Hello All, Please excuse if I am posting this in the incorrect area, I am new to the site. My questions is in regards to becoming a game artist, I am a noob, so I wasn't sure if I should post this is the noob section or the art section. Here's the story...I have a strong backround in traditional art (painting, ceramics, photography) and am looking to be a part of the industry because for one I am a huge fan and avid gamer, and because I have been searching for a practical career in which I can be creative on a daily basis. I feel Game Art and Design is it... So now for the questions... 1) I have looked into many schools, but the one that I feel is best and is most practical for me to attend is Vancouver Institute of Media Arts (VanArts) located in Vancouver, British Columbia. I am wondering if anyone on here has any opinions on this school. 2) I am in the market to buy a new computer for school, and I am in debate on whether to get a DeskTop or a Notebook. I would like to have Photoshop and whatever 3-D software I will be using school on my computer. Any thoughts on the differnce in capabilites on a desktop vs. notebook? Also, any recommendations on what exactly to buy and where? Thanks in advance to any replies...sorry this was so long.

Game artists are different than game designers (even though all art schools are 'Art and Design,' just to clear that up. You won't be doing much game design initially at least.

I just saw a handful of demo reels from the Vancouver school, many of them were phenomonal. I'm sure you'll get proper education there. But really, you have all the talents, now its just a matter of learning technical skills, which is the easy part. Anywhere you go, as long as you study hard and aren't afraid to teach yourself, I'm sure you'll be able to do amazing stuff.

Desktop. You're going to want a good computer, especially one you can upgrade (and game on!), and since your school will have its own computers with all the software, don't worry about bringing your work with you. Just get a USB HDD to transfer back and forth. Notebooks are nice, but you're REALLY going to want the good screen, better GFX card, and all around better ergonomics, since you may be on your computer 12+ hours/day (just passed that mark right now... God I hate binding...).
If you can, build your own comp. I suggest you learn how if you don't know. You'll get familiar with computer insides soon enough most likely, may as well start now and save yourself a thousand bucks. If you have extra money, go with Alienware (what I'm using), if you have ALOT of extra money, go with Voodoo or some other ridiculously expensive machine. My suggestion is stay away from Dell, and get something with a nice big tower. Even look into an Intel Mac when the towers come out.

Thanks for the VERY informative reply. I really want to be a game artist rather then designer, I want to concentrate on the little parts of the game as far as art, rather then being the one to think full scale, this is the entire map, this goes here, this goes there... am I correct to think that is what I would be getting into being an artist?

I was thinking Alienware, so I am glad you gave the reference! I was only thinking laptop, because I am already on one ALOT at work, and because of the portability factor. But as you said I don't want to sacrafice quality just so I can move the thing around. THANK YOU VERY VERY MUCH!

Alienwares are nice (but over priced). Check out sagernotebooks.com, because they're a bit cheaper.

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am I correct to think that is what I would be getting into being an artist?

Well, it depends on the size of the company, really. In most cases though, as a junior artist you'd be told to make a barn so big in a particular style or you'd be told to model a dog with a certain polycount after a particular breed. You'd work on it, give it to a senior artist to review, work on it some more, etc.

Thanks zer0wolf... that's exactly what I wanted to know!

Professor420...I read a very old post of yours about a dilema you had with school and such, I am curious as to how everything worked out for you?

Actually, very good. Coincidentally, I met a local programmer who was looking for an artist from that thread. Originally I was going to do my senior project in the engine he was doing, but we decided to use Source, he's going to do the AI programming. This semester is tons better than the last, definately made the right choice by staying. I'm working on a game that I would never have had a chance to do otherwise.

awesome! glad to hear that, thanks again for the help.