Also there's financial aid, and most art colleges offer some really cool work-study jobs: I mixed clays and glazes in the ceramics studio, and made much better cash than I would have in food-service. It has its pitfalls (expense, insulation from the real world, excessive drug/alcohol use), but a good art college offers great opportunities: to experiment, to fail in a constructive way, to examine other disciplines of art-making (I got really into ceramics), and to network. It's an amazing opportunity to focus on your craft, to network and surround yourself with like-minded people. And if, perhaps, you can even afford it (I couldn't, hah). However, if you really want the art-college experience (I did). Also, many community colleges have very competitive art programs - so don't count them out! These are loads cheaper than going with a full-on college experience albeit without any dorms, degrees, curriculum or financial aid. There are a variety of smaller schools and ateliers out there, both in-person and online, where you can choose from a selection of studio classes. If you feel you need more technical training but aren't especially interested in a degree or academics, I'd recommend going with a more industry-focused ala carte school. A really ambitious personal project can gain you a lot of visibility, especially in the age of social media. If you feel happy with where your technical skills are currently, maybe it makes sense to forego further schooling and concentrate on building an amazing portfolio of work. In my experience, illustrators are made by their portfolios more than their degrees. #Art colleges with best illustration programs software#The question of whether you should go to an art college is entirely conditional, it depends on where you're at in your development: Do you need help with fundamentals? Do you need help with software skills? Do you want a better grasp of art history? (or history in general - most BFA programs require academic studies in addition to art courses.) Perhaps most importantly - can you afford to?ĭepending on how you answer, there are a variety of paths for you: You say you want to be an illustrator I happen to be one. The short answer is: Yes and No (helpful, right?). School is optional if you want to be an artist. Knowing things makes you more interesting and gives you a more unique perspective, which can only help your art. Don't neglect the other stuff, math, history, science. Start or join a sketch group so you have other people to keep you motivated and to hold you accountable. Take figure drawing classes where you can find them. Expect to have a day job.Īside from the damage control above, draw draw draw. Anything to ensure you can keep a day job. Office experience or customer support or sales. Make sure you have other marketable skills. Much of contemporary art emphasizes intent and message, and in my experience, most figure painters and drawing instructors were more concerned in helping you "express yourself" rather than ensure you've mastered the foundations of anatomy, composition, and color. You may find that illustration is like the bastard brother to fine art, and that it's difficult to find instructors to help you hone your craft. I know very few artists who were able to make a living with art /illustration after graduation.Īlso, if I could do it again I would go to an atelier style school (check out Watts Atelier in encinitas, and others like them ) rather than an accredited four year school. I attended a university art program and am working in an office to afford to live. #Art colleges with best illustration programs professional#At the very least it helps to familiarize yourself with the professionals on the show and take a look at what professional quality work looks like. Getting in the mindset of what it takes to become a professional illustrator and even just the lifestyle the career affords you is incredibly valuable to an aspiring professional. A lot of my peers in school suffered from comparing their work to each other instead of professional work and as a result rarely produced anything that surpassed student work in my opinion. I'm a graphic designer who recently graduated from a State school and I can't recommend it enough. They talk about their careers and career choices and Art school and debt are often topics of conversation on the show. It's produced by the professional illustrator Sam Weber and it's all about him interviewing his illustrator and graphic designer colleagues. I highly recommend the podcast your dreams my nightmares.
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