Animation or Computer Science?

College Majors Visual Arts and Film Majors
1

<p>Hi everyone!</p>

<p>Well, I'm still trying to decide on what I really want to major in... I'm currently a freshman heading on to my last quarter of the year. I've been thinking about my major ever since summer last year but haven't came up with a final decision yet. I feel like I'm wasting time and money on classes that I don't need. I'm debating between Computer Science and Animation. My major as of right now is Animation. I was previously in Computer Science but I changed it. Now I'm regretting what I've done and want to change back. The amount of times I change my major stays on my record too... :/ I love them equally and I know that both requires a lot of dedication, patience, and hard work. Thing is, I will only have finaid provided to me for my first bachelor's degree so I want to make it worth it. Also, I'm not financially stable enough to be owing a lot of money particularly for wasting units on classes that I don't need.</p>

<p>The problem with Animation is that, I wouldn't be studying it in an actual art school. I'm currently attending a state university and I'm not really sure of the strength of their arts program. I took an introductory art class and we learned how to use software such as Adobe InDesign, Illustrator, and Photoshop. The teacher didn't really teach much. You could say, it was more of a software experiment lab. You pretty much have to teach yourself how to use it. Another problem with Animation is that I don't have enough confidence. I believe that my drawing skills are very low for someone my age. I also feel as if I don't have any creativity. And knowing that there is a lot of competition going on, having low confidence wouldn't help. However, I know that I can improve in a couple of months if only I dedicate myself to drawing. And my last problem with this major is that, I know that it's not necessary to have an arts degree in order to do something art-related. All that's needed is a good portfolio. If I know that I can learn how to use animation programs such as the Maya 3D software on my own depending on tutorials, I can save thousands of dollars.</p>

<p>As for Computer Science, I'm not particularly the type who loves to solve puzzles. I do love computers, but I don't like over thinking things; which I tend to do when I encounter technical things. Math on the other hand, isn't my strength. I can remember how to do the problems before a test, but I wouldn't remember it on the long run. Sometimes I forget the difference between understanding and memorizing and I'm not aware of when I do either one. I also never took Physics in high school which they recommended me. I took Chemistry but I didn't learn a thing. Anyway, again. It's a matter of confidence. I believe that I can improve on math if I just dedicate myself to it. I've witnessed people who were once terrible, become better. </p>

<p>In the end, it's either I dedicate myself to drawing and animating or dedicate myself to math and programming. It's difficult to do two at the same time. And knowing that I have finaid offered to me for one bachelor's degree, the other degree would have to come right out of my pocket (if I decide to go back to school). And knowing that I'm not in a great financial position, I definitely need a decent job right after graduation.</p>

<p>All in all, I want to be a game designer. Whether I major in Animation or Computer Science. I want to do something that relates to computers and creates.</p>

<p>I'd appreciate some advice if you're familiar with any/or both of these two areas: Computer Science and Animation. Thanks for reading (if you've made it this far)!</p>

2

<p>A naturally-talented artist can learn math and programming; a naturally-adept CS student cannot as easily learn to draw. Go for the CS degree, and have very marketable skills to fall back on provided you’re unable to secure animation work.</p>

3

<p>“In the end, it’s either I dedicate myself to drawing and animating or dedicate myself to math and programming.”</p>

<p>I think you’ve summed it up right there. It will depend on whether you want to focus more on artistic/creative or logic/technical skills. You can always adjust your focus later, but I think it is easier to gain CS skills, than animation, later in life. If you don’t use it, you can lose it (artistic talent). Also, since you don’t like logic and puzzles, another reason to go animation route.</p>

4

<p>If you are interested in Game Design you may be better served by a degree in Computer Science, especially if you are looking to develop indie games on your own. Or even just creating games for the ever popular App market on the side. </p>

<p>As for getting a job, a CS degree will definitely more marketable in the job market. An art degree may be useless without a stellar portfolio to back it up and it sounds like you are not too sure about the quality of your program.</p>

<p>These days animation programs can span a wide range of areas, from motion graphics to web to flash to games and film. They require some different skillsets and encompass a wide variety of skill levels. For games they usually deal with the asset creation side of things - modeling and designing characters, environments, etc. If you find your program lacking, know that there are many web, dvd, and online learning resources for art and animation these days. </p>

<p>I think it may be easier to take art classes on the side while studying for a CS degree than working on an Animation degree and taking CS classes on the side. You really can straddle both fields, but one will have to suffer temporarily at the expense of the other. I do think a professional level of CS is faster and quicker to learn than Art and Animation which you would likely be working on for a lot longer than it would take to obtain the degree.</p>