Hello all! I’ve been a lurker here for a while, admiring everyone’s work. I Have decided that I want to do Character Modeling and Creature Sculpting as a career, but I need to get a good education first. My question to you fine guys and gals is this: Would I benefit more from a traditional 4 year degree from my local university in virtual technology and design, choosing fine arts electives as I go along? Or would I be better off attending something like Full Sail or the Arts institute to better learn the intricacies of this craft, while probably not getting as much in regards to the fine arts (drawing, sculpting, painting, etc.). I get my GI bill, so this is my one chance for free schooling, so I just want to make sure that I don’t waste it. I know it all boils down to me, and what I choose to take from any school I attend, and the work I put into it, but surely one path offers something better suited for my needs? Thank you for reading, and I look forward to any information you may be willing to share!
Please help! 4 year school or trade school?
Definitely don’t go to Full Sail or one of the Arts Institutes. They’re just bad programs. On the other hand, you’re not all that likely to get a good education from your local university; not many universities even have decent classes for art fundamentals, much less CG.
If the GI Bill is gonna cover most of the tuition (I’m not sure exactly how it works), I’d definitely go for one of the big, well regarded art schools. Ringling, School of Visual Arts, California College of the Arts, and Laguna College of Art and Design are the first that come to my mind.
If you need somewhere with a more modest tuition, there are a few state schools with good CG programs. San Jose State, Chico State, and Bowling Green are the three I can think of, but I’m sure there are others.
The 4 year school I was considering is here in Idaho, the University of Idaho actually. I had been looking at Boise State, but I am moving in July from Boise to Northern Idaho, next to Spokane, and my options then will be either UofI or online schooling. I know Gnomon will use the GI bill, and since I have 4 years total of schooling covered (doesn’t mean I can use that with only one school, nice loophole) I had planned on trying to attend Gnomon courses both online and in person if am able to get from here to California in the summers. Thank you though for the advice on those other schools, I’m definitely looking into them!
There are so many online schools and courses.
In my opinion it’s the best way to learn any CG topic.
I was thinking of doing an online course as well. Especially since it tends to blend so well with your work schedule.
Do NOT waste your (or your parents) money for a diploma… Its useless. Go for a TRADE school! Or online classes… Now so many industry professionals have workshops online, this is how you also make future connections, but do not expect to be an expert over night… it takes time and lots of practice. 
Being a Student myself trying to get into the industry, I would recommend either a focused trade school or online as well. Though I will say some professionals I have used do not follow some of the basic rules that I was taught in my college. So I would get some references on who to follow before following them.
Im also my own worst critic and having others to compare yourself to and instructors guide helps a lot. They also will critic your work with a professionals eye and will point out the problems you may not be aware of. You also have the help of your fellow students at a trade school which you may or may not be able to get on an online course. With a trade school you also get the experience of an artist critic, which I have been told can be fairly brutal at times.
I personally do not use online courses because I feel its too easy to cheat and I like the face to face interaction. It also helps motivate me because online is very faceless where as an instructor looking at me helps motivate me to be better than I am.