With each cycle of artist entering the Entertainment Industry, the main challenge and most frequent questions are, which centres of higher education or courses are available throughout the UK and Internationally.
The thing to keep in mind is that good, accredited game or entertainment related design courses are overall in its infancy. Animation or Industrial Design of Illustration schools on the other hand are more established.
THE QUEST & PERPETUAL DREAM
Alot of folks want to be the next kick ass concept artist or digital illustrator, and self education in this respect is how most folks approach the industry, in terms of what options are available, how to improve one's artistic skillset, and how to get a foot in the industry.
In a nutshell, there is no one specific best approach to this, however hard graft and informed choices with a view that art is a lifelong lifestyle will stand you in good stead, should you continue down this path.
Thus, let us look at the various options available and perhaps help provide a more informed opinion.
- Traditional centres of higher education
- Online courses
- Self Education
HIGHER EDUCATION STRATEGY GUIDE
A list of various educational centers and courses worldwide are available at the Higher Education course page list.
The main body of the strategy is really to help maximise one's time and plan how to be a concept artist, illustrator, production artist or 3D modeller.
FREELANCER STRATEGY
The main strategy for the canny upcoming artist is to ultimately get a name and reliable reputation for themselves prior to graduating, such that they literally walk into a job of their choosing - be it in games, motion pictures, visual effects or fine arts.
To achieve this, is relatively straightforward.
Hard graft - to ensure coursework is produced whilst you moonlight in parallel.
How you freelance on the side, is the ultimate challenge in
- Time management
- Efficiency
- Reliability
- Learning the tips/tricks of the trade that no school can teach save experience
Practically, a good way to build a portfolio and client list is via Card illustrations.
These can range from board games eg. Fantasy Flight, to card games eg. Art Order challenges, Magic the gathering, D&AD to game rule book illustrations eg. Sandstorm productions.
Once a few of these gigs are worked at, these should provide some good and bittersweet memories of managing work assets, invoicing, getting paid and staggering more work and so forth.
This now also provides a selectable range of images to use in the portfolio, to migrate and obtain book illustration or promotional illustrations for all sorts of merchandise.
If you choose to be a game concept artist, then I'd recommend along side, one should start learning the finer aspects of production art eg. producing weapons, character orthographic designs, environments, and transport which utilize the principles of solid product and industrial design.
Teaching high school students are hard that's why teachers need to make more fun ideas that the students will not get bored in the class.
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