Art Institute is it good?

[Warhead82]

Hi guys im new here at conceptart.org soo whats up, my question for you guys is. I am currently a grade 12 student, about 3 months away from graduation, i live in Canada British Columbia, and i was wondering if art institute would be a good school to go to for getting into the game industry? There is 2 options i was looking at they are game art and design or animation art and design. or w.e. What i want to do is not really any of that 3d computer animation or design stuff, i just want to be a conceptual artist for a game company, in the industry how do you become a conceptual artist, for a company, which is the best course to take Game Art or Animation Art? i really would like to know the answer? Because i do not want to do animation just drawing characters and backgrounds and stuff for games?? plz help me.

[Ray of the Dead]

hey man,
take it from someone who has gone to an Art Institute, the Art Institute of Philadelphia to be exact. If you want to do concept and design for games, I dont think an Art Institute is for you, dont take just my word for it tho, i'm just giving you an example. The AI teaches you what you need for an entry level position in a career, which is all and good, but from my expirience, they didnt give me enough fine art background and training. I see a lot of people on this site that say that some people can teach themselves the fine art aspect, but i'm not one of those people, i really like having an instructor, someone to crit and have there physically as a resource. My advice to you is to check out the AI that you are looking at for Game Design, and see what kind of drawing, perspective, and foundation art classes they offer, I think most companies in the industry look more for someone that can draw than someone that is good with software, especially if you dont even want to do the software part, its nice to know it and have it on your resume, that way you know how people your working with are working with you.

I am still a student so by no means am I a professional opinion, I hope you get some more replies because if you think you've made a mistake going to AI later on, it'll suck to have to start over if thats what you decide, like me, I decided to get my BFA in Illustration at Ringling.

PS. AI credits dont transfer anywhere, so once your there, your there man, unless you want to go to another art institute.
Just something to chew on man, good luck in choosing a school.

[Warhead82]

Thanks man, your opinion sounds like it is right, i personally did not think that Art Institute was the way to go for concept art unless they have what you said, a course for perspective drawing, figure etc. Because i dont even want to do animation or game development, programing them and all that, and it seems like they have more courses for game designing through the whole class year, than there is for concept art. Another reason i am posting this too, is because right now the tuition fee is 150 dollars, and they told me i should get it in buy the end of this march or it is going up, possibly thousands of dollars, what the hell is that crap, thousands of dollars compared to 150 dollars? jeeez. Another question too, is do you think if i practise myself or go to a fine arts school, and learn everything mostly for concept art, and fine art stuff, the main art. I would be able to apply at a game company myself and possibly get a job? Or would they just not even look at my resume or portfolio, because i do not have a really expensive college or university on there. Or would they look at the art and if it is really good hire you. Because one of my friends uncle got a job at electronic arts just out of the blue, by his girl friend handing in his art portfolio for him, i guess she knew some one there. So you think it would be a possibility or any other ideas? Also. lol. Do you know of any job opportunities, besides game/ character design, that i might be interested in, if so can you list some please? Thanks so much and your opinion on AI helped me decide i personally dont think i would like to go there. If it comes down to it maybe. But you showed me there is other resources. plus AI is like 22 000 dollars or more. AH.

Justin.

[Ray of the Dead]

That application fee is ridiculous, they are telling you it will go up to get your money sooner, if it does go up its a few bucks, but IMO not worth it. As for practicing and getting the Fine Art education, absolutely, never stop practicing, more than half the advice on these forums is to practice and I couldnt agree more. As for the formal education, it really cant hurt man, IMO a great idea to learn from great instructors. But learn your anatomy, form, perspective, color theory, all that good stuff. It will help. That is what the employers look for so yeah if you have a great portfolio, they will scoop you up, but dont think that they are just gonna hand you a job, you gotta dig and earn it. As for jobs, there are so many, even concept design is a broad category, but you could do tons, research it, check out Gamasutra.com for game jobs.

[Warhead82]

Thank you man you made a good point, and yeah i thought they were just trying to get my money faster too, my dad told me that too. I think i am going to go for the finearts school, and practise myself at home. Because there is hundreds of good tutorials on here and sijun forums everywhere this is the best place i found so far tho, thank you for the tip on what to practise with. I will do so and am already starting. As for human anatomy, that is my week spot. What would be your idea on learning anatomy? Reading anatomy books, or looking at pictures of nude people and drawing them?? Or both?

Thank you again.

[The Iconoclast]

As for the drawing with or without reference question, here's my 2c:

I think that drawing from reference and drawing without a reference are both VERY different, although they DO complement each other. Try to draw a cd player. Now look at your own CD player and try to draw that... It's very different.

I think that a good artist should, at some point or another in his/her career, do both (not simultaneously :D )

For a concept artist, I would focus primarily on drawing from anatomy books and then merge into the field of reference drawings. :chug:

Cheers.

[Warhead82]

Thank you those sound like some good ideas. Do you know anything about Art Institute?

[snowbaby]

ok i actually go to the art center college of design, but a friend of mine who's gonna apply at art center went to the california art institute and his work just kicks ass.......kicks ass.......

[Warhead82]

Thats coo his work his good, and im sure it would be from going there. But i have made my mind up now thx. NOT GOING THERE. hehe. thx anyhow.

[aehbon]

Hey man, I was in the same situation about 4 years ago and i'll tell you, I was 50$ short of actually doing it. I'm glad I decided against it though.

I'm currently attending a basic two-year school for my Illustration degree. 1.) I wanted to learn all aspects of Fine Art not just software/game art 2.) It's easier to change jobs with a universal Degree, not to mention you can really get a feel for the different areas of game design.

Honestly, I was fortunate enough to join a MOD group and gained alot of experience that way. In fact, I learned more from them then I did going to school. Plus i'll have something to show after i'm done, schools just going to build up your portfolio (which is still really good).

I think either road you pick, you wont go wrong, you'll be able to incorporate what you learn into your own style and that's what it's all about.

Brandon

[Warhead82]

wow thanks man, ya i think i am just going to go to a fine arts school, that teaches all fine arts, like perspective, human anatomy, all that stuff shading, painting everything!! Then just build up my own portfolio and hand it into a games company and see if they hired me :D sound good??

[Daddystyx]

I was called by the art institute in Houston TX a couple of years ago. How they knew I was an artist I don't know. They filled me with a bunch of garbage saying they look for the kind of people that draw all over their schoolwork(I''m THAT guy!) and such...telling me what I want to hear. They lack a backbone though. Like another guy said, you get your fine art background nailed(Drawing, Design, Color Theory) and your options are unlimited.
This is coming from a guy a semester away from BFA in Graphic Design, but my goal is conceptual design somewhere.

[Gr8t100]

I haven't read what's already been posted, so if I repeat anything, bear with me.

I represent only the Art Institute of Phoenix, Arizona who is studying Graphic Design. I made a switch from game art to this one for personal reasons only, but by being at the school for over a year and a half, here are my thoughts on it.

Upon first entering the school, I was more then ready to get started on creating phenominal work, such as the pieces shown to me during the gallery shows, but I was forced to be rethought everything I had THOUGHT I had already known. I was rethought the principles of drawing basic shapes and objects, perspetive, color, and use of tools. I thought to myself that this school was crazy and was holding me back, considering I had been thought this in high school.

This method of teaching lasted an nearly an entire year, and I saw peers and friends talk trash about the school for it. They considered this an insult to what they had known, that they were being ripped off with what they were given in return for thier money, and that they were going to leave. I've seen numerous people come and go, for personal reasons, financial reasons, and reasons of bitterness.

So what am I getting at? Well I've stuck it out for over a year and a half and I see a huge change in my work. I think the reason for this is because I was rethought everything before I was able to do things on my own. A scuplture artist doesn't go straight to work without knowing their tools and materials, correct? So why would an art school toss somebody, in lets say game art, straight to using 3D programs and what not? I think for the impatient or hard-headed, this will upset them. However I think if you work hard upon entering the school, things will become easier for you later on, and your will work will show vast improvements.

Plus on another subject, I know the school has probably told you the employment rates for their students are extremly high. Now what they say is somewhat true, and somewhat of a lie. What they say is true, but it might not be the job that the student came to the school for (ex: burger king, kinko's, etc.). I have friends who assume what many newcomer's think, and thats that the school will take care of you and hold your hand as you get away with mediocre work since the school will surely find you a job as long as you pass your classes.

This is pure bullshit. If you come upon to the Art Institute, or any other art school, be prepared to work your ass off. I mean you gotta live, breath, eat, sleep, and think about art 24/7. I'm talking about spending time at the school outside of school, taking a sketchbook with you when you are out with friends on a friday night (when you get the chance), and to create artwork OUTSIDE of your classes. I believe in all of this and live by it, and still get that fear of not doing enough. You gotta love what you do or don't even bother.

Hopefully this helped you out.

[Daddystyx]

That's true, school's "job placement" is nothing but a sales tactic. The portfolio that kicks ass gets the job. Those fundamentals are crucial, and every school(well every good school with an art program should give you that) but it is eventually up to you.
















To be nobody-but-yourself -- in a world which is doing its best, night and day, to make you everybody else -- means to fight the hardest battle which any human being can fight; and never stop fighting.

[hito]

I also go to AI in Philadelphia, in the Animation BS program, about half way thru it all. So far my experience has been very good.

[snipped]

my last rant didn't really make much sense.

if you're just looking to draw characters and backgrounds and such. You'll probably be better off with an illustration backgroud.

Animation art is not what you want. It deals with acting and principles of animation more than anything else.