Where to Study

[Abhik262]

Hi, I am interested in a job in 3d modelling and animation (that line of work) and was wondering what are good places to study this. I'm interested mainly in working with 3ds Max but also After effects and maybe photoshop as a supplementary program. I Live in Slough which is about a 30 min car journey from London with little traffic. Im not interested in like 5 day courses but considerably longer, proper courses, much like those found here:
http://www.vfs.com/fulltime.php?id=7
but this place is in Canada...

So does anyone know of good places to pursue this or any constructive advice on how I could go about this? Thanks in advance for any help.

[Bobster]

Bournemouth Uni

[ACiD303]

The SAE offer similar courses, there's one in London. SAE were internationally renowned for sound and audio studies, I don't know about their visual courses. I'm not sure on funding availability either, I know I wasn't entitled to state fundind when I applied ages ago for their sound and audio course, but maybe things have changed.

Otherwise, go find a University like Bobster said. I'm doing a Digital Media degree which allows me to do 3D (using Maya, though I was trained in 3D Studio initially) up to a photorealistic level, and digital visual effects for films. A degree would require more time, and you may not be concentrating solely on these packages as you'd have other modules to take, but you may be entitled to state funding.

[Abhik262]

Thanks, that's all i needed

[tigerboyce]

I'm currently studying 3D digital animation at Hertfordshire university.

IMO it is the best place to study any 3D course (university-wise) in the UK at the moment. People tend to jump the gun and recommend Bournemouth because of the NCCA status, but their course has really gone downhill in terms of their current graduate films which are nothing in comparison to what is coming out of Hertfordshire so far.

4 courses run; 3D, 2D, Games art and this year VFX

I have been to both on open days, and also one of my best friends who i did A-levels with chose the same course but opted for bournmouth over Hertfordshire where i went, and from what he said the bournmouth course is HEAVILY programming based, alot of your time is spent on the more technical sides of 3D such as writing shaders, and for some reason they did lots of HTML... In comparison Hertfordshire is heavily art based and concentrates alot more on modelling and animating solely.

The course was run on max, but is switching to maya this year, mainly because of demand from both industry and students, but you'll also learn photoshop, premiere, fusion, Z-brush, Dreamweaver etc throughought the course and of course game engines if you choose that route.

The tutors at Hert's (especially one in particular) will go absolutely out of their way to help you. there is a forum based for the course's and a considerably large group of users, (students, alumni, staff) are all free to offer advise, criticise your work and regularly post up news on the industry etc.

Another main draw for me is that the first year is very much a general learning year that allows you to change onto either of the routes, 3D, 2D etc after finding what you enjoy most.


sorry if that sort of sounds like a plug, but its not meant to at all, im just describing what i know of my course and how i think its superior to others. I can give you any more info if you want it, just ask.


Open days shouldn't be too hard for you to get to from slough either.

check:
http://h3da.co.uk/ <-website
http://www.vimeo.com/h3da/videos/tag:hertfordshire <- vimeo channel

Of course there are other options over university, the main one being Escape studio's in London, but they are exceptionally pricey and more aimed at graduates/professionals wanting to know more after having a good prior knowledge.


Edit:- I thought its definitely worth mentioning, no course will be a ticket to a job in 3D. Just like most art courses, it relies 110% on your own skills, determination and quality of work. That said, a degree course is a very good way to learn, decide what area of 3D you want to go into and get a stepping stone there.

[samir883]

I would agree with both Bournemouth and Herts. I studied it at bournemouth myself some years back when it was really on top and students were producing stuff for load of the rings and gladiator. The course at Herts sounds really decent.

I myself am going to Central St Martins college of art and design to do a postgrad in charcter animation and it is a prestigious place to go concentrating more on the art side.

It depends on what ur needs are i guess but most peoplr prefer to be creative and practical, i hate the programming stuff.

Check out escape studios they have some of the best teachers, people from industry like pixar, framestore etc and they set you up to find work afterwards. It's good training there and you can specialise in what you want.

[stweffles]

EDIT - Nevermind