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Originally Posted by BuddyB309
thanks for being blunt. I appreciate it when people tell the truth. I know what I'm up against but there is one thing that i fear. Most animators are artist and draw there own characters on paper before modeling them on computer. (or make them out of clay). I am not one of those gifted people, stick figures is about all I'm capable of doing right now. Is that really bad? Is there any way to learn how to draw good? or are you just born with it.
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I will say that those who have natural ability do have an advantage over those who do not. Especially when it comes to art. However, regardless of what people say, art techniques can be learned and developed. One of the books that I had to buy for one of my classes this year was by Marvel and it was a pretty basic book on drawing. Perspective, shadowing, using primitives, etc. It's pretty cheap too,
so check it out. This book is a great reference for drawing human figures and breaks them down into their basic primitive shapes.
Regardless of what kind of animation you do, you will always use drawing skills whether it's for something like drawing a concept out for yourself or creating a full panel of storyboards. My first college courses at Purdue included classes entirely focused around design and sketching. What they tried to teach to us was that you should know how to do it on paper and have an idea of where you're going before you ever touch a computer.
Eventually you will have to make a choice - if you want to be an animator, you'll be taking a risk that may or may not pay off. Again, the job market is not secure at all for animators right now. 10 years ago most animators could easily get a job, but today it is different. If you think you want to go this way, start learning the software now. That's the best advice I can give you. Acquire copies of 3D Studio Max, Maya, Photoshop and Flash. Yes, Flash. In the event that you end up doing web based animating, you will use Flash heavily. Flash is the future for most things animated on the net so I highly suggest you learn it.
And again, look at your options. It's not a bad idea to consider going into other areas like interactive multimedia / web design, or mechanical/manufacturing graphics. Both of those specializations hold a much more secure job position for college graduates.
When it comes down to it though, you just need to find your niche and go with it. Do what you love to do and you won't be disappointed.