Late Start, So I'm Gathering Information

[Candy Rain]

Hi all, as the subject line says, I'm getting started rather late in the game. I piddled away my high school and college years, and have only recently regained my drive to create and draw. As such, my skills are so far below where they should be at 24 that I'm kind of relieved I don't own a scanner so I don't have to share my sketches.

Anyhoo, I work a full day as a glorified secretary in NYC --I have no family support, so my funds are extremely limited and like most other young people in New York, I'm barely getting by. I've looked at the art courses at the Art Students' League, which are blessedly cheaper than anything I've found at the continuing ed. programs at FIT or SVA. At this point, though, I need to brush up on the very basic of basics before heading into a studio and wasting money on sessions that won't yield much. I'm still learning just how to look at objects and images (all of a sudden, I'm noticing dimpled shadows in flesh, which is kind of trippy and fascinating).

Basically, it's going to take me a while to build up anything resembling a decent portfolio, which is fine -for the first time in my life, I have a goal I want to work towards and that I'm willing to politely sidestep disapproval for. One of the reasons it's taken me so long to focus on art is the familiar story about parents who dream of a doctor or lawyer, despite my constant protests that I want to do something creative visually. Ergo I'm now 24 and have a bachelor's degree that was interesting and very educational, but not in the vein of things I want to pursue. (It was a liberal arts degree -nothing useful like Econ or CompSci though)

Currently, I think I want to pursue animation. I love movement and I love seeing the timing and techniques of short and long works, albeit I am biased towards 2D and not 3D. I've been looking at the animation programs at SCAD, SVA, and Ringling as a goal for Fall 2009, and I was wondering if anyone could help answer a few questions I had.

1) I know that Ringling's CA program is obviously geared towards 3D. Has anyone who graduated from Ringling's CA program gone on to work on 2D projects?

2) For SVA and SCAD, do their animation majors skew more towards 2D or 3D?

3) I don't have a portfolio, and the last art class I took was in high school eons ago. Ringling has a list of suggested projects for their portfolio requirements -has anyone here applied using that list (and what did you supplement the five images with?)?

4) And a slightly strange question...How easy is it to get around the SCAD campus and surrounding areas if you don't own a car?

5) I know it's never too late to go back to school, but I'm somewhat intimidated by the idea that, if I successfully get into a school, I'm looking at another 4 years of schooling before I can enter the animation job market. I'll be 29 by that point, and I'm not going to lie -the idea makes me nervous. I wonder: those of you who are older students, how have you fit into the classroom and school culture? I'm a homebody by nature, so I'm not interested in any sort of party life, but I'm concerned about total social isolation and the lack of stimulation and intellectual/creative challenge that comes with having a group of creative peers.

I'm a big fan of getting as much research and prep-work done as humanly possible, especially since no matter what I'm going to be deep in debt no matter where I go. I could technically apply to SCAD or SVA for this Fall (even though I'd love to go to Ringling), but I need whatever financial aid I can get so waiting until next year's cycle seems like a better plan. Plus, it's more time to get my game back in gear, and it gives me the chance to determine my attention span. How badly do I want this versus the dream of this? I'd rather find out for free if my personal drive pitters out after a few months than spend a fortune in tuition and board and realize I made an error.

Thanks to you if you read this far!

[Meloncov]

1) I know that Ringling's CA program is obviously geared towards 3D. Has anyone who graduated from Ringling's CA program gone on to work on 2D projects?

I think I've heard about a few people who have. It's not common, though.

2) For SVA and SCAD, do their animation majors skew more towards 2D or 3D?

SVA's animation major is traditional animation, while there computer arts major is largely 3d animation. I believe SCAD's animation program is largely 3d.


3) I don't have a portfolio, and the last art class I took was in high school eons ago. Ringling has a list of suggested projects for their portfolio requirements -has anyone here applied using that list (and what did you supplement the five images with?)?

I don't remember anyone on the Ringling threads using the portfolio guidelines for those without studio classes.


5) I know it's never too late to go back to school, but I'm somewhat intimidated by the idea that, if I successfully get into a school, I'm looking at another 4 years of schooling before I can enter the animation job market. I'll be 29 by that point, and I'm not going to lie -the idea makes me nervous. I wonder: those of you who are older students, how have you fit into the classroom and school culture?

Most art schools have a pretty significant number of older students.

[nilaffle]

Oh, I love posts like these - you're basically living my life a couple of years behind. :) I was a 24-year-old graduate of a liberal arts education, working and not making much, when I decided to apply for art school. I was accepted to Ringling, but was worried about the financial burden so I waited a year before I enrolled - which didn't change much, but I did pay off my car and save a bit of money.

I'm not a party person either - and if you're serious about your education, parties should be the last thing on your mind. Like Meloncov said, older students are pretty common at art schools. I've adjusted just fine, I hang out with the people I like and otherwise keep to myself. In class, we're all too focused on our work to be concerned about age.

A friend of mine had planned to use the five image project to apply to Ringling, but ended up taking a community college class. It's a good way to beef up your skills and build a strong portfolio without spending too much money. You might want to look into those Art Students' League classes (foundation courses?). In lieu of that, do looots of study. Ringling likes to see a variety of work, specifically figure studies.

Don't be discouraged - just set a game plan and go for it. Good luck!

[Storyboard Dave]

I'm a big fan of getting as much research and prep-work done as humanly possible, especially since no matter what I'm going to be deep in debt no matter where I go. I could technically apply to SCAD or SVA for this Fall (even though I'd love to go to Ringling), but I need whatever financial aid I can get so waiting until next year's cycle seems like a better plan. Plus, it's more time to get my game back in gear, and it gives me the chance to determine my attention span. How badly do I want this versus the dream of this? I'd rather find out for free if my personal drive pitters out after a few months than spend a fortune in tuition and board and realize I made an error.

I'm sure many of us would've loved to have sampled the buffet for free before we hunkered down good money to partake in the full meal, but sometimes you have to take that first tentative step (commitment?) in order to find out if you're wrong. Conversely it could also be the genesis of something totally amazing, ground breaking and life changing as well.

Your idea of waiting one more year and honing your craft to get it up to speed sounds very valid. Get a stellar portfolio together, get some big scholarship money and it might not be as painful as you think it could be.

Take a chance. You're never going to know you've wandered down the wrong path until you've gone somewhat deep into the woods. You've got so much to gain from taking a smart savvy risk as well. It's your life so why not make the very best of it by investing in yourself.

Good luck.

[Mirana]

#2 I'd say 3D dominates in students and profs, but both 2D and 3D are taught, and supposedly you can choose which you want to focus on in your major electives.

#4 Which campus? ATL is probably more contained than SAV (which is all over the historic downtown area). If you're talking SAV: There are 30mins inbetween classes, and the school provides inter-school busing all day between major halls, dorms and other school property. If you don't live in dorms, there is also public busing to get you downtown. A lot of kids also walk, bike or scooter if they live within mid-to-downtown--everything is pretty close.

#5 I was older than most of the undergrad students, but it never really mattered in terms of making friends and enjoying what we we're doing. Hell, if you have to...you can make friends out of the profs and grad students, but I really don't think you'll have to worry about ageism when you're in a classroom of fellow artists.

- For prep work perhaps take a couple of basic art classes at a local uni/community college/community art center? You'll have the right atmosphere, motivation and a little bit of direction when working on those pieces you'd want to show a school.

[tatiana]

Currently, I think I want to pursue animation. I love movement and I love seeing the timing and techniques of short and long works, albeit I am biased towards 2D and not 3D...

If you look at the animation jobs posted, for the most part they are going to be looking for 3D skills. That's what the market wants right now, at least here in the states. You might find some 2D requested for mobile games, generally using Flash for animating from what I recall. I know that Disney is revamping their traditional animation department, but that doesn't necessarily mean that it's going to be done here in the states...most 2D tv and film animation is being done overseas. Go to AWN.com if you haven't already and you'll get a pretty good idea of the current status of the animation market. :)

I know it's never too late to go back to school, but I'm somewhat intimidated by the idea that, if I successfully get into a school, I'm looking at another 4 years of schooling before I can enter the animation job market. I'll be 29 by that point, and I'm not going to lie -the idea makes me nervous. I wonder: those of you who are older students, how have you fit into the classroom and school culture? I'm a homebody by nature, so I'm not interested in any sort of party life, but I'm concerned about total social isolation and the lack of stimulation and intellectual/creative challenge that comes with having a group of creative peers.

I went back to school when I was 37 to revamp my creative career and learn some 3D skills with the intention of somehow, someway finding work in the animation industry or game development (not there quite yet :P). Sure there's the usual recent high school grads, but there was a good mix of other ages in each class -- with a few even older students, too. :) Continued education is great, whether you get another degree or not. You're surrounded by folks that share your interests in art and animation; and, for the most part, want to learn as much as they can. Plus, since you're an older student you'll be more likely to have the discipline and time-management skills to get things done on time and efficiently.

Edit: One of the ways I connected with my younger peers and got to know the faculty better when I went back to school: I formed an "officially-recognized" student group. It was a great way to bring in professional artists in the area to give presentations to interested students. Great way to network, get to know my peers and plus, I got to know several of the companies in the area and had a better understanding of the job market (and what I wasn't getting from school). I also got an internship with a local animation company, too, which was awesome. :)

I'm a big fan of getting as much research and prep-work done as humanly possible, especially since no matter what I'm going to be deep in debt no matter where I go. I could technically apply to SCAD or SVA for this Fall (even though I'd love to go to Ringling), but I need whatever financial aid I can get so waiting until next year's cycle seems like a better plan. Plus, it's more time to get my game back in gear, and it gives me the chance to determine my attention span. How badly do I want this versus the dream of this? I'd rather find out for free if my personal drive pitters out after a few months than spend a fortune in tuition and board and realize I made an error.

Sounds like a plan to me; particularly if you're still unsure of what direction you want to go.

Good luck! :)

t

[Candy Rain]

Melancov - Thanks for your answers! It's good to have the head's up about the 2D/3D fields and how they're not necessarily interchangeable careers.

Nilaffle - Nice to see someone else with the same meandering path. XD I plan on taking a figure drawing class or two at the Art Students' League once I've developed a little more discipline. Thank you for your encouragement!

Storyboard Dave - I'm looking forward to the challenge ahead. Here's hoping I don't regret it; I think there's definitely danger in potentially taking something you like doing and making it your job. I'm hoping my enthusiasm doesn't get killed entirely in the process.

Mirana - I'm planning on taking a couple classes soon. Thanks for the info on SVA and SCAD's programs, and the transportation question.

Tatiana - *sigh* I figured 3D was the wave of the future, and no one else quite churns out the highly detailed effects that American studios and special effects studios put out. If I may ask, did you go back to school to supplement a BFA or were you mostly self-taught? (And dang, I feel silly for worrying about the age issue now.)

[tatiana]

Tatiana...If I may ask, did you go back to school to supplement a BFA or were you mostly self-taught? (And dang, I feel silly for worrying about the age issue now.)

Heh, it's a little complicated. :)

My BFA was actually in Communication Arts with Illustration studies...but I did work as a portrait artist and caricature artist at Six Flags Amusement park all through high school (so I had some talent and was self-taught at that time)...was getting private commissions for artwork when I went to A&M for 4 years right after high school (was actually studying veterinary medicine at first, not art) and then changed universities and went to art school for another 4 years and finally got my BFA....but yeah, initially after graduation I was getting creative work based on my university portfolio doing educational multimedia stuff for children, from layouts and storyboards to character designs and digital illustration (Photoshop without layers -- whee!!) as well as alot of 2D computer animation in Director. I loved it. I was also doing a little bit of freelancing as a children's book illustrator (textbooks and the odd magazine spot) and other odds and ends.

But I was also making less than $20,000 a year (before taxes)...and working crazy long hours.

Somehow I ended up in corporate development and consulting, doing software UI design and internet development and getting involved in managing a team as senior designer, (doing really well financially, too) -- instead of illustrating children's books (no time what with all the client travel I was doing) or working in the animation industry...and I hated my life.

So I took a step back, did some self-evaluation and decided to go back to art school a few years ago, update my skillset, and revamp my portfolio to fit the market I really wanted to work in, and try again.