Design is a field in constant evolution. The emergence of new talents who are now younger and younger, is a breath of fresh air that arouses and activates the perfect professional scenario to showcase their enormous talent.
All this talent needs to be channeled and focused by means of professionals in design education, traditional animation, 3D animation, motion graphics …. Multiple disciplines and a wide variety of schools worldwide teach these young talents to reach their full potential in their work.
These young professionals are the future of audiovisual design, and this is something that the BassAwards contest is very aware of. For this reason, the best young talents will obtain an award in the Best Young Talent category.
To get a better view of how these schools and their teachers work, we interviewed one of the best professionals:
Founder & CEO of the Vancouver Animation School, Mario Pochat.
What is the current scenario of audiovisual design?
The scenario for Computer Character Animators and Concept Artists is positively mindblowing thanks to technology. Aspiring artists pursuing a career in digital arts have more opportunities now than ever before. There are more studios (Film, Visual Effects, Animation, Video Games), more platforms (Web, TV, Social, Mobile) and more awareness from the general public.
How has teaching adapted to the changing needs of the sector?
Every school has a responsibility to adapt their teaching however not every school does it. Vancouver Animation School recently reversed the education model in order to provide better education for its students. A better approach to teaching is to have a student centric model, which allows students with various levels and skills to be moving forward at the same time. When you are looking for a school, make sure you do your research. It is the students responsibility to pick the right fit for them. Students must pick the school, not the other way around.
What is the difference between training in a formal training school and doing it yourself?
The main difference is the interaction with a teacher, the purpose for attending school is to get information faster. For instance, it took Disney artists decades to improve their animation skills, a school should reduce the time by providing the information to their students in a faster more assertive way.
What three values must a new graduate have to be a professional?
1.- Talent
2.- Great attitude towards work and team
3.- Staying on top with his skills
What advice would you give to a new graduate?
1.- Define what your area of expertise is
2.- Do research on the companies you’d like to work for.
3.- Send out a 100 Resumes, this will get you about 5 interviews.
4.- Have a proactive attitude
5.- Be corteous and professional
Why would you recommend studying at school? What is its value?
The value resides on the information, the faculty is the star of every school. When you are researching schools look at who the teachers are, their accomplishments, their relation with the industry. In a similar fashion, commited teachers look for commited students, are you one of them?
Remember you can enter your pieces in the Best Young Talent category until October 31. Pieces for the Professional category, until December 31.