Anyone Considering Full Sail? (I'm here to crush your dreams)

[MurphAI]

Don't go to Full Sail if you just want to do concept art.
Full Sail, though they teach you the pipeline and tell you you could possibly at some point in the next lifetime be a concept artist, is still a technology based school.
No classes on photoshop.
You get about 2 formal art classes the entire time.
The most drawing you do is pre-pro for your models (turn around sheets).

I want to be a concept artist/maquette artist (anything that doesn't involve someone betting on me to be able to successfully operate maya) and every time this comes up in class discussion students and professors alike are standing by to crush my dream.

Just.... don't go to Full Sail if you want concept art.
Go if you /like/ concept art but want to be in other aspects of the pipeline (3d modeling, rigging, animation, lighting, texturing, etc.)

I'm doing this to save you now. Don't let them win you over with flashy lights and pretty graphics.

[Prospektor]

Hmmm... Its definitely admirable you seem to know what you want to do with your career, but ya know, FullSail makes their curriculum public knowledge, and its no secret that, although the recent upgrade to 'University' its a technical/vocational school so it sounds like ya could've done a bit more homework before enrolling there, especially with such a clear idea of where you want to head in this industry. Also learning the tech side of the production of games and movies only makes you more versatile and valuable to any prospective employer;)...

[Shanemeh]

It's good I found out about the sham that is fullsail before I was set for there.

[Maxine Schacker]

We are considered a Vocational school, a career college actually, and we have a very strong traditional fine art and illustration curriculum that introduces computer programs as another tool - after students can paint and draw.

I find it interesting that so many people don't understand the value of knowing what you're doing before you start fooling around with computer programs. The computer program needs someone who can make good choices to tell it what to do .

[Prospektor]

We are considered a Vocational school, a career college actually, and we have a very strong traditional fine art and illustration curriculum that introduces computer programs as another tool - after students can paint and draw.

A very strong traditional fine art and illustration compared to what? Certainly not compared to Ringling or SCAD or any of the Art Institutes. FullSail is a tech school and teaches 3D VERY well, but they have a superficial approach to teaching art and illustration, traditional or digital. So you better know exactly what discipline you want to develop before you enroll. Don't go in thinking," I'm gonna learn everything I need to know about art and illustration and be a photoshop Guru when I get out, and I'm gonna dominate concept art!!" Cuz' you will be ill equipped in this regard.

Now, this isn't a 'let bash FullSail' rant, and I don't think its a bad place to get educated. I'm simply saying that regardless of its fine credentials in the field of 3D, the original issue Murph raises in this post is that of finding the necessary training at FullSail to strictly do concept art, and the answer to that issue is, no. No you can not. Unless you already possess the the skill and talent and experience to compete in the professional arena going in, then you will come out with nothing more. However, as I stated earlier you WILL be well suited and equipped to contribute on the technical front for any prospective employer.

[Elwell]

Prospektor, I think you're confused. Maxine wasn't referring to Full Sail at all in her post.

[Prospektor]

My bad:bashful:

[Hallucinogen]

Don't go to Full Sail if you just want to do concept art.
Full Sail, though they teach you the pipeline and tell you you could possibly at some point in the next lifetime be a concept artist, is still a technology based school.
No classes on photoshop.
You get about 2 formal art classes the entire time.
The most drawing you do is pre-pro for your models (turn around sheets).

I want to be a concept artist/maquette artist (anything that doesn't involve someone betting on me to be able to successfully operate maya) and every time this comes up in class discussion students and professors alike are standing by to crush my dream.

Just.... don't go to Full Sail if you want concept art.
Go if you /like/ concept art but want to be in other aspects of the pipeline (3d modeling, rigging, animation, lighting, texturing, etc.)

I'm doing this to save you now. Don't let them win you over with flashy lights and pretty graphics.


What course did you do? Is it a 2-year course or 4-year course? It seems to be ridiculously expensive.