Good School for Illustration/Traditional (2d) Animation/Fine Art

[featherlight53]

I was just wondering if anyone had any advice on any schools that would be good in this area.
I've been searching around online and I still feel like there are no schools that offer really good programs in all of these areas.
I've been checking out SVA, Calarts, Savanna, Pratt, and a few others.
I live in Ohio, and my Mom really wants me to go to the Cleveland Institute of Art or Kent State, but i dont think they are really prestigious; and if im gonna be paying for my education i want to get the most out of it.

I want to be really involved in the art world after college; i dont want to just go to work. I want to be able to advance in my career.
I really like to paint, so undoubtedly ill be painting throughout the rest of my life. I dont think i'll make this into a career, but i still want to learn a lot about it where i go to school.

I guess what im really asking is are there any well rounded art schools that can get me deeply involved in the art world.

[Elwell]

What specifically do you find lacking in the schools you've listed? Every school is going to be stronger in some areas than others, what is the most important to you? Personally, I think SVA fills your bill pretty damned well, but I'm biased. If you want to stay in Ohio, check out CCAD (http://www.ccad.edu/).

[featherlight53]

I think that's my problem. I know i am interested in all of these areas, I'm just not sure which one i like the most.
I guess i dont really find anything lacking in these schools, its just that i want to go to a school where i get a really strong, solid education.
Ill take a look at ccad. Thanks for the advice.
Any other input? Anyone else?

[thesinfulsaint]

If your true interest is animation, I'm not so sure I would go to CCAD. Their illustration program is pretty good, but from the brief taste I've had of their animation program (precollege), I'm not impressed. If you're not really sure what you want to do, you might want to try a year at Akron U. Some friends and I did post secondary there during high school. They have a really good art department for a state school. There's basically nothing by means of animation, but the painting and drawing instruction is great. All of the credits that I took there transferred without a problem to Ringling, and would more than likely transfer to other schools.

[Whren]

The problem with CCAD's media studies program is that it isn't specialized enough in the right areas, and there isn't enough cross-training overall (if you do animation you're not trained enough in drawing skills, if you do illustration you're not trained enough in animation). For those whose ambitions fit the school's (the faculty really likes traditional spot/editorial illustration) it's easier, for those of us who want to branch out and develop in other subsets of illustration (like concept art) and entertainment industry art it's more difficult because it means going through paths the advisors might not necessarily like.

That said the foundation studies program is very well-planned and the illustration program is solid even though it might be geared towards pushing students a particular way. Some students major in Illustration and then take a media studies minor which still allows them to take the full 2d Animation I through IV courses -- which I think puts them at an advantage since many animation students don't have quite the same backgrounds in drawing/painting.

If anything check out ccad's first year program which I think is amazing. However I'd say no matter where you go only you can get what you want through what you put in. Good luck in your school search :)

[Maxine Schacker]

I can't imagine a first rate animation program that doesn't stress drawing! Are you sure about CCAD's curriculum?

I'm curious about featherlight"s interest in "prestige." The top companies are looking for talent. If your work is good and your professionalism is good, they'll want you. There are many schools that the general public has certain perceptions about that may or may not still be respected by the industry. There are other schools the general public may not be aware of that are being approached by major recruiters and asked to have students send demo reels, apply for internships etc. Max the Mutt is one of the latter group. However, getting that internship and/or getting hired is still in the hands of the individual student. There are many people who attended programs that could have been better who went after the knowledge they needed, worked very hard, and were hired by top companies. Conversely, many graduates from "prestigious" schools did not find employment in the industry.

The best combination, of course, is a school that will provide the training you need coupled with students who are willing to work hard in and outside of class and go the extra mile. That's a winning combination.

[Whren]

I can't imagine a first rate animation program that doesn't stress drawing! Are you sure about CCAD's curriculum?

It's not that they don't make students draw, but afaik media studies students aren't really pushed as much to take 'traditional' drawing classes... I might be wrong but I have a couple friends who are MS majors and I hardly ever see them go to a drawing class. Instead I believe there are things like Character Design class which emphasizes drawing in a more cartoony/animated style. As far as the more traditional draftsmanship stuff, aside from the basic drawing in freshman year, I don't think it's focused on that much. So it's not really to say that they don't stress drawing... it's just another kind of drawing?

On the other hand I could just be wrong seeing as I'm simply basing this off observations from my friends. :p

The best combination, of course, is a school that will provide the training you need coupled with students who are willing to work hard in and outside of class and go the extra mile. That's a winning combination.

I couldn't agree more.

[Maxine Schacker]

I'm surprised. Certainly cartooning, character design, and drawing for animation are very important, but it's hard to do them well without a real understanding of traditional figure drawing, as well as anatomy and probably some courses focused on hands and feet, and heads and features. The relationship between these skills and animation are self evident.

I think it must just be hard for schools offering BA degrees to fit everything in. Even at a school like Max the Mutt, we often wish we could add a year or two. However, anyone who wants a serious animation career should be sure
to do a lot of life drawing that stresses gesture, comprehension of form, and transparent drawing. You should be able to draw a pose in rotation, and draw sequential poses that are "on model." Take extra classes if you have to! Take summer classes. Have work for your portfolio that shows your figurative drawing abilities. Keep a sketch book and draw in it, from life, every day.

Whren, do drop in and visit us sometime. Toronto isn't that far away from where you live! Check out our website- www.maxthemutt.com.