Developing my MFA Thesis on Tech Art

Professional
1

Hello everyone! :):

I’m in the beginning stages of my MFA thesis and my goal is to both leverage the thesis as an opportunity to learn more skills as well as further something within technical art. However, I realize that I’m currently an academic and would do well to gain input from those active in the field. If my aim is to break new ground, there are certainly technical artists out there with far greater wisdom about the current state of the ground!

The thesis will need both a visual component (such as a game environment or prototype) as well as a written component (research paper.) I’m currently pondering how different techniques in the technical artist toolbox, such as proper shaders and particle effects, can enhance the emotional impact of game environments. I’ve started writing a bit in my thesis blog about this. However, I’m currently stuck on how I can somehow make progress in the field on this path. Perhaps I need to research budding techniques and find something to further develop and share, or solve a problem that has been otherwise unresolved.

I appreciate any thoughts or suggestions you might have!

2

Having gone through the process myself a number years ago, I have the following nuggets of advice to impart. : )

  1. Don’t think of your thesis as some magnum opus, some master work that will be widely read, that will somehow define you going forward. Your thesis project is merely one more requirement that must be satisfied on your path to graduation. By all means, apply yourself. Just don’t get hung up on it.

  2. Scope, scope, scope. Pick a narrow topic (one that you can thoroughly explore in the page count confines of your thesis) and then narrow the topic even further. Take care in limiting the visual portion of your thesis to a manageable level as well.

  3. Choose a topic that really interests you. If you can nail down a topic that would also be helpful in enhancing your portfolio, well that’s all the better then.

  4. Be proactive and aggressive in completing your thesis. Don’t be afraid to “gently” and persistently harass your committee members if need be in order to get that latest round of feedback back etc. Also, don’t let life (your first job etc.) crowd out the completion of your thesis.

3

[QUOTE=eevans;11238]Having gone through the process myself a number years ago, I have the following nuggets of advice to impart. : )

  1. Don’t think of your thesis as some magnum opus, some master work that will be widely read, that will somehow define you going forward. Your thesis project is merely one more requirement that must be satisfied on your path to graduation. By all means, apply yourself. Just don’t get hung up on it.

  2. Scope, scope, scope. Pick a narrow topic (one that you can thoroughly explore in the page count confines of your thesis) and then narrow the topic even further. Take care in limiting the visual portion of your thesis to a manageable level as well.

  3. Choose a topic that really interests you. If you can nail down a topic that would also be helpful in enhancing your portfolio, well that’s all the better then.

  4. Be proactive and aggressive in completing your thesis. Don’t be afraid to “gently” and persistently harass your committee members if need be in order to get that latest round of feedback back etc. Also, don’t let life (your first job etc.) crowd out the completion of your thesis.[/QUOTE]

Thank you for your insights! I’ll definitely keep these points in mind.

I realize my thesis won’t be widely read or anything super huge, but I’d still like to see how far I can push it, especially if I can discover and share as a result!

4

You’re most welcome. Whatever you do, don’t let my cynicism curb your enthusiasm or your ambition. :D: