is Academy of Arts a good school to go to

[narenn]

i went through the first few pages and i felt obligated to post something here too.

i went to Academy of art . graduated 3 years ago. found job right after my graduation and its been good so sar. basically im an academy success story. but i need to address few things here

-AAU nor any art school has nothing to do with the success of its students, its the students themselves. some are absolutely talentless or lazy and they end up with crappy portfolios and some work really hard and end up with great portfolios.schools have nothing to do with it.

-AAU has the biggest 3d department btw all the universities, so it makes sense if it also has the high ratio of successful students compare to other schools

-many of the instructors don’t deserve to be instructors, they could be students themselves. some of them actually teach cause they can’t find jobs. there are also some good instructors there too. ask senior students first before taking any class. they can help you better than advisers.

-AAU has too much focus on artistic aspect of 3d , while artistic jobs(modeling/animation) have highest unemployment rate and lowest wages in vfx world. for example they force you to take more that 10 drawing classes but MEL scripting is optional!

-if you decide to go to AAU , remember never listen too advisers, they don’t know shit, always take classes that you think will help you. they force you to take bullshit classes. you can talk to your department head and get his signature and then you can replace classes.

-take as much classes as you can at community college first. general education. you don’t want to pay 2000$ for art history or writing class.

-dorms are a rip off . find a roommate or rent something yourself, it will be cheaper than dorm either way.

-there are a lot of dumb students there who just go to art school because they hate math and biology and a lot of rich foreign students who are just paying school to stay and get a useless degree in US. don’t compare your work to majority of the students.if you are not one of the top 5 students in the class, you probably going to have a hard time finding job in future.

• use the computer lab as much as you can even if you have computer at home. there are alot of hard working students hanging out at lab. it gives you motivation. and if you have a question there is always somebody that can assist you.

-ILM and PIXAR are not the only companies in there world. those big companies actully have employed a small fraction of the CG force. so dont have your focus only on what they like or dislike. or only focus on what softwares they use. you are more likely not to work at those big companies right after school so be realistic. do your research on mid and small size companies too. for example at academy nobody wants to learn 3Ds MAX. its actually becoming a popular software for movies. but students don’t want to learn it because for example ILM and PIXAR dont use it.

-you hear a lot that you need to have your focus only on one area such as modeling or rigging or … that’s true but most students focus too much on one area and they ignore learning other areas. as a 3d artist you must have a basic knowledge of all aspects of CG. many small/mid size companies do appreciate that.

This is very helpful. Thanks for sharing.

btw: I’m starting there in 2 weeks. Wish me luck.

[tinytimw52]

in order to tell if a school is good or not, all you have to do is look at their advertising market. If their good, they don’t need to advertise. This school advertises like they are so desperate for students. I gave them my house address, and they never stop sending me stuff, and when i called them up to talk to them, they never answer.

[Aeroflux]

I just got off the phone with a representative for the academy of arts. It was very much like talking to a car salesman. I was constantly reminded of online classes, even as I voiced my dislike for those methods. Every point of concern I brought up was met with a well constructed line of response. At one moment I could clearly hear the pause of a person reading from a computer screen. All it means to me is there is a business side to the school.

I was also told that a teacher from Pixar is contracted for the next semester. The contract is per semester, so a great influence could be only temporary in the curriculum. I like Pixar but it won’t affect my decision. The rotating door on teachers is a bit disconcerting though. I still want to take a tour of the campus and talk to the head of the animation department before I make up my mind.

[mecos]

in order to tell if a school is good or not, all you have to do is look at their advertising market. If their good, they don’t need to advertise. This school advertises like they are so desperate for students. I gave them my house address, and they never stop sending me stuff, and when i called them up to talk to them, they never answer.

not to mention advertise at the superbowl - where is the tuition money going towards.

while i made some pretty bad comments about AAC before i have to retract a few. their accreditation has changed recently and i guess they are more legit now, i don’t know the details - to me it’s still a front for a real estate scam.

[Lyr]

In my mind NCAA div2 accreditation hurts an an art school more than it helps. Seriously what does an art school need a football team for?

[avatar299]

maybe we like to play sports. God forbid

[hikarubr]

It’s funny how the AAU is damned if it does, damned if it doesn’t.

Some people here used to complain about AAU lack of regional accreditation, lack of a “real university experience” (big campus, strong sport program, etc…), lack of strong liberal arts classes (implying the school was just a trade school, not a real college/university).

Now that AAU has regional accreditation, more liberal art classes (for regional accreditation purposes), more campus activities, stronger sports program and all the other points of a “real university” some people are complaining that a Art School shouldn’t have this things in the first place anyway.

[tinytimw52]

I just got off the phone with a representative for the academy of arts. It was very much like talking to a car salesman. I was constantly reminded of online classes, even as I voiced my dislike for those methods. Every point of concern I brought up was met with a well constructed line of response. At one moment I could clearly hear the pause of a person reading from a computer screen. All it means to me is there is a business side to the school.

I was also told that a teacher from Pixar is contracted for the next semester. The contract is per semester, so a great influence could be only temporary in the curriculum. I like Pixar but it won’t affect my decision. The rotating door on teachers is a bit disconcerting though. I still want to take a tour of the campus and talk to the head of the animation department before I make up my mind.

You are 100% spot on!

[tinytimw52]

i don’t know the details - to me it’s still a front for a real estate scam.[/QUOTE]

Agreed!!

[leif3d]

This thread has gotten pretty intense huh?
It’s obvious to me that the school can’t be a scam, because many successful professionals have come out of this school. I’m starting my second MFA year and I love it so far. I’ve learned an incredible amount of things directly applicable to my job in the industry, which have definitely made me better at what I do.

Sure, the students vary from horribly indisciplined to brilliant and a couple of teachers are not A+ (most are great though), but remember, disparity also exists in a work environment.

I’ve been working in computer graphics for over 7 years now and I can honestly say that what this school has to offer has been a very positive experience for me. I know that statement will vary in opinion and many people are put off by situations they don’t like in a for-profit educational institution, but if you focus on giving it your best and taking advantage of the great things the school has to offer, you should have great results improving your craftsmanship.

…at least that has been my experience and the experience of people I know who are giving it their best, which yes, like all good things in life, happen to be the minority.

[SubDProxy]

I am in my third semester here at AAU and I really enjoy it. They are not going to just hand everything to you on a silver platter. Remember the people you are talking to about information are going to try and sell you something. Like all colleges or universities, it is a business. To the teachers it is their profession and it was they enjoy doing. Go to an open house, talk to an instructor and see for yourself. Or listen to all the other students that have been there or are going through their. Either I am lucky or just happen to be in the right place at the right time, but being in San Francisco I have had more opportunities to do freelance jobs than my buddy at SCAD in Savannah, GA. Complaining about it won’t get you any closer to your objective. You get out of it what you put into it.

[jesse92]

So i been ready this thread from the 2007’s replys, and well, it says, around 2008 that the pixar animation classes are done… so not its about to be 2011, so i was wondering, are the PIXAR classes back… will be back?

[leif3d]

I haven’t heard anything about the Pixar classes, but my focus is not character animation, so I’m not very informed when it comes to that.

[narenn]

The Pixar classes have started up again. Students are currently taking it now. It’s really hard to get in to, but I heard they’re a blast.

[jesse92]

woowwww amazingg… !! im so gonna get in thereee

[SubDProxy]

I am still upset as well with the rotating teachers. This semester it seems I am having the same instruction as last semester. I have two semesters now of beginning Maya and After Effects. Hmmm, not good. :sad: For animation schools, it is good. You get what you put into it.

This is why I look for freelance work and signed up for Escape Studios at the same time.

Good luck.

[narenn]

I am still upset as well with the rotating teachers. This semester it seems I am having the same instruction as last semester. I have two semesters now of beginning Maya and After Effects. Hmmm, not good. :sad: For animation schools, it is good. You get what you put into it.

This is why I look for freelance work and signed up for Escape Studios at the same time.

Good luck.

Intro to CG and C.A.P.S are buildup from photoshop and After Effects to Intro to Maya. If you know these programs and a little Maya, then waive out of those classes into a more advanced Maya class. I was placed into ANM 499 Maya Particles and Dynamics and I’m having a blast! ANM 202 Maya Modeling and Animation is the equivalent to this. And just about every instructor here is still working at ILM, Pixar, etc… so they have to cycle out. Take advantage of whomever you can, because no other school offers you this opportunity.

BTW, the reason why they throw you into photoshop and after effects is because some students have never heard of Maya. If you know it, then waive out.

[mrd33ds]

I am currently doing the whole admissions thing to go there next year. Hopefully all works out well.

Edit: Btw, Im looking for a studio around the school around $1500 price range. Anyone have any suggestions of whats best?

[juxtaminute]

I can’t really goto San Francisco right now but I’m really interested in taking character animation at AAU. I see that you can take classes online. Has anyone tried them? Is this a good online school?

[narenn]

I can’t really goto San Francisco right now but I’m really interested in taking character animation at AAU. I see that you can take classes online. Has anyone tried them? Is this a good online school?

The online program is pretty good. About half of the animation department is online (over 3,600 students in the entire department).