Question on college picking.

[Device62]

Hello, this is my first post on concept art, so if you could help me out here. :P I am only in highschool, 11th grade, and am now looking into colleges in PA. I want to be a concept artist, but im not sure how to begin. My question is is it better to begin with a wide range of basic arts. (like many of the colleges in PA) or to begin with a more specific degree in that area? (like 2D game art at the Art Institute of Pittsburgh) Any help or professional knowledge would be much oblidged.

-Devin

[Peter Coene]

I just got done with a degree in illustration from Art Center College of Design and while everyone has a different approach and outlook I can give a bit of advice that might be helpful.

First, whenever there is a national portfolio day in your area, go to it. It can give you a feel for the type of work that colleges accept, and more importantly it can give you a feel for the colleges themselves. Single out the best choice, not just the best choice in general but the one that you feel will be best for you. Don't worry about how far or close it is, just figure out which is the best.

Next, plan out a strategy. Some schools, like my Alma Matter, ACCD, have very high standards, not just for getting in, but also high expectations of work quality and part of their prestige is that they will work you to the bone and drill you untill you can whip out comps and thumbnails in your sleep. (Of course, that implies that you get sleep, which is a fallacy.) If you choose to go with such an education I strongly suggest that you not go in right after High School. Though more and more students are getting accepted right out of HS I think it is wise to actually go out and live a little first. Maybe improve your skills a bit first by attending a community college or actually take some time to go out and see the world and get a breif glimpse of freedome before signing your soul over to 3-4 years hard labor. (Plus, you have no idea how much your art will benefit from such a trip; think of it this way, who's better equiped to paint a castle, the guy who gets reference from google images or the one that has traveled arround and seen castles?)

[LifeWontWait]

Hey! All that traveling sounds fun Peter... you treating? $ :dur: $

[Device62]

haha... yeah, that would be wonderful, but i have about 75 cents in my wallet today, so that is hardly gonna be an option. :P I hope to do some travelling during college if i can, instead of before. What i really want to know is that would it be better to start off in a regular art school, or to start of in a more specialized program, like 2d game art & design. :?

[panchosimpson]

definitely go for fundamental art skills first, forget about any Art Institute, the schools are largely worthless....in your area check out studio Incamminati or the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts, both have great reputations and will teach you solid fundamentals that you can apply to painting, visual development, games, whatever. After that you may consider a more concept art oriented program for finishing, etc. The main point when you're starting out (if want to be any good) is to draw your ass off, then draw some more.

-Ramon