Studying game art design

[Abstrakt]

What's up everyone,

After a long personal reflection I really want to start studying Game Art Design. The problem is, that I just finished my bachelor in Marketing at the age of 24 and I must say I am fed up with it and don't see myself doing this.

The question is, what is the average age of students studying game art design and am I too old at 24 to study this ? Is the job a steady one ? Meaning, if I get hired by some company, will they just exploit my designs for 3 years and then fire me to get some new talent in ?

I don't know if I should really start studying this. I started to draw from as long as I can remember (Characters and then moved to graffiti and fantasy characters once I hit 12 - 13 years of age). Even now, all my marketing course books are filled with characters, graffitis and abstract art. I really love drawing but didn't want to get into design back then because I didn't see a consistent and stable future in it ....

Thank you very much for your help guys.

[alphadog]

I stopped one career path at 27 and restarted into a second one. I am more successful now than I ever thought I'd be, and I am certain I would have been miserable had I not changed.

At the age of 24, you still have time to pursue more studies. In fact, you can leverage design and marketing backgrounds to your advantage.

One thing I would say, is don't go back to school full-time. Find some work in a field that uses what you know but also exposes you to the second track you are considering. Try to earn a second degree with off-hours schooling. That way you a) realize your second track isn't for you, but haven't wasted the upcoming years, or b) start building a resume that has a job in the same industry even though you have no immediate experience.

It's not easy, but it's not impossible. I did it, with a newborn in the picture too.

The thing about age, now that I am hiring, is that while many people grow crusty with age, age doesn't mean they are crusty. A truly passionate worker is awesome to work with no matter what age...

[Pete Michaud]

I might consider not going to school at all, or just taking a couple foundational course at a community college if you think it's necessary. The fact is that in any creative field, you will teach yourself most of what you learn by simply focusing and practicing about 10,000 hours. If you don't have the passion to work daily for years on your chosen craft without any external influence forcing you to do so, then you will never be great at it no matter how much schooling you have.

The fact is that for something like art, a degree is almost meaningless -- it's all about your portfolio and ability to produce quality work on a consistent basis.

Good luck!

[Utra]

I am personaly 21 and im in my last year a BSc course on games that i chose so i could focus on on 3d art, while most of my cource are between the ages of 17 to 22 quite a few people between the ages of 20 and evan up to 50 years of age have joined the course.

in my experence older generations have dificulty understanding the technology if they are new to computers however anyone with evan a basic computer experece can do the course well if properly motivated and willing to work in there own time.

[poita]

I might consider not going to school at all, or just taking a couple foundational course at a community college if you think it's necessary. The fact is that in any creative field, you will teach yourself most of what you learn by simply focusing and practicing about 10,000 hours. If you don't have the passion to work daily for years on your chosen craft without any external influence forcing you to do so, then you will never be great at it no matter how much schooling you have.

The fact is that for something like art, a degree is almost meaningless -- it's all about your portfolio and ability to produce quality work on a consistent basis.

Good luck!

I agree with this.

I honestly think an art degree is worthless. All employers will care about is whether you can draw or not (or model, whatever). A good portfolio is worth much more than a degree.

If you think that the course will help your actual skill then go for it, but I wouldn't do it if you just want it as a qualification. Your marketing degree already shows that you're a smart person, you just need a portfolio.

[alphadog]

I honestly think an art degree is worthless.

An art degree is not worthless. Seems like it, but it isn't that bad. :)

The portfolio is what carries the day, and your personal network, once you've started working, but it isn't worthless.

It's not worth anything to the employer, but it should be perceived as worth something to the employee by the employee.

It exposes you to different ideas. It gives you structure and forces you to follow through on demands placed on you. It helps guide you in creating your portfolio and personal style. It also puts you in contact with established artists, or budding ones. It helps build your starter network; the students you go to class with become the people you will work with.

Not all of the above apply to someone with an existing degree and a little more seasoning in life.

But, just because going to school doesn't immediately and easily translate into a cushy job doesn't mean one should dismiss it outright.