Hi Rob, welcome to the forum...

check out the posts in our Frequently Discussed Topics thread... there are a bunch about education.

I dont know what the hell that is, but from personal expeirence, degrees don't mean jack. real world expeirence, and a kickass portfolio are what get you hired, always.

D-Frag, RCA = Royal College of Art, probably one of the most well respected courses in Europe.

Well, if it was any other place then i'd be inclined to agree. Education vs Portfolio is obvious, but then, both together is something better i'm sure.

I don't think learning is the point of it for me, I know I can do anything any other average designer can do, I know any program inside out and have had plenty of experience. I'm just looking for something more. IMO any monkey can learn the basics of graphics in a year if they have the inclination. Put them in a design place and they'll do fine.

I think i'm just gunning for the top. Why not.

I reckon i'll go for it and see what happens.

D-Frag is right, to a point. Relevant experience and an impressive portfolio are critical elements to landing a good job. But do not underestimate the power of a prestigous education. I don't beleive an educational institution which is held in high regard will do any better of a job of teaching you what you need to know for creating groundbreaking designs. However, these types of places (comparable to to some of our states' Institutes of Art and Design, I would imagine) should have connections to businesses which will be more likely to pay top dollar for employee services. Of course, the cost of such education tends to be quite expensive - as you well know. All part of the system in place that keeps the rich rich, the poor poor, and the middle class somewhere else. If you can figure out a way to afford such an education, why not go for it indeed. I would, however, closely examine the programs in place at the RCA for job placement after your studies are complete - if they do not offer an impressive program with fantastic placement rates and excellent average starting salaries, I'd think twice about investing in such an endeavor.

Rob,

I hope I understand correctly that you want to focus on 3D related career. If not, ignore this post.

I went through a very similar experience to what you are talking about. When I graduated with by undergrad degree I chose to go on to grad school and focus on a 3D career. I learned a lot of very useful skills but it was expensive.

Would I do it again, or recommend that path for other people? No. Take the undergraduate degree and run. Get some excellent real world experience. It'll be worth much more than the graduate degree.

I've said this before in other posts, companies that use a lot of 3D (i.e., gaming and film) don't care what software you use, they want people that have artistic talent and can actually use a pencil and paper. They could teach a monkey to use the software but they can't teach them to draw.

You can learn just about any 3D package if you understand the basics of 3D. That information can be found just about everywhere. Get a job working to perfect your undergrad skills and learn the extras on your own. Build a great portfolio and add lots, and I mean LOTS, of sketching and finished fine art rendering. Learn about light and how it reacts with objects (crucial to 3D).

Basically, become a sponge. <---Zen moment of the day.

Then try for the 3D jobs.

I completely agree with idaho

Prestegious schools are great for contacts that's about it. Design, be it 3D, traditional or what have you comes from inside, it can be guided and influenced, but for the most part you got it or you don't. If you got it, you got the piece of paper that says you can sit still for a day at a time, (like most degrees seemingly barely worth the paper it's printed only). Go show your mad skillz and get paid.

I glanced at this and immediately thought "What the hell is a MARCA"?

I need to stop sitting in the garage with the car running.

A whole lot of money. So many of our members are still paying off loans many years after graduation. I'm not saying do it or don't do it, but being in debt the price of a house is something to really consider carefully.

Hey thanks guys, some really helpful stuff coming up here.

I'm at present on the fence, as suggested, I think I will research the facility and apply if I feel it will benifit me, if I get in great, I can always say no at the end of the day.

I'm very concious of the fact that it is a hell of a lot of money, and at the end of the day, i'll be looking at adding at least another 10k of debt to my tab. Will I get a better job somewhere down the line that pays off that extra debt at the end of it, its impossible to say.

As for the whole 3D thing, I have a finger in many pies, i'm training in graphic design, but i'm finding that i'm increasingly being drawn to motion graphics which takes me into 3D and after effects, not quite CG.

General opinion is that I should work on getting a job. 2 years of design experiance or a good quality masters... Still a tough choice IMO.

Well thanks guys, you've planted a few seeds of thought in my mind for this evenings sleep.

If anyone else has any experiances or advice to relate then feel free. I'm all ears.

Cheers,

Rob.

Here....I'm 40 next year and I'm ALMOST done paying my degree off.
Cause for pause....

That's the key right there. It's not either/or, educaction OR portfolio.

A person with a quality education from a reputable school AND a good portfolio is going to have a much better time in this competitive field than would a person with either/or.

I can't say whether an MA will help you as opposed to just your undergrad degree. Perhaps you can speak to some organizations for whom you'd like to eventually work? Find out from them what level of education they value and from which programs?

Good luck!

OTOH, most individuals are MUCH faster to go into far more debt in order to purchase an SUV or another such automobile, which in turn is worth LESS money the moment you set foot into it! LOL! And that's not even to mention how much CREDIT CARD DEBT most American households carry. So we're not squeamish about incurring debt, we're just not smart about incurring debt that is worth incurring in the first place.

A college degree is worth MORE money after you obtain it, particularly in the U.S. where there is a wide difference between the salaries of those with H.S. diplomas vs. those with 4 year college degrees.

So just RUSH out and get a degree? No. I think the decision should be heavily weighed and researched. Finding a college/university that is well-respected in one's field as well as one's area is key.

i lived in england for awhile and got my art & design b.a. whilst in the uk.

if you get accepted to rca - do it. do it and WORK YOUR ASS OFF. that not only means in terms of your coursework, but in networking and doing private shows/commissions/freelancing - whatever. but use the time wisely.

again, IF you get in.

good luck though! let us know what happens.