[Ben Barker]

Well, I'm a college dropout. I dropped out of the University of Cincinnati Design college about 2 months ago. Not because it was especially challenging or anything. In fact, just the opposite. I was so bored I thought about sticking an adjustable triangle into my neck every day, just for a little variety. The final straw was when my drawing class, the only class I enjoyed, turned into an Andy Warhol, Adobe Illustrator orgy just like the rest of my classes. I had to get out.

Anyway,

I do plan to get an education. I realized I liked drawing a lot more than I had previously thought, and I want to improve my drawing and painting skills. Even though I eventually want to work in computer animation in the game industry, I don't want to try and major in a computer oriented degree. I want the basics. I figure being a good artist will universally aid me in any creative career. Majoring in Computer Animation is fine for some people, but its a path I want to avoid.

I looked at a fine art degree, but they were way too "artsy fartsy" if you know what I mean. I'm extremely conservative when it comes to art, to the point where my opinions have insulted my designer friends many times. I mean, like, ARC conservative. Anything post impressionism is not for me, at least in undergrad, and fine art degrees rely to much on that in my experience.

Next I looked at Illustration. That looked awesome. I talked with my counselor, and she suggested Sequential Art, at SCAD. It had the Illustration aspect, because my ultimate goal is to become a better artist, and it had a storytelling aspect a little deeper than Illustration. Also, the animation tie in is obvious.

I applied to SCAD, got accepted, and drove down to check it out. DAMN, what a nice school. I absolutely loved it. Unfortunately, with loans and scholarships and my dad possibly losing his job, and whatnot, I can't afford SCAD. It's scores a 10 on everything but cost. That's the bottom line. I would be an old man of 26 before I could afford to go, assuming I got two full time jobs. Blah blah blah, *Angst* *Angst* *Angst*, rich people suck, etc

Now I'm at a loss. I don't want to work in Customer Service in a computer store for the rest of my life here. I need to find a good school. Most private schools are out of the question. Art Center, Pratt, Columbus College of Art and Design, etc are all off limits for the same reason I can't go to SCAD, money.

Does anyone know of any alternatives? I've been burned on state universities big time. I wasted a year of my life in THAT prison. Anyone had a good experience with a public art school in particular? I'm starting to run dry here. I'm considering just putting together a portfolio and shooting for the industry, even though I know it will hurt me later.

[Mergatroid]

Ben,


The money issue is a big one but unfortunately you take a gamble with the quality of a state university as far as art programs go. I would take some time off and save money and talk to a CPA about how you can get your money to work for you. Maybe work something out with other relatives who may be able to help you out. Last but not least, check for loans by the government and low percentage loans from the bank but this should come after you have figured out how much you can save on your own. In the mean time, continue to draw and paint as much as you can with the goal of becoming a good observer.

K.

[Awetopsy]

just practice practice practice. then put together a portfolio of the type of stuff you can do and go get a job. somebody will hire you eventually.

[travis travis]

I don't know if they teach traditional foundations in anything at college anymore. I'm an English major and my teachers so far have the 'interpretation' slant to their classes, as well as all my other types of classes. It's fun, and my teachers are great people (sorry can't say that about any high school ones) but I'm not learning anything and not doing anything I don't do on my own naturally. I don't know if I'll stick around four years either, my classes were at least enjoyable so far - but they'd have to be enjoyable and mentally worthwhile for me to stick around, which they may just not be -- I'd rather hit the road and find what I need rather then being bound to the quadrangle, fun as it may be -- I have a responsibility to myself more then have a good time for 4 years then slide into some dopey job hook-up

[ceenda]

Ben: There's alot to be said for evening classes at the various art colleges. You get to do what you want to, in effect, creating your own syllabus. You learn the skills that you think you will need and also, the classes would work out cheaper than enrolling on a large course. Obviously, you wouldn't obtain a degree this way, but if the kind of work you want to go into merely demands a good portfolio, then this is what you should, IMHO, work towards.

However, it might be an idea to get some kind of job in the meantime. It would take your mind off art and would contribute financially towards any decisions you make about art colleges later on.

[aquamire]

Watts Art Ateliar might be the place to go. http://www.wattsatelier.com./ Definately affordable, if you can live in the San Diego area. Taught by the finest, including Ron Lemen, aka, FredFlickStones.

I really hope to go there in a year or so, once I get my life together enough to leave home. I definately do not come from a wealthy family, but this is clearly a good, affordable alternative to an art college, taught by respectable pros who dont do the whole artsy fartsy BS.

[frostfyre]

Ben- Watts is a great school, as mentioned in the previous post. One question is whether the degree is important to you. If it is, I highly recommend San Jose State University, in San Jose, California. Downside- San Jose is still an expensive place to live. Upside, prolly not as expensive as an Art Center/CalArts education. Its a state school, so there are some pretty good financing options. The art department includes a traditional animation unit, which emphasizes life drawing, composition, painting, etc, in addition to the animation itself. The illustration department is fantastic! I really think you do well there, especially if the degree is important. Find them here.

On the whole, I've found that the best traditional arts education seems to be a traditional animation education. Because animation is so demanding, you are exposed to many disciplines, which are all classically based. One of the better programs available is a regional occupation program at Rowland/La Puenta Valley High School, in Rowland, CA. Before you flip out that I'm suggesting a high school, realize that Dreamworks, Film Roman, Disney and Warner Bros animation have all recruited artists from this program. It's $50/semester! Mind you, you'll need supplemental classes, but as Rowland is just south of LA, you'll find excellent classes available at the Animator's Union in North Hollywood. Just because they all study animation, doesn't mean you can't find painters- remember, animation needs background illustrations, color cels, etc...

In my opinion, if you can find your way to Southern Cailfornia, and the degree is NOT important, then you should hit this ROP program. Check it out!

BTW Rowland and LA are both within driving distance of Watts down in San Diego. Cost of living is nice and reasonable in sunny souther california. If you live somewhere in-between the two cities, its really cheap, and pretty too!

Good luck, with whatever you decide to do.

[MoleculeMan]

hey, if you got accepted once, you can get accepted again. Look around for scholarships and loans, i mean the oportunity will eventually open up. That or maybe take some night classes at the art center, i hear they are less expensive. Hell maybe take a year off or so, who knows.

Jake