Game Art&design In Texas Help Please:(

[EarthClimber]

Hello, I am currently in Austin, Texas and I am a senior in highschool. I am very interested in Game art&design. MY dream job would be working with character development for video games. I haven't been able to find any colleges in texas that have Game art&Design classes. One of my friends is planning on going to The University of North Texas, and I'm thinking about going there too. They are not an art institute, so im not sure if this is the right path. It seems to get anywhere I would have to go out of state, and thats too much money for me at the moment. At north texas, I would be taking drawing and painting as a major...but can this tie into game and art design later on? I am very confused and running out of time. I have many questions such as how much does someone in this field generally make? But firstly, I need to find the right school for my interests. If you have experenice in this field, or have attended North texas, or any help at all:) I would greatly appreciate it Thank YOU VERY MUCH

[AfroLaxMan]

don't spend time focusing on just character adn game design. Developers want to see more out of the artists looking for a job. Develop skills that will encourage your dream job, like life drawing, traditional painting skills, traditional skills (pencils and inks on specific papers). Learn what the masters did, how they did it. Study lighting, cinematography, staging, and animation techniques. Don't pigeon hole yourself too early. Keep the doors open.

In a few years, you may learn video games suck to work for (for some reaon i get bitter when I keep getting layed off from all my companies).

take your time to study art, it only takes a lifetime to do. and you can do that at any school where there is a professor who gives a damn about art and education.

[MadSamoan]

For the first two years in college, just focus entirely on traditional skills, don't worry about learning the 3d software yet, besides those software versions would be outdated by the time you graduate.

[shintake]

I was just accepted to the Art Institute of Pittsburgh for Game Art and Design....and I live in Indiana. The entire degree will be done online. Many will think it bogus, but I suggest you check it out.

[lulu999]

Hey Earthclimber!
I had posted earlier to another person about the game design school I am going to in Plano, Texas. It is a satellite campus of SMU and the professors come straight from the industry. It is right up your alley!
http://guildhall.smu.edu/

:D