A budding designer...
I don't expect kids to stick to their guns as far as career aspirations go, but Robert's interests have taken a turn that I can help him with, given my current resources.
An avid gamer, the boy has said he'd like to code games. I figured that if his interests kept up with that, we'd eventually have to get him a PC so he could tool around with modding and so on to cut his teeth. But in recent weeks he's changed his mind -- now he wants to design graphics for games.
Design graphics. As a Mac guy, this is something I can help the boy with.
Needless to say, I've got a full arsenal of software (and even some cool hardware) that will help young Robert test his mettle with drawing and illustration. I'm planning on giving him my old Wacom tablet, Photoshop, Kid Pix 3 Deluxe (the new OS X version), Painter and a few other goodies.
Anyone have any practical suggestions for what I can do (outside of the obvious) to help stimulate his interest?
Comments
I teach in an Interior Design dept., and the school keeps threatening to have a seminar in the gaming industry, for those with interior design degrees. I'm not suggesting that you introduce Robert to the joys of Martha Stewart, but that one keeps in mind that there's a big difference between 2D art and 3D design. He might enjoy building models of gaming environments--it's a different realm of thinking than just pretty pictures. And that he draws with his hands, not just the computer. See if he wants to take drawing classes or shows some interest in illustration. Pull out old books that might have cool illustrations and see if he can copy them either by hand or on the computer. Then animate those characters?
Posted by: vajrabelle | March 21, 2005 05:22 PM
I was talking with some of the guys working for Microsoft/Bungie on Halo 2 a while back, and a few of them mentioned that they'd studied architecture and interior design as well, so I see the truth of what you're saying...
Posted by: flargh | March 21, 2005 05:33 PM
How cool for you and for Bob! I think the advice you are getting here is sound. Give him the computer tools, and also other art materials and turn him loose.
Oh, and subtle positive reinforcement is a very good thing. If you go over the top with it though, sometimes it breeds rebellion.
Posted by: suellen | March 21, 2005 10:56 PM
Daniel Labriet from DanLabGames took fine arts in college and worked in design studios and print shops before he decided to make games. He's got a passion for cartoons and comics, and that shows on his art. I am always baffled by how fast he can turn a handdrawn 2d sketech into a fully textured 3D model using Cinema4D and Photoshop.
A background in architecture is great for those who want to design more realistic environments, with buildings and stuff. Architects seem to have a better grasp of trigonometry, vector math, and physics over those whom had taken only arts courses.
Posted by: FC | March 22, 2005 10:22 AM