<p>Hello !
I am considering the Game and Interactive Media Design major or Computer Graphic major for my college. Unfortunately, I cannot draw anything by hands even a human, a dog, a face. However, I can draw many things using apps like Adobe Illustrator and my imagination is awesome I suppose. Is it OK for me to study this major without the ability to draw by hands ?</p>
<p>I know that these two above majors also require some programming course. I am good at math and have studied some programming languages. I also really want to become a software programmer. I consider studying art related major in undergraduate and software programming major in graduate because I want to have more time in college to discover life before getting intense in study. Is it OK or not ?</p>
<p>I believe still life drawing is in fact necessary. You should have an understanding of How things work in space and a structural understanding of objects through drawing. Thats what alot of schools look for in applicats but I think that only goes for art schools.</p>
<p>I actually know a man who has no hands (and no legs) - that’s no joke, that plays video games and is well-known in the video game world. He plans on studying game design.</p>
<p>amslearning, I am NOT an artist. However, I have spoken with many designers about this. Thus, take what I say with this in mind.</p>
<p>Every designer that I met has noted that while knowing the applicable software is crucial , IT DOES NOT replace having a “good eye” and knowing how to draw. All software are simply tools. They don’t replace the basic skills. You still need to be able to draw. </p>
<p>For example, if you want to create virtual worlds, you should be able to draw well from observation. If you want animation, you should be able to draw faces. If you want to do modeling of games, you should have some basic ability to do scuplture, although on the computer. </p>
<p>Secondly, most of the good art and design schools require a portfolio of drawings by observation. If you don’t have this, you will be at a significant disadvantage for both admission and for scholarships. </p>
<p>Thirdly, as noted above, Most art and design schools have a foundation year where you are required to draw from observation. You will not get though that year if you can’t draw. </p>
<p>Fourthly, Many studios want people who are not only strong in one area such as lighting, rigging, modeling etc, but also want people who can step up and do multiple jobs. Having good drawing skills will be crucial for this.</p>
<p>I strongly urge you to take class or hire a tutor in order to develop your basic drawing skills and to develop a decent portfolio; otherwise, you will be signficantly handicapping yourself.</p>
<p>Armslearning, I was also assuming that you want to be a game designer. If you solely want to be the programmer for the designers, you don’t need to draw, from the little that I know. In fact, going to art school wouldn’t be the right thing for programming. For coding of the designs, you would want programing or a good computer science, or computer engineering background. However, if you want to be a designer then what I said in post 5, above, applies.</p>
<p>Interestingly, I would bet that you would also have better job prospects being willing and able to do the programming over that of being a designer.</p>
<p>If you want to become a software programmer, most graduate computer science degrees I know of usually require an undergraduate degree in computer science or math. The Masters is where you would choose a field of focus - eg. networking, interface design, AI, graphics, software design</p>
<p>If you are applying to a Game Design major, a decent school will teach you how to draw in the foundational year.</p>
<p>pumpkinking noted,“you are applying to a Game Design major, a decent school will teach you how to draw in the foundational year”</p>
<p>Response: Maybe. first, you have to have an “eye” for detail and some innate talent. Secondly, I really don’t think that one year of foundation can make you competant enough. It can hone and improve existing skills though. I strongly recommend the OP takes a class or two before apply to art school and maybe even get a tutor.</p>
<p>No, if you lack the innate ability, it will be harder and one year will certainly not make you all that much better, but it will teach you how to draw at the most basic level. There is no need to learn how to draw before applying to a program which is what the OP seems concerned about.
The whole point of getting the education is learning, although in the industry you will never stop learning, as there will always be more to learn and improve on. So there is no need to wait before applying, just do it. </p>
<p>Of course if one can’t get into a program due to the lack of drawing skills, that will be a different problem.</p>