diofslur
07-14-2010, 07:22 AM
Hey everyone I'm looking school. Maybe next year I'm go to there
I wanna know Best school in LA or Sanfancisco Please tell me Thank you.
I wanna know Best school in LA or Sanfancisco Please tell me Thank you.
View Full Version : Want to know Best School 3D Animation in LA or Sanfrancisco
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narenn
08-01-2010, 10:56 PM
Academy of Art seems to be highly accredited. I am attending there this fall. The only major complaints I hear are the fees. For its location and what it seems to offer, I think it's worth it.
dancgfx
08-02-2010, 02:44 PM
@ narenn. Do you know what would be the course fee for the program MFA Animation - Modeling (http://www.academyart.edu/animation-school/outline.html?AP=MFA-ANM&ASP=MFA-ANMMD). I've mailed them about it but didn't get the reply yet.
Lyr
08-06-2010, 07:45 PM
Don't go to AAU. They have totally lost their focus on arts and are more concerned with providing a "university" experience. Art schools don't need football, baseball and basketball teams.
narenn
08-06-2010, 09:30 PM
@ narenn. Do you know what would be the course fee for the program MFA Animation - Modeling (http://www.academyart.edu/animation-school/outline.html?AP=MFA-ANM&ASP=MFA-ANMMD). I've mailed them about it but didn't get the reply yet.
I am sorry I do not. They don't usually take too long to call back. Within 2 days at least...
Don't go to AAU. They have totally lost their focus on arts and are more concerned with providing a "university" experience. Art schools don't need football, baseball and basketball teams.
First time I have heard someone say AAU lost focus. Did you attend the school?
I've already paid, so one way or another, I'm going. If it really is that bad, I could drop out. But even major studios like DD and SPI recognize AAU's curriculum. I have also spoken to artists working at major studios that can say they know one or two students working in the seat next to them.
I am sorry I do not. They don't usually take too long to call back. Within 2 days at least...
Don't go to AAU. They have totally lost their focus on arts and are more concerned with providing a "university" experience. Art schools don't need football, baseball and basketball teams.
First time I have heard someone say AAU lost focus. Did you attend the school?
I've already paid, so one way or another, I'm going. If it really is that bad, I could drop out. But even major studios like DD and SPI recognize AAU's curriculum. I have also spoken to artists working at major studios that can say they know one or two students working in the seat next to them.
Lyr
08-06-2010, 09:47 PM
First time I have heard someone say AAU lost focus. Did you attend the school?
Yes. I got a BFA from there back in '02, in '09 I decided to go do a MFA. The change was significant much more liberal arts are required now since they are a "university". Lots of money thrown at the stupid sports programs that didn't exist when it was a college, and I realized that the method of art instruction they use at the Academy and other "accredited" schools is fundamentally flawed when it comes to art instruction. After one semester I realized it really wasn't worth it for me and found an established painter to study under instead.
Yes. I got a BFA from there back in '02, in '09 I decided to go do a MFA. The change was significant much more liberal arts are required now since they are a "university". Lots of money thrown at the stupid sports programs that didn't exist when it was a college, and I realized that the method of art instruction they use at the Academy and other "accredited" schools is fundamentally flawed when it comes to art instruction. After one semester I realized it really wasn't worth it for me and found an established painter to study under instead.
Torr
08-07-2010, 06:16 AM
I'm a little confused about what you mean by the method of art instruction being flawed and that it is because the academy is accredited. I do not know how the classes were taught back in 2002, but I have had wonderful teachers and classes, especially in the fine arts and illustration department that were phenomenal. Our student and alumni work show that. The animation classes aren't as well put together it seems, but none the less, they still give you what you need and there are free workshops you can go to for extra help, there is no reason that you can't do great in this school other than you aren't willing to put the work and time into it.
As for the accreditation, I think that while it raises the tuition, because you do have to have liberal arts and sports teams for a school to be accredited, it is a good thing. It means that you can go to any other school and start their MFA program right away and that you're degree really means something - you get a diploma instead of a certificate. That's more important to some people than others.
As for the accreditation, I think that while it raises the tuition, because you do have to have liberal arts and sports teams for a school to be accredited, it is a good thing. It means that you can go to any other school and start their MFA program right away and that you're degree really means something - you get a diploma instead of a certificate. That's more important to some people than others.
Lyr
08-07-2010, 04:45 PM
One thing you have to understand is that accreditation for art schools is primarily sought so that they can have the students tap into a guaranteed cash pool of federally backed loans. It's about money first and foremost. No admission requirements coupled with access to guaranteed federal loans for students is a recipe for financial success for an art school.
When you were taking classes at AAU did the instructor ever say "Well we only get the chance to meet 14 times this semester, That's not all alot of time to cover everything". I heard that or something similiar to that in every fine art and illustration class I took at AAU. They were right, meeting for only a few hours once a week isn't enough time to adequately teach the concepts of fine art. So right there on the first day of class I had instructors admitting that the material was going to be rushed through and it would be inadequate despite their best efforts. Why on earth should I pay exorbitant sums of money for instruction that the instructors admit is going to be inadequate due to the structure of the school?
Now this isn't to say there aren't great teachers at AAU, there certainly is, however these wonderful mentors are handcuffed and hamstrung by the academic system that confines them to credit hours and semesters, limiting student contact to a bureaucrat's time table and not a time table dictated by the needs of the student.
Homework is largely a bad idea, when you are learning the concepts of fine drawing and fine painting you are going to make mistakes often, mistakes that need to be corrected as soon as they happen so you learn quickly to not make those mistakes. When the majority of work done to learn the concepts presented in a class is done at home, away from the supervision of the instructor, the chance that the student will make catastrophic mistakes early and often goes way up. Getting feedback only once a week slows learning immensely.
Accredited art schools have basically traded instructor and classroom time for homework. Homework does have a place, it should be reserved as test material, an opportunity to see if the student can execute what was taught in the studio on their own. Homework should not be the primary body of work done for instruction.
AAU however does deserve special mention in that they realize the importance of classroom time and have several fine art classes that while they only charge 3 credit hours of instruction they give 6 credit hours. While that is a step in the right direction it is hardly enough.
Grades are a horrible idea for art school. Especially when paired with a credit hour/ semester progression system. The way art was taught before the current dark ages a student would not progress in the program until they demonstrated mastery and an ability repeat that mastery of the subject matter. The reason for this is because visual art knowledge is hierarchical. Each concept builds on and expands the earlier one, making it extremely important that you master every skill and bit of knowledge and not move too fast.
Semesters force a student to move too fast, on a schedule that is not sensitive to their abilities and needs, and grades allow students to move on in the program before they have sufficiently mastered the current material. A student who gets a 'C' in analysis of form/chiaroscuro has no business moving on to figure drawing 1, yet they will, moving on to compound their mistakes and attempt to build their understanding on a weak foundation.
The foundational courses at AAU are the most important classes they teach. The knowledge you gain in those classes is put to use every time you go to create. Yet most students go through those classes getting C's and B's at best, grades which the school admits symbolize an incomplete knowledge. However the rigid system of accredited academia does not permit the right thing to be done, which would be to repeat the class until mastery is demonstrated.
Semesters, grades, credit hours and homework. All of these things are demanded by accreditation and each one in it's own way drags down the quality of art instruction. That isn't to say that there isn't good work done at AAU, of course there is, I've seen it and done it myself, however it is made harder than it needs to be because of the things that instutional accreditation demands.
When you were taking classes at AAU did the instructor ever say "Well we only get the chance to meet 14 times this semester, That's not all alot of time to cover everything". I heard that or something similiar to that in every fine art and illustration class I took at AAU. They were right, meeting for only a few hours once a week isn't enough time to adequately teach the concepts of fine art. So right there on the first day of class I had instructors admitting that the material was going to be rushed through and it would be inadequate despite their best efforts. Why on earth should I pay exorbitant sums of money for instruction that the instructors admit is going to be inadequate due to the structure of the school?
Now this isn't to say there aren't great teachers at AAU, there certainly is, however these wonderful mentors are handcuffed and hamstrung by the academic system that confines them to credit hours and semesters, limiting student contact to a bureaucrat's time table and not a time table dictated by the needs of the student.
Homework is largely a bad idea, when you are learning the concepts of fine drawing and fine painting you are going to make mistakes often, mistakes that need to be corrected as soon as they happen so you learn quickly to not make those mistakes. When the majority of work done to learn the concepts presented in a class is done at home, away from the supervision of the instructor, the chance that the student will make catastrophic mistakes early and often goes way up. Getting feedback only once a week slows learning immensely.
Accredited art schools have basically traded instructor and classroom time for homework. Homework does have a place, it should be reserved as test material, an opportunity to see if the student can execute what was taught in the studio on their own. Homework should not be the primary body of work done for instruction.
AAU however does deserve special mention in that they realize the importance of classroom time and have several fine art classes that while they only charge 3 credit hours of instruction they give 6 credit hours. While that is a step in the right direction it is hardly enough.
Grades are a horrible idea for art school. Especially when paired with a credit hour/ semester progression system. The way art was taught before the current dark ages a student would not progress in the program until they demonstrated mastery and an ability repeat that mastery of the subject matter. The reason for this is because visual art knowledge is hierarchical. Each concept builds on and expands the earlier one, making it extremely important that you master every skill and bit of knowledge and not move too fast.
Semesters force a student to move too fast, on a schedule that is not sensitive to their abilities and needs, and grades allow students to move on in the program before they have sufficiently mastered the current material. A student who gets a 'C' in analysis of form/chiaroscuro has no business moving on to figure drawing 1, yet they will, moving on to compound their mistakes and attempt to build their understanding on a weak foundation.
The foundational courses at AAU are the most important classes they teach. The knowledge you gain in those classes is put to use every time you go to create. Yet most students go through those classes getting C's and B's at best, grades which the school admits symbolize an incomplete knowledge. However the rigid system of accredited academia does not permit the right thing to be done, which would be to repeat the class until mastery is demonstrated.
Semesters, grades, credit hours and homework. All of these things are demanded by accreditation and each one in it's own way drags down the quality of art instruction. That isn't to say that there isn't good work done at AAU, of course there is, I've seen it and done it myself, however it is made harder than it needs to be because of the things that instutional accreditation demands.
Lyr
08-07-2010, 04:46 PM
As for the accreditation, I think that while it raises the tuition, because you do have to have liberal arts and sports teams for a school to be accredited, it is a good thing. It means that you can go to any other school and start their MFA program right away and that you're degree really means something - you get a diploma instead of a certificate. That's more important to some people than others.
Degrees only matter for immigration and some teaching jobs. That's it.
Degrees only matter for immigration and some teaching jobs. That's it.
hikarubr
08-07-2010, 10:44 PM
Lyr
I think your criticism is pretty dead on but it's a criticism of the current academic/semester/credit based system applied to art education, not a critic about the Academy of Art University per se.
You're right - it's not the best way to learn art.
But if you need or want a traditional degree the AAU it's a very good compromise between a traditional college and a specialized art school.
As you noted, they give 3 extra hours for the foundation classes without charging AND, let's not forget, they give you free workshops for every class, every week.
If you want, you could be in class from 8am to 9pm, every day of the week.
I think your criticism is pretty dead on but it's a criticism of the current academic/semester/credit based system applied to art education, not a critic about the Academy of Art University per se.
You're right - it's not the best way to learn art.
But if you need or want a traditional degree the AAU it's a very good compromise between a traditional college and a specialized art school.
As you noted, they give 3 extra hours for the foundation classes without charging AND, let's not forget, they give you free workshops for every class, every week.
If you want, you could be in class from 8am to 9pm, every day of the week.
Lyr
08-08-2010, 07:35 PM
I think your criticism is pretty dead on but it's a criticism of the current academic/semester/credit based system applied to art education, not a critic about the Academy of Art University per se.
All the criticisms I have apply specifically to AAU, those criticisms show why I think AAU, and any other art school that uses such a model is fundamentally flawed. What I forgot to add was that AAU's seeking of NCAA div2 accreditation shows a preference for the system that corrupts art instruction over becoming a good art school. AAU is choosing a path that will distract them further from being a good art school. A distraction that the students are paying for.
But if you need or want a traditional degree the AAU it's a very good compromise between a traditional college and a specialized art school.
With the cost of tuition at AAU, compromise is the last the thing I expect or desire.
As you noted, they give 3 extra hours for the foundation classes without charging AND, let's not forget, they give you free workshops for every class, every week
Workshops are not the same as classroom time, different instructors, with varying levels of interest in conducting the workshop, and the possibility as seemed to happen often in my case, workshops would land on times that I had to be in class. When that happens the workshop becomes meaningless.
If you want, you could be in class from 8am to 9pm, every day of the week.
In theory maybe, but in practice that would be an absolute disaster, a very expensive disaster. Lets assume, all logistic and financial obstacles aside, that it was possible for a student to be in an AAU classroom from 8am to 9pm every Monday - Friday. When would the student get that mountain of homework done? The AAU's reliance on homework as instruction makes such a schedule completely unfeasible.
All the criticisms I have apply specifically to AAU, those criticisms show why I think AAU, and any other art school that uses such a model is fundamentally flawed. What I forgot to add was that AAU's seeking of NCAA div2 accreditation shows a preference for the system that corrupts art instruction over becoming a good art school. AAU is choosing a path that will distract them further from being a good art school. A distraction that the students are paying for.
But if you need or want a traditional degree the AAU it's a very good compromise between a traditional college and a specialized art school.
With the cost of tuition at AAU, compromise is the last the thing I expect or desire.
As you noted, they give 3 extra hours for the foundation classes without charging AND, let's not forget, they give you free workshops for every class, every week
Workshops are not the same as classroom time, different instructors, with varying levels of interest in conducting the workshop, and the possibility as seemed to happen often in my case, workshops would land on times that I had to be in class. When that happens the workshop becomes meaningless.
If you want, you could be in class from 8am to 9pm, every day of the week.
In theory maybe, but in practice that would be an absolute disaster, a very expensive disaster. Lets assume, all logistic and financial obstacles aside, that it was possible for a student to be in an AAU classroom from 8am to 9pm every Monday - Friday. When would the student get that mountain of homework done? The AAU's reliance on homework as instruction makes such a schedule completely unfeasible.
hikarubr
08-08-2010, 10:07 PM
All the criticisms I have apply specifically to AAU, those criticisms show why I think AAU, and any other art school that uses such a model is fundamentally flawed. What I forgot to add was that AAU's seeking of NCAA div2 accreditation shows a preference for the system that corrupts art instruction over becoming a good art school. AAU is choosing a path that will distract them further from being a good art school. A distraction that the students are paying for.
Lets assume, all logistic and financial obstacles aside, that it was possible for a student to be in an AAU classroom from 8am to 9pm every Monday - Friday. When would the student get that mountain of homework done? The AAU's reliance on homework as instruction makes such a schedule completely unfeasible.
Well, first you just confirmed what I said - I didn't say your criticism didn't apply to AAU, I said that they're are broad criticism towards the academic system as a whole applied to art education.
They are valid opinion but don't apply ONLY to the AAU - any regionally accredited university (CalArts, Pratt, USC, etc...) would have the same problems. In comparison to them, AAU actually tries to stay closer to a "art school" model than a traditional one model, even with the sport stuff.
You have to realize that the accreditation stuff (including the sports part) is import to give a little prestige and a good name for the school for the general population, something that reflects and benefits the students.
Not all undergrads will work in the art field, so they need a more broad solid education and a degree that won't scream "trade school". In this sense I think the AAU is going in the right direction.
About my example of 8am to 9pm, it was just a hypothetical example, something that would be possible to do without paying more tuition, considering all the opportunities that AAU gives to you. Of course someone doing this would have no social life whatsoever, and I don't know anything that does that.
But I DO know people that take 5 or 6 classes per term in the Animation department and they do it pretty well. I don't know how they do it, for me 4 classes is already a lot, but some people are able to handle the classes and all the homework with no problem.
Again, I like your comments and criticism and I think they are valid. But I just wanted to point that they are broad and apply to any regionally accredited art school.
To avoid that you'd have to go to something like Gnomon, but then you would gave up a degree (and a degree has more utility than you can imagine - specially if, for some reason, the person decides to change field. Nowadays people ask for a BA even for very simple jobs.)
Lets assume, all logistic and financial obstacles aside, that it was possible for a student to be in an AAU classroom from 8am to 9pm every Monday - Friday. When would the student get that mountain of homework done? The AAU's reliance on homework as instruction makes such a schedule completely unfeasible.
Well, first you just confirmed what I said - I didn't say your criticism didn't apply to AAU, I said that they're are broad criticism towards the academic system as a whole applied to art education.
They are valid opinion but don't apply ONLY to the AAU - any regionally accredited university (CalArts, Pratt, USC, etc...) would have the same problems. In comparison to them, AAU actually tries to stay closer to a "art school" model than a traditional one model, even with the sport stuff.
You have to realize that the accreditation stuff (including the sports part) is import to give a little prestige and a good name for the school for the general population, something that reflects and benefits the students.
Not all undergrads will work in the art field, so they need a more broad solid education and a degree that won't scream "trade school". In this sense I think the AAU is going in the right direction.
About my example of 8am to 9pm, it was just a hypothetical example, something that would be possible to do without paying more tuition, considering all the opportunities that AAU gives to you. Of course someone doing this would have no social life whatsoever, and I don't know anything that does that.
But I DO know people that take 5 or 6 classes per term in the Animation department and they do it pretty well. I don't know how they do it, for me 4 classes is already a lot, but some people are able to handle the classes and all the homework with no problem.
Again, I like your comments and criticism and I think they are valid. But I just wanted to point that they are broad and apply to any regionally accredited art school.
To avoid that you'd have to go to something like Gnomon, but then you would gave up a degree (and a degree has more utility than you can imagine - specially if, for some reason, the person decides to change field. Nowadays people ask for a BA even for very simple jobs.)
diofslur
08-10-2010, 08:03 AM
Thank for All comment.
smalone3d
08-10-2010, 09:12 PM
To avoid that you'd have to go to something like Gnomon, but then you would gave up a degree (and a degree has more utility than you can imagine - specially if, for some reason, the person decides to change field. Nowadays people ask for a BA even for very simple jobs.)
Like Lyr said, in this industry, having a degree or not doesn't matter unless you plan on working outside of the United States or teaching at a degree-granting university.
Like Lyr said, in this industry, having a degree or not doesn't matter unless you plan on working outside of the United States or teaching at a degree-granting university.
hikarubr
08-10-2010, 11:08 PM
Like Lyr said, in this industry, having a degree or not doesn't matter unless you plan on working outside of the United States or teaching at a degree-granting university.
Did you even read what I wrote? Let me repeat here: "...if forr some reason, the person decides to change field."
Pay attention to "decides to change field".
Try to get a job in most other fields without a BA to see how that goes.
Did you even read what I wrote? Let me repeat here: "...if forr some reason, the person decides to change field."
Pay attention to "decides to change field".
Try to get a job in most other fields without a BA to see how that goes.
narenn
08-19-2010, 06:12 PM
Excellent points from all of you. From what I've heard, the more you put in, the more you get out of the school. It seems AAU offers a perfect chance to do just that.
I've spent the last 3 years teaching myself different programs and how they work together to form the "pipeline". At this point I know what I need to learn and what direction to take. I have high expectations for the Academy.
I leave in one week. Let's see how it goes...
I've spent the last 3 years teaching myself different programs and how they work together to form the "pipeline". At this point I know what I need to learn and what direction to take. I have high expectations for the Academy.
I leave in one week. Let's see how it goes...
bonacha
08-21-2010, 06:52 AM
I went to the Academy of Art University for my MFA, and I had a great experience. Great teachers, great labs and great classes. Workshops were a huge plus.
In the end its all about the student. It all depends on how much time and effort you spend.
My thesis project was all done at the Academy and you can see it right here:http://forums.cgsociety.org/showthread.php?f=154&t=901951
I dont think any school is perfect, but if you organize your self the Academy can easily be one of the top schools, specially their MFA program.
In the Animation and VFX school most of the teachers come from ILM or Pixar (most of them still work in this places as they teach).
My advice for anyone who is starting is to go talk to your director right away. Make an appointment, show him where you are and explain him where you wanna be. He will put you in the right track.
Cheers!
In the end its all about the student. It all depends on how much time and effort you spend.
My thesis project was all done at the Academy and you can see it right here:http://forums.cgsociety.org/showthread.php?f=154&t=901951
I dont think any school is perfect, but if you organize your self the Academy can easily be one of the top schools, specially their MFA program.
In the Animation and VFX school most of the teachers come from ILM or Pixar (most of them still work in this places as they teach).
My advice for anyone who is starting is to go talk to your director right away. Make an appointment, show him where you are and explain him where you wanna be. He will put you in the right track.
Cheers!
narenn
08-22-2010, 07:14 AM
I went to the Academy of Art University for my MFA, and I had a great experience. Great teachers, great labs and great classes. Workshops were a huge plus.
In the end its all about the student. It all depends on how much time and effort you spend.
My thesis project was all done at the Academy and you can see it right here:http://forums.cgsociety.org/showthread.php?f=154&t=901951
I dont think any school is perfect, but if you organize your self the Academy can easily be one of the top schools, specially their MFA program.
In the Animation and VFX school most of the teachers come from ILM or Pixar (most of them still work in this places as they teach).
My advice for anyone who is starting is to go talk to your director right away. Make an appointment, show him where you are and explain him where you wanna be. He will put you in the right track.
Cheers!
Thanks for your comment and link. I'll definitely talk to my director.
In the end its all about the student. It all depends on how much time and effort you spend.
My thesis project was all done at the Academy and you can see it right here:http://forums.cgsociety.org/showthread.php?f=154&t=901951
I dont think any school is perfect, but if you organize your self the Academy can easily be one of the top schools, specially their MFA program.
In the Animation and VFX school most of the teachers come from ILM or Pixar (most of them still work in this places as they teach).
My advice for anyone who is starting is to go talk to your director right away. Make an appointment, show him where you are and explain him where you wanna be. He will put you in the right track.
Cheers!
Thanks for your comment and link. I'll definitely talk to my director.
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