So here it is. The end of my second year at university! What
happened? Where has the time gone? All I know is that I’ve matured as an artist
and as a person. My skills have thrived within the family I have within my
course year.
Throughout this year I have really pushed my skills, putting
all that I learned in my first year here to the test, and forcing myself to develop
my creative imagination. This has been a very important year for me, in that I
feel like I have developed much further than in my first year. I have also
begun to really understand the structure of my three years here much more
clearly; with the first year being to learn basic understanding and skills with
the tools we are required to use, this, the second year being to learn more
complex and advanced techniques with these tools as well as becoming “fluent”
in the various computer programs. With the third and final year being to show
my knowledge and understanding of artistic license and ability with what I’ve
learnt.
Throughout this second year, we have been subtly pushed
towards focusing our skills into what we would like to do, or what we naturally
have a talent for within the games industry. Having entered this course wanting
to be a character or creature artist, not really sure of my direction; I found
that by the end of my first year, I wasn’t going in that direction. Throughout
second year, my calling has really been directed towards vehicle and weapon
design and modelling. Having avoided angular, man-made objects through my
artistic past at school, it was something that I found I actually really
enjoyed doing once I put my mind to it. Actually having to do this as a requirement
in projects and work, this made me realise that these sorts of designs were a
joy to produce.
Having found what I feel is my correct route for a career, I’ve
done more personal work and learning this year, forcing myself to work in labs
almost every available day to avoid distractions and get more work done.
Practicing high poly modelling and researching weapon mechanics has helped me
produce more extravagant designs, thinking outside of the box, as well as
becoming very quick with 3D production elements compared to first year.
With this new understanding and speed in painting, drawing
and modelling, and a more advanced understanding of the software I use, I feel
I want to drive these skills further and produce work over the summer break.
Hopefully this will help me to get up to a decent speed for my final year as
well as giving me some portfolio work which could potentially help me get
employed. I also want to learn some new
things, such as visual effects and animation in order to broaden my
employability and help me to understand some personal interests.
Finishing my second year here has really made me wonder
where the time here goes, yet makes me realise the extent myself and my course mates
work in order to achieve our goal of a career in the demanding industry.
Working with my course mates has again helped me to improve much more quickly
than if I were to work on my own. I think the working relationships we all have
as a year has really encouraged our own personal growth and gain, this is one
things I think being at university has really touched me with. Without all the
support, I would not be anywhere near where I am as an artist today.
Going into my third and final year now, I look forward to
really showing what I’ve learnt in my time here. To be able to do what I want
in a showcase for my final major project is something that I have many ideas
for and really look forward to. As I polish off my last bits of work, I will
leave it here until next year. Until then, stay tuned…
