Need some help on college location and courses!

[Garkudion]

Hello! My name is Larc and I'll be applying for college soon. I want to become a concept artist for videogames, but I'm not exactly sure what course in art I should take. Would graphic design do it? Or would illustration be the better choice?

Also, I'm trying to look for a college in orlando that offers an illustration major since I do think that would be the better road to take. However, search engines pull nothing up and I'm kind of stuck. Does anyone know of a good college for a wannabe concept artist in or near Orlando?

I checked into Ringling, but while it is an amazing school, it only offers art programs. I'd like something else to fall back on other than art. But Central florida seems to be so bare, haha!


Can anyone help me out?

[oomgawa]

If you want to be a concept artist and have the drive,
you can teach yourself by using all the gnomon and CA dvds, and drawing all day. But Ringling would be a great choice.
If you want a general education, you will have to supplement heavily your concept art education anyway.
You might consider starting at a local community college to get your base of general education classes,
then transfer to an industry specific school.

If you believe you have what it takes to make it into the industry, and that is your PASSION,
then why would you even consider needing something to fall back on? Just go for it!
Hope this helps. . .

[Storyboard Dave]

I checked into Ringling, but while it is an amazing school, it only offers art programs. I'd like something else to fall back on other than art. But Central florida seems to be so bare, haha!

Fall back on? You'd better not be namby pamby about it because there are people out there in school and in the industry who are hungry AND talented. In order to jockey them out for a job you'd better be 110% committed to it. Going into this field isn't for part timers. Like oomgawa said, you're probably better off doing a little soul searching and determining if this is really the environment you want. Community college is a decent start but eventually you'll have to play with the big boys in whatever field you're going into.

And why limit yourself geographically? There are literally bunchs of quality schools out there as well. If you want a top notch education sometimes you've got to sprout the wings and go there.

[Elwell]

ditto ditto ditto
If you plan on having something to fall back on, you will.

[Garkudion]

Alright! And yes, I am one hundred precent committed, though I keep hearing of the "always have something on the side" plan.

Thanks for all your help! Does anyone know of a college in orlando offering illustration, as well?

[StarBelly]

http://collegesearch.collegeboard.com/search/index.jsp