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View Full Version : Finding my passion - What are some options I could take?

Punkakitty
06-24-2010, 08:29 PM
Hello,

I'm new here and have been looking around (mostly in the courses and schools section), trying to see if anyone is in a similar situation that I am, but haven't. So, I just finished my first year at the Art Institute of Washington, and no, I'm not here to complain, I don't have any complaints about the school, I'm just trying to figure out what to do with myself in terms of education.

I'm majoring in Game Art and Design, and have been wanting a major that dealt with gaming for a really long time now, or so I thought. After being at AIW for a year, and doing research on different areas of the game industry, I don't think this is a path I want to take. I thought this was the right path, because I wanted to be a character modeler. But with researching and thinking, I have come to the conclusion that Game Art and Design isn't for me. I believe that illustration is the major I should be in, because it suits my hobbies more (from what I've researched).

I'm very passionate about drawing and writing. I incorporate the two all the time, and have been doing it since I was a child. I'm a writing freak, I have ideas pouring out of my ears. And along with those ideas for stories, poems, songs, etc are the visuals that follow them (I'm a very visual person). So for all the stories that I've written I have sketches of characters, the environment, important scenes, anything to help bring the story to life even more. Most of the time, these sketches are for my own personal use, to help make the story more believable and to help it flow. And sometimes, I'll show the images, so people can get a sense of how a character might look and then incorporate that image with the images they already developed in their heads. As for poems, I'll create a composition that relates to the subject matter.

So I would really love to be in a major that focuses more on the art, but the art relates somehow to writing. And like I said before, I believe illustration is the way to go (i also want to take creative writing, but that's another story). But I'm not sure of how to go about this. I've been looking into other schools I could transfer to. But from my understanding of what I've read, AI credits don't transfer. Classes like math and english, I didn't take, cause my SAT and AP scores transferred from high school, so I'm not too worried about that. But I've taken drawing, life drawing, 2d design, color theory, history of video games, intro to Flash and art history (which I already took in high school as an AP course), so I'm not sure about those credits.

I was thinking about just sticking with what I'm already in, until I graduate, cause I push myself in the classes. But I was always told to do what you're passionate about, or you won't be happy. And I'm not happy with my major. I guess it's my own fault though, cause I jumped right into college a month after graduating high school and didn't look into many other schools because I wanted to stay closer to home (I live in MD, and commute to AIW by the metro train) and reps from AIW came to my art classes in high school a lot, talking about how great the school is. And I liked the fact that I wasn't far from DC and the museums, where I go to sketch after classes.
I was also thinking about just taking art classes on the side at a community college, cause I would really like to improve my drawing skills in a class environment, instead of just on my own like I've been doing, cause I haven't taken many traditional art classes since starting at AIW.
But, what I'm really leaning towards is transferring to a school that offers illustration. The only thing with that is, I'm still confused about what would happen to the loans I've taken out for AIW (I assume that I'd have to pay back what has been used, which is why I've taken the summer quarter off to work at a job and have money saved up)

I would like to hear some opinions from other people that may have been in a similar situation, or just wanna give their opinion (and no need to try and beat me down, I've already done that enough to myself, haha). Maybe I'm really trying to do too much at once, or maybe I'm just screwed and should just stick with what I'm doing now.
gawl126
06-24-2010, 10:58 PM
You've only completed your first year so you're far from being "screwed". If illustration is what you want to do, then just go for it. Don't stay at a school because you've completed one year there. You'll fall into more financial burden and you'll just be unhappy.

If I were in your shoes and wanted to major in illustration, then I would take classes at a community college then transfer to a university. You'll save money on classes at the cc and if you plan on changing your mind again it won't hit you as hard financially.
Punkakitty
06-25-2010, 01:37 AM
You've only completed your first year so you're far from being "screwed". If illustration is what you want to do, then just go for it. Don't stay at a school because you've completed one year there. You'll fall into more financial burden and you'll just be unhappy.

If I were in your shoes and wanted to major in illustration, then I would take classes at a community college then transfer to a university. You'll save money on classes at the cc and if you plan on changing your mind again it won't hit you as hard financially.

Well, it's reassuring to know that I'm not screwed. I guess the longer I wait though, I will be. And you're right about financial burden, cause I'm already experiencing that. And there's no point in spending money on a major I'm not happy with.
The community college near me offers illustration, but they pair it with graphic design. But from the list of required courses, they're the same as required courses in another college that offers illustration on its own. So cc is my most likely gonna be my choice.
Thanks for your input!
gawl126
06-25-2010, 09:13 PM
A lot of required art courses will overlap. My friend was in an animation program and decided about 2 years in that she really liked illustration more so she switched over to that program. Since the required art courses overlapped, she didn't have any issues with the switch.

Try to research schools who have a good reputation in illustration while you're taking classes at your cc. There are plenty of good state universities out there that don't charge a huge amount of money. I'm only familiar with one of them (SJSU) so you probably should consult other people who are more familiar with these schools. I think Rebeccak is a good person to consult regarding good universities on the west coast. I would also contact MrPositive on suggestions or look at the thread he created.
Punkakitty
06-27-2010, 04:17 PM
A lot of required art courses will overlap. My friend was in an animation program and decided about 2 years in that she really liked illustration more so she switched over to that program. Since the required art courses overlapped, she didn't have any issues with the switch.

Try to research schools who have a good reputation in illustration while you're taking classes at your cc. There are plenty of good state universities out there that don't charge a huge amount of money. I'm only familiar with one of them (SJSU) so you probably should consult other people who are more familiar with these schools. I think Rebeccak is a good person to consult regarding good universities on the west coast. I would also contact MrPositive on suggestions or look at the thread he created.

Thanks for your input.

I've been doing a lot of research on schools that offer illustration, and I've found a few that I like that wouldn't cost an arm and leg. Just gonna research some more until I find the one that I believe would suit me the best. And one that isn't that far. SJSU is pretty far, since I'm on the east coast. But I'm open to anything.
Rebeccak
06-27-2010, 04:54 PM
Hey, I'm originally from Maryland :) and MICA (Maryland Institute College of Art) is a very good school. Also RISD (Rhode Island School of Design) has an excellent reputation for illustration, but is very hard to get into.

The great thing about MICA is that they are very generous with offering scholarship money. I would suggest either attending a National Portfolio Day (http://www.portfolioday.net/content/view/104/53/) event (I attended one at MICA back in the stone age) or just making an appointment with an admissions counselor at MICA since you are probably relatively nearby. Take your portfolio and ask them what you would need to do to boost your chances of getting accepted / getting scholarship money.

West Coast wise there are good state schools, but they can be difficult to get into, particularly if you are out of state. Cal State Long Beach has an excellent drawing / painting program but it is tough to get in there because of its low cost and high demand. Cal State Fullerton also has a good program.

Otis College of Art (where I teach) has a Communication Arts program, and the school also offers a writing program. I'm an alum of Art Center College of Design (in Pasadena) which also offers an illustration major (which I was). I also teach at LCAD (Laguna College of Art) where they have an extremely strong drawing / painting program, a game art program, and academics. AAU in San Francisco (Academy of Art SF) has a great traditional program. There are many pros and cons to any school.

As a caveat, I'm extremely school agnostic in the sense that just because I work at a particular school doesn't mean that I think that school is right for every student.

My best advice is check out MICA first because it has a great program and is nearby. Their advice will be broadly applicable toward any school to which you might apply.

Also, check out Syracuse University in NY - they have a solid reputation for illustration and since they are a university, I'm sure they also have a writing program.

Edit - a note about ccs - Montgomery College has always had a good reputation for its art courses (at least when I was living in MD) - it might be something to check out. Also you should contact Walt Bartman, he's a retired high school art teacher who has a metric ton of experience in guiding talented Maryland art students toward college, and knows how to get them scholarships:

http://www.yellowbarnstudio.com/bartman.htm

Good luck!
gawl126
06-27-2010, 06:50 PM
Thanks for your input.

I've been doing a lot of research on schools that offer illustration, and I've found a few that I like that wouldn't cost an arm and leg. Just gonna research some more until I find the one that I believe would suit me the best. And one that isn't that far. SJSU is pretty far, since I'm on the east coast. But I'm open to anything.

When I read Art Institute of Washington, I immediately thought of the state Washington and assumed the school was on the West Coast. Sorry! It looks like Rebecca has some nice suggestions on schools on either side though.
Punkakitty
06-30-2010, 11:23 PM
Hey, I'm originally from Maryland :) and MICA (Maryland Institute College of Art) is a very good school. Also RISD (Rhode Island School of Design) has an excellent reputation for illustration, but is very hard to get into.

The great thing about MICA is that they are very generous with offering scholarship money. I would suggest either attending a National Portfolio Day (http://www.portfolioday.net/content/view/104/53/) event (I attended one at MICA back in the stone age) or just making an appointment with an admissions counselor at MICA since you are probably relatively nearby. Take your portfolio and ask them what you would need to do to boost your chances of getting accepted / getting scholarship money.

West Coast wise there are good state schools, but they can be difficult to get into, particularly if you are out of state. Cal State Long Beach has an excellent drawing / painting program but it is tough to get in there because of its low cost and high demand. Cal State Fullerton also has a good program.

Otis College of Art (where I teach) has a Communication Arts program, and the school also offers a writing program. I'm an alum of Art Center College of Design (in Pasadena) which also offers an illustration major (which I was). I also teach at LCAD (Laguna College of Art) where they have an extremely strong drawing / painting program, a game art program, and academics. AAU in San Francisco (Academy of Art SF) has a great traditional program. There are many pros and cons to any school.

As a caveat, I'm extremely school agnostic in the sense that just because I work at a particular school doesn't mean that I think that school is right for every student.

My best advice is check out MICA first because it has a great program and is nearby. Their advice will be broadly applicable toward any school to which you might apply.

Also, check out Syracuse University in NY - they have a solid reputation for illustration and since they are a university, I'm sure they also have a writing program.

Edit - a note about ccs - Montgomery College has always had a good reputation for its art courses (at least when I was living in MD) - it might be something to check out. Also you should contact Walt Bartman, he's a retired high school art teacher who has a metric ton of experience in guiding talented Maryland art students toward college, and knows how to get them scholarships:

http://www.yellowbarnstudio.com/bartman.htm

Good luck!

I've been looking into MICA, and I like what I see ^_^. It is on my list of possible schools. And it is very close, which nice.

And I've been considering Montgomery College, and from the looks of it, the art classes are still really good.

I'll be sure to check out the link and contact Mr. Bartman

Thanks for your input!!
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