Watkins College for Illustration?

[calebmorris]

Does anyone know much about Watkins' Illustration Concentration? I've talked to a couple of kids that go there and they seem to be pretty positive about it, on the other hand I've heard some shady things about the school overall.

I've been accepted at Ringling as well but I'm not sure if I can get the loans to make it happen or if I want to go that much into debt.

I'm extremely self motivated and after reading the forums I know that is what's more important than the name of the school, I'm just trying to find the best that I can afford.

Anybody's thoughts on Watkins would be greatly appreciated. Thanks
Caleb
www.SheeshIllustration.com
www.FullOfSHEESH.blogspot.com

[WhizBang]

Does anyone know much about Watkins' Illustration Concentration? I've talked to a couple of kids that go there and they seem to be pretty positive about it, on the other hand I've heard some shady things about the school overall.

I've been accepted at Ringling as well but I'm not sure if I can get the loans to make it happen or if I want to go that much into debt.

I'm extremely self motivated and after reading the forums I know that is what's more important than the name of the school, I'm just trying to find the best that I can afford.

Anybody's thoughts on Watkins would be greatly appreciated. Thanks
Caleb
www.SheeshIllustration.com
www.FullOfSHEESH.blogspot.com

Of course the kids who go there think it's pretty positive. Were you really going to expect them to torch the place they chose? That'd almost be an indictment on their choice if they didn't endorse it somewhat. I'm not a huge fan on asking current students their opinions on their schools just because how many of them have actually gone to another school for a fair comparison?

I'd be looking at what sort of work their students are doing. Where are their graduates going to for work after graduation? What sort of networking options do they have? Is it a challenging environment? Will you be pushed to be better there or are you going to rule the roost? If you have doubts about the place now, what's it going to be like once you get there and more things come into light? Don't make choices with regrets later.

My two cent$ worth.

[vschwab]

Hey Calebmorris, what do you mean you've heard shady things?

I live in Nashville and know several people who've gone there and have to say I've only heard good things. They've been around a long time, are non-profit, and recently won a ton of major awards and placement in pubs for illustration. They seem to have a pretty solid foundation. And for what it's worth, they've got a good presence here in Nashville.

~V

[vschwab]

Hey Calebmorris, what do you mean you've heard shady things?

I live in Nashville and know several people who've gone there and have to say I've only heard good things. They've been around a long time, are non-profit, and recently won a ton of major awards and placement in pubs for illustration. They seem to have a pretty solid foundation. And for what it's worth, they've got a good presence here in Nashville.

~V

[calebmorris]

I read from a visiting teacher that they changed what he was to be payed right before he was flying in for the semester and actually found out from someone else. I also talked to a few students that had negative experiences but I don't remember exactly.

They only have 3 illustration classes but I hear they're fairly well rounded and the director of the dept said that I could use illustration in the graphic design assignments but I worry that it might not be in depth enough. The other problem is the student work, it's seems that there's a much more simplistic look running through most of it than what I'm interested in doing. I'm hoping that it's due to the student's preference and not the teacher's ability to push further.

At the end of the day, if I can't get the scholarships to go to Ringling and I need to stay in the south for family reasons, it seems like the only other viable illustration program of note that I can think of.

If anybody knows of any others, I'd appreciate the advice.
Thanks

[vschwab]

I think it must be student preference. I've seen some really simple illustration, and other incredibly detailed. I think you'll find students have neg experiences at every school. I'd say tour it if you can.