Art Schools in Canada?

[xshay12000x]

Hello everyone. I am a high school senior going to graduate next year. I have been very serious about creating a strong portfolio. My goal was Art Center entertainment design. But because of some financial crisis i decided to go to a school in Canada first and try to transfer to Art Center later. Right now i am having a difficulty choosing wahts good for me in Canada. I know of OCAD and Sheridan in Ontario. I am not sure which one has the area i am interested in studying, a combination of industrial design and illustration like the Entertainment design in Art center. Does OCAD or Sheridan suit my interest better? And would it be possible to transfer to Art Center after studying at one of those schools?

[Maxine Schacker]

Max the Mutt in Toronto, a school founded by artists and animators, is the only school that has an actual Concept Art Diploma Program. Check out the website. There is a video of this years year one exhibition, and, if you live in the GTA you can attend our open house and exhibition of graduate and year 2 and 3 work the last weekend in May and judge for yourself! The video of that exhibition will also be posted on the website and on You Tube. I can't say more because I'm the school director and the protocol of this site states that I should direct you to our thread, and to our website. Please feel free to leave me a "reply" on our thread if you want more information.

[Ryn]

Hey xshay12000x!

Your situation right now sounds a lot like mine was a few years ago. I was a Canadian citizen wanting to go to a US art school, but was last-minute intimidated by the huge international student fees. I opted for Sheridan instead, and I'm really happy I made the choice.
I wanted the same entertainment design sort of education, and I ended up taking an Illustration major with a focus in technical/scientific illustration. I just finished my first year of the tech stream, and I did a good chunk of projects that aren't related to entertainment design specifically. However, I feel many of them required a style of visual problem solving that translates well to entertainment design and concept art. Like many art schools, it's up to you to take what you learn in class and find an application in your own time.
I hear that after the first year of tech, you can sculpt your projects to fit your focus. Later on you do architecture and concept art projects. No, it probably isn't a perfect fit for those interested in entertainment design, but I truly believe it's the closest you're going to get in Canada to an 'Art Centre' sort of deal (unless you're interested in doing ALL 3D stuff, then VFS might be worth looking into).
At any rate I'm extremely satisfied with the relevance Sheridan has provided me. I really love my school. If you have any questions feel free to send me a PM or email. Goodluck!

[xshay12000x]

Thank you Maxine and Ryn

Ryn, I think I will seriously consider about sheridan. who knows, maybe I will find something else interesting rather than concept art there. So i guess that means illustration program at sheridan is stronger than OCAD eh?

[Xayasha]

http://www.dawsoncollege.qc.ca/
Good reputation and it's cheap since it's public (Like.... 300-400$/year for Quebec citizens, 2000$/year for canadians)

It's in Montréal, a pretty buzzing city for graphic arts and animation right now.

I think there's a program called ''Illustration & Design''... sounds right?

:-)

[amarryth]

I was about to suggest the Tech stream of Illustration at Sheridan as well..... and if you're thinking about continuing your education beyond this program, a degree is a good thing to have. I believe it's one of the few places in the world that you can get a degree in Illustration specifically.. and Sheridan's got a name that people know. That shouldn't matter, but it does.

[Ryn]

Thank you Maxine and Ryn

Ryn, I think I will seriously consider about sheridan. who knows, maybe I will find something else interesting rather than concept art there. So i guess that means illustration program at sheridan is stronger than OCAD eh?

Indeed, if you aren't 100% locked into doing concept art for sure, Sheridan is a good place to explore. You have a four year program. Year one is a foundation year for everyone - you take life drawing, design, computer studies, painting, etc. Stuff that will act as a basis for your following years in the program. 2nd, 3rd, and 4th year, you pick a focus of technical/scientific or interpretive illustration (the latter being more focused on painting, editorial work, etc). You will definitely be introduced to a lot of different facets of the illustration industry and be presented with a lot of options. Amarryth raises some good and valid points as well.
I can't say much about OCAD, but there are surely some resources regarding it on the forums. From what I've seen of student work I feel OCAD has a stronger fine art program, where Sheridan is more suited for commercial arts. If you live anywhere near Toronto you can always just walk into OCAD and look at the stuff they have on the walls. If you are young and even remotely dressed like an art student they won't look at you twice and you're free to pop into classrooms to browse the student work.

[Maxine Schacker]

I'd like to encourage you all to visit Max the Mutt's Open House year end show the last weekend in May (May 28, 29 and the following week - closed on Sunday). These are in depth programs and our graduates have no problem getting jobs. In these fields it's you, your portfolio and your professionalism that get you hired.

We are always interested in what's happening at all the schools! We are all in this together and a strong industry needs a well educated work force. No one school can do it all.

Please let me know who you are when you visit! I'll look forward to meeting some of you.

PS We knew people at Dawson years ago and it was a solid program with dedicated instructors. Try to go to their year end show and the shows of all the schools you are considering. Look at the overall level of work since that's the best indicator. Sheridan has already had its show. Did you attend? Has OCAD had its show or is it coming up? You really need to visit and try to speak with current students and recent graduates.

[xshay12000x]

its too bad i dont speak french x(
but thanks everyone for your advices!! i rlly appreciate it

[Xayasha]

French?
Dawson is an English school and you can easily go around Montreal speaking just english if that's what you were refering to.
:-)

[xshay12000x]

oh really? hahah alright thanks!