16 yr old hunting for an education

[SilverClock]

I am 16, almost 17, and am going to be a senior in high school this coming year. My goal is to become an concept artist in the video game industry.
The small school I'm at now (60 students) has a very poor art class that I took for 1 year, and haven't gone back since as it was a waste of time for me. They only teach 1 level of art, and it consists of the teacher coming in the class room, throwing junk on the table, and saying "Draw it."
It's very frustrating.
I just finished taking a Medical Terminology class and I am going to be taking an Anatomy and Physiology class this coming year. I've been trying to learn alot about the anatomy of people, and the only other education I have for it is from these 5 dvds spanning 43 hours that I bought online.
http://alienthink.com/
They are pretty good and I've learned alot from them, and I'm about almost done watching them all.
I hate to have my first post as a help topic but I am not expecting a reply immediately or anything. I just found this site like 5 days ago. Why didn't I find this place sooner!?!? Have you SEEN all the info there is here?!!? I don't want to go to sleep!!
So basically I am wondering if anyone has any good colleges I could go to to get a good foundation, with alot of proactive teachers willing to answer questions, preferably a small college. I live in Texas, and we don't have much money, my GPA is bordering on a 4.0, if that makes any difference. I just really want to become an artist, if I can somehow make it in life to where I am drawing to earn MONEY, then I would be happy. Even if it is minimum wage and I have debt up to my eyeballs. I know that may be a TINY BIT naive and I might change my mind when the bills come around but for right now that's what I'm thinking.
As for my drawing skills, just call it noobish. I don't have anything to take pictures with or a scanner or anything. I would be drawing constantly to improve right now but my family has been bugging me to look for a college NOW and apply NOW ASAP! Even though they never went to college, they want me to learn from their mistakes, but they don't know how to help me LOOK for a college because they never WENT! And I don't even have a clue how to drive yet!
So yea. I have alot to do and it is a little daunting at all of the information I have to learn and use to pick out just 1 place to go to college, our school doesn't have a counselor.
I have been trying to learn about it myself and I still am right now, it's just I thought if this thread could even help just a LITTLE bit in choosing I would be eternally grateful. :yayca:

[Maxine Schacker]

You have a lot going for you. You're obviously bright, and you write very well. You're also pro-active and trying to teach yourself. Keep working! There are people who hopefully will see your post who may be able to give you good tips.
I wish I had something more tangible to offer.

Good luck!

[SilverClock]

Thanks! I'm not counting on a reply because this is kind of a vague plea, I mean I don't really know what to look for! I would be happy with just a "This school is good"
I really want to go to a small-medium sized college that has that community feel to it, my high school that I'm going to is this way, and it's awesome. All of the teachers are dedicated and they're barely even getting paid! The school is poor because only half the school pays the bill completely, me included (it's a private school) They just hire students to work it off, with remodeling, maintenance, etc.
When I was about to go to high school I wasn't planning to go to this private, Christian high school. But my grama was going to pay for it so I just went. One year we couldn't afford it and I had to go to the public school in town, and it was the worst school I had ever been to! I would just sit there and my ears would be assaulted by..vulgar...-ness.
Not to mention I wasn't learning a thing. They did have higher levels of art, but I couldn't take it because I had to take something else first. Then they put me a grade lower than I was supposed to be because of an issue with the credits. I got back up to where I was supposed to be after they saw my grades, but I'm wondering if there will be a similiar issue when I go to college..?..
I'm just glad I'm back at my private school, that public school has been rated one of the worst in the state.

[J Wilson]

When looking at art schools, make sure that the website and catalogs you see from various schools shows work that you want to do. If you want to do illustration, and their catalog shows lots of abstract fine art, then that's probably what you'd learn there. So look first at what kind of art they are showcasing, what the student's work looks like, and what the faculty's work looks like, as those are probably your best indication of what they'll teach. Do not assume all art schools are the same.

As for money, apply for scholarships and grants (ask the financial aid officer of any school you are interested in - they'll help). Odds are you'll be able to get at least some help.

[Lizzybeth]

Freshman year in high school I had this awesome ceramics teacher who looked like a wrestler. One of the projects he had us do was to write a generic letter asking schools for information and then send out copies to at least three schools. They didn't even have to be art schools, but the more letters the better. Being the over achiever that I am, I sent out to fifteen schools and a couple weeks later I was sent a flood of catalogs from all these places. It was really helpful though because it got me exposed to all this as a freshman and I started to learn what schools were out there, what programs they offered, the levels of work the students were doing, and more.

I suggest you make a list of schools and do the same :).

[SilverClock]

Yea that sounds like a good idea....I think that would be a good way to learn some things..so I can get a LITTLE idea of what I'm doing here.
Does anyone know a site I can go to that shows students opinions of their colleges? I remember seeing a site that was like...ratemyprofessor.com...or something like that. Would these kinds of sites be dependable?
I'm thinking it would be more likely for someone that hated the college to give it a rating versus someone who liked it.

[Ramon Hurtado]

"Artist in the videogame industry" is very very vague, what do you specifically want to do? concepting? animation? modeling? level building?

Check out Laguna college, I think they have a new games major, the school is good, they'll teach you the basics of drawing/painting and the curriculum is centered on the figure. The Animation/Illustration program at San Jose State was recommended in class by Glenn Vilppu, it's inexpensive since it's a state school (might be a bit higher for you since you'll be from out of state) and it looks like they're doing a good job, since they stress classical drawing and study of renaissance artists http://ad.sjsu.edu/programs/animationillust.html

If you drawing skills are "noobish" better get working right now, you need to get as good as you can before you apply. Check out Glenn Vilppu's drawing manual and work from that, I guarantee it will hlep you tons with drawing, particularly with gesture and visualizing volume. If you work through the exercises and try to get to a life drawing class you'll be miles ahead of other students. Do that, show you have the commitment, and if you have trouble with any concepts in the book, PM me, and I'll help to the best of my ability.

Best,

-Ramon

[SilverClock]

O I could of swore I put concept artist there...I'll edit that...
And I'd ABSOLUTELY LOVE to get started right now, I think I will even though my parents want me to just look for a college..hehe
Thanks for all of the advice, I'll check out that college.

[Maxine Schacker]

Nesdude, check out our website. We are actively working on raising funds for our scholarship foundation and hope to have one soon for US/International students. I think we may be the right school for you. You can also check our website and the Max the Mutt thread (we are located in Toronto).

[Storyboard Dave]

Go check out a host of the monster art schools listed here at AICAD:

http://www.aicad.org/

[eromenos]

Art Schools are expensive.. just warning you upfront. I think Laguna might fit you because they are building up their gaming and is.. relatively cheap for an art school on the west coast. Though without a proper art training you might have difficulty getting in. Try going to National Portfolio Day to see your chances in the fancy schmancy art schools. If your chances are you might get in but without art scholarship. You could try to go to maybe the art institute schools which I think are full acceptance and they are really cheap.(below 10k) Or a college that offers art studio or something that will allow you to build up your portfolio before transferring to a fancy schmancy art school.

[Ramon Hurtado]

Eromenos, almost all schools are expensive. The Art Institutes are terrible schools any way you look at it, and they're not even inexpensive. Nesdude is still young, he has time to work up his skills. He shouldn't have to settle for a bad school if he doesn't happen to get a scholarship to a "fancy schmancy art school". Nesdude, like I said before, your best bet is to get good now, real damn good. Worst case scenario, if you don't get a scholarship, go to a community college, work up your skills and try again. Remember Nesdude, you're too young to settle for less, although from the general attitude of your posts you seem to know this already :)

[Andrej]

Along with everything else make a huge list of artists you like/admire.

Go to their website and usually you'll find a resume. Take note of what school's they went to and take more note.

Word of caution though is that schools change over time, so pay attention to the year as well.

But generally this will give you two things:

a pretty decent short list of schools to really look into

and another reason to spend hours looking at art so long as you're already there

[eromenos]

I'm not saying he should stick with art institute. It's clear he isn't getting instructions and really if he's entering his senior year the chances are he's going to have trouble getting a portfolio together in time for applying especially since he hasn't been taking any classes. He can get good fast but that still leaves the fact that he still needs to compile a portfolio of 10+ works depending on where he goes. Currently I have not seen Nesdude's work so I don't know if I can say this. I agree if you are really good don't even bother with this. If you are good take classes at a local community college or get private classes because you'll need constant feedback to build a portfolio. If you don't think you are up to par with those who are going to apply then follow the other plan. Go to a school that offers studio art, since your grades are good you'll probably get a scholarship. Then transfer as soon as you feel you have compiled a decent portfolio.
And I know Art institute isn't CHEAP but compared to the 30k that other art schools rack up, you might just want to put it into consideration in building your art portfolio so you can get into an AWESOME art school later that will be worth the 30K.

[Andrej]

The community college route is generally not a bad idea if you don't mind forgoing the whole 'college' experience. From the sound of it that's not a priority. If it's about the money, you'll certainly save enough by knocking out the survey/foundation year stuff on the cheap. Find out what these courses are for wherever it is you settle on going and more importantly try to work out the whole credit transfer thing with the school. It's very possible that the more academic stuff is better offered outside the art school arena where they're not second to the studio/art classes, but you know, doesn't have to be, either.

On the other hand and depending on the situation, you might be cutting yourself off from certain scholarships opportunities available only to incoming freshmen, so gauge carefully.

As for the quality of your work, definitely work your ass off and find someone to crit/counsel you on what to include in the portfolio. If you manage to upload stuff, the folks on this site would more than likely jump at the chance.

But also remember that no one can expect you to be a pro/prodigy either. That's what the education is going to be there for. I'd go so far as to say, that your ambition and genuine eagerness to work hard it are as important as anything else.

[UrsusArctos]

My suggestion- shoot for the stars, kid.

My highschool had one art class, and it basically taught you how to trace. In fact, it wasn't until I was already 2 or 3 years into college that I found that some highschools have actual art programs, and that there are 16, 17, 18 year old kids taking life drawing classes, already obtaining an amazing level of skill.

If I could do things over and I was your age, I would have started looking into several colleges and seen what they offer AND what they require to enter. Don't worry about cost just yet- just do research, and draw every day- especially from life. Don't worry if your work looks like rubbish, just keep trying and eventually it will become more refined.

If you apply to a bunch of art schools and don't get accepted, don't let it break your heart! Consider going to a community college to buff up on some basic art skills and then transfer. Or, consider going to a school that does not require a portfolio, like the Academy of Art in SF and work like crazy to get on track :)

Money is always going to be an issue, but the good news is that a lot of under graduate universities offer very friendly loans (much better than grad plus loans or regular loans), scholarships, need based grants, work programs, etc. Do remember to also look at good universities- lots of traditional universities, like UCLA, or UCSC have outstanding art programs- and thats where your GPA could help you get acceptance and aid (probably not so much on pure art schools). Two of the most talented men I have ever met got their education at state schools.

The best advice I could give you is that you should not limit yourself to certain schools that are in your state or in a certain price range. You are in a position right now where you can just up and move- without dependents or a mortgage to worry about. Thats a luxury you won't have forever- so don't neglect it! Also remember, almost no matter where you go, there will be opportunity to learn. I went to a regular state school, with a mediocre art program. It's true, I'm not working in the field I want to right now, as per said in my other post- but I have had significant personal growth, which I know won't end here. If you pour your heart out, you should be able to meet your goals.