Choosing your course
Ten tips for selecting your industry training pathway into games and 3D animation
- Learn from industry experts
At AIE students learn with teachers and staff from industry, with extensive credits for the professional products they have produced, who understand that game development and animation are viable careers.
- Locate near major studios
In Melbourne , AIE is strategically co-located with the Game Developers Association of Australia within the Australian Games Innovation Centre and near major studios, allowing AIE’s teachers to maintain strong relationships with potential employers.
- Make lifelong industry connections
As your fellow students are likely to become your first networking group inside the industry you will stay connected and share different opportunities that open up around you. And if a job comes up at a studio where some of your former classmates work, they will be able to act as referees and vouch for your ability to work on team projects.
- Gain skills for multiple pathways
The skills developed at AIE provide pathways both within but also outside games development in emerging creative industry areas such as 3D simulation, architectural and engineering visualisation and industrial design.
- Build on or build to a degree
University graduates may be eligible to gain direct entry into the second year of AIE programs to acquire the post-graduate work experience and skills they need to be industry-ready, while AIE graduates can continue with further studies to articulate their Advanced Diploma into a related Degree.
- Complete all your coursework in class
The coursework you complete in class will specifically train you for most aspects of game development and 3D animation. There is no need to spend extra hours or invest in your own software or hardware outside class to learn and practice your skills.
- Get access to current software
Because of their industry background, AIE staff are tuned into major trends, familiar with current software and, because of their direct personal relationships with software providers and games companies, have exclusive access to professional game development materials for use in their classes.
- Demonstrate unique talents and team working skills
The demo reel from your course will not look like other students’ demos even though you will work on some common projects during class time to build important teamwork and communication skills. Ask AIE for a copy of their latest student DVD showcase.
- Compare the costs
Compared to the cost of setting yourself up with professional software and hardware and then teaching yourself through online tutorials (of which there are many) the cost of an AIE industry training program becomes an affordable option.
- Compare all of your options and get lots of advice
AIE encourages all prospective students to evaluate their personal goals and criteria - including a passion for working in a creative industry - and to speak to as many people as possible, including other enrolled students, career guidance counsellors, other training providers and working game developers and animators.
Adapted with permission from GameCareerGuide.com's "Ask the Expert" advice column.
www.gamecareerguide.com/features/420/ask_the_experts_the_advantages_and_disadvantages_of_game_school.php
accessed 18 September 2007
