What are the Top Art Schools in the US...

[Sungmina]

...for the aspiring concept artist?

I will be graduating this year with a BA (from UF.) To be honest, I do not feel prepared for a career as a concept artist. I desperately seek more training so that I can find a job (hopefully in the gaming industry.)

To those with knowledge and experience (or just have some good advice!), what schools do you suggest I attend for what I am interested in?

Do you suggest getting an MA or getting a BFA? I am really just clueless and my adviser has been less than helpful. From what I understand, many schools offer illustration as an undergraduate study, but not a graduate program. Is this even the major I should be considering?

Cost and location are non issues, the most important factor for me is that if I put in the effort, what school offers the strongest program for an aspiring concept artist?

Thanks in advance for any advice!

[nickydraws]

This might help:
ImagineFX - Top 10 Digital Art Schools
(http://www.imaginefx.com/02287754332325055513/top-10-digital-art-schools.html)

Also this place might be interesting:
Concept Design Academy (http://www.conceptdesignacad.com)

[jeremygordon89]

Obviously there is the conceptart.org atelier as advertised through this site.

I know there are surely several amazing schools throughout the country for illustration, but the two I know of for sure are School of Visual Arts and Ringling College of Art and Design.

Ringling seems a better choice to me because it is more affordable than SVA (SVA is in NYC), it is in a warm, beautiful location, it has a visual development minor, has great connections with film studios, great for networking and good internship opportunities. There are many reasons.

I'm sure there are many other great schools that I'm not aware of, so make sure you keep asking around and researching. Good luck.

[Maxine Schacker]

What's the tuition at SVA?

[raylistic87]

Full time tuition, including registration fee:USD $13,400 per semester (full time registration is considered 12-15 credit) for undergrad.

For graduate is 15k.

[Amber Alexander]

I'm in a very similar possition and I've decided on the masters illustration program at the Academy of Art University in SF, the entire program is also available online. Its not listed on their website but after talking with their Director of Illustration, they offer 3 speciallizations Traditional (children's books, editorials), Graphic Novel (comic book) and Concept Art (game industry). They made a specific course list just for concept artists. I just submitted my application so I can't say much as to what actually goes on at the school but from what I've seen so far i'm impressed and I think it will be perfect for bridging that gap in being a BA student who can't quite make it to being a professional concept artist who can compete with other concept artists.

I would definately look into MFA programs and not another BA, don't settle for a program like fine art or whatever if it won't teach you exactly what you want/need to learn. Look for specific classes such as character design, creature design, dynamic environments, digital painting, that sort of thing. You can find painting, drawing, regular fine art stuff at any school.

[hijaktaffairs]

Sungmina,

As you already know there are a lot of different choices out there. The best advice I can give you is to look at as many programs as you can. Each school will have it's own pros and cons and each caters to different kinds of students. I suggest that you take a look at Laguna College of Art + Design. We are a very small school with lots of individual attention from industry professionals. In addition to our Animation program, we offer a Game Art major. Students in the Game Art program work directly with major game companies (including Blizzard, EA Games, NC Soft and Double Helix) to complete an actual title; something that most studios will look for on a resume. Location is another thing to consider when looking at schools and Southern California bristles with opportunities in the entertainment arts. Those networks you build during your educations will go a long way to help you reach your career goals.

Like I said, there are many programs out there. Look around and find the one that best suits your needs. You can learn more about LCAD on the LCAD Thread I started, or by visiting our website at www.lagunacollege.edu. I am also available to answer any questions you might have.

Best wishes on whatever path your journey takes you!

[Maxine Schacker]

Laguna sounds a lot like Max the Mutt. We are located in Toronto. We are a Career College, and tuition is extremely affordable. Check out the website. New galleries should be up by the middle of June.

[Ryn]

If cost really isn't an issue, I'd say go for Art Center College of Design. From what I've seen it's tops for concept art.

[Sungmina]

Thanks so far for all of the responses! I am still looking around for strong concept art programs, but now I have several schools to start looking into more in depth. I really agree with Amber, I don't just want another drawing/painting school, I want a school that will give me experience with the tools I will need to learn to use to be successful. I can use photoshop and know some stuff about painter, but nothing formal.

LCAD looks like it has a really interesting Game Art program, do you guys know of any other schools that offer a similar program? I think I might also be applying to Ringling because I am in Fl currently and I love it here... but all of these game art programs seem to be for a bachelors, does that mean I should get another bachelors? I would rather not get a masters if it has to be in a field that I find is less than helpful...

Keep adding to the thread if you have other schools and programs you would like to suggest!

[Candy Rain]

Well, in terms of game art specifically, Ringling has a new Game Art and Design (http://www.ringling.edu/GAD.216.0.html) major, separate from its Computer Animation program.

[Elwell]

... but all of these game art programs seem to be for a bachelors, does that mean I should get another bachelors? I would rather not get a masters if it has to be in a field that I find is less than helpful...


Don't get overly caught up in what type of degree the program offers, once you're out it won't matter anyway. If you already have a bachelors you should be able to do another in three years, maybe less depending on what you can place out of and how the program is structured.

[Jason Manley]

If cost really isn't an issue, I'd say go for Art Center College of Design. From what I've seen it's tops for concept art.


I would put our dozen atelier rockstars against the entire lot of scott robertsons cronies any day of the week. :)


Kidding...well..sort of.

If you are in SF, go to the atelier. If you are in LA, go to kevin chen's program the concept art academy. Anything else is an over priced waste of money.

[painto-]

lots of stock answers in here :)

edit:i gotta agree with jason on the "smaller schools" thing, usually you don't need a BFA/MA to work in this field.
so just look around and check out what's up out there and also really important what's affordable for you !
there are some very talented people that do very well out of a -big name- school, but there is a very real chance that a lot of people will have difficulty finding a position that can cover their loans.
in my opinion if you cannot afford it, don't. i don't think anything is worth a 200k debt. but that's my opinion.
i believe it's more a matter of mindset, you just can't sit in a big school and expect everything to be fine.
why would someone who goes to kevin chen's academy be worse than any one who went to "big school name here"?

[Maxine Schacker]

It's good to hear your opinion, Jason. I hope you'll review what's being done at Max the Mutt once our first group completes year 3, which will be this time next year. The proof of the pudding....

In reference to needing a degree to get a job, it's never been an obstacle for our graduates. In fact, the Trade Commissioner asked us for a write-up to encourage a Japanese company to open a branch in Toronto (they did). They wanted to make sure they would be able to find people here getting the training required, and specifically asked if there were schools other than universities in Toronto with suitable programs.

Canada has a thriving video game industry, by the way, and it's growing. Although Vancouver and Montreal have the most companies, things are percolating in London, Ontario. The Ontario government is investing money to encourage more development in Ontario, and for people with the right skills there are jobs. However, with the exception of Max the Mutt there isn't a program really geared towards the needs of the video game industry. In addition, most university programs don't teach traditional representational painting and drawing. We have several students with BFA degrees who had to start from year one! I've also been in touch with a top environment designer/painter, trained in Europe, at a top company in Vancouver who told me how he's having difficulty finding developed talent ! The jobs are there for people with the right professional attitude and developed skills.

Painto, I'm in total agreement: students need to short list schools and look into them in depth. I think trying to see year end shows is a must. Check curriculum against recruitment ads and see how many of the skills required are covered in the education you are being offered. Try to speak with current students and graduates. Don't go by reputation alone: school are living organisms that change from year to year.
The school is dependent on leadership, curriculum, dedicated instructors who know the industry and dedicated, hard working students with a passion for what they are studying.

[Jonas Heirwegh]

I would put our dozen atelier rockstars against the entire lot of scott robertsons cronies any day of the week. :)


Kidding...well..sort of.

If you are in SF, go to the atelier. If you are in LA, go to kevin chen's program the concept art academy. Anything else is an over priced waste of money.


You are not kidding because it's true. I went to Kevin Chen's academy and boy am I glad I didnt waste my money on art center's overpriced concept art program, wich was my first intention of going to when I came to California.
Too bad so many student are blinded by Art Centers fame and would sell their kidney to attend a program that's not even well structured foundation wise.



why would someone who goes to kevin chen's academy be worse than any one who went to "big school name here"?

Imo it would even be better, there is no big name school with a higher concentration of top industry professionals then at Kevin's academy. Seriously, just compare the classes instructors and workshop instructors...

[burning_chrome]

If you are in LA, go to kevin chen's program the concept art academy. Anything else is an over priced waste of money.

Speaking of learning opportunities in L.A., what's the opinion on the Entertainment Design Program (http://www.gnomonschool.com/programs/entertainment-design/) offered at GnomonSchool of Visual Effects?

I know that Kevin Chen is also on the instructors list for the GnomonSchool along with Charles Hu and Michael Hogarth (two other instructors I'd love to learn from).

[Mock]

Look at who you'd be learning from more than the name of the school/program. My main reason for watching to go to the CA Atelier is that I'd be learning from artists who have the kind of job I want. They've been through all of the practice and the studies and they know what works. They know what it takes to make it, and many of them have experience teaching at the workshops. Those are the people I want teaching me. The same thing goes for Concept Design Academy and 's ED program.

Just look at the instructor lineup for 's program: Iain McCaig, Feng Zhu, David Levy? If you want to be a concept artist, that's a pretty heavy list.

Also, look at the success rate of their students. I can't speak for concept design academy, but a ridiculously high percentage of CA Atelier students have gone on to successful careers straight out of the program. Or in the middle of it.

Like Elwell said, that degree won't matter once you're out of school. Go where you're going to get an education, not just a degree.

[burning_chrome]

Just look at the instructor lineup for [GnomonSchool]'s program: Iain McCaig, Feng Zhu, David Levy? If you want to be a concept artist, that's a pretty heavy list.

Just to clarify, the notable names you've mentioned are all members of the Advisory Board only - none of whom, to the best of my knowledge, serve as instructors at the school. Regardless, just having those individuals weigh in on the relevancy and practicality of curriculum and skills imparted at the school certainly provides a heavy dose of industry credibility.

[Mock]

Aah, gotcha. My misunderstanding. I would agree that they still lend a lot of credibility to the program, especially given the experience the crew has with art education/workshops in general.

[Amber Alexander]

CA Atelier was one programs that I had considered until I sent an email with some questions and it was ignored.

[mvcurtiss]

Anything else is an over priced waste of money.

It feels good to know that I will be wasting my money for the next 4 years.

"Where you choose to go to art school is less important than bringing an attitude of 'doing whatever it takes' to learn about art to where you are studying."

[pipermints]

Too bad so many student are blinded by Art Centers fame and would sell their kidney to attend a program that's not even well structured foundation wise.


i am just curious but badly structured how?

[Maxine Schacker]

George Bridgman, Robert Beverly Hale, Kimon Nicolaides, Charles Hawthorne, were not known as great artists, but they are still remembered today as great teachers. Yes, you can be both, but many great artists are not great teachers.

[painto-]

i am just curious but badly structured how?

I think Art Center is definitely one of the best, if not the best for Industrial Design and the program there is really strong, but I don't think quite the same for Illustration program.

My opinion is: if you go to accd, then get the ID training rather than the Illustration one that you could get better somewhere else and it's not well structured atm.

[Justin.]

I would put our dozen atelier rockstars against the entire lot of scott robertsons cronies any day of the week. :)

Kidding...well..sort of.

If you are in SF, go to the atelier. If you are in LA, go to kevin chen's program the concept art academy. Anything else is an over priced waste of money.


I would love to entertain your challenge Jason (though I don't appreciate the disrespect, being an aforementioned 'cronie')... but IMO it's important to note that it's a different focus. From the work I've seen from the Atelier (although it's probably a fraction of it), the focus is alot stronger on illustrative prowess, and alot less on design chops. It's a different program. We are much more about the actual design of things, and them being rendered efficiently as well as correct from a technical standpoint... We are more at home in a product design firm than a gallery. It isn't about the finished piece like in illu, and I think too many people put them together in that regard... And no offense, but sketchup is not a replacement for learning perspective. Great for workflow... after you learn to do it old school.

Just some quick Defense for Art Center's concept design program.
out of the 1st year class, 6 of 22 got internships this summer, not including some full-time offers.
alot of people don't even finish the program because they get offers to work on feature films. (though some come back to finish :D)
A true, down-to-earth industrial design education is the biggest thing missing from most 'concept art' programs. You can't build something correctly if you can't draw and paint it correctly.
About Kevin Chen's academy. It's amazing AND inexpensive, but I still prefer art center's Industrial design entertainment route. There are definitely vital things you will never learn by going to the CDA only. I have learned so many valuable things from my friends in the transportation and product design departments.

It's expensive as fuck, but I don't regret a cent of it.

as I said above; This isn't your grandma's illustration program. You actually design stuff here. Ringling and SVA and the CA atelier are bitchin for illu, but if you want to get a world built from the ground up the right way? This is the school for you. Note that the degree you get from art center is a Bachelors of Science in Industrial design for a reason.

[Maxine Schacker]

Over the years I've come to realize that perspective and structural drawing are the main stumbling blocks for many aspiring artists. When I was in school (many years ago) they weren't taught! We were given the name of a good book, however, and I struggled to teach myself.

It's not just learning technical perspective and being able to do beautiful perspective drawings that's necessary. It's also being able to absorb and apply that knowledge to all kinds of situations, including life drawing, and quick drawings from memory.

First we added a half hour per class to the perspective course, and added structural drawing. Students still had problems Now we are adding a separate year one course in structural drawing first semester of year one, and have added a second semester first year course in drawing props and objects. By September 2010, everyone in year one in any diploma program will have the first semester course. This knowledge alone will not make you an artist, but it definitely is a major building block for any artist wishing express him/herself in three dimensions on a two-dimensional surface.

[Justin.]

Maxine,

I would actually recommend a whole class about product design, taught by a working product designer. Our perspective class is taught by this guy http://www.thomasworks.com/
who is an AMAZING teacher, and a large portion of product design crosses over into Entertainment.

[painto-]

yeah I think my friend Justin made the point, a clear distinction has to be done!
Illu is something, ID something else. As I previously posted, my opinion is if you go to ACCD then get ID training because that is really the top there!
If you are more Illu oriented, then it's better to go somewhere else.
There's a distinction that should be clear to peple and I think it's not and it's about an illustrator and a designer, they can both be concept artist but in a different way! :)

[Sungmina]

Thanks for all of the input... it looks like there are a lot of different choices for me...

Price is not a factor really... I am lucky enough to have very financially supportive parents. Location is somewhat important in that I would like to stay somewhere within the US.

I was considering Ringling because it is so close by, and I love warm sunny weather =).

I am definitely more interested in Illustration than design at this point, and am looking into CA Atelier as well. A degree is not too terribly important to me because I already have a bachelor's degree, I am really looking for a means to a career. I just want an education that will prepare me because my current one has not...

Ah... the choices...