University of Georgia

[Cyrus]

Just started my second semester at UGA, currently as a provisional art major at least until I get accepted into one of the specific programs. I have been taking drawing and composition classes, and from what I've seen, considering I've lived in Athens my whole life, is that the faculty is knowledgeable and well respected internationally.

I was just looking to get others' opinions and/or experiences, with the quality of the school..

[pibb991]

i never thought i would see anyone else on here from uga. i went there for 2001-2003. first of all, dont bother with 'digital media' unless you want to do conceptual pieces. dont expect to do any drawing or painting without getting crap for it. i was digital media then i switched to fine arts.

probably the best teacher i had there was norman, i think he teaches beginning drawing and figure. there were a couple others but i cant remember there names.

i miss athens though, and the art department being walking distance to downtow.

[Cyrus]

The digital media and graphic design(which is what I'm considering at the moment) programs both look to focus alot on conceptual art and design like you said, and I'd like to do that for characters, enviroments, ect, but I would definetly want a fair amount of drawing and painting in there too.

I'm wondering how the UGA art program compares to private schools like Ringling. Not in price, though that is a considerable factor, but just what stuff I might be missing in a large university(classes are usually 15-20 people).

[pibb991]

are you talking about conceptual art or concept art? theres a huge difference. maybe a major in illustration would be a better fit. one big difference is the technology. when theres budget cuts the art department is the first to suffer.

[Cyrus]

I guess I really mean concept art, as in the actually design of the character and so on, thanks for pointing that out. :rolleyes:

The univeristy has actually had some major cuts in state funding recently, but the art department doesn't look like its going to be losing anything, outside of the small cuts every college will be recieving. There are even plans for a new building in the next few years. UGA is the exception, though, since art happens to be one of its biggest areas.

[pibb991]

at uga, football is first, then the popular majors like journalism etc., and art is the on the bottom of the totem pole. i heard about the preliminary designs for the new building, but you'll probably have graduated before they break ground.

[Cyrus]

Thanks for the input, I have to say its relatively true. After doing some research, illustration does look like a much better fit. The problem is that UGA doesn't seem to have an illustration major beyond scientific illustration. This was surprising to me personally, correct me if I'm wrong.

On this note, I've started thinking about transfering, possibly to some place like SCAD.

[jaymontgomery]

Cyrus,

Before you decide on SCAD consider something a little closer. Atlanta College of Art has an excellent Illustration program. It's not as big as SCAD's but it's growing fast. I am currently teaching two illustration classes there now. The Illustration Dept. is not concentrated in any one market of illustration which is good in this day and age. It's important that you be well rounded and able to handle a varieity of commisions. Some of our students are doing really good work in the Sci-Fi, Fantasy, Comic book realm as well as editorial, publishing, and advertising. The basic knowledge of drawing, painting, composition, etc. are applied to all these markets. ACA allows you to custom tailor you interests for your portfolio.

http://www.aca.edu/

Jay Montgomery

[chortle_nut]

The art program at UGA is like any other, it all depends on what you want to study. If concept art is your bag, i'd suggest focusing, and trying to get into the scientific illustration program. The prof. there is top notch, and his grads go on to do really great work. I say focus, because it's probably one of the most dificult disciplines to be accepted into. Don't let the idea of 'scientific illustration' be a barrier. All good skills will translate.

In regards to digital media, they had a much stronger concept related program until about '01, when the professorship changed. At that point they went towards a more "FINE ART" related objective. Nothing wrong with that, it's just doesnt sound like your bag. Anyway, I would advise against SCAD, only because they seem to churn and burn their professors(although i have met a few and they are great people-it's the structure of a for profit educational system). I interviewed for a teaching position with the AI in Atl. and was impressed with their animation and illustration programs. GA State is another option-great sculpture program, or GA Tech-majoring in industrial design.

[RefrigeratorCo]

Theres a senior Illustrator at Ringling who transfered from UGA after his freshman year. He said that he skipped first year at RSAD with his transfer credits from UGA and regretted it big time... I know this is kinda OT but if you want to transfer to an art school later on you may want to heed his advice.

[steak-tron]

Cyrus,

I'm going to have to put my 2 cents in. I just gradated from Graphic Design here. I got turned on to CA about 2 yrs. ago and have been making concept (in our sense) based drawings, designs etc. The Graphic Design department is no joke, they work your ass off and have a quite nice facility, but if your looking for illustration it's included in Graphic Design. There are two required classes in illustration your first year you start the GD program and they're taught by Alex Murawski. He's an excellent teacher with alot of great advice and quite reputable too. He was a big freelance illustrator in the seventies, eighties, and nineties (and now too) and has a huge wealth of experience on the business aspect of commercial artwork. But his work speaks for itself.
http://www.alexmurawski.com/
-check it out, i think its the shit even though its not exactly CA. He really lit a match under my ass.

I was feeling really shitty about the school in general after my third year. It seemed like everyone was full of shit and i was'nt getting a whole lot of instruction from the system. But it's a glass is half empty thing. Margaret Morrison is an excellent figure painting/drawing teacher that just started (sortof). At this school it's sort of about what teachers you can get to advance your education (because sometimes you get stuck with less desirables). My point is if your going to stay try and do some sluething to get the best teachers (which i can help with to a degree).

If you still have HOPE it's a sweet deal. I've heard of SCAD having equal facilites as us (but i don't really know.) AND let me say that I did my thesis project on creature creation and had total freedom over it - I also got a ton of great teaching along the way. I feel like after Graphic Design i got a billion times better than before i started. The ciricullum is also so diverse that you pick up great skills like design and web programming which help in self-promotiong, etc.... Since I only went to school here I can't compare it to anything else, but I'm quite pleased with the education I got.

Now, given the choice it would be awesome to go to a place like Ringling or Pratt, but i didd'nt have the resources, and alot of being a great artist is self-learning (take Marko for instance).

I can't think of what else to say, if you can go somewhere else i wish you luck. I've lived here my whole life too and am ready to get the hell out of Dodge. But don't get discouraged if the school seems lacking at times, just keep drawing.
-steak

[Cybergig]

Well I don't really live in George so i wouldn't know much. But I do know that there is Savanah school of art and desgin there and i really want to go there.

[lavhoes]

Woah, 'sup UGA buddies.

I thought I was the only one, hahaha.

Anyway, I had to get out of the art program. It wasn't too hard or anything, it just wasn't for me. But the time that I spent there, with the teachers I had, definitely paid off in the long run. There are some very dedicated people there, so if you look into it I think you'll find something.

Just be prepared to have all of Athens taking priority over you, though.

[Cyrus]

Heh, I thought this thread died awhile ago.

Anyway, big thanks for the advice, the whole SCAD thing seemed to simmer down after awhile, I guess it was just school woes.

Steak-tron: I've had similer sentiments about school, but like you said, its definetly a good idea to just keep at it. I'd be drawing even if I wasn't at school(Thank you CA) But once I look at it, a place like the university has plently of resources for anyone whose self-driven in their work.

On that note, I should get to one of those modeling sessions at the museum on Wednesdays. :nod: