Careers in Computer Science: Computer Graphics
Graphics is one area of the computer industry that a computer science graduate might consider. Computer graphics (CG) is a strange mix of artistry and technology, quite different from the usual computer job. It is infiltrating almost every industry imaginable, from the scientific community to movie special effects to forensics. On this website, however, I'm narrowing it down to movie special effects, the industry I am interested in.
What is CG?
The term "computer graphics" is vague in itself. It means different things in different industries. In the movie industry, it refers to the computerized special effects used to create something that usually can't be seen in real life (walking mummies, levelling of entire cities, etc.). However, CG effects are also used to hide something that can be seen with the naked eye (modern buildings in a period movie, stunt rigging, etc.). Computer graphics can be both 2-directional and 3-directional (2D and 3D). The movie industry is always pushing the envelope of CG technology and testing the limits of what CG artists can accomplish. There is always a new problem to solve. So if you love computers and being challenged but feel you also have an artistic flair, then maybe the computer graphics industry is where you belong.
The greatest compliment a CG artist can be given is, "I didn't see your work!".
Below is a list of jobs, with links to their descriptions and entry level salary range, if available. The same job may vary greatly from company to company, depending on their size and setup, so these are very general descriptions. CG companies vary from less than five people to over a thousand.
Jobs:
Pipeline Setup Technical Director
Below are links to the largest companies in the CG industry: