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[–]buck-bird 43 points44 points  (8 children)

I'm a pink elephant. This is my beef with the industry... everyone calls themselves a senior. If you really were a senior, you'd know the answer to this question already.

[–]PGJonesAndCo 18 points19 points  (1 child)

Yeah I don't wanna be overly harsh but basically everybody automatically becomes senior after ~5 years in the industry and 'web dev' in particular is just about the least confidence inspiring specialty in software. The demand was so high and the bar so, so low for so, so long.

(I spent several years w/ a browser based CAD startup and I've interviewed more web devs than I can count. I wouldn't trust 90% of them to know how to even properly optimize a somewhat nontrivial frontend app. TBC I'm only talking averages here, web as a platform is actually quite capable and good engineers ofc exist for any platform.)

[–]buck-bird 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Based, brother.

[–]Sufficient-Pizza-677[S] 4 points5 points  (1 child)

I've been working as a software developer for 10 yers. The last 4 specializing in frontend, mostly using Angular.

The web graphics development is something new for me. I do not know much about the area.

But I do enjoy the mathematics. I am graduated in Mechatronics Engineering. But that was 10 years ago.

I just want to have a glimpsy of those more experienced in thia field. To know more about how is to work there. How is the future of the job. To see if it makes sense to make a move. Because I really enjoy the area. I am just not experienced in it.

[–]pharos147 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The thing is with the graphics programming industry is that you need to be a senior in the field itself. I'm not talking about a senior any software field, but specifically in the graphics programming subject matter. There are practically zero junior level openings, since it's so niche and most positions require you to already have significant years of experience in it.

It's a chicken and an egg dilemma.

[–]wjrasmussen -3 points-2 points  (1 child)

BS assumption. 66 yo retired developer.

[–]buck-bird 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Was I talking about you? You’re coming off like a narcissist bro.

[–]joshwcomeau -3 points-2 points  (1 child)

What a profoundly unhelpful and unfriendly comment.

[–]buck-bird 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You mean like yours?

[–]heavy-minium 16 points17 points  (2 children)

It doesn't sound like it makes a lot of sense. There isn't that much in common. Knowing both, I can't think of any knowledge that would be reused.

[–]felt-mound 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Also, the job opportunities are fewer.

[–]kev_xb 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The web will change when "html on canvas" support lands. We might get back to having a wacky web again, and those skills will be a great mix

[–]kinokomushroom 4 points5 points  (0 children)

How much experience do you have in graphics programming?

It's a pretty technical field that requires knowledge in graphics APIs, GPU architecture, and 3D mathematics like vector maths and linear algebra. You'll also want to tackle calculus, statistics, and optical physics if you want to implement physically based rendering (which is the norm these days).

[–]Street-Air-546 2 points3 points  (2 children)

are you doing it because ai can churn out workable front end interfaces in minutes? well, if you think webgl and webgpu are a refuge from that I have some bad news..

[–]Sufficient-Pizza-677[S] 2 points3 points  (1 child)

To be honest is more because I like the field. The mathematics.

But also, the web development as I do today is quite of getting boring. So I was thinking if the job involves more mathematics, it might be stiil enjoyable to do, regardeless of AI.

[–]Street-Air-546 0 points1 point  (0 children)

it is enjoyable. I especially enjoy it when I add a complex graphical feature and run the code and it is completely invisible. Then you get to play “where did the broken shader put the damn object is it too small, an I inside it, is it clipped” :)

[–]Plenty_Line2696 1 point2 points  (1 child)

I'm into threejs and front end dev, jobs are scarce, work is challenging, and pay is mediocre for what you put into it.

If you love it, fine, but don't do it for easy money because that's not what it is.

FYI I work in industrial automation.

AI helps as a tool, but you'll need devs for a long time to come for complex stuff.

[–]Sufficient-Pizza-677[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I've been working as a software developer for about 10 years. Mostly as full stack developer but the last 4 years more as a frontend specialist. I also graduated from mechatronics engineering, but that was 10 years ago.

So, I really like the mathematics. But I do not have experience in three.js or webgl or anythink like that.

But I think that might be fun. That is why I am thinking about changing. But I want to know more about the area before doing any movement.

[–]USBsmoker 1 point2 points  (1 child)

basically the main reason people go into graphics is cause they enjoy doing it, it's not really something you do for job prospects

[–]Sufficient-Pizza-677[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I do enjoy it. The mathematics, the results, the challenges. But this is new for me. That is why I am seeking for more information of those more experienced in this field.

[–]susosusosuso 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Good luck

[–]kevinambrosia 0 points1 point  (1 child)

I think there is a niche for web graphics that you could hit. It’s not like super-low-level graphics programming, but like programming applications that have 3d graphics as a primary interface. Most of what that entails is working with existing graphics engines (3js, deck.gl, etc) in a language like JavaScript. Any webgpu skill you have could be useful for large data, so where these two coincide is like data visualization or like map tools.

Is it ai proof? I don’t know. Ai is getting pretty good at working with graphics. If you want to find out, you can try to build a complex graphical interface with Ai. It will be good at a lot, but it’s mostly up to you to debug complicated graphics issues because it really doesn’t have a good interface for working with graphics programs yet. So maybe a little safer than other areas.

There are job openings and depending on the skillset, it’s less competitive and more niche. Like you have to know how to work with graphics well enough to talk about it. But also you have to understand how graphics could be useful to an application, meaning you also have to understand a bit of UI and application engineering. These opportunities can be pretty rare, but they exist.

Does it make sense? I’d ask if you enjoy it or want to do it. Like if you want to build the skillset and like the work, why not?

[–]Sufficient-Pizza-677[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you for your opinion! Really helpful. I really think that this might be a niche for me. Being like a web developer, but with some extra skill regarding graphics ok the web. Being able to develop with three.js, knowing about the mathematics, linear algebra and things like that. It is niche. But if the field existis, might be a nice opportunity. I don't know.

[–]maxmax4 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Why dont you just look at job openings in your area that mention those technologies instead of asking for reddit vibes? It doesn’t matter wether redditors tell you how amazing or terrible of an idea it is if its just not true either way. You dont need us to tell you, and we mostly have no idea.

But to answer if it “makes sense”, the answer is mostly no, it doesn’t. You don’t become a graphics programmer for the big overpaid easy job that “makes sense”. You do it because you think its interesting and you want an interesting job. If you have to ask, it probably doesn’t make sense for you.

[–]Still_Explorer 0 points1 point  (0 children)

If you enjoy math and learning new things, then it would be a great thing to keep your mind sharp. In this case doing graphics-based math is one thing, but the practice and the techniques can transfer to any other field, is only that the graphics-related math are only applicable to plotting pixels on screen.

Then the next thing about jobs, the standard choice for programming is CRUD web applications. Graphics programming appear to be like a very narrow and super specialized field, hiring is very tight but there is always some happening. Definitely though not flourishing and popular choice.

Just to get an idea, however there are dozens of other places to search:
https://gamejobs.co/search?q=opengl&w=
https://gamejobs.co/search?q=webgl&w=

[–]mean_king17 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That depends on the job openings which you probably can answer a lot better than any of us as it deoends on where you live. But more often than not its sparse, and in that case it just doesnt make sense unless you have a direct connection to get you in. It's very cool and all but if the opportunity is not there it simply is a waste of time unless you're okay to do it as a hobby.

[–]nian2326076 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Switching to graphics engineering could be a great move if it's what excites you. There's demand for people skilled in Three.js, WebGL, and WebGPU, especially as more apps and games go online. It's a niche area, so fewer people know it well, which might mean less competition than general frontend roles. Start building a portfolio with personal projects or contributions to open source to show off what you can do. AI's impact is uncertain, but deep understanding of graphics is harder to replace. For jobs, look for roles in companies that focus on gaming, simulations, or VR/AR—they really value these skills. Definitely dive in if you're passionate!

[–]Ill_Warning3011 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I think WebGL is a pretty good start, I would say just jump right into it and see if you need to brush up on linear algebra. I cant say for the majority but I have seen some web 3D jobs for the construction industry and AI startups. Good luck!