California schools

[grimkim]

I plan to major in either illustration or fine arts. I'm attending a community college and I have been there so long the art professors are starting to ask me why I'm still there, so need to transfer. I don't really know where I should go, I want to go to art school but I can afford it. So I was wondering if anyone has been to any of the CSUs and know if there art programs are any good, I'm leaning toward San Jose State or Cal State Humbolt. But I'm really concerned is that I won't get the same level of education at a state school in comparassion to a art school. So I was thinking I would just buck up and pay extra, and I thought about the Academy of Art University in San Francisco. What do people who have gone there think of the programs?

[thecereallady]

I've thought about that too: if the education/focus of environment would make much a difference in comparison from a CSU to an art school. I'm currently a senior in the process of applying, so I'm not exactly sure. But from reading the sticky note, Jason Manley posted, it sounded like it was mostly up to the individual and that you could get the same education in a cheaper place than an art school. but yeah, i still wonder.
One of my friends was accepted to a lot of the art schools like MICA, RISD, etc. but she chose San Jose State instead (was more afforadable+she liked how SJSU had a really helpful career center into getting ppl into Dreamworks, Pixar, etc.) SJSU is known for their good Animation/Illustration program, so you should check that out. She says the teachers are very passionate, nice, and helpful, so yeah it sounds pretty good. I'm not sure about Humbolt though.

[pencilkiller]

SJSU is a good school. You will get the same quality of education as other art school, especially from the ACME animation program which taught by many animators and artists in the industry. I glad I choose it over other private art school, at least now I don't have the student load to worry about after I'm graduate . :wink:

[NoSeRider]

http://conceptart.org/forums/showthread.php?t=105461

I believe that Art Center is the place to go for entertainment art because I want to learn from Scott Robertson and Gary Meyer, but then again I'm not a trust fund baby with a $100,000.

I believe CSU Fullerton is the second choice, for a bachelors degree.

I don't believe it's so much the reputation of the school, but who is the instructor.

[UrsusArctos]

GrimKim- I am about to graduate from Humboldt with a BA. At this school, there is no "illustration" or "fine arts" major- there is only "studio art". There are very limited classes at this school: drawing 1,2,3, painting 1,2,3, graphic design 1,2,3, etc. There are no illustration courses, no digital painting, no animation- its very bare bones. Only 2 life drawing classes are offered (they are repeatable).

The good part about going to a state university is that you get a rounded education in much more than just art. However, if you actually want to make it in art, you have to work your ass off- which, admittedly, is difficult when your teachers don't push you hard and your competition isn't impressive.

While sometimes I feel sad that I didn't get to take all the neat courses that other art students got to take (my heart ached every time I heard about someone's character design or digital painting class), my education at a state university did help improve my skills quite a bit. My next step? I'm looking at art graduate schools because I want to continue to improve. And as an important side note: Not a single person from this university (to my graphic design instructors knowledge) has gone on to have a full time career in illustration- but some students have gone on to work for huge firms as designers.

State school is also much more affordable and there is a lot of financial aid. Looking back I really don't regret coming here- though now I am going to invest in some "real" art training.

[MelissaCrystal]

AAU is the cheapest large-scale private uni in Cali, and they have open acceptance, so there is no need to worry about being able to get in. Be warned though, you have to work hard, and you have to make sure to get the good teachers (you'll find out who they are from talking to students, the good ones are pretty famous around here). It's around 14k per year, and there are quite a few loans you can get that they "allow" (as oppose to cutting you off like some schools do..which I will never understand). It's a good school if you're serious about making the best of it. And the city is awesome---we have our own bussing system and many dorms to choose from (though they're quite expensive). I'm in my last semester, living in my own apartment, and I have no regrets except that I wish I had worked harder and pushed for different teachers in my first two years =) I've heard countless complaints about AAU from many people, and I understand them all but everything negative about the school can be avoided by hard work. The free endless workshops are almost worth it in themselves...so many resources and a hand-full of great teachers/artists that make it well worth the money.

I had a free ride to any state school or uni in Cali, but I chose AAU. I bite my lip whenever I look at my debt, but I love the experiences I've had in many of my classes and I love how far I have come.. going to a state school would've felt too much like high school to me, but this school makes me feel like a professional in the career I chose and I'm happy with the atmosphere and environment, as well as large range of classes (I wanted to take so many that I have extra credits, and there are still some classes I want to take). I think you'd be happy with the school if you're a hard worker.

Jason Chan graduated from the Academy and his teachers loved him. He got a lot out of the school. I'd be interested in hearing what he has to say about the school---I wonder if he's commented on it before?