Best Universities for Computer Graphics/Animation?

Hey, I have been reading through this thread although I skipped to the last page after a while...

I think that this is possible but I'm unsure and want to ask and hopefully won't get ripped apart for it.

I know it must be possible but how likely is it that someone can get into a Uni with poor GCSE results and no A levels? If my portfolio was pretty dam good then surely I could stand a chance of getting in to a university for 3d Animation?

I took all of my GCSE's and failed one, I got a B for one subject and the rest were C or lower which I know is poor but at the time I was between schools and being an idiot which I severely regret now.

I personally think that I could put together a pretty dam good Portfolio / Demo Reel of my Animation skills as that is what I want to do, I'm confident in my skill so far and I have been teaching myself up until now, which I have had a lot of luck with because I can animate and rig pretty well now (also with some help from Digital Tutors for the rigging training, I have had a couple of monthly subscriptions with them) but I know there is much I could learn and great techniques I could pick up on not to mention the contacts I could make through going to a University to better learn the trade which is something that I really want to do. However I would probably only get in based off of my Portfolio.

Would it be worth applying if I will be strongly relying on my demo reel?

My Portfolio will contain things like character designs and 2d sketches of the characters with some 3d models, but mostly it will contain my Animations which I will be putting together real soon because I have recently lost a lot of my work but I feel that I could get enough done to present when applying but I would like to get some feedback on my situation from anyone that will give some advice?

I would like to say one last thing, I'm generally good at art although my art skills could use some fine tuning. I've recently got into digitalizing my art in Photoshop with a graphics tablet and I'm loving it, but I have mainly been concentrating on my animation skills as like I have said this is what I want to do. I have also taken time to learn to model 3d characters to better my understanding on rigging them to further my animation skills and I fully understand topology and how it should flow but I am not the greatest 3d artist around. The work should however be good enough to present in my opinion.


Please, any feedback will be appreciated and I registered to this forum like a few others just to reply to this thread but I will most likely have a look around at some of the other ones now that I'm here!

Hey, I have been reading through this thread although I skipped to the last page after a while...

I think that this is possible but I'm unsure and want to ask and hopefully won't get ripped apart for it.

I know it must be possible but how likely is it that someone can get into a Uni with poor GCSE results and no A levels? If my portfolio was pretty dam good then surely I could stand a chance of getting in to a university for 3d Animation?

I took all of my GCSE's and failed one, I got a B for one subject and the rest were C or lower which I know is poor but at the time I was between schools and being an idiot which I severely regret now.

I personally think that I could put together a pretty dam good Portfolio / Demo Reel of my Animation skills as that is what I want to do, I'm confident in my skill so far and I have been teaching myself up until now, which I have had a lot of luck with because I can animate and rig pretty well now (also with some help from Digital Tutors for the rigging training, I have had a couple of monthly subscriptions with them) but I know there is much I could learn and great techniques I could pick up on not to mention the contacts I could make through going to a University to better learn the trade which is something that I really want to do. However I would probably only get in based off of my Portfolio.

Would it be worth applying if I will be strongly relying on my demo reel?

My Portfolio will contain things like character designs and 2d sketches of the characters with some 3d models, but mostly it will contain my Animations which I will be putting together real soon because I have recently lost a lot of my work but I feel that I could get enough done to present when applying but I would like to get some feedback on my situation from anyone that will give some advice?

I would like to say one last thing, I'm generally good at art although my art skills could use some fine tuning. I've recently got into digitalizing my art in Photoshop with a graphics tablet and I'm loving it, but I have mainly been concentrating on my animation skills as like I have said this is what I want to do. I have also taken time to learn to model 3d characters to better my understanding on rigging them to further my animation skills and I fully understand topology and how it should flow but I am not the greatest 3d artist around. The work should however be good enough to present in my opinion.


Please, any feedback will be appreciated and I registered to this forum like a few others just to reply to this thread but I will most likely have a look around at some of the other ones now that I'm here!

I can only speak for Herts, but as far as I'm aware, it would be impossible. This is because the higher ups of the University specify strict UCAS points requirements, that MUST be met by every candidate, before the opinions and decisions of the animation department based off your portfolio are even considered.

I also believe UH Animation degrees require you to have at least a C in GCSE English. I'm not sure what the best course of action for you would be, but 'm sure Moid will be along shortly to offer you suggestions, and/or correct my knowledge of the Herts admission system.

Perhaps my best bet would be to carry on doing freelance work and then build a real big portfolio, then apply for a job as an animator once I have more experience and such (2 or so years down the line) instead of trying to apply to a uni if what Colonel said was correct....

Or even go and do my A levels. Any thoughts or opinions on what you think I should do?


Thanks to anyone that replies. =]

Contrary to popular opinion you don't actually need a degree to become an animator - I certainly worked with plenty of them who didn't have this qualification, but in reality most people need the teaching / educational experience of a degree to gain the skills required to get a job as an animator. I would have a look at an Access course as a possibility if you want to study at HE level. Do be aware that the position of animator is very popular; the competition is not just other students, but mostly applicants from Europe where the best character animation schools are. Most of the animation companies in London are stuffed with mainland European graduates - you don't just need to be a great animator, you need to be better than the French, Germans and Danish

Anyway back to answering Firepants. Thanks for the compliments

I'd strongly advise joining a life drawing class or we are unlikely to accept you. Life drawing does not have to be expensive though, join the http://london-life-drawing-society.ning.com/ and you should be able to find your local group and most are very reasonable. Sketches of family members can be god (if done well enough) but we need to know whether you really understand anatomy, and you're only going to get that with life drawing. Digital painting is something we like, but not essential - as long as you have traditional painting skills that will be fine (we'll teach the digital painting). You should have images that show knowledge of perspective (two point or higher), colour theory and composition. I don't care what you draw/paint them in, as long as you are demonstrating those skills. Yes you can include work from your A-level as long as it's good If you are having to do nothing but copy Salvador Dali or Monet, well don't bother putting that in, or at the other end, if you are having to make a load of conceptual crap, leave that out as well. Look at the work and ask yourself - does this show talent? does this show ability to record the world outside yourself (or inside if it comes to that), does it show technical skill and creative design? Don't worry about a portfolio telling a story - although that is a good piece of advice if you are applying for a fine art course. Having images, each one that tells a story is a damn good idea, especially when making concepts for characters or environments. But we wouldn't expect that to extend through an entire portfolio.

Regarding 3D yes we want to see it, we prefer to see work you've made yourself rather than tutorials because most (decent) tutorials also come with the files so we don't know if you just used those, plus it shows zero creativity on your part - and you do want to demonstrate creativity or there's no point in becoming an animator Screen captures of models are great. Show them from different angles.

I don't know what other universities will want, but a MOV with h264 codec or MP4 file are the industry standards for compressed file delivery and that's what we like too Don't forget to compress the sound as well - ALaw or IMA 4:1 are good audio codecs.

Hope that helps

Hi,

I'm on the BA (Hons) Computer Animation course at Teesside, and I've been living here 5 weeks now, and Middlesbrough isn't as bad as I thought it would be. It's actually really clean, and a few of the locals look slightly dodgy, but in general everyone's friendly here, plus there is a lot of grass on campus so it feels less industrial. It's also so convenient being right in town, so in between lectures you can go home or pop into town with some friends and be back to a lecture within 3 minutes walk.

So don't let Middlesbrough put you off applying to Teesside.

For Hertfordshire if you are applying for 3D, Games Art or VFX then yes I would say 3D work in the portfolio is essential (unless your traditional drawing skills are astounding). For 2D it's not a requirement. I think we only accepted four people this year without 3D in their portfolio. It's worth doing for a number of reasons. Firstly (and most importantly) it's a quick and cheap way to find out if you like 3D. If not, you will be wasting at least £10,000 to discover something you could find out for free. We have so many applicants that it's a risk taking someone on without 3D who then discovers they don't like it - we could've given that place to someone else who really wanted it. Having 3D in your portfolio also increases your chances of getting an offer for any other animation course, so it won't hurt you Last year we had 760 applicants, we interviewed 250 and we have 95 places to offer - so if you want to stand a good chance of getting a place, you will need to have 3D alongside the other work you show us.

We don't mind what 3D program you use, but we will be teaching Maya. Some good news, as a student, you can have Maya for free! go to:

http://students.autodesk.com/

register and download it, completely legal and free.


Please show us a 2D animation, we'd like to see that (as long as it contains proper frame by frame drawn character animation and not just eye blinks, flashing backgrounds or other anime clichés). We teach animation in 2D before we teach it in 3D because it is easier to pick up the concepts in 2D, and then transfer those skills to 3D afterwards. We'd like to see photos of clay models if they are realistic or stylised well - heads on their own will do if you can't make the whole form. Can you take some photos before you paint them please, it's easier to tell if you have the volume right that way. If you find that you are good at clay sculpting, you might want to look at the digital equivalents - ZBrush and Mudbox. You can get Mudbox for free from the above link.

Maya comes with introduction tutorials, but you'll find masses of books and websites and DVDs for learning from. If you can afford it the Digital Tutors website is very good if you want to become skilled in the software quickly.

I won't deny that this has panicked me quite a bit. I haven't been told at any university open evening (including hertfordshire) that it is essential to have 3D work so I am very worried. My traditional observational and life drawing skills are strong, but whether they are strong enough I am unsure to try and apply without 3D.

I have followed the link and successfully downloaded Maya, however I am finding it very daunting and difficult to grasp. I know things will become clearer as I continue to practice and learn the basics, but in the meantime any basic tips would be a great help! Thanks

I have followed the link and successfully downloaded Maya, however I am finding it very daunting and difficult to grasp.

Hey,

I'll put an example of portfolios from applicants who have successfully joined the MA3D course. I don't have any examples of BA work, but A'Level or Art foundation is likely to be less developed and more experimental - and that's absolutely fine! What is important is that you can talk about your aspirations, your ideas, your design method and your portfolio.

I'll post a link in a few minutes...

Hey,

Not all Universities require 3D experience before you apply or start the course, in fact courses at Bournemouth Universities NCCA require no CG experience at all. 3D is not a Pre-requisite. This is never been a problem for us or our courses, our graduates go to be excellent practitioners within the industry, and have done for over 20 years. What is more important is excellent observational skills and/or technical ability. By technical ability I mean good maths or science background, as well some computer literacy (programming, scripting etc). The bias of whether you need more art or science skills depends on the course you apply for and whether it is a BA or BSc. But lets be clear there is no hard and fast rules to getting a place on a course, what is important is your ability to communicate, your passion regarding the subject and what informs you of your practise. We want talented ideas people who are going to be the next supervisors, lead artists or studio owners - that's got nothing to do with 3D knowledge (well maybe a teeny bit); its more important to have ideas, problem solving skills, artistry, design iteration, raw talent and confidence. The computer is just a tool - as far as i am concerned it is not important - its just an extension of our arms.

I'll put an example of portfolios from applicants who have successfully joined the MA3D course. I don't have any examples of BA work, but A'Level or Art foundation is likely to be less developed and more experimental - and that's absolutely fine! What is important is that you can talk about your aspirations, your ideas, your design method and your portfolio.

I'll post a link in a few minutes...

I don't just want to see 3D skills because I like torturing students The main reason is that if you are about to apply for a degree in animation you are about to get into an enormous amount of debt. Wouldn't it be a really good idea to have tried some 3D animation first before you spend that money? That way you can find out for free 'do I really like this?' and 'can I see myself doing this as a career?'. If you download a 3D program and learn enough in it to make some models, you'll know the answer to this question without owing a huge sum of money for the rest of your life... if you hate using the 3D software, my advice is study something completely different If you enjoy it, then apply!

The other really good reason for learning 3D software for your portfolio is that 95% of our successful applicants have it in their portfolios. We do accept the occasional student without some 3D knowledge, but their traditional drawing skills have to be amazing. Oh yes and we want good traditional art skills as well as 3D.