"I'm changing careers. What you (game developers, artists, etc.) do interests me because I hope to develop art and computer skills in order to be a part of such teams. What do I do first? I do not know exactly what to ask, or what training I will need. What I would like to do is design web pages as special as these pages are, and be involved in game graphics, with a goal of doing other program graphics in the future. How do I go about learning what I need to learn?"

Submitted by: Linda Dreier

Answered by: Bob Munsil (artist, Sierra On-Line)

"Linda,

* Warning: Opinion Alert! *

"In the beginning, there was the word -- and the word was 'Photoshop.' Photoshop is rapidly becoming the default graphic tool for all computer based art. There are better tools for Graphic Design. There are better tools for Painting and Illustration. But everyone still relies on Photoshop.

"Buy yourself a copy of Photoshop 4.0 and do the tutorials that come with it. The best way to get your first copy (which retails for about $500) is to either buy it from your college (if you happen to be a full-time student) or to get it included with the purchase of a scanner. (Make sure that the scanner comes with the "Full" version and not the "LE" version.) Do not cheap out and get another tool (like Paint Shop Pro or Painter). These programs are actually very good and are better than Photoshop in some features -- but no professional will take you seriously.

"Photoshop. End of Story :^)"

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