Aip

[WickedEdges]

What is to be said about Art Institute of Pittsburgh? I'm looking into them, but I'm in Alaska right now and can't look at the campus. Has anyone seen any graduate work? Is it worth the money? I know it's what I put into it, but I want to make sure I'm getting something back too...thanks.

[WickedEdges]

Bump.


Nothing?

[bluefruitbowl]

http://www.conceptart.org/forums/showthread.php?t=93607

scroll down a bit, some thoughts from nilaffle, etc. [a forum search for art institute in the education section will do you wonders]

[Demonique768]

I wouldnt suggest the Art Institute. I dont know much about Pitsburg but the one in Toronto (now closed) really ripped us off. Thier teachers are decent but the staffs main concern was $$$$. I've heard many complaints about the other Art Institutes as well. I would reallly do some research before going. Its not about how much you pay but what you are getting in return. Work hard pay half the price and you will end up being at the same level as many of us who graduated.

In the end it's all up to you. check out these sites
http://www.studentsreview.com/PA/AIOP0_c.html
http://www.studentsreview.com/gettingin.php3?SH=AIOP0&ST=PA

[Metalclay]

As bluefruitbowl suggested, look at that post. To expand on that though:

I've been to Miami International University of Art and Design (Art Institute's fancy name for their Miami branch) for figure drawing sessions. To be honest, it's not that bad. The facility is near Miami's art district and it's a very nice environment to learn. They had pretty sweet classrooms, the animation department looked very professional with very nice computer labs.

However, looking at Senior Thesis works online...the product was not so great. Yeah one of the grads recently one an award for a Pixar spoof movie at The 2008 South Beach Animation Film Festival, but that's where the lot of notable alumni ended. If I'm wrong, I'm open to learning about more Miami AI grads, although I do remember some other students winning other smaller awards.

Here's his website:

http://www.matthewdoble.com/

direct link to his short:

http://picturethisshort.com/movie.html

and a press release from AIMIUAD to AIMIUAD Chairperosons and others:

Hi Everyone,

The South Beach Animation Festival happened this weekend (April 3rd-5th), and our students and school received several awards!

* Matthew Doble, Julio Galan, and Juan Pablo Sans (CA BFA graduates) won the Silver Flamingo award for best short film.
* Randy Gossman (CA MFA graduate) won the Bronze Flamingo award for best student film.
* MIU won Best School Reel – United States
* 300 LBS won the Florida Filmmaker award (Natalie Albright and Manny Torres, BFA VFX graduates (among others) worked on the film)



Also, Diana Arrambide, an instructor from our CA department presented two successful workshops on developing story and concept for animation. Their website is not the best, but you can check out the link here:

http://www.southbeachanimationfest.com/

Thanks,

This isn't a result of the quality of teachers however, it's a summation of AI itself, in general. Like I said, I got to AI of Miami for figure drawing classes. The teacher who hosts it so happens to be the animation teacher. He's a really good guy and knows his bit in regards to animation.

Between pose breaks he would talk about how he's confused as to why people pay so much money to attend the university when they don't do the work and in general, don't show any interest in what they do. He told me there are a few exceptions but for the most part they [the students] just don't care (at this point I think he was talking about other majors and not just animation...not sure, he's an eccentric fellow =D).

Like Demonique said, I'm afraid the "staff" only cares about money. By staff I mean the people who run the school and are in charge of finances; not the teachers.

Again, as has already been said, it's what you make of it. If they can teach you the tools, that's all you really need. supplement yourself with tutorials on the internet. However, if all you're going to learn is the tools, why not just go to community college? Doesn't it makes sense?

I know the AI in Miami has some connections with Dreamworks, but...overall, AI doesn't have that great of a rep in the industry (from what little experience I have). So, even though your Community College may not have that many "connections", if you excel and are #1 in your class, it's going to be difficult for you NOT to get noticed and maybe get a hook up somewhere.

There are many success stories, with variant fascinating beginnings and experiences. In the end, they'll take you where you want to go, yeah it might be tougher and it might take longer, but...isn't all about the journey anyway?

BTW, you never said what it was you were interested in o.0 painting? animation? fashion? interior design?