I wasn’t particularly looking for a school when I found Think Tank, I was looking for a new job, or more accurately a way out of my old one. I was working as a web designer in Sydney, Australia which was enjoyable but I wanted a change. I’d already taken night classes at a local school but the teaching had been very poor and I didn’t feel like I was in a position to start working in the game industry which was what I really wanted to do. Then one evening I happened to notice an ad for Think Tank, a training centre for 3D artists in Vancouver. It sounds like a cliché but after reading through their website I knew that was where I was going to go. It ticked all the right boxes – small class sizes, individual work stations for each student, all the equipment and software you needed and most importantly – teaching from industry professionals. Plus it was in Vancouver which only made the decision easier, being one of the ‘most livable’ cities in the world.
Then there was just the small matter of quitting my job and moving to the other side of the world!
I wasn’t able to visit the school since it was so far away but having exchanged a few emails and spoken to one of the owners on the phone I felt comfortable that they were for real and that it was the right place for me. Then there was just the small matter of quitting my job and moving to the other side of the world!
Add 8 Students And Stir
The first semester was quite a mix. We covered a variety of subjects including animation (both 2D and 3D), 3D modeling, sculpting and life drawing with a different live model each class. There was also quite a mix of competency in the class with people of various ages and backgrounds. I have an art degree and previous experience working as a designer so I had a bit more knowledge than some but the first few months were good to even out the skills in the class and for people to find out what they wanted to do more of. Being a small class we also got to know each other quite well, which was useful later as peer review is a key ingredient in improving your work.
During the second semester we got more advanced teaching in the main subjects of animation and modeling and also covered new things such as visual effects, rigging and lighting. Most of the classes in the second semester were taught by industry professionals who came in especially to teach us. This was one of the big selling points of Think Tank for me. Being taught something as complex and technical as animation, visual effects or lighting by someone who is doing it every day in a ‘real’ work environment and has a passion for it is a huge advantage because you know you’re getting up to date info and techniques that are relevant to the job. And that’s why we were there after all – to get a job.
The very personal ‘one to one’ atmosphere at Think Tank means you’re not just on a conveyor belt being pushed through the program.
Semester three was all about getting our demo reels done. I knew before I started the program that I wanted to get into the game industry and that I was interested in making environments, so I already had a good idea of what my demo reel would be focused on. The first and second semester help to show students all aspects of 3D so they can decide what direction they want to go in and hit the ground running in the third. It’s really important to have that focus and know what you’re aiming for. The small class sizes, professional instructors and the very personal ‘one to one’ atmosphere at Think Tank means you’re not just on a conveyor belt being pushed through the program. You have the opportunity to talk to your teachers and identify what it is you like doing and want to focus on for your reel. Since you need to put in a serious amount of work in the 3rd semester you better be really passionate about what you’re doing!
Our work stations got bigger and better in the 3rd semester (twin wide screens!) and we also got our personal mentor too. Those that are focusing on the same area (e.g. animation) will share the same mentor, but they all have dedicated time for each individual to focus on your own projects. Like the teachers in the other semesters these mentors are industry professionals who come in during their free time to train and guide the student. They can also be useful contacts in the industry so it’s worth keeping in touch with them. The two owners of the school are often around and keep an eye on your progress too, so I never felt like I was left to my own devices not knowing what to do. I should stress however that the third semester is very much driven by the student. Your demo reel is your key you getting a job in a very competitive industry so this is not the time for taking it easy!
One other thing to mention is that we got to go on quite a few studio tours. These were arranged as and when it was possible/convenient for the studio in question but they do try to arrange plenty of them and to a variety of different places. It was good to see the different work environments, what kind of work they do and hear about what the different studios look for when hiring new people.
The Fat Lady – She Sings!
So you get to the end of the 3rd semester and your demo reel isn’t quite done. It’s not ideal – you want to have it finished and start sending it out to potential employers, but it’s not the end of the world either. Think Tank allows students to use the facilities to finish up their projects and get the all important demo reel done. This is a very useful life line if you just need an extra week or two, but shouldn’t be counted on as a free pass to extend your deadline indefinitely. You certainly won’t get that in the industry where missing deadlines can be very costly.
One Great Year
My year at Think Tank was a fantastic experience overall. Vancouver is a wonderful city, my class mates were great, the teaching and guidance I got from everyone at the school was excellent and I have come to think of the owners of the school as my friends. I put in a huge amount of effort and dedication to my work and I think that was repaid in kind by the guys running the school. I went out of my way to make the most of my time at Think Tank and I believe they do the same in return. Having experienced what good and bad education is like previously (I got my degree from an excellent university in London and had very poor teaching from a computer graphics school in Sydney) I can honestly say that I believe Think Tank is among the best.
Think Tank has a very ‘professional’ environment which might be daunting for those coming directly from school where they are used to very structured time tables and having someone tell them everything. You need to be very self motivated in this industry and Think Tank is a good introduction to that. If you are the kind of person that when left alone does nothing, you will not get the most out of the program.
The proof is in the pudding as they say and right now I am doing the exact job that I set my sights on when I started at Think Tank.
Cake? Yes please!
The proof is in the pudding as they say and right now I am doing the exact job that I set my sights on when I started at Think Tank – I’m a world designer/environment artist at a game company, just about to launch a game that I have been able to work extensively on. It might be that I’m extremely lucky, but I strongly believe you make your own luck. If you work hard, make good choices and have good relationships with those around you then everything else tends to work out in the end.
If you are willing to put in the effort, listen to the advice you are given and make the most of your time then Think Tank can help you achieve your goal of getting into this great industry.
The demo reel I made at Think Tank is still on my personal website along with screenshots and some more recent work: interactionman.com
(1 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5)
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There are many reasons as to why I chose Think Tank, here are a few of the ones I value most:
- Small classrooms allowed for extensive attention from the instructors. This allowed us to absorb much more information and get to know the instructor on a more personal level which in turn made us all comfortable to ask questions whether they seemed silly or not. Having that comfort level with teachers that have an open door policy really makes way for a creative environment. The small classes also brought us the students together as a tight knit group. We would help each other out and learn at an incredible rate because of the teamwork aspect that was present.
- The instructors are all top notch professionals currently working in the industry. Having their knowledge on tips and tricks gave us a huge advantage when starting in the field. 3 out of 4 of the companies that I have worked at I have been hired through my instructors at Think Tank. The other company I worked at I was referred to by a fellow student from Think Tank. So 100 percent of my employment I can be forever grateful to Think Tank for getting me into this exciting industry.
- One key feature of this program is that after one year you’re qualified to work in the industry. I was approached for an Animator Position while I was still enrolled in the school but chose to finish the program, then was hired immediately after graduation. Connections are key in this field, so the networking that you can gain from Think Tank is priceless!
- The pipeline was also fantastic! You learn a bit of everything, then you are certain which position you would enjoy the most and then specialize in that. So you get a bit of everything. (which is crucial for small startup companies that want you to understand more than one position) When I started the program I wasn’t sure if I wanted to be an Animator. I had many personal talks with Scott and Joe and they helped me to come to a decision. This is where their open door policy came in handy. My concerns and uncertainty were always important to them, so it’s not just a school, it’s a friendship.
In conclusion, I did my research on schools and was very pleased that I chose Think Tank. This industry is fantastic but challenging, so give yourself the advantage and choose Think Tank!