I going to make money so I can pay the bills to practise and get better" mantra going around in your head. [/i]

Took the words right out of my mouth :(

I guess using that logic, I should stick to what I have the most experience with, in this case, 2D dimensional arts.

I've seen a lot of these new 'modern style illustration' courses (which to be honest, seems like they're encouraging kids scribble with some silly slogan on it, or something like that, I'm sure you know the style I'm talking about)

How do I snoop out bogus courses? Can anyone recommend any uni's or even the big ones to avoid? Sorry if my questions come across as asinine, I've been out of education for 4 years and have no support, thus all my research is from the internet and other people already in the know.

[Medelo]

I've had those same doubts before so I know what it feels like :) Job security is definitely not the reason you'd want to go in one field over another though.

As far as schools.. there's already plenty of information on this forum regarding the different types of schools. Jason even posted a humongous thread with a list of art schools (http://www.conceptart.org/forums/showthread.php?t=168502).

I couldn't tell you the best way to distinguish a bogus course but I'd think looking at the student work (a range of students that came from a particular school not just one) is a great way to start. If they have a lot of foundational classes and drawing classes it's probably a safer bet too. And this last point comes from experience -- never take what a school has to say on their website at face value because every single school will try to make it seem like they're the best school for you. Do your own research.

If you want a strong education in drawing and stuff, an atelier might be a wiser option. Universities tend to have to load up their credits with things like writing and liberal arts and even science, not that it's a bad thing, but if you want a really focused education to concentrate on nothing but drawing and painting then you could consider other alternatives.