CCS or CCAD for Computer Animation?

[WickedEdges]

Can these two schools be compared for Computer Animation? I'm stuck between the two and I can't get out to see the schools myself yet. Has anyone taken the courses from either one? If so, what are the differences do you think?

I know they both use Maya...that's pretty much all I have to go on. I can only find a limited amount of faculty information on both too...

Any help is appreciated. Thanks!

[JBCLC]

Have you checked out the CCAD thread?

http://www.conceptart.org/forums/showthread.php?t=45792

Originally Posted by McNallyism
This school has a strong illustration program. If you want to get into any aspect of entertainment art (concept art, animation, storyboards, etc.) take the illustration major. FOR THE LOVE OF GOD, STAY AWAY FROM THE "MEDIA STUDIES" MAJOR!! No matter how hard they try to seduce you with shiny computers and animation programs, don't give in! The media studies major sucks up all your credits with pointless video and photography courses and has next to no drawing classes (which is sad, considering animation falls under this major). You will be doing yourself a favor by taking the animation and storyboarding courses as electives under the illustration major (which requires a lot more drawing). Any CCAD alumni who has ever actually made it into the industry did this.

Lots of useful tips and info like that.

[mbarq]

Don't know much about either school...at all really, but from what I've read on the CCAD thread (which I recommend you read if you're serious about this), is that animation isn't what it's all cracked up to be there and most animation students end up switching out to illustration, that's just heresay though.

As for CCS, I think Katezila on these forums goes there and Storyboard Dave attended there as well, so maybe try shooting them a message, dunno. Here are some pencil tests from Katezila (really good :)):

http://www.conceptart.org/forums/showthread.php?t=131820

My daft opinion? CCS seems like a good choice. Do your research though (i.e. google).

[WickedEdges]

Thx for the help guys. Yeah everyone seems to be saying stay away from the animation program at CCAD. But I do want to be doing 3d animation, not tradition 2d and drawing...soooo does that make a difference?

[thesinfulsaint]

I haven't seen an awful lot of the 3D work at CCAD, but when I was there at PreCollege a couple of years back, I wasn't too impressed with the work that's on the reel. If you want to do CG in Ohio, go to BGSU.

However, I think that if you're interested in something like character design, pursuing an illustration degree with a few animation classes on the side, CCAD might be a good fit. If you want to actually animate, I'm not sure that it would be the school for you.

[WickedEdges]

What about 3d animation/CG in Michigan? Anything there?

[votreMEDIA]

What about 3d animation/CG in Michigan? Anything there?

there is kendall, in grand rapids, there is a portfolio day coming up too. i think its in november.
they give out a lot of scholarships, 2 of my friends got full rides and im not dissin them or anything but theyre not exceptional artists but i do have to say that from what ive seen, kendall doesnt produce very good animations in terms of 3d.

[WickedEdges]

So I'm better off at CCS if I'm looking in Michigan?

[mbarq]

I would say yes.

I know three people who were going to go to Ringling (one for photography and the two others for illustration) but couldn't, and they ended up going to CCS and they like it. I know it's not animation but...CCS ain't too bad.

For more info, if you have a Facebook account definitely checkout their pages:

Groups (http://www.facebook.com/s.php?q=creative%20studies&init=q&k=200000010&sf=t&refurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fs.php%3Fq%3 Dcreative%2Bstudies%26init%3Dq)

network (http://www.facebook.com/networks/16778127/Creative_Studies/?ref=nf)

ask around, make friends, network, etc.

It looks pretty awesome, in fact I'm going to consider it. Only reason I'm rather obsessed with Ringling is because I'm a Floridian and get Pell grants, access grants, amongst others. Yes, them being #1 is cool and all but... hey, if I get scholarships and it's cheaper- CCS is a very viable option.

Really though, I know it's cliche, and...I used to think that's all it was, just a useless expression but: it's what you make of it. Hahaha...man, I've had to wake up at 5am just to catch some illustrator classes at my community college. Now since they canceled photoshop in my local campus, I have to travel a couple of miles by bus meaning: waking up at 4am.

I'm sure that's not the worst thing someone has had to do to make it in this industry (ha, I've read them...I am far from that :P), and do what they want, but...gotta do what it takes. Plus...the kind of people that get on the bus at around 6am: interesting; can't imagine the 5am'ers. Hopefully my ol' '94 will come out of repaired soon :/

Also, dunno if I gave you the link, but:

11secondclub (http://www.11secondclub.com/) check out the animationmentor's eCritiques, not bad..hopefully they actually teach you how to animate your rig though.

good luck.