need some advice

[Trimmer82]

Hey guys

sorry this wont be anything you havent read before but plz bare with me.
I want to be a concept artist some day and I have been offered a place at the University of East London. but first they want be to do a foundation year as I am a mature student, which incorporates illustration, architecture, textiles and fabrics, fashion etc etc, then after that I can choose a path, ie illustration.
Does this sound the right way to go? Im 26 so I dont have time to really waste doing something that isnt right.

Any help or advice would be great, thanks all :yayca:

[Trimmer82]

*bump*

anything guys? Im thinking that maybe itd be abetter idea to save the 6 years in study and self teach, save myself alot of time etc?

[CCB]

Aha, it's interesting~

No professional advice, but IMO, it's not any kinda 'Waste' 'to learn such fringe skills or sth fashionable before you become a concept artist~ Indeed, I think if you wanna be a great artist, "illustration, architecture, textiles and fabrics, fashion etc etc" is you have to know!

If you have learnt those, another topic~ Good luck~

[5coop]

well...uh what have you been doing up until now? Not to demoralize you or anything but starting in the industry at 26 is very late, on average after 7 years in the industry you're considered a professional...that makes you 33 if you dont attend university, aka receive the training you need to go against competition.
Supposed you go to university, you'll come out 30 plus maybe the 7-10 years to make a name of yourself known in the industry....40 or so :S thats pretty late
you'll have a lot of years as a low payed artist, not to mention as health decreases and hours of work increase... unless you're lucky and sign some amazing contract around your late 30's. Hope you don't have a family....
otherwise seriously consider doing what you were previously doing, or consider everything well. I mean if you're not lucky you'll start making good money in your 50's thats pretty shitty.

[Elwell]

Almost all art schools have some sort of foundation year program before you specialize in a major. And 5coop is speaking from the advanced perspective of a seventeen year old.

[Trimmer82]

hey guys. thanks for the replies.
And cheers scoop for the most depressng post I have ever read :P I realise 26 is late to do something like this but its what I love so I guess Im stuck. I cant realistically see that i'll be 50 before I earn any money though :-|

I spoke to the lecturer and showed him my work and he thiks its of a standard that I cold be employed now, I disagree but Im just thinking that 6years is along time. Im not trying to cut corners at all, I just wonder if my time could be better spent elsewhere, or self teaching etc.

Cheers for gettign back to me lads

[Storyboard Dave]

hey guys. thanks for the replies.
And cheers scoop for the most depressng post I have ever read :P I realise 26 is late to do something like this but its what I love so I guess Im stuck. I cant realistically see that i'll be 50 before I earn any money though :-|

I spoke to the lecturer and showed him my work and he thiks its of a standard that I cold be employed now, I disagree but Im just thinking that 6years is along time. Im not trying to cut corners at all, I just wonder if my time could be better spent elsewhere, or self teaching etc.

Cheers for gettign back to me lads

I would have to totally shoot down that 26 is too old to dive into a field where it's fueled by a passion to draw and a skill set. I've personally have taught many students who started school well into their 30's and beyond and they're working in the industry today. The average age at the school where I teach now is 23/24. One also has to ask themselves- is it ever too late to really pursue something they feel passionate about? When does one give up upon finding happiness?

So unless there is something lacking in your portfolio, I wouldn't let age be a hindrance to your pursuit of this as a career; I'd work on building up the portfolio! Whether it's with taking additional courses, self study of any other course of action will be completely up to you. Ask the people in the industry you want to get into for a serious opinion; see what you're strong in and what you're weak at. Afterwards be honest with yourself- can you strengthen these areas and compete at a professional level?

Again, it's about performance and not about your age.

[Trimmer82]

from one Dave to another, cheers :)

[Maxine Schacker]

In the end, you'll need very developed traditional fine art skills, illustration skills, and concept specific courses, plus working knowledge of relevant computer programs.

Take a look at the overall curriculum and see exactly what you will be studying. That will give you a good idea of the relevance of the courses to your ultimate goals.

If you already have developed traditional skills, you are a lucky exception and those skills will be valued by the industry. It might be worthwhile contacting a company you would like to work for and asking them what you need in addition to what your portfolio shows now.