Need Help - Am I going to the right school?

[vinnyvegas827]

Hi, I recently graduated from highschool and am about to set off on my journey into animation. Animation has been my life ever sence I was three years old. I was excepted into the Art Institute of Phoenix and am not sure if that is a good school to go to for animation. I havn't heard anything about it and I'm a little worried. I want to get the best education possible, but a firend of mine told me the Art Intsitute Schools are not very good. If anyone knows anything about these schools aor can assist me with this problem it would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

- Vince

[jetpack42]

I believe the best school in the nation for animation is CalArts. I could be wrong. I dont know about the AI in Arizona, but I'd caution you from attending an AI...

[vinnyvegas827]

yeah, I have information on Cal Arts, and am thinking about just transfering to that school. Well, hopefully if I'm excepted. I know that the courses from AI won't transfer but it doesn't matter. I just acre about the best education.

[Rkhon]

If animation and 3D is your goal...

Check out www.cgtalk.com

in the general discussion forum there is a TON of info on good 3D schools worldwide.

[Gr8t100]

sorry to burst anyone's bubble, but the piece of paper you get upon leaving your animtation school, your degree as some may call it, is useless. Not in the sense to where it's pointless to get one, but don't think that it's the sole reason as to why you are going to get a job, most companies can care less where it's from as long as you have a BA in what you want to do...or in most cases what they want you do to for them.

A school is a school, one stands out more then the other in certain ways that another school may outshine the others. Each has their own faults and advantages to attending them and not one is solely the utopia of all 2D animation learning. The quality you exhibit through your work and understanding of the environment in which you want to place yourself into is much more important then anything else you will walk away with.

What your degree does for you against those wanting to get the same job you are going for is give an advantage outside the artwork you submit to them. The entire time they view your portfolio, it will 97.25% be for your artwork, believe me. Artwork and quality matters much more.

However, this is just my opinion, and something I've come to learn spending my time at the Ai in Az. It's different for everybody, right? Well, best of luck in whatever it is you decide to do.

[AFaeryChild]

You may want to check out www.awn.com It's animation world network, one of the most comprehensive animation sites out there right now. They have a really big list of schools offering degrees in animation in a lot of different countries. However, it's up to you to use your discretion and decide which you think is best for you.

[sula_nebouxi]

It is true a degree isn't required for this industry. It is a plus though. Most of the stuff you will learn will be on your own and will come from experience or other people. But that doesn't mean you shouldn't go to a school. Some schools can make the journey much more bearable and not as lonely as the self-taught route.

The top schools, Cal Arts, Ringling etc...usually have very good connections with the industry and will really try to help you land a position somewhere. I hear this about Ringling all the time. Their career services department is second to none and some go as far as saying that it should be one of the main reasons to go there. Schools can also offer a great learning environment. For the most part the people around you want to be in the industry too so you will all be feeding off each other's creativity and enthusiasm. Schools don't just mean a sheet of gold-leafed paper at the end of 4 years. Don't forget about the connections and friends you will make, exposure to the industry, having constantly updated technology, and of course the college experience.

Just trying to offer a different perspective. I'd love to get into Ringling, in fact I'm working on that right now. I know that it's not necessary but in my opinion I think I'll be better prepared at the end of my 4 years.

Regarding the Art Institute, I don't really know much about it...usually I guage a school by the student's work, the campus, and just other people's opinions. I think it would be pretty hard to determine if it was a bad school or not without seeing some of the work produced there. If you are having some doubts about this place, it *might* be a good idea to not go and spend the year working on a portfolio to Cal Arts so you won't waste any money. Then again you could go to the Art Institute and work on your portfolio there. You'll get the added benefit of having instructors to critique your stuff. It's your choice but if you're happy in the end it's all that matters.