I’m going to uni this summer and I don’t know which course to do…computer science or computer animation and special effects. My heart lies with the latter but computer science seems the more sensible option.
Has anyone done either of these courses if so can you tell me somthing about them your experiences etc…
Cheers people
Mrg go with you heart and you’ll never go wrong.
you know what your right. Computer Science was my first choice simply because I felt its the more sensible course. Cheers CanadianGuy.
feedback from any users who have done/doing a degree in special effects would be most welcomed.
If I were u, I d go for the animation and special effects. I still want to do that course, due to some unavoidable circumstances, I am unable to do it…but hey, its up to u and ur interest. If u like doin animations and stuff u should do that, else u like programming and stuff i guess u should go for the comp science deg.
thanks gr8jay I like programming but I love animation and special effects. I’m really into programmes like flash, 3DS and After Effects.
Does anyone actually do motion design etc for a living? If so I’d be interested to hear from you.
I’d say computer science, but I am biased since that is what I am doing along with electrical eng. People will always need programmers. In my opinion, once you get a stable job with a CS degree, you can then explore other options such as animation in your spare time. I also think that the job opportunities available for computer programmers is great and not specific to a certain industry such as animation/film/design :rock:
If you strongly prefer one over the other though, go for the one you really like. There is nothing worse than sitting through class studying a subject that you cannot possibly enjoy.
Cheers!
Kirupa :rambo:
Cheers for comments kirupa - thats the thing that worries me, if I did do animation would employment and work oppertunities be easy or scarce to come by? As with computer science think it would be easier I think. Anyone who actually does motion film etc I’d still like to hear from there experiences.
I went into college for 3D animation and ended up taking some (and almost falling back on) computer science. Why? Because it was hard to get into the classes and the art department at my school blew. I was, however, able to then find a medium with Director and Flash taking the “Interactive track” in the visual arts major. For that, I am glad as it’s kind of the best of both worlds. As for one or the other, I’d like to say animation and effects because computer science will keep you up countless nights, but, then again, so will the animation and effects. Its a much more fun up all night than CS though. CS sometimes seems to be more social as there is often more communication going on between peers for problem solving, but often those peers are hard core geeks and not very fun outside the classroom 
(aside from lan parties ;)) But, either way, listen to CanadianGuy; he was spot on.
cheers Sen I value your opinion greatly. I’d look a little out of place with the geeks as I’m one cool dude. I think I’m gonna go with the specail effects and animation course. Theres no point turning round in 2 years time and thinking ‘why didn’t I do the course that I would of enjoyed instead of dabbling with numbers constantly’!!!.
Cheers Sen U da man.
Well my friend has a computer science degree and an engineering degree from a fairly respectable university and he is laying carpet for a living…
I have a bunch of animation friends who are… dictating, working for a vet, translating… and others The arts majors I graduated with had harder times finding related jobs than the CS majors… of course a lot of that has changed now and CS people are in a bit of trouble.
I don’t know what to say regarding your comments Vash, I will say I hope your friend enjoys his job if not…i dunno.
Sen - I heard that there are too many graduates with computer science degrees in UK i don’t know whats its like in the US
and its hard to tell just going into school. Things can change by the time you get out. When I was getting in, it was the start of the internet boom and with some CS graduates, they were getting out walking right into jobs starting at 70-80K a year. Now, with the market diluted and a lack of jobs (especially on the interent after the bubble popped) you’re lucky to get a job at all.
HAHAHAHAHA! I think everyone knows of some college or university grad working a job totally unrelated to their major.
MrG if you really want something you can get it. Don’t worry about whether or not a job will be easy to find or not. If you do something that you are dedicated to and passionate about then income will eventually follow.
One of my old flight instructors worked in marketing for 8 years and finally decided that he was going to fulfill his dream of being a commercial pilot, and he did at the age of 34. If you didn’t know starting a flying career at that age is almost unheard of. Most colleges won’t even accept you and the airforce would laugh you out the door. Anyways, today he flies a Leerjet.
I would choose Computer Science - of course I’m biased as Kirupa is. Most art departments are selective in their own right. On top of that film schools are even more selective. I forget the number at Florida State right now, but I think it is like 30 students are admitted to the Film School each year…out of hundreds.
I would so agree with following your passion - but look at the reality of it as well. Sometimes passions in college do not meet what the real world requires.
Most Computer Science and IT departments at colleges offer some sort of media related major.
I would look into combining your two interests into one degree - making you more versatile in the long run.
As far as using your degree - work with whatever feeds your family and makes you happy. 
That reminds me of how 5 of the 6 people I know who switched from honours math to regular math now work at Sleep Country.
Go with comp sci.
That will lay the ground work for animation.
I think it would be tougher to go from animation -> computer sci.
I agree with the voters for the practical approach but be carefull as to what constitutes your schools curriculum for CS. Many it seems churn out ‘jack-of-all trades / masters of none’ types when it comes to actual skill sets.
there are far more companies with computers that use the internet than companies whose business is about computers and the internet…
get strengths in networking and administration and you stand a greater chance of staying gainfully employed, you can always supplement your shingle with lessor degrees / certification in the likes of programming and art new-media by applying your core credits and adding some classes where you can.
you’ll be far more likely to afford to follow your passions(in-time) with a flush bank account than with a tin cup.
I liken great success in the art-end of the IT pool to being a rock star, few really make it, then there is an assortment of lounge and club acts but most are garage bands that end up introducing the fall line-up of kitchen cabinets at home depot.
Do you have to do one or the other? Why not take both if you’re interested in both? A guy I knew back in school majored in CS and Math and minored in Physics. It’s a lot of work but if you like both areas I’d go for it(I double majored in CIS and Finance).
yeah, go for a major in basket weaving instead. :thumb:
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