[Gobsmacked]

Hey Guys,

I have finished an education as software developer last summer and recently passed an art exam for a pre-university pathway course.

My goal is to set foot in the game or movie industry as a concept artist. After the above mentioned course, I will off course start to study in an art related field but I am uncertain whether game design or illustration is the way to go.

Game design(at the university in Zurich, where I will study) seems to be a very general education. It contains storytelling, programming, level design, character design, 3d modeling, texturing and also illustration. From a personal perspective this really sounds like a dream to me. It drips with awesome!... But then, I am not quite sure whether people who know a bit of everything are even considered for any kind of job.

Illustration on the other hand is a totally different story. Don't get me wrong, I really like observant drawing and understanding how to draw realistically is key for what I want to do. I just don't know whether I would be happy doing it all day long for more than three years. Still, if it brings me closer to what I really want to do, I'd still do it.

Usually I don't go to the internet to ask for recommendations, but for this particular question, I think there is no better thing to do than talk about it to other students and professionals.

I am very thankful for any kind of impulse, opinion or recommendation.

Best regards
Fabio

[ShrikeGFX]

I wouldnt just do gamedesign just like that. Same with the Arts, if you were not active before, then its maybe not meant that you do it.

If you didnt mod, design levels, write guides and think about mechanics or work on a engine and whatnot, then its probably not in your sense. It contains tons and tons of tech heavy stuff, and you need a lot of dedication and interest for that.

If youre a good illustrator I would stick to that. Concept art is great, and you could go over in things like interface design, general 2D graphic design or even start learning to model.
You dont need to be a game designer to work on a nice spot in a game.