1 answer
ayomide
Student
Cleburne, Texas
1
Question
Asked
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How can I begin my journey in animation and game design for my future indie animation and game projects?
I am a senior in high school who's interested in making a few games and animations in the near future. I love to draw, and I have lots of ideas that I want to bring to life. I don't own a laptop/pc to start experimenting in coding games, though, but I'm determined to make my ideas happen. How can I start practicing animation and coding? What programs do you recommend for beginners for free? What challenges may I face when starting my indie project? Thank you.
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1 answer
Pierre Fontaine
Consumer Product and Packaging Design
7
Answers
Ardsley, New York
Updated
Pierre’s Answer
We're lucky to have so many free alternatives to expensive software these days. You'll need a reasonably powerful computer, which isn't as pricey as you might think. Look for a budget-friendly computer with built-in graphics, at least 16 GB of RAM, and plenty of storage. A drawing tablet is also a great tool, and you can find basic ones for about $50.
I can't say much about programming, but for software similar to Adobe's, there are some great free options. For pixel-based illustration, Krita is a good choice with lots of powerful brushes. If you can, also check out the free version of Affinity Studio, which includes tools for raster, vector, and layout work.
For vector-based illustration, Inkscape is a solid free alternative to Adobe Illustrator. Again, Affinity Studio is worth a look for its strong vector tools.
When it comes to 2D/3D animation, Blender is your best bet. It's not the easiest to learn, but it offers amazing tools and value. Once you get the hang of it, you'll be ready for almost any project. There are plenty of tutorials on YouTube to help you out.
If you don't have a computer, you can still animate traditionally on paper and use your phone to take photos and compile them with free animation apps. Stop motion animation with a phone and tripod is another option.
Remember, it's not all about the technology; a good story can shine in many creative ways. Phil Vischer, known for Veggietales, switched to puppets for their simplicity and effectiveness. Best of luck!
I can't say much about programming, but for software similar to Adobe's, there are some great free options. For pixel-based illustration, Krita is a good choice with lots of powerful brushes. If you can, also check out the free version of Affinity Studio, which includes tools for raster, vector, and layout work.
For vector-based illustration, Inkscape is a solid free alternative to Adobe Illustrator. Again, Affinity Studio is worth a look for its strong vector tools.
When it comes to 2D/3D animation, Blender is your best bet. It's not the easiest to learn, but it offers amazing tools and value. Once you get the hang of it, you'll be ready for almost any project. There are plenty of tutorials on YouTube to help you out.
If you don't have a computer, you can still animate traditionally on paper and use your phone to take photos and compile them with free animation apps. Stop motion animation with a phone and tripod is another option.
Remember, it's not all about the technology; a good story can shine in many creative ways. Phil Vischer, known for Veggietales, switched to puppets for their simplicity and effectiveness. Best of luck!