Architecture Degree For Video Game Design
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I just started my 5 year UG degree course in B.architecture two days ago, and so for I'm loving it. But as I've always wanted to get in the video game industry, preferably as an artist, I was wondering whether after completing my degree, I could maybe try out for the industry. Nowadays architecture in games is a huge factor, with the buildings becoming heavily detailed (Assassin's Creed 2).
An architect could be a great candidate for jobs like level design maybe, or since I have my own art skills, I could go for other jobs like a concept artist. Look at this guy for instance. He was an architect for a long time, and then joined the video game industry as a level designer.
But what I wanted to know was, does being an architect boost my chances? Or does it create a hindrance? Or does it make no difference at all?
Thanks
Email game companies and ask them.
As long as you can build 'dreams' and the several levels within them
You have one minute to build a maze that takes at least two minutes to complete.
well, I assume, and I'm no expert. That your expertise might be useful for a big game company who needs to design architecture for games. I don't know what capacity that would be in, like a part time advisor or a level designer, I just don't know. But obviously you bring a lot more skill to the table than just some kid out of high school who wants to be a QA tester.
I know Bungie hired a few architects back in the day, but that was in a weired time when anyone could get hired. I originally considered architecture, then considered doing exactly what is in the OP, ultimately i decided i would aim to be an environmental artist. I THINK, If you want a job with something like concept art then architecture could be a bonus but it probably wont be the reason you are hired, that is up to your portfolio/skills (though i have no idea how this effects level design applicants).
Architecture is a pretty long degree for someone who wants another job more (unless you are aiming to become an architect $$ first then switch later on in life). Anyways GL with whatever you do, me opting out of architecture was one of the hardest and easiest decisions i ever made.
But seriously, I heard the Bioware dudes liked people with multiple degrees, not just in computer science. If you want to make it a sure thing though, you probably need a CS degree.
May I just interject, as a general rule the more degrees/activities you can show in a resume the better you do, makes you look special" But seriously, I heard the Bioware dudes liked people with multiple degrees, not just in computer science. If you want to make it a sure thing though, you probably need a CS degree. "
Well, at least you're better qualified than a high schooler, that's for sure.
" You have one minute to build a maze that takes at least two minutes to complete. "**HINT** Don't use the grid and make it a circle
If you can wait until you get your degree, and you have artistic skills outside of architecture, I'm sure it would certainly help.
" As long as you can build 'dreams' and the several levels within them "I see what you did there with that Inception reference...
" Email game companies and ask them. "Exactly and also ask them if they hire interns.
Are they going to teach you any Arch Viz? That would definitely have a direct correlation to games. I've heard that degrees mean nothing, it's all up to whats in your portfolio.
" Are they going to teach you any Arch Viz? That would definitely have a direct correlation to games. I've heard that degrees mean nothing, it's all up to whats in your portfolio. "This is probably true. Your portfolio show what you can actually do, which employers will probably want to see right? So, if you have a degree in Architecture and have a portfolio that shows you can build levels I don't see why they wouldn't hire you.
Reviews: 11
User Lists: 17
@ozzdog12 said:
" As long as you can build 'dreams' and the several levels within them "@Green_Incarnate said:
" You have one minute to build a maze that takes at least two minutes to complete. "hmmm.. where have i heard that before?
@masterpaperlink said:
"I know Bungie hired a few architects back in the day, but that was in a weired time when anyone could get hired. I originally considered architecture, then considered doing exactly what is in the OP, ultimately i decided i would aim to be an environmental artist. I THINK, If you want a job with something like concept art then architecture could be a bonus but it probably wont be the reason you are hired, that is up to your portfolio/skills (though i have no idea how this effects level design applicants).
Architecture is a pretty long degree for someone who wants another job more (unless you are aiming to become an architect $$ first then switch later on in life). Anyways GL with whatever you do, me opting out of architecture was one of the hardest and easiest decisions i ever made.
"
Thanks. Well, I kind of took architecture as it is a little more secure field than say, fine arts. I'm pretty much enjoying it as of now. I'll keep working on my portfolio!
@guiseppe said:
" If you can wait until you get your degree, and you have artistic skills outside of architecture, I'm sure it would certainly help. "
Yeah, I do think I have artistic skills outside of that. I'm taking this degree so that I have a backup in case I don't get in the game industry.
@Akrid:
Arch viz?
@MauveForest said:
" @Akrid said:
" Are they going to teach you any Arch Viz? That would definitely have a direct correlation to games. I've heard that degrees mean nothing, it's all up to whats in your portfolio. "This is probably true. Your portfolio show what you can actually do, which employers will probably want to see right? So, if you have a degree in Architecture and have a portfolio that shows you can build levels I don't see why they wouldn't hire you. "
I actually don't have much of an idea how levels are designed.
Could you tell me what profession in video game making somehow uses architectural skills?
Maybe as physics is rapidly becoming a huge factor in video games, architects may be needed to construct buildings. Red Faction: Guerilla had this problem, I remember.
Develop your portfolio and skills, and stop trying to justify your choices. I see no reason an architect couldn't get a job as a concept artist, as (from what I know of architecture) architects generally produce concepts for buildings anyway. From what I know of the industry, they'll care much more about your portfolio and artistic knowledge than they will about your specific degree.
Above everything else, don't limit your choices to video games at the start of your undergrad. Be aware of the option of pursuing that, but also look into other places. You may discover you have the passion to make 1/2 what you could making games, you may discover something else. Another bit of advice- join the game creator's club on your campus; they'll treat you like a god (or they should, because it is likely no one there has any artistic abilities).
As a 4th year architecture student, yes you can. You have to learn 3d modeling and visualization anyways and use many similar tools/assets as game designers. It not hard to jump from one 3d modeling program to the other, actually.
Where are you doing your UG if you don't mind me asking?
Having a degree will most likely not get you a job in the industry no matter what it is. A degree will help in getting your portfolio to the top of the pile so to speak. If you build a good portfolio and are able to demonstrate that you have the skill required by a studio then you will be in a much better position to get a job.
If you want to look at level design you have to think of what the user is looking at, you have to use layout and lighting to draw the user's eye to important features. For example, in some of the Overlord games you would always have to walk down a few steps when entering the throne room. This moves your character to the bottom of the screen and allows you to see better over his head down towards the throne sitting in a pool of light. This lets the player know that is where they have to go next and that the throne is important.
Try downloading a source SDK or UDK3 and play around and see what you can make, get a portfolio website up and start sending it around to games companies. Keep updating your portfolio and dont put everything in there, quality is much more important than quantity. If you have any doubts at all about a piece, it does not go in. Also remember a lot of game companies hire from within, testing may not be glamorous but it is a good way to get a foot in the door. As long as you make sure you dont end up as the testing guy or you will be stuck there.
Edit: With regards as to what software to learn for modelling etc. Learn the theory behind how to make models (like poly flow). This means whatever you get presented with all you have to do is learn what the buttons do then you are back up to standard with any package out there.
I doubt you'll get a place in the industry with an architecture degree alone, if you want to be a level designer than you need to have practical design skills and if you want to be an artist then you're going to need to be able to model in 3D. However, if you can show them that you do have the skills necessary to work on a game and an architecture degree on top of that it's definitely going to give you a leg up. Show them a strong portfolio which shows off all the things they're looking for and you could be onto something good.
@MauveForest said:I couldn't really tell you an exact profession, but being an architect mean you know how to work with the built environment and know how to create these environments. Video games require environments like these. I would assume you would be able to translate the skill from the real to the virtual, I don't know how easy it is to translate this but if you work at it I think you should be able to pick it up.
" @Akrid said:I actually don't have much of an idea how levels are designed. Could you tell me what profession in video game making somehow uses architectural skills? "
" Are they going to teach you any Arch Viz? That would definitely have a direct correlation to games. I've heard that degrees mean nothing, it's all up to whats in your portfolio. "This is probably true. Your portfolio show what you can actually do, which employers will probably want to see right? So, if you have a degree in Architecture and have a portfolio that shows you can build levels I don't see why they wouldn't hire you. "
I don't have any actual advice on what or how you should learn, I just know that a good portfolio will get you further than just having a degree.
I bet if you have a fat portfolio, you will be hired as an Environmental Artist.
@armaan8014: Arch Viz I'm pretty sure is taught in most architectural programs. It's the process of visualizing a project usually to present to a client. These days it's almost always done in 3d, so you'll be learning the pertinent tools for most game development. Unfortunately they probably won't teach you how to make it look really slick, the main purpose is to get the point across in an analytical fashion. Probably the most important thing an employer would look for in an Environmental Artist is the ability to think outside the box, and in that sense real life plausible architecture doesn't really have a bearing on what they might need. Games rarely need true to life structures, often it outright defies it. That said I don't think going into a program specifically for 3d is a much better alternative. Just learn the tools and try of think of something to cool to do with them.
Just my two cents, take it as you will. I may have wrote that in an authoritative fashion but I'm hardly an expert.
" You have one minute to build a maze that takes at least two minutes to complete. "Wasn't it the other way around?
Map making and design?
Reviews: 11
User Lists: 17
@Akrid: Thanks dude! Yeah that helped, I'll work seriously on it all. Also, I'll try polishing my Photoshop skills whenever I get the time.
@MauveForest: @Gamer_152:
Alright, so I gotta work on my portfolio and skills. Thanks
@Skilbs:
Alright thanks. And what do you think about making mods? Like for Oblivion or Dragon Age? Those two have pretty good SDKs and tutorials, would making a quest mod or something be worth the time spent?
@newt:
nope. no game creator's club here :( only architecture. I might get into modding on my own though.
@CrossTheAtlantic:
here :P
" As long as you can build 'dreams' and the several levels within them "A dream within a dream within a dream within a dream.
A friend of mine also told me that your portfolio is everything (this came in the midst of a discussion about getting internships/jobs as an engineer/comp sci major as opposed to an architect). If your arch. program is anything like the one I know of, you most likely spend up till 2AM in the studio drawing and 24/7 for midterms/finals so I assume you have the proper CAD/drawing ability. If you can't get a job in the video game industry, you could always try working for a movie FX company like ILM. They usually have to make scale models and things of that sort so maybe an architecture major could help there?
Reviews: 11
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@stoodspoon: That's good to hear! Thanks for the info, I'm checking their site now.
@demontium: That's what I've been thinking. A game like Assassin's Creed 2 could really use one, it has mad architecture.
Also, knowing people who have gone into the industry via architecture, it all depends on your own design ideas and intentions. Someone who is completely tied to a rational, classical approach may find little joy in what is simply modeling projects in 3d. A more adventurous architect, however, would likely realize that videogames allow us to abandon our preconceptions of what is a building or space and reinterpret architectural language as we see fit. If your portfolio shows a willingness to embrace the unknown rather than simply redrawing the VIlla Savoye, your chances--assumming you have the programming skills needed, that is--will greatly increase.
I'd also recommend that you look into image renderers such as Maxwell, Brazil, and V-ray. While they create only a static image, it's easier to learn lighting, texture mapping, and material making basics when dealing with only a single frame.
Architecture Degree For Video Game Design
Source: https://www.giantbomb.com/forums/off-topic-31/can-an-architect-get-a-job-in-the-video-game-indus-432674/
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