Best Universities for Computer Graphics/Animation?

Hey,

Always important that a student makes the right choice before joining any course I guess for me, at interview stage I really don't want to see a piece of work in a portfolio that is taken from a 3D tutorial (i.e. a Digital Tutors bike, Gnomon weapon etc) - that just tells me the candidate is capable of following instructions - a good skill but not one that I think is imperative to someone getting a place on a course. If students are using Maya for the first time and learning in isolation at home;I'm guessing the work is going to be rather limited and design wise - shallow. Students should feel free to play with software, experiment with techniques, maybe even mention it in the interview - but it shouldn't form the basis of a portfolio interview. I'd advise that student bring a balanced portfolio of traditional and digital work that they are comfortable to talk about. I've had students before who were product designers who made biscuit tins. Bud damn they were good biscuit tins!

The thread is about the best Universities for computer Graphics and Animation and we seem to be avoiding 2D digital work here. A lot of the industries VFX projects (if we remove Games for two seconds) is heavily dependent on 2D skills to achieve their shots. Compositing skills are a huge part of a production - understanding the 2D/3D pipeline is an essential requirement. As is lighting, composition and cinematography. I don't think a student submitting a 3D portfolio is going to have the breadth of work to demonstrate this. The whole point of an animation or VFX course is that you can and should be able move towards certain themes - Character and Environments, 2D and 3D etc. Both inform one another, and we obviously see a lot of convergence between these technologies and the artists/TD's roles - hence the reason for a portfolio that gives the student the ability to choose a path that is right for them once on the course.

Cheers

I got an interview at Glamorgan on 10th december! Has anyone else heard from them? I was expecting the interviews to be in January, I best start working on my portfolio

Oh my god me too! 10/12/11! I'm dying! My portfolio isn't ready!! Ahhh!! Are you panicking toooo?!

hey, I have an interview at Falmouth in 10 days and im panicking my portfolio is not together and i have little idea of what to whack in it. dont suppose anyone has any suggestions? or tip? Greatly appreciated.

Hi ,

I just wanted to share some news that was announced yesterday; in which the NCCA at Bournemouth University was awarded the Queens Anniversary Award for its contribution to world-leading excellence and pioneering development in computer animation. The Queen's Anniversary Prizes form part of the national honours system and are the most prestigious awards in UK education.

Take a look at the story here. If you look closely, you'll even see my students working hard in the studio (..ish).


http://www.bournemouth.ac.uk/newsandevents/News/2011/nov/ne009-queens-honours-list.html



Cheers

Saf

hey, I have an interview at Falmouth in 10 days and im panicking my portfolio is not together and i have little idea of what to whack in it. dont suppose anyone has any suggestions? or tip? Greatly appreciated.

I havn't even started my portfolio x.x I was panicking but I've calmed down a bit now, we've still got 3 weeks it's not too late to sort things out XD

Oh wow you're brave!!
How is it coming along? It's so soon now!! My portfolio is finally coming together and I'm really proud of it! Finally! I worry for the questions they will ask me now! When is your interview time?

Just wondering, when did your ucas get sent off? I got my e-mail from falmouth saying they've received my application today so i'm just trying to work out response times. I haven't seen many people mention falmouth for animation so i'm glad you did!

Yeah mine's getting there too slowly but surely xD I've just got a few more bits and pieces to sort out. Mines at 11.30, when's yours?

Hello everyone, im a prospective student (finishing school in 2013) and im looking forward to getting into one of the game art & design courses. Currently my top choices are: De Montfort, NUCA, Brunel, UCreative and maybe Abertay, Northumbria. Im not a natural drawer, but im familiar with photoshop, digital manipulation, games development and customization. Im planning to practice digital painting from 2012. And as a gamer I have an eye for 'what this game could have more/less etc.'. Can anyone recommend me which university should I choose as a firm choice, according to that im not a first class drawer (so my portfolio won't be as good as I would like it to be), but I have other specifications. Im from EU, I have A level Arts (from B and A to choose, A is the strongest one), and I have good grades from it. I have medium grades overall, including strongly high music grade, A level history, psichology, biology. Also I play guitar for 2 years, and participated in kind of a lot city competitions, im always active with music and I have formed 2 bands yet. Overall im active in various school/class projects and I love teamworking. I don't know if I said too much, but I hope you can help me with the university choice! thanks for reading