Expert: Andre Hickman - 4/11/2009

Question
hi,i am rahul.Rihgt now I am about to complete my bachelor's degree in computer science engineering at bangalore.I spend my 5 years in it.my age is 23years.Actually I am not interested in programing & technical parts.I want to do my master's degree in graphics design and visual effects.which has to be less technical and more creative.I m good in drawing.
I want to know which degree (means MS/ARTS/etc)they are providing in India and also in abroad. which courses are good for me....and I know i have wasted my 5 years.But i m not interested in that. I m only interested in graphics,animation and visual effects field  which is non-technical or based on C & C++...I have searched about it.But they are providing Master of Arts degree.I m confused about it because after doing engineering...Masters in Arts degree will be not good for any student what you think? plz...reply me
thanks in advance..

Answer
Hey Rahul,

I am not really sure what you should do, because I haven't been in your shoes.  What I don't want you to do though, is to think that you have wasted your time.

I will tell you my story...I went to school for Math and Mechanical Engineering.  When I got out, I felt just like you, when I realized that I wanted to be in graphics and animation.  But what I soon discovered was that the engineering and math training that I went through for 6 years gave me a foundation and understanding of how to use the graphic tools, and how to learn them.  

Don't think that your CompScience skills won't be an asset in the graphics world.  Contrary, it will serve you well, because every motion graphics package from Flash to After Effects, to Maya, to 3D Max has scripting to develop controls and special effects for your animation.  It is pretty much the softwares internal action coding language.  Your computer science skills will come in very handy there.

As far as another degree to persue, that's where I really don't know what to tell you.  I didn't go for an art degree.  I learned animation and design on my own.  When I wanted to go back and get an Arts degree in Animation, I went to a school and discovered that the courses I would have to take for the first two years would be a waste of my time, and even most of the advanced courses I could teach well.

I decided to just continue to learn on my own.  I have found many people like myself and you, who started in engineering, and then took their technical understanding and taught themselves how to use it in art.  I'm talking about guys who have worked on major movies and theme park rides.  They were never FORMALLY trained in animation and motion graphics, but they just had a hunger and desire to be the best.

I kind of agree with you, it would be tough to go for a Masters of Art degree without any formal art background.  It may make more sense to start at the bachelors level to get a foundation.  But again, don't think that you wasted time.  It is another building block that you have to pull from, that people who only have art experience won't have. You have tools that they won't teach in art school, but are very important if you want to get in the big leagues.

I'm not saying that my road to learning was or is an easy one.  I have spent years and years training myself to be good at this stuff, and my engineering background was a major plus in that training. Ask yourself why you would persue a degree in art, and what would be the reason to persue a Masters vs a Bachelor degree.  Make sure that the reason is one that you can live with, and makes sense, then make your decision and go with it!

And I know you are looking for non-technical...I will say this, that those in this industry that have some technical background in something usually are the ones that set themselves apart in the artistic portion, because they can code and make the software do things that it can't do straight out of the box without the scripting...

USE YOUR PAST AS A LAUNCHING PAD!!!

Cheers,
Andre