My friend has just decided to stay on for the remaining years of schoola nd hopefully get the subjects he needs to get into uni and get a jopb in the industry. He is still a bit unsure on what field to pick, he is ok and Im pretty confident he could do 3D art and 2D art with some nice ability. Only question is, what degree does he pick when he goes into uni to achieve this?

He should get an art degree. Moving this to the Visual Arts forum for a more specific answer, although it might actually belong in Breaking In...

Iknow its off topic but when you say uni do you mean university of northern iowa?

Quote:
do you mean university of northern iowa?

I think uni is a common abbreviation for university.

Assuming he has the basic art talent, then I'd recommend something like architecture or cad. Something that gets him thinking about the form and detail and exposing him to actually using computers to make model houses etc.

I'm sure I'm opening a flame war here, but I don't believe you need to be the best freehand artist in the world to be a 3D modeller, though it helps if you can get the textures to look good yourself. I doubt there's a degree in that though, it's just something you to need to start with talent then practice like hell.

Surley there is something he can study, he is going to university in a year and he doesn't know what to pick. Is ther some form of 3D degree or something that can accompany 3D skills.

Rubicon, I think architecture is a great idea. A lot of our level designers and 3-D modellers would benefit from having a better grasp of formal architectural design theory.

However, I also feel that solid understandings of colour theory, art history and critical insight are also beneficial.

I would recommend a Bachelor of Fine Art, where the focus is on 3D modelling courses and architecture. Not only can you build that degree into a masters, if you ever want to, but you also prepare yourself for becoming an Art Director within the industry by having a broader understanding of how visual art functions both within games as well as in the general popular culture.

I've seen things like 3D modelling and animation from an artist's point of view packaged under the rubric Digital Media and Design. It's not a degree in 3D art, as it contains some elements such as using computers for 2D animation and interactive works, but it's the closest thing I'm aware of.

like this?: http://www.dundee.ac.uk/undergraduate/courses/fine_art_digital_media_drawing_painting_printmaking_sculpture.htm