The Official Artcenter Thread - like, omg! [Archive] - Page 3

Sheff

October 13th, 2005, 01:16 PM

With regard to whether or not Art Center is worth the tuition, I taught at another school where tuition is also very high. Not as high as ACCD, but higher than the local University.

I think it is worth it. In comparison to the curriculums and students I've seen at other colleges, ACCD grads blow them out of the water not only in portfolios but more importantly in work ethic.

I hear about Lorrie Madden's 150 drawings a week and I laugh. I've taught kids who can't make it to 100 or even 50 after the whole term. What I wouldn't give to have some ACCD caliber students.

As much as you guys complain about the curriculum and things, I guarantee you it is much worse elsewhere. Even if Anne may seem out of touch with student needs, the teachers who have seen it all know what you need to do to find work.

The question is: Do you need to finish? If you can get a professional portfolio together before graduating and find work, then it's up to you whether or not you really need that BFA. There might be other financial aid issues to contend with as well.

If you know what you really want in specific learning and the degree is not important to you, you can find that elsewhere for cheaper than ACCD as well. There are other ways to get a professional portfolio together without going to ACCD. If your goal is to find a job you can do that.

This past weekend, I met a couple of bad ass guys who were self-taught from books and really young. They were very specific about what they wanted to learn and only went to workshops they could drive to.

When I went to Art Center, there were a lot of classes that I had wished I had taken but didn't. So my advice would be make the best of your time and take control of your education. Don't just drift through the curriculum.

Rascar Capac

October 13th, 2005, 02:04 PM

When I went to Art Center, there were a lot of classes that I had wished I had taken but didn't. So my advice would be make the best of your time and take control of your education. Don't just drift through the curriculum.

Ill second that..you're payin all that money - you have to make sure you get rid of the BS classes that inevitably get dropped out of the curriculum anyway! ..and sub them with more technical classes from other majors.
I CANT believe illustrators werent required to take the VISCOM classes
How I wish I had taken those...instead we had to take such classes as "art concepts and experimental illustration'...I understand its important to expand your horizon but for the money we were payin...forget about it, I want technical training, not experimentation..that comes later

BlackGuy

October 13th, 2005, 03:35 PM

Ill second that..you're payin all that money - you have to make sure you get rid of the BS classes that inevitably get dropped out of the curriculum anyway! ..and sub them with more technical classes from other majors.
I CANT believe illustrators werent required to take the VISCOM classes
How I wish I had taken those...instead we had to take such classes as "art concepts and experimental illustration'...I understand its important to expand your horizon but for the money we were payin...forget about it, I want technical training, not experimentation..that comes later

and which classes do you think those are? both that can be dropped and that should be taken. I definitely feel that perspective is one of the ones that should be added.

Sheff

October 13th, 2005, 04:39 PM

I graduated over 10 years ago so I can't speak to the current curriculum. I would say take whatever classes you can that will provide you with the skills you will need for whatever area you want to specialize in.

I think I was 5th term when I had a 3d class. At the time the computers were so slow in 3d apps that you had to wait 3 minutes for an undo. I dropped that class immediately and substituted it with a traditional painting class. So for the rest of the time in school, I had no computer training whatsoever.

I also wished I had some viscom classes. I could have done without moderism and psyche of success. Some of the upper end illustration classes were also a waste of time. In general, I think I would have taken some trans or product classes. Anything that will not benefit your skills or problem solving ability is a waste, but you might not know which classes those are until years later when you are out in the field.

jellybean

October 15th, 2005, 12:55 AM

How does Art Center work as far as student loan refund checks and what not? When I was at SCAD I had an occasional job, but for the vast majority of the time I was there I just lived off of my refund checks... you know, extra money that was left over after the school took what they needed from my loans. Is that the way it works at Art Center? I'm assuming so because so many of you don't have jobs or anything so you have to be paying your rent, utilities and food somehow. If not, how do you work that all out?

Refund checks? Financial aid can't exceed the cost of tuition. The only time I have a refund is when I overpay tuition because the loan is taking too long to process...

Gygaxis

October 15th, 2005, 02:20 AM

Finacial aid actually will exceed the cost of your tuition by quite a bit most likely. As at ACCD they have you demonstrate that you will have the ammount of money required to attend for the semester. Their estimated budget covers housing, transportation, food, supplies, tuition, and some left over for incidentals, and is very much what I'm surviving on. I'm nervous as hell about the size of the student loans, but I know that I'm learning how to pay it back. ACCD is the best place I've ever been, and I've felt that way since the moment I set foot in here =/ You'll learn soooo much from the other students too, because there are people here that will be doing what you're looking to do. And you'll make great contacts with people that you'll be working with over the years.

As for Viscom, god yes, how is that NOT required for illu yet? Think it's going to be part of the reqs for the Entertainment Design minor is it not? But yeah, deffinately stick with as much foundation technical skill classes as you can. Get to the workshops that you can besides homework, and go to the guest speakers and stuff. Find which teachers will bust your ass and make you work the hardest, and then find out how you can get into their classes.

CruShTinbOX

October 15th, 2005, 02:44 AM

Finacial aid actually will exceed the cost of your tuition by quite a bit most likely. As at ACCD they have you demonstrate that you will have the ammount of money required to attend for the semester. Their estimated budget covers housing, transportation, food, supplies, tuition, and some left over for incidentals, and is very much what I'm surviving on. I'm nervous as hell about the size of the student loans, but I know that I'm learning how to pay it back. ACCD is the best place I've ever been, and I've felt that way since the moment I set foot in here =/ You'll learn soooo much from the other students too, because there are people here that will be doing what you're looking to do. And you'll make great contacts with people that you'll be working with over the years.

Cool, thanks. I figured that's how it worked, but I hadn't seen anybody in this thread really talk about that. At SCAD I got an extra $5000 or so back per term (they're on a quarter system though instead of semesters... meaning that money only had to last me about 3 months) in student loan refunds which paid for my rent, food, etc with a little left over for other shit. If you don't mind me asking, how much are you getting back every semester? And is it enough to have your own place or are you renting a room or what? Do you have enough to make the occasional splurge, you know go to the movies, buy a dvd or a game or whatever?

In case you can't tell, I'm planning on applying to Art Center soon and I'm just trying to get an idea of what to expect when it comes time to apply for loans and stuff. I already have a good idea since I have dealt with all of that when I was at SCAD... but you know, different school. Just trying to see if the financial aid system is similar.

BlackGuy

October 17th, 2005, 08:08 AM

I went to the art center site to find information on viscom but there's no course description there. What exactly is it and why is it so beneficial?

_Mario

October 17th, 2005, 05:50 PM

Gauge:
go here: http://www.artcenter.edu/datalog/ProgramsOfStudy.jsp

then chose Product Design or Transportation in the drop down menu and klick "Submit".
A matrix of courses should appear. Under Visualization you should find: Vis Comm 1 click on this and you get a little summary with some information.

BlackGuy

October 17th, 2005, 07:01 PM

thank you mario.

another question, is industrial design a former major there that was removed?

Gygaxis

October 18th, 2005, 12:02 AM

Industrial Design is kind of a blanket category for the Product Design, Transportation Design and Environmental Design majors. Trans does vehicles, Product does like, every conceviable type of goods, mostly retail stuff, and Environmental designs public spaces.

bigmack8

October 18th, 2005, 03:22 PM

Sheff, I checked out your website and I loved the Star Trek James Brown and Ray Charles.

Sheff

October 20th, 2005, 02:46 PM

Thanks bigmack!

YOHAN14344

October 27th, 2005, 11:41 PM

Hello, guys! :)

I need help on the portfolio part for Graphics Design. I have an idea what it needs... but I have never seen somebody else's portfolio before! Especially someone applying for a Graphics Design course. I don't know anyone who's a Graphic Designer either. :(

Can anyone help me? I need to see examples. I know it's impossible for me to get accepted in ArtCenter with my mediocre grades and underdeveloped talent... but I'll give it a try anyway.

BlackGuy

October 28th, 2005, 01:05 AM

you should probably revamp your attitude about it before you do. Confidence goes a long way.

YOHAN14344

October 28th, 2005, 01:29 AM

Okay, okay. Confidence does go a loooong way. In fact, I have learned that it's probably more important than talent, in some cases or situations. Then, I shall be confident from now on. :)

Helium Macaroni

October 28th, 2005, 06:07 AM

Confidence goes a long way.

..drinking will help with that.

YOHAN14344

October 28th, 2005, 09:21 PM

..drinking will help with that.

When all else fails!

BlackGuy

October 29th, 2005, 11:33 PM

its true. though the hard part is drinking and finding that balance between "feeling loose and confident" and having vomit spraying out of your mouth while you're laying down cuz you're so dizzy. That's the part I have trouble with.

YOHAN14344

October 30th, 2005, 08:14 PM

Yes. But can anyone show me a sample of a portfolio?

BlackGuy

November 1st, 2005, 11:07 PM

I'm a little curious about that myself.

S.W.

November 5th, 2005, 11:17 AM

Just got a call from LA home oversea, saying they got some letter sent from ACCD about money recently. From their obscure description I can barely tell that the number was kinda short compare to a 13k tutition....But I don't even know yet is that my FAFSA or my scholarship.

Is anybody else's scholarship coming down? I can smell that I'm gonna have some financial problem...

PolinaH

November 5th, 2005, 06:35 PM

I just applied for scholarship too, they're only giving me 2000 a term... what I dont understand is if its only for 2 terms or for the entire 8 terms.... that I have to call about.

Art Center really looks at how much money you and your parents make.. and this influences the scholarship decision...

They should rename the art center scholarship to an art center grant. Because last time I checked scholarships should only be influenced by your skill and not how much money your parents make.

(it just happened to me =/) And theyre not giving me much in school loans ither (1000 a term) so that means I have to get 10,000 in private loans

So I know how you feel I was pretty crushed by it too... anyways if you have any better luck keep me posted, I'm tring to find alternatives myself

BlackGuy

November 5th, 2005, 10:27 PM

get over it. They're trying to help out the people who are in greater need of the money.

PolinaH

November 6th, 2005, 07:08 PM

Gauge I am over it..
but I believe I am one of those people that needs a little bit more then 2000 a term..

My parents may look rich to fasfa... but fasfa never calculates in bills such as rent, food, medical, and car payments inorder to get to work.

I dont as for much I just need 4000 a term and I'll be happy to loan everything else...

But like I said, I'm looking for other alternatives.. to pay for the school... so don't take me as cynical.

BlackGuy

November 6th, 2005, 09:54 PM

fafsa DOES calculate all that, because those are bills that almost all of us have to foot. But they're giving their money out based on who needs it more and who applies for it first, that's about as reasonably fair as you can get. I'm in the same boat as you, and I'm just looking for as many scholarships as possible.

BlackGuy

November 16th, 2005, 08:45 PM

Ok so what are the options for those who don't drive? I wish I could, and I've got a car available to me here in D.C that I could have if I got my license. The problem is (as I stated earlier) that I'm diabetic and my doctor will not sign my papers allowing me to drive. Now before, this was because I wasn't taking care of myself, I thought it was a fair judgement. But I've been keeping up on my blood sugar and whatnot, and the guy still won't do it and he insists on being vague about it. Going to another doctor won't help the situation at all for reasons I won't waste time explaining. The point is, I'm not going to be able to drive so what are my other options? I know public transport is practically non existant over there, but there's gotta be SOMETHING. It frustrates me so much because I'm from D.C where pub trans is such a huge part of life here.

Oh and a question about portfolio. Are having portraits a good idea? I've got a self portrait and a portrait of a classmate that I really want to include in my portfolio. I don't have any access to a figure drawing class or workshop which is kinda screwing me over. I'm trying to look for alternatives to it, I don't suppose drawing figures from ref on the net would be alright would it? I know it isn't the same, but my options are limited.

One final question. Will being a minority help my chances to get in? I'm ethiopian-american, and I know that in a lot of traditional universities, it helps. But I have no idea if that goes for art schools as well. Thanks in advance.

mercan

November 18th, 2005, 02:44 PM

Not many options...You can take the ARTS 51 bus which goes straight to Art Center.But its schedule is pretty bad, it only runs once every hour.And it doesn't work on weekends.Besides that there is no other public transportation which can take you to school.If you can find a roommate to carpool with, that will help too.

Yeah, I think it's a pretty good idea, I had a self-portrait in mine.For figure drawing, ask your family/friends to help you with that.If not drawing from photography seems like your only hope, so go for it.

About minority thing, I don't think so.You should focus on your portfolio and don't count on that kind of stuff.

PolinaH

November 22nd, 2005, 05:48 PM

I think refrences off the net and portraits are better then nothing. You could also include some still lifes.

I've never heard of anyone getting in because they're a minority I think this is partcially because a majority of the school are minorities.

The 2 things Art Center looks at most are PORTFOLIO and grades. I know this because they accidently sent me my review sheet when they mailed me my acceptance packet.

Portfolio is what they look at most, but I've heard if you have poor grades, no amount of talent will save you. (A friend of a friend got rejected for this...)

A.Miller

November 23rd, 2005, 12:54 AM

Can anybody shed some light on the digital design 1 waiver test? Such as what may be on it, the level of difficulty, etc.. Thanks.

mercan

November 23rd, 2005, 01:26 AM

Portfolio is what they look at most, but I've heard if you have poor grades, no amount of talent will save you. (A friend of a friend got rejected for this...)

Hmm, didn't know about this.Maybe its because I'm an international student but I didn't had any trouble about my grades and believe me my high school grades sucked.

Drunken Monkey

November 25th, 2005, 08:54 PM

design 1 waiver:
i failed it, 82 out of passing 85. will retake next term. I guessed my way through illustrator and print section which resulted in failure.

questions are like this:
how do you crop an image in photoshop?
and then 4 multiple choice...

don't let it fool you, some of it is not this easy. but for the most part.. if you paint in PS and know illustrator you will be fine. brush up on your print terminology... what is CMYK, what is RGB etc... google it for a few hours.

you can retake multiple times.

----

about grades... my High SChool GPA is 1.9. I took 12 units in college (12 units is the minimum college credits ACCD is willing to look at) and they are 3.9 gpa, so i got accepted no problem. i think they look at credit history most importantly... it says a lot about you as a person.. but thats just my suspicion...

don't listen to counselors regarding your porfolio - they are from what i gather has beens and art world rejects. they have no clue. i was told to take my shit home when applying for TRANS, without her even looking at my designs. then eyes wide open when i told her to open the portfolio, "oh you are one of those guys".... "but go to night school anyway for two years" yeah right,,, i am fucking 25... i am not going to accd when i am 40.

just don't stress it. i look at illustration people... TERRIBLE. Just fucking god awful stuff. there are some super talented ppl (like Ben who wants to go ID, and is in a lot of ID classes) but, everyone gets accepted it seems. I am not master figure drawing artist... but for christ sakes,,, junior high level, most everyone. So many 17-18-19 year olds got accepted. go to atelier first if you are that young... learn to be loose, see form.

most people who went to ateliers when applying to ACCD are on good standing... you will be better than 95% of ppl there, don't stress. just manage your schedule because a lot of classes in that program (and this is from what i hear from good illu ppl) are shit. so cancel what sucks... take some devform/viscom ID classes or something.

if you are thinking ACCD ID - stock up on caffeine pills. the new ID track is supposedly easier, and no more than 50 hours of homework a week.... we get about 70. or used to get... now its back to manageable 45-60 - if you push yourself. if you dont push you can do it in 30, but you won't improve. people going 3 days without sleep, falling asleep in front of machine shop during the day... on the floor using steel chair as a pillow... having pics taken of them. i fell asleep on concrete floor in class after my presentation... disoriented in english 1,,, 70 hours without sleep... welcome to ACCD ID - first term - 21 units. first few weeks were easy.... 5 classes then the chairs come in and say -- HERE ARE TWO MORE STUDIO CLASSES FUCKERS! ENJOY!

fucking WHAM!

good to hear accd is being generous with scholarships... seems like its skill based now, not so much originality/bullshit. in ID most people who got highest scores on portfolio are 2nd-3rd term level. its no longer "we look at ideas only, not rendering techniques". they want perspective, loose sketching, no chickenscratch.

peace... i just pulled an all nighter doing thanksgiving day homework, was due by 12 pm today :\

bootcamp.

P.s.
regarding havign a car in LA - unless you manage to find something at the bottom of the hill, you need a car. there is one 6th term trans dude from sweeden who drives a scooter though.

PolinaH

November 27th, 2005, 12:01 PM

don't listen to the counslers about transfer requirments ither, alot of stuff they told me would transfer... didn't....

2 years in PCC and only 18 of my units tranfered over.... what a waist of time if someone gave me a list..... of what actually transfered over.

darn I'm good at photoshop but I have never used illustrator... I guess I cant take the waiver.. If you cant take it do you still have to show up to wednesday's orientation?

God I'm so excited, finally a school where the art teachers know what they're talking about.

Yeah so far I haven't seen anyone rejected for illustration... but then again the illustration department gets the smallest amount of scholarships compaired to product and transportation.. (We don't have people like BMW funding students) So in a way the school makes all there money from us ?

As for transportation, I think even if you live at the bottom of the hill you'd still need a car... with all your art materials the last think you want to do is hike up the hill.

What is ID?

_Mario

November 27th, 2005, 12:19 PM

ID: industrial design. So ID classes would be classes related to the product design program.

kujaku

November 30th, 2005, 01:41 AM

darkwolfb87

December 20th, 2005, 03:09 PM

I've got a question, if I graduate from a 4-year liberal arts university majoring in studio arts, does that mean I can only attend the graduate program at Art Center and no credits would transfer? I feel like I'd be missing out on a lot of experiences if I don't do undergraduate at art center.

Drunken Monkey

December 20th, 2005, 08:53 PM

grad students take the same undergrad courses afaik... i don't know for sure or enough about the grad accd programs, but i think its just regular program minus all the liberal sciences bullshit. and you can do independent studies....

talk to the grad counselor...

first term over yeah! i actually didnt do half bad, one more week and i would have gone postal. week 13: people crying uncontrollably... for no fucking reason,, one anonymous someone (not me) went into a fetal position and wept in class... fun shit.

darkwolfb87

December 20th, 2005, 09:05 PM

awesome, if that's the case the grad program is exactly what i'm looking for. thanks, i'll get in touch with the counselor

Lianna

December 20th, 2005, 11:00 PM

hi all, im a senior in hs and art center is my dream school.. =) However, there are some issues that im concerned with, especially these 2.

1. Scholarship from art center. I talked with Isabelle [School representative] and she told me that the most scholarship art center offers is 50% off the tuition. How many of these scholarships are provided? Is it difficult to recieve financial aid from ac? Do they provide more for students outside cali? [I'm from NY.. and not loaded, so affording ac is a toughie.]

2. 2nd concern- I heard that ac's acceptance rate for highschoolers is going up.. and thus, students getting into art center is not at the same level as the previous ac students. Is it true that the work being produced from ac is not as strong as it use to be?

Thanks in advance if you can answer my questions. =)

sux0rz

December 22nd, 2005, 03:09 PM

lianna:
1. of course it's difficult to get scholarship. 50% is rare... unless you are a superstar. i hear that international students get less scholarship... so if you are in the States you are OK.
2. Yes, but the poor work isnt particularly produced by the highschoolers... in fact, the highschoolers are doing pretty well IMO.

i've got a question: when is the best time to attend accd solely based on the student atmosphere? spring, summer, or fall?

PolinaH

December 23rd, 2005, 12:41 PM

Liana:
I know a few people that got half time scholarships but you have to be really good, and in some cases you have to take a gamble.

Gamble:
I know three students that were only offered 25% scholarship and they didn't give they're reply (way past the deadline) and Art Center called them back and asked why they weren't coming. Of course they said they couldn't afford it without a 50% scholarship, and art center got back to them 2 weeks later and told them they scraped up the money for them.

I dunno about all the other majors but since I've been visiting artcenter the illustration department had declined in skill a little bit... but i think this is also because alot of good teachers left, are leaving, or artcenter is dicking them around.

Suxor: I personally like fall... theres more students, people tend to take the summer term off and sometimes spring.

Helium Macaroni

December 23rd, 2005, 02:53 PM

So uh, I don't know if anyone's been following the school vs. school thunderdome, but Columbus College of Art and Design just trounced SVA and are coming for us next. So I hope there are some willing and able participants ready to defend Art Centers' good name in a heated competition.

I've talked with the CCAD guys and sort of volunteered to be the organizational effort on this side of it.

Visit this thread to see how the last round played out.

http://www.conceptart.org/forums/showthread.php?t=57702

Artcade77

December 27th, 2005, 03:51 AM

I got a question about financial aid, will having a prior Bachelor's degree affect how much financial aid I might get, since I'll be going for a second Bachelor's degree at AC. Also, will being out of state affect me as well, and are presidential scholarships (full rides) offered anymore.
Thanks

gunnz

December 27th, 2005, 11:39 AM

I don't think having a prior degree affects how much aid you get. In fact, I think you will get even MORE aid now. That is, if you are over 24. I think that's the age when they consider you fully independent, and are eligible for more aid. I'm gonna go for my 2nd bachelor's there too. I'll be applying soon.....good luck!

saraesc

December 28th, 2005, 02:47 AM

I know that if you have a prior Bachelors degree than you can't get certain government aide, like the Pell Grant. But other than that, it doesn't affect it.

Helium Macaroni

December 28th, 2005, 03:47 AM

Erm, I have a previos BFA from Pratt.. I had no problem getting financial aid. Most federal or private loan programs will give money to anyone who has a pulse. Scholarship is another story, I arrived to late to qualify for it.

Pel and Cal grants are something to look into if you're over 25. I am currently exploring those options. As an independant and a student you should be elidgible for a decent amount of free money if you make little income.. which most of us do!

Also.. who's up for the romp with CCAD?!

steve kim

December 29th, 2005, 10:46 AM

afaik there's not age req for pell/cal grants. seeing how i got both at the comely age of 21 or something.

scholarships range from jack squat to full ride. just compete and pray and keep that gpa up!

mike i saw that thread. pretty sad. too bad my emo little kid drawings can't help you out!

cheers,
steve

S.W.

January 10th, 2006, 11:35 PM

Soooo.
Who's at the freshmen social party today :p?

PolinaH

January 12th, 2006, 12:16 AM

I was there....

A.Miller

January 12th, 2006, 07:26 AM

I wasn't, but I passed the digital design waiver today. Hoo rah. Never touched Illustrator for more than a couple minutes. See some of you at orientation.

S.W.

January 14th, 2006, 04:21 PM

I wasn't, but I passed the digital design waiver today. Hoo rah. Never touched Illustrator for more than a couple minutes. See some of you at orientation.

"How many DPI does a MAC monitor have?"

"What printer can give you best quality?"

:\

S.W.

January 14th, 2006, 04:23 PM

I was there....

:D
Major?

PolinaH

January 15th, 2006, 10:51 AM

Major: Illustration Focus: Entertainment Design

during the sunset social I was mingling with the trans and product designers though, somehow people from my department seemed a little antisocial.. or at least when I tried to approach them and say hi.

Whats your major S.W? Did you get good teachers?

I got one really horrible teacher for my composition and design class, I heard he was too laid back, didn't teach, and expected you to be at the level as if he did teach. For $13,209 I want all my teachers to teach, critique, and be hard on me. So I'm preying Tuesday that I could switch even though the other classes are full. I want to take Donahue but shes only teaching the class for the environmental majors, so I might have to get the department chair to sign of something to get her....

"What printer can give you best quality?"
Canon Pixma iP8500 (I have this one the only downfall is it only prints 8.5 X 11 and smaller... but its the best photo printer out there for the 400 dollar range..), or the HP deskjet (somewhere in the 7000s... we used that at work...) Art center would probably say Epson 1280 (they sell it in the student store), but with my experience on that printer at work, it dies to quickly and never prints the same color twice, because it prints by overlaying colors, and it hates to print a heavy work load, it would give you a connectiion error after 25 - 50 pages.... and then it takes half an hour to fix it...

Drunken Monkey

January 15th, 2006, 05:17 PM

"How many DPI does a MAC monitor have?"

"What printer can give you best quality?"

:\

I do not use your fucking macintrashes!

ooohh,,, 83 out of 85, second try to pass this shit. It vexes me... i am very vexed. 6 classes this term. Fuck to that.

S.W.

January 18th, 2006, 07:14 PM

Major: Illustration Focus: Entertainment Design

during the sunset social I was mingling with the trans and product designers though, somehow people from my department seemed a little antisocial.. or at least when I tried to approach them and say hi.

If you remember one of those twenty dozens Asian guy with glasses short hair, then that will be me :p.

Whats your major S.W? Did you get good teachers?
I don't have any information sources on that. But I'm illustration - entertainment major too. S.W. is my initial, so if you are in the same class as me, try to dig me out :).

PolinaH

January 21st, 2006, 12:38 AM

don't have any information sources on that. But I'm illustration - entertainment major too. S.W. is my initial, so if you are in the same class as me, try to dig me out .

That might be a little hard, I tend to tune out roll call after my name.... (which is the same as my name here) Class schedule might help XP or at least teachers you have and what times...

T-lapia

January 23rd, 2006, 05:17 PM

i have a question on how to submit the portfolio, see i have a couple of 18x24 canvases plus i have a bunch of the newsprint paper for miy lifedrawing and i want to know how to submit all of them. Is there something that i can buy to store the canvases and the lifedrawings?

also, i want to know what kind of level they expect to see if they're going to award scholarships. Are there people here that have gotten 50% or more scholarships? if so, is it ok for you guys to show me what you've submitted?

so i know what my chances are in getting a scholarship.

hamb6960

January 26th, 2006, 06:10 PM

I Just got back from Pasadena yesterday. I checked out Art Center and had a portpolio review and it looks like i'm going to be going to there fall term. My problem is housing, I'm looking for something to move right now. I've had trouble since I was only there for a few days. I thought this would be the best place to ask If anyone had tips on where to live, not to live, price, or even if they know of any openings happening. I'm married too so that has to be taken into account. Any kind of help would be awesome.

PolinaH

January 29th, 2006, 12:00 PM

I live in an apartment by Pasadena City College (15 min from artcenter) its a 2 room apartment going for around $800 theres only one parking space but if you need another you'd have to go through the city and get parking permits to park on the street (86$ for day and night pass) You can always go too student life at arcenter and they have a list of housing for people looking for a place..

Lianna

January 31st, 2006, 01:52 AM

Hiya, quick question.
How much does those required essays for applying to Art Center count towards your acceptance rate?

Just checking. Blah, I really dislike writing college essays.. =/ Heh, I've been procrastinating those essays since december. Let's hope they're not that important. =)

S.W.

January 31st, 2006, 09:16 AM

I think everyone can get their entrance essays passed as long as they are sincerely enough; the real thing is the English placement test on the oientation day after you're accepted.

hanajo

February 1st, 2006, 03:22 AM

Does anyone know of any accepted portfolios for Illustration posted online? I'm really unsure of what art center wants - lots of life drawings? gestures? or more illustrations? and how skilled do applicants have to be? From what I've been reading on this thread, the Illustration program seems to be declining in quality...is that really true? And if so, what are my alternatives?

S.W.

February 2nd, 2006, 12:05 AM

Trying to start a school life diary....

http://blog.tritium-sand.com/

see if I can keep this rolling :/

Lianna

February 2nd, 2006, 08:10 PM

I'm really unsure of what art center wants - lots of life drawings? gestures? or more illustrations? and how skilled do applicants have to be?

Same question here =/.. my teacher told me Art Center want mostly finished work, not only gestures and quickies. [But I'm not 100% positive] How many pieces from our portfolio be life drawings from models?

From what I've been reading on this thread, the Illustration program seems to be declining in quality...is that really true?

Blah, seems like alot of the "legendary" teachers are getting old.. and they changed the Illustration dept drastically recently. I'm curious about Art Center's Illus. Dept. quality now too.. Cause you know.. AC is a HUGE investment.. gotta make sure it's worth what it cost. :P

S.W.- !!! What english placement test.. ?! o.o
Btw, I like your blog, it's cute!

S.W.

February 4th, 2006, 06:15 PM

You have to take a mandatory English Placement test on the second day of orientation to determine your English level for related courses...

runaway

February 8th, 2006, 01:46 PM

Lianna

February 11th, 2006, 01:39 AM

Dun dun duuuunnn.. 2 weeks until ACCD's deadline for fall 2006 admission..

It would really be helpful if someone can interpret what they want when they say "life and figure drawings". Are they asking for gestures, contours or fully complete drawings [background and all]? This is driving me nuts.. I do alot of figure drawings but I don't usually have the time to finish a full 18x 24 drawing. [Model sits for 20 mins max]

Also, how many slides should be send in? I know they want the actual work.. but most of my pieces are bigger than 24x36. Is less, more in this case? Should the majority portfolio be actual work [that may not be as well done as slide work, since I work better on a bigger scale] or vise versa?

Thank in advance~

Shoji

February 11th, 2006, 05:42 AM

life drawing = observational sketches from life to show your ability to visually interpret what you see. it could be anything from people standing at starbucks (quick sketches) to rendering a banana.

figure drawing = emphasis is ALWAYS put on gestural sketches with a some knowledge of anatomy, proportion and how the body masses work. youd could have a rendering in there to show you're capable of taking a drawing to that level but it's not as interesting as a book of 2-5 min sketches.

if you can take a quality scan of your work or professional photograph, you could have it reproduced as a nice print out. 11x17 or 13x19. slides are so dated...

and in the end, i've found when you're entering, the more work you can provide that shows off your personality and what you can do the better. the second you start getting redundant and turning in a bunch of similar projects, it becomes excessive.

best of luck with your future here.

Dun dun duuuunnn.. 2 weeks until ACCD's deadline for fall 2006 admission..

It would really be helpful if someone can interpret what they want when they say "life and figure drawings". Are they asking for gestures, contours or fully complete drawings [background and all]? This is driving me nuts.. I do alot of figure drawings but I don't usually have the time to finish a full 18x 24 drawing. [Model sits for 20 mins max]

Also, how many slides should be send in? I know they want the actual work.. but most of my pieces are bigger than 24x36. Is less, more in this case? Should the majority portfolio be actual work [that may not be as well done as slide work, since I work better on a bigger scale] or vise versa?

Thank in advance~

Shoji

February 11th, 2006, 05:45 AM

how are the academic requirements for the transportation design program?
does AC accept once u have a good enough portfolio and the $? or do you need to have all 3 - portfolio, $ and academic results?

if you can sketch and you aren't pulling Ds and Fs in your classes then you're fine. very little classes transfer over into academics anyhow unless they're from a upper div university class, so you just need to show you're capable of getting a C or higher. if you're looking for scholarship you should have at least a B or higher grade average.

it's easy to get into art center.

it's hard to get scholarship, but harder to get scholarship once you're in the school. (as opposed to initial application).

it's even harder to stick it out and stay at art center.

trans program is going through some changes. should be good.

Lianna

February 12th, 2006, 11:24 PM

can someone clarify what this means?

"Portfolios submitted for advanced standing should consist of 20 or more samples representing work completed in the major area. "

- ACCD website [admission section]

S.W.

February 12th, 2006, 11:27 PM

BlackGuy

February 13th, 2006, 09:07 PM

Lianna

February 16th, 2006, 12:05 AM

you're sure that the emphasis is on gestural studies from life as opposed to fully rendered pieces? I'm not asking if fully rendered pieces are useless, I'm sure I can use those too. But I wanna make sure gestures are preferred cuz I've got pages and pages of those from class, but only one fully rendered piece. I've mainly got gestures, self portraits, and a few still life studies.

^ I'm nervous about that too.. My portfolio is almost 50% based on just figure drawings and gestures.

Just 1 more question! -

My main portfolio is rather.. large, and I won't be able to send it in. I have a few small works too but I'm afraid it's not enough. How many actual pieces should I send in and how many slides? Can I send in more slides than real work? [Right now, I have about 7 original work and 20+ slides I can choose from]

PolinaH

February 19th, 2006, 01:52 PM

The whole paragraph should be:
A minimum of 12 and a maximum of 20 original pieces, including work related to an applicant’s proposed major, is required. Portfolios submitted for advanced standing should consist of 20 or more samples representing work completed in the major area.

Translation:
"If you want scholarship, put more than twenty. If you don't, don't bother us go over too many."

I put less then 20 pieces.. (I put 18/19 dunt relaly remember anymore) I still got a scholarship... they dont really like you going over.

As for rendered pieces dont concentrate on those to muc... art center doesn't care as much about how you render stuff as about how you thing... gestures are better if you really want money.. I had only 3 renderd out pieces... everything else were just quick sketches... nothing ranging over 1 minutes.

Make sure your sketch book has your name on it if your submitting one... I never got mine back =/ new sketchbook too.....

Odds

February 21st, 2006, 10:28 PM

Hi guys,

I'm a junior in high school, and we're required to do a junior-senior project on whichever topic we would like. Our school has provided some internship opportunities, but none were art related. Anyways, i was wondering if anyone knows of a Los Angeles based company or studio that is looking for high school interns.

Thanks,
Matt

ChrisMayernik

February 22nd, 2006, 05:42 PM

Hi I want to apply for a scholarship for the fall and I know I have only a week left to send my portfolio in. I'm really not sure what I should include in my portfolio. I have so much work and it's very hard to decide what to put in and what not too. What do I ship the portfolio in. I know it says a case but does that mean suitcase? Oh also is it a bad idea to try and get a scholarship by sending my stuff in at the last minute? I would only considerer going if I got a good scholarship. And is it true that the max scholarship is 50 percent? surely there has to be a 100 percent scholarship.

oh and is the school really all it's hyped up to be? I got this image in my head that everyone there works very hard, draws constantly. and pretty much are amazing.

Pixeldragoon

February 22nd, 2006, 08:02 PM

Dangs Odds, you're in LA and you can't find an art internship? I'm in the middle of no where, FL... Good luck with that man... I'm sure something will come up!

Gygaxis

February 23rd, 2006, 04:41 AM

Chris: Edit your portfolio down to your _best_ 20 pictures, showing as broad a range medium/technique wise, and a strong concentration in figure work. Good work with figure in terms of gesture and flow will go a long way for illustration. Not sure regarding a 100% scholarship or not. And it's definately what it's cracked up to be, just a matter of pushing yourself with in that. There are some people that kinda slack and don't do well, but most of us are busting our asses. Work hard, and find out what teachers teach what you want to learn and get into their classes and you're set.

ChrisMayernik

February 25th, 2006, 04:34 AM

Gygaxis : thanks ! I don't have very much figure work at all. very recently I attended 2 days of a special figure drawing session but I didn't render anything out and only did gestures. I'm sending my portfolio 2 day shipping tomorrow and I spent all day writing my essays. Even with all this work and putting stuff together I doubt I will be able to go to art center for atleast 2 or 3 years. I have no chance getting a loan myself and my parents filed bankrup, plus I come from a large family and theres no way my mom or dad could help me out. I really am just applying to get a grasp on what kind of scholarship I could get and then I am going to plan on how I am going to get huge sums of money to pay for artcenter. IN the end I'l probaly become a pirate and steal treasures until I have enough for art center. ARRRRRRR....tt.. Center.

Gygaxis

February 25th, 2006, 04:45 AM

Chris: Definately gotta talk with the financial aid people. I am pretty impressed by your work, and if ACCD see's that you've got some good stuff coming out they are definately willing to try and work with you to overcome stuff. You might be able to get grants and such. One thing that is _really_ good to do in terms of money is establish your residency in California, qualifies you for $4k grant/term and if you're in LA area there are other things you can do that are really good for your stuff, LA Figurative Academy for example is AMAZING for figure work, some good classes at Gnomon (and some lame ones)

rodrigo!

February 25th, 2006, 04:53 AM

hey i live in australia and i emailed them last year to get them to send me one of their book things that has all the courses. im interested in applying, of course ill be aiming for some kind of aid. Do they offer the same scholarships for international students? I just started at a very small art school over here on a scholarship for a year, but after that i would like to attend a larger institution.

Gygaxis

February 25th, 2006, 05:27 AM

as far as I know they offer the same scholarships, we are a private institution so our financially goodness in that regard comes from private investors/fund raising.

Mercan might know more on the matter.

ChrisMayernik

February 27th, 2006, 05:03 PM

Quick question please answere as soon as possible cause artcenter never replied to me. Is it going to be a problem to submit more then 20. I have like 25 and I Really need to include these things. Does over 20 artworks disquilify me from getting a scholarship? I"m sending my artwork overnight super fast shipping in about 1 hour. PLease reply if you can before that. Thanks

I had no clue how to know how much my artworks would way and know my portfolio is over the limit of 25 I think. Will they still accept it if its 30 LB or so?

redoxyn

February 27th, 2006, 08:43 PM

ChrisMayernik: I dont think they are that picky. Just make sure it's not too heavy for someone to pick up. Good luck!

ChrisMayernik

February 27th, 2006, 09:38 PM

Lianna

February 28th, 2006, 10:30 PM

o.o wow.. how did you get your portfolio to be 25 lbs? My pieces were pretty big, and it was around 12 lbs.. hehe

gunnz

February 28th, 2006, 10:33 PM

Redonxyn: Thanks

I just sent my portfolio! YEs! It was exactly 25 Lb. SOO lucky. What what a crazy last four days it's been putting all that stuff together and writing the essays. Now I just hope it gets there without someone stealing my art. I'm So excited! Cost me 150 bucks to send it though. Kinda a lot of money. oh and I manage to get my portfolio down to 20 artworks.

Hey man, good luck. I'm pretty much in the exact same boat as you.. sending in your portfolio last minute. Mine got there today, via UPS. I'm pretty uncertain of how I'm gonna pay the 120,000 dollar tution. My parents have spent all their money financing my previous BA, and I just couldn't ask for any more. I just got my FAFSA back, and it looks like they put my expected contribution as $12,000! Geez....since I'm independent, they rate my financial status solely based on my last year's income. Do they ever stop to think that maybe I won't have that job next year if I'm at school? No.....oh well. Again, good luck man, and I'll let you guys know how it goes.

ChrisMayernik

March 1st, 2006, 12:10 AM

gunnz: Good luck./ I'm just sending in my FAFSA now. I'm really hoping thats not going to be a problem. I called the school and I think I should be good but that was just one person I talked to. If they look at my portfolio before they get my FAFSA they might not even think about giving me a scholarship. And I'm only going to a school that gives me a scholarship.

Lianna: Really>? 11 LB. that's amazing. Yea I didnt really even have that much stuff, I think it was the two 24 x 36 inch prints I sent that made it heaver, and then two sketchbooks. oh and my little brother. Going to miss you Filip.

rodrigo!

March 1st, 2006, 12:41 AM

good luck guys. 25 images sounds like a lot though, in my opinion less is more, i think its best to include only the asbolute best and to be ruthless. thats how im treating my portfolio anyways.
good luck again!!

Lianna

March 1st, 2006, 10:04 PM

YES! everything finally arrived there!! sheesh, usps guaranteed my application to be there by yesterday.. they LIED and I've been dying for the past 24 hours..

how long will it take for them to reply?

btw, best of luck to all those who applied! =D

PolinaH

March 2nd, 2006, 09:42 AM

It only took them 1 week to review my portfolio and accept me and 4 weeks after that to review scholarship.

I had submited 3 weeks before scholarship so i don't know how many people have applied.

gunnz

March 6th, 2006, 11:14 PM

It only took them 1 week to review my portfolio and accept me and 4 weeks after that to review scholarship.

I had submited 3 weeks before scholarship so i don't know how many people have applied.

Gosh...I'm so anxious as to what their decision is going to be. I've been losing sleep over this....haha. It's a good thing that their admissions process is so quick. It's been almost a week since I've turned in my 'folio. Must be patient....

S.W.

March 7th, 2006, 12:44 AM

I summit my profolio on Monday and got my admission package on Friday.
Dunno if distance affects that.

mica

March 13th, 2006, 06:03 PM

I plan on applying to ACCD, but I don't know which major I should go into. Currently, I'm majoring in animation (going for an associates) at a community college. I want to go into visual effects but at the same time, I want to do digital art/concept art.
I don't know rather to pick the Entertainment Arts or Motion Illustration. Any suggestions?

Gygaxis

March 13th, 2006, 06:54 PM

Entertainment arts does some storyboarding and some preproduction stuff, it's not so much on the concept design side (that's entertainment design) motion graphics is the more animation style they seem to be really pushing a lot of more graphic style vs movie VFX stuff. There are a lot of visual effects ellectives I'm not sure what actual program track (if any) they are specific too, and we're supposed to be getting a matte painting class soon.

EienBlue

March 14th, 2006, 12:21 AM

so there's an entertainment arts AND an entertainment design? huh? I'm confused. Man I just wish that their catalog posts what programs they use to teach...

lesedi

March 14th, 2006, 11:45 AM

Gosh...I'm so anxious as to what their decision is going to be. I've been losing sleep over this....haha. It's a good thing that their admissions process is so quick. It's been almost a week since I've turned in my 'folio. Must be patient....
you're not alone. I'm playing the waiting game too. :x

We'll see, huh?

maybe we'll end up classmates. Good luck to you.

lesedi

March 14th, 2006, 11:54 AM

So, what's up with the ACCD/CCAD thunderdome? Is it ever going to happen or what? I'm already rooting for ACCD, and I haven't even been accepted yet.

give 'em hell...if ya'll ever get around to it.

hyfc3s

March 15th, 2006, 03:29 PM

Hey guys, out of curiosity,how many sent in their SAT scores?On the ACCD site, it says high school students should turn in their SAT scores,but how about people out of high school.

gunnz

March 16th, 2006, 11:19 PM

Wow.....the wait is killing me. Has anybody got their decisions yet?

lesedi

March 17th, 2006, 04:35 PM

not yet, gunnz...

anybody else?

cheoljoolee

March 17th, 2006, 04:38 PM

cool!

JoshK

March 18th, 2006, 03:11 PM

Just got accepted, starting for summer

JoshK

March 18th, 2006, 03:11 PM

I applied two and a half weeks ago btw

lesedi

March 18th, 2006, 04:48 PM

JoshK- Congrats!! Why are you starting in summer instead of fall? Any particular reason?

JoshK

March 18th, 2006, 06:15 PM

i heard summer is easier to get in, and just some people I know are appplying for summer.

steve kim

March 19th, 2006, 12:24 AM

summer is best

i will be graduating in summer, so will a lot of my very talented friends/classmates!

we all came in summer term too!

so yay summer!!!!! (parkings better too)

gunnz

March 19th, 2006, 12:47 AM

got in for fall!

gunnz

March 19th, 2006, 10:23 PM

Anybody have any opinions about the motion illustration track? I wonder if it consists of a bunch of classes that just came up with explicitly for the purpose of attracting more animation students. Or were those classes there before? Basically, is this going to be worth taking?

I.was.ink

March 20th, 2006, 02:55 AM

You're not graduating "this" summer are you steve?
When do Kate and Julienne graduate?
btw, tell Julienne (I think that's how you spell her name) I loved the work she put up for scholarship.
Those little kids that were climbing each other were probably my favorite piece in the whole show.

cya
-Oskar

steve kim

March 20th, 2006, 05:33 AM

ya i am :)
as are kate, julienne, andrew, and a bunch of other ppl that all came in the summer a while back.

told julie your compliment she was very pleased :)

steve

lesedi

March 20th, 2006, 10:55 AM

congrats, guunz!
I'm still on pins and needles, myself.

Chumps- aw, I'm sorry you're moving on. I would have liked to see your work in person. You still gonna moderate?

p.s. I can't figure out where to type in my comment signature. The FAQ says it is when you edit your profile, but I can't find it. help?? :nohope:

steve kim

March 20th, 2006, 04:35 PM

well my work will be up for the gradshow in the summer... AND THEN IN GALLERIES EVERYWHERE THEREAFTER OMG YES not really.. maybe!

Lianna

March 20th, 2006, 06:11 PM

In for fall!!! God, I'm so happy. But still have to wait for scholarship/financial aid decisions..

gunnz

March 20th, 2006, 11:27 PM

Yeah....good luck on the scholarships. I think we find out after April 1st.

lesedi

March 21st, 2006, 03:27 PM

gunnz

March 21st, 2006, 04:28 PM

Well, finally got my letter.

:404sign:

And...while it didn't say yes, at least it didn't say no. They want to see more. (I didn't provide a sketchbook of concepts, and they want better figure drawings.)

Back to the drawing board, eh?

Any crits to my sketchbook would be appreciated; I really want to improve!

L
___________
"Habit is the most subtle and comfortable of cages."

Lesedi's Sketchbook. woo-hoo! (http://conceptart.org/forums/showthread.php?t=63830&highlight=lesedi)

Here's what my portfolio looked like:
-Black 18" x 24" Itoya Presentation Binder with plastic sleeves. I really like this thing. It has no labels or emblems, and is very plain. The sleeves let you put everything in order, and to mount drawings onto the black inserts.
-The first page was my best figure drawing, or the one that I felt was my best.
-I had around 13 more 18" x 24" figure drawings after that. They were ordered from rendered to gestures. Very few of my drawings were even rendered. Mostly loose sketches, where I tried to convey movement and mass. I sort of looked back at my drawings again after I scanned them....and evidently I should pay more attention to proportions....haha. All of these were from live models.
-After the figure drawings, on the next page I included the concept sketches I did on copy paper. Personally, I didn't want to include a full sketchbook since I have so many bad drawings in there that they don't need to see. These concept sketches were of some characters that I created from reading the B.F.G. I arranged these 4-up on one page, and did these for a two page spread. I used photo-safe double stick tape for anything that wasn't 18 x 24. I measured everything so that the pieces were straight and centered, or evenly spaced ( if there were multiple pieces on a page).
-Then when you flip the page, there is the final, color concept. I did this for all four of my color concept pieces. Two of them were tablet drawings, and the others were pastel/color pencil/watercolor. I tried to keep everything in a logical order, and to where the two open pages have some sort of association.

I dunno if this is the best way to do it, but it worked for me. I probably did this whole portfolio in two and a half weeks. I wasn't happy with anything I had, so I started from scratch. Three drawing workshops, and some late nights....and it just sort of came together. Figure drawing workshops help a butt load. You definitely got that potential...so just keep it up! Also....I don't think you have to spend 20 hours on one drawing. In the beginning, maybe 30 minutes tops on figure drawings? 3 minute gestures are my favorite, as they are the most fun. After one, you just move on, and try to capture something totally different. Damn....Art Center will be my second undergrad degree. It's funny when I try to explain to my friends why I have to get another bachelor's degree. "Art school is different!"

lesedi

March 21st, 2006, 04:59 PM

thanks for the insight gunnz.

I'm going to work on speed and ideas...

It will be my second degree too.

gunnz

March 21st, 2006, 05:14 PM

thanks for the insight gunnz.

I'm going to work on speed and ideas...

It will be my second degree too.

Really? I'm coming in at the tender age of twenty-five...haha. Well, from what I heard, most students in the 80s came to Art Center at 28. Times have changed, huh?

lesedi

March 21st, 2006, 06:22 PM

Gunnz-

I hope I won't be 28 when I enter! Depends on how long they keep me outside the door! :frustrated:

Seriously though, I guess I'll defer my app review til the Spring or summer semesters...we'll see. I need to touch base with Kit Baron first.

btw- it's really nice to get support from another incomer, esp. in your mid-20s. feels less like a HUGE lonely leap when you have some company. (esp. when I'll have to relocate from one coast to the other.)

Gygaxis

March 21st, 2006, 07:05 PM

Congratulations to all of you who got in. Get ready for some hardwork now ^_^

Lesedi: I can empathize with the coast moving, I came out from VA last fall to come here, without even a place to live lined up 2 weeks before the semester started. It's a good place to be.

Lianna

March 21st, 2006, 09:11 PM

lesedi

March 22nd, 2006, 09:01 AM

Lianna- Wow! That sounds like quite a portfolio! It definitely alerts me to the holes in mine. I didn't have *any* color illustrations, either. *blush* I'm glad you liked the drawings I posted, though. Well, now I know what to work on, eh? Sounds like you have a great art teacher. I'm jealous.

Gygaxis- Yeah, I'm in NC now myself.

Thanks for the encouragement everyone! It makes me feel a lot better.

L

JoshK

March 23rd, 2006, 04:28 AM

I had 15 figure drawings, 3 life paintings, and 2 illustration pieces in digital. I also submitted a sketchbook that wasn't even half filled up. I paper clipped my drawings together and put it in a portfolio. From what I gathered, you should have at least 10-15 figure drawings and the rest can be colored pieces or paintings. Most of the figure drawings I had were 2-7 mins and I think I had 3 1-2 hour poses and 2 portraits.

smallcloud

March 26th, 2006, 02:28 PM

Hi,

Wonder if you Art Center folks can help me with this. I am interested in doing Entertainment Design at Art Center and I know they don't offer that as a major. From what I read in the forum, to study concept design most of you either take Illustration or Product Design or Trans as major. Is there anyone taking Environmental Design?

I am interested in production design, building digital sets, matte painting and the environmental aspects of film/tv production. I did ask an advisor at the Art Center sometime ago, she didn't seem to encourage that. I don't know why.

Does anyone has any input on this or know anybody who is going through this route? Thanks.

Helium Macaroni

March 26th, 2006, 03:24 PM

This is my opinion... but yes, i'd agree taking environmental design does not fit well into the entertainment aspect of things. It's not the same sort of 'environments' as you are thinking of in terms of sets, matte paintings, etc. They're approach is very 3D oriented with little emphasis on practical drawing or painting skills. To my untrained outside observance, the program seems to be sort of a trumped up interior and exterior design program that encourages the changing of physical spaces by engineering the spaces themselves and the elements within them. Its architecture meets interior design. Its sort of odd.

Product/trans or Illustration will give you more of the actual foundation for entertainment through, most importantly, drawing.

J.Mac

March 26th, 2006, 04:39 PM

Yes i agree with Helium about the Environment department, it is not really where you would want to head if you are interested in production work and etc.

OK so i feel i should let these new students know what is going on with AC, you guys/gals might know but i don't feel like reading the whole thread to find out.

Art Center is going through a serious change with its curriculum. It isn't even the same as when i started and that is only 4 terms ago. It is a great school and has lots of good teachers, but it seems their emphasis isn't on developing good draftsmanship anymore [that comes from your individual drive]. For example 1st term i had 5 studios and 1 academic and i pulled 2-3 all niter's a week to just stay on top, it was great b/c i love working and drawing all the freak'n time but i know students who hated it and failed b/c they did. And now in present time, my roommate who is a 1st termer says he is bored and doesn't know what to do with his time, he goes to car shows and hangs out, heads home every weekend sleeps a good 10 hours a nite unless he is talking on the comp or playing games. And in some studio classes he doesn't even get homework. So i am saying this b/c i feel everyone should be aware that just b/c you are here doesn't mean you will get good. It depends on you and that might seem obvious but when you are here that becomes very unclear sometimes.

It isn't the same art center that everyone hears about, that one disappeared 8 yrs ago, so it is entirely up to you to if you get good or not, look for the right teachers and know what you want for the most part. You get good b/c you want to be not b/c of where you are at, that only helps.

-Jesse

Gryphon

March 27th, 2006, 12:03 AM

That's really depressing... I'd been considering ACCD for a graduate degree, since I've seen so many fantastic artists come out of there, but considering that three or four of you have said the same things, I'll just stick to freelancing.

It's a shame, too - the professors at my college who came from there are all amazing... but they all went there 20+ years ago, so it's probably not a valid barometer of what's going on these days.

Denart

March 27th, 2006, 03:15 PM

ok Art Center peeps, somebody compile a comprehensive list of all the PRO's that's teaching at Art Center! Like Scott Robertson.

And all the PRO's that once taught there. Like Feng, Ryan Church, etc. :)

Thanks! hee

smallcloud

March 27th, 2006, 07:57 PM

Thanks for your opinions Helium and Jesse. It is a pity that there are not many programs with emphasis on the production design aspect of entertainment production. I initially thought Art Center could be the place. I guess now I might have to look towards the ‘Gnomon’ direction, pickup matte painting and digital sets classes.

As for Product/Trans/Illustration, I don’t know. I have a BFA in Illustration and I am trying to go back to school and push myself further. If I had known what I wanted to do then, I would have transferred to AC. I was basically making up my own curriculum, taking animation, computer classes and actually some live action TV production design units that were well hidden in the Interior Architecture Dept. Weird as it seems, but those production classes were the best I had, a very different take compared to drawing. So I ended up quite a hybrid, neither a fantastic illustrator nor a strong animator or designer. I don't know if I should go for another 4 years doing Industrial Design/Entertainment at Art Center or practise on my own (which needs a lot more determination).

PeggyChung

March 27th, 2006, 08:23 PM

how about the new Illustration Entertainment design major? i would imagine that would cover what it needs to do art for games and film.

Lianna

March 27th, 2006, 09:59 PM

Art Center is going through a serious change with its curriculum. It isn't even the same as when i started and that is only 4 terms ago. It is a great school and has lots of good teachers, but it seems their emphasis isn't on developing good draftsmanship anymore [that comes from your individual drive]. For example 1st term i had 5 studios and 1 academic and i pulled 2-3 all niter's a week to just stay on top, it was great b/c i love working and drawing all the freak'n time but i know students who hated it and failed b/c they did. And now in present time, my roommate who is a 1st termer says he is bored and doesn't know what to do with his time, he goes to car shows and hangs out, heads home every weekend sleeps a good 10 hours a nite unless he is talking on the comp or playing games. And in some studio classes he doesn't even get homework. So i am saying this b/c i feel everyone should be aware that just b/c you are here doesn't mean you will get good. It depends on you and that might seem obvious but when you are here that becomes very unclear sometimes.

It isn't the same art center that everyone hears about.

That makes me very nervous. It might sound a bit geeky and all, but I've only been serious about art for 4 months.. and what got me into it was Art Center. I saw the catalog, the dvd an art center rep. presented and heard wonderful things about the school from my art teacher and I fell inlove with the college. It gave me a goal to strive for... I really wanted to get into the school. But the whole thing about Art Center's reputation declining.. I heard it from a couple different sources already. This is giving me doubts about going.. that and the price and the fact that I'll have to go across the country to attend it.

But if I do go, Art Center will no doubt, still probably offer a very artsy and mature environment.. allow me to advance in the arts without distractions from my family.. and there are still several strong programs, right?

Gosh, this is so hard. I'm seriously weighting my options here.. :nohope: >:{ >:| :xpld:

If anybody have any up to date input about Art Center, please please please post.

gunnz

March 27th, 2006, 10:33 PM

Given the decline in the quality of the education at Art Center, are you guys saying that AC is slipping in comparison to other schools?? All of the people that I talk to still regard Art Center as being one of the top design schools in the country, especially for trans and illustration. I mean, what you get out of an education (job, connections) varies tremendously, but that doesn't really matter if you've already decided to go to school.

ChrisMayernik

March 28th, 2006, 12:24 AM

I didnt know the quility of teaching was declining. Now it slipped off my list of schools to go to. I'm looking at AAU and CCAD now.

gunnz

March 28th, 2006, 12:59 AM

Wow. This thread is a downer. I don't know if you can really base the downfall of a school on a lazy first-termer. I mean, is he getting good grades? I know a second term student who previously went to Otis for three years.....and she said it's kicking her butt.

Lianna

March 28th, 2006, 01:07 AM

^Kinda agree.. I wanna change the mood. =)

Quality may be declining, but after rethinking the situation, I think Art Center is definitely still up there. It's still my first choice, but if RISD, MICA or SAIC decides to offer more mula...hehe. One thing that really attracts me to Art Center is it's connections to the job world...

JoshK

March 28th, 2006, 04:55 AM

I think there are still good teachers there, I'm taking some night classes and I've had Gayle Donahue and Gary Meyer and I really learned a lot from them and I think they are the best teachers I've had so far. I'm taking drawing concept (really wierd class) with the day students since there is space and Gayle would go off on the whole class if they slack off or they are 5 mins late to class, but she is the only teacher I know that really cares about how the students are doing and want them to do good. I've heard other people say that Bob Kato, Lori Madden, Richard Keyes and Deni Ponty are pretty good, I dunno since I've never had them.

I agree with J. Mac that you gotta push yourself to be good. You can have the best instructors in the world but if you are lazy you won't be as good as you could of been.

Entertainment Desing track is still new so things might change but it doesn't seem so bad. It's weird though some classes for certain majors are gone now. Product and Trans doesn't have perspective and Illus doesn't have rendering tech and analysis of form anymore. I'm sure these are stuff that people have said before so I feel like I'm being annoying haha.

Denart - If you mean entertainment artists.......Scott Robertson, Neville Page, Nick Pugh are teaching at Art Center....I think Scott and Neville are taking a break in the summer though. Those are the ones I know.

There are also some really good illustrators that just graduated art center recently......Frank Stockton, Josh Cochran...etc

gunnz

March 28th, 2006, 07:28 PM

I really like this guy's stuff too:
And for some reason, they all seem like buddies.

http://www.nathanhuang.com/

J.Mac

March 29th, 2006, 03:04 AM

heh short story, yeah right. helium speaks the truth and he does have some good insight. i feel like i don't want to keep going, i could get the same if not better education in many other places. when you go to artcenter it is like you are buying into a club, where some benefits are great but to me the dues aren't worth it at this point, at least financially. exceptionally when the direction of the school is kind of unclear. i have to say there are good teachers that i will continue to keep in contact with but not enough to stay and pay 13,000.

I am glad that this is under discussion now, b/c i would hate to have people be mislead by what the school wants you to think compared to what is actually going on.

-Jesse

Helium Macaroni

March 29th, 2006, 04:00 AM

Hehe, so it wasn't a small story.. I was veehhh-ry tired.. and angry! I just don't think reality permiates that school on many levels.

I think Jesse is right. You can enter the school, develope relationships, and sort of just slide away after a while. There are many opportunities where you may be able to sit in on a class or two, or ask a professor something aside from class hours, and if you develope lasting relationships with these teachers as friends then what they have to offer doesn't need to end when you leave or graduate.

Gryphon

March 29th, 2006, 09:32 AM

Helium, can I ask why your boss said he wouldn't hire the Skillful Huntsman guys? I'm just curious, because I thought most of the work in there was lovely. (My only real complaint with it was that they never picked a theme and adhered to it, so all the work just seemed like... endless brainstorming homework.) I thought Khang, at least, had a job at Dreamworks...

ACCD sounds like it's driving for the middle road between being a business and being an excellent college, and not doing either very well. (I went to SCAD for my BFA, which is definitely just a business... and while that's not preferable - they admit EVERYONE, have immense infrastructure problems, and are all about appearances to nab more students - did mean that scholarships were widely available, and you can definitely be part-time.)

akira6272

March 29th, 2006, 10:49 AM

I got accepted to Pratt, SVA, and Ringling, I have not heard anything from ART CENTER, WHICH is my top choice, I am also worried because in SVA they took me out of the foundatoin program and put me in the second year which is illustration classes already. I wanted a foundation year because all the foundation classes that I have gotten are from community college and the teacher really suck, so most of it I have learned my self, Ringling wanted to do the same too putting me in their second year but they actually called me, and I told them no that I want foundation. Just wondering what you guys think I know AC is the best for concept art but I have not gotten accepted yet and if I dont, I have to go to one of theses schools. What do you guys think is better for concept art SVA or Ringling? thank you guys please help!

HellTaxi

March 29th, 2006, 02:35 PM

I dunno alot of that just sounded very bitter to me, i think one should have a better idea of what the program is and what the classes are before one makes a judgment like that. That program is packed full of amazing artists that busted their ass to get there, if you have questions about part of the program, ask the ones who are in it, and if something about it bothers you, dont apply.

brucelidat

March 29th, 2006, 03:41 PM

Just a note about what macaroni said about the Hunstman Guys not being hireable. Mike Yamada and Felix Yoon both work at Dreamworks. As for Khang, geez, can anyone say Khang is not incredible?
Back to program though. Like any othe rprogram it has positives and negatives. Like any other program, it's there to help you along but not do it for you. Now, just like always before, it is really up to the student to do the work and put the energy into what's important to get to where they want to be. The school is there to help and yes, sometimes doesn't feel like it is) but it's not there to do it for you. people think that if you go to Art Center and pay the big bucks (and they are BIG) you'll just become good, like there's some secret. There isn't, so you have to work for it.
Everything is a bit jumbled right now and I can see why some would be confused and a bit angry at the seeming lack of direction and focus with what theya re paying. Still, I think despite its flaws, the program has benefits. It's up to individuals to see what is really happening and weigh what's important to them and what's not and choose accordingly.
Lastly, you cna always take terms off and sit in on classes, most of the teachers you want and thos ementioned anyway have no problem with it. Bob Kato, Norm Schureman, Gary Meyer, they all don't mind.

inkwerkz

March 29th, 2006, 04:25 PM

In regards to the 8 page thesis paper:
You start off arguing about art center and how it lets people in easily and complaining about that. Then you follow up that the entertainment design track is designed for only people who apply for it. By having people apply for a certain track and evaluated by industry professionals, is this not a way to give people who are working hard and want to polish the skills an opportunity to grow and keep the ones who don't truly want to be there out? As with the post before mine, when someone wants something and bitch and complain with it, what's the point? They get no where. Many people "want" but how many "act"? Agreeing with Helltaxi from before, the Entertainment Design program have a lot of individuals who have their own goals. They sweat and bleed over their homework and no one regrets it. Maybe people arent complaining out loud because its' for what they love they enjoy the pressure.

Entertainment design apparently is just doing movies? I had no idea. The term is general and offers a lot of different jobs and positions ie. games, toys, theme parks and so on. If you have a one track mind and are geared there, more power to you. Just don't think that everyone else falls into your category.

As for art center doing away with perspective, that is not true. I speak for the product department, where the modified program is geared to make the student have a better understanding of the basics. Such that in their classes such as the early viscoms, perspective is already integrated into it. Their emphasis is on foundation and I believe that they are getting it.

J.Mac

March 29th, 2006, 04:41 PM

I agree with both Burce and Helium, i am taking the summer off and sitting in classes. Some don't mind. Bruce is right. there are benifits and flaws, but what i wanted was for new students and other people to atleast know about what is going on and how i feel about it.

I agree with helltaxi as well but i feel everyone should atleast get and idea of what people are thinking and what is accuring.

I also agree with inkwerkz, but i dont want people to be mislead by how the school fronts. There are alot of good people in the new programs and instructors teaching. we all have our own agenda and we are doing what we can to fulfill that.

I just think it is still kind of shacky in some places with some core issues being neglected, but i do like alot of it as well. again i just want people to know more then one point of view. I hope no one really has hard feelings, this is a thread to help people become aware not get offended and hurt.

-Jesse

Shoji

March 29th, 2006, 09:56 PM

edit: (this post was in response to a previous post that has been removed, hence no longer giving the reader much frame of reference. nonetheless i'll keep it here.)

hm.

i could talk on this all day long but i'll just mention a few things regarding the program.

helium - bold post. good read. i can tell you're fed up with the politics at the school, but i think scott and the entdes track are coming under unnecessary fire.

before i get into what i disagree with, i must say i agree with a lot of what you say regarding leaving school, making your own curriculum, and being true to yourself as a student seeking a specific education and not some cookie cutter degree.

i guess for anyone reading this that doesn't know me - i'm in the product dept and part of the entertainment design track. i've also had a chance to work closely with scott on concept design projects for games.

i must say, you're being a bit one sided when describing his 'master plan' to run the program. first off, scott is a extremely talented and a good teacher. through my time knowing him i've come to see him do more for the students than almost any other teacher at that school. pawning him off as a teacher who has only worked on one game and one film isn't giving him the credit he deserves. he's a solid designer.

regarding: the product versus illustration student stereotype - let me try to sum up the 'stereotype' as it's being used around school (although this is just from my point of view and i don't necessarily agree with stereotyping groups people):

product assumes = you busted your ass with more work than humanly possible in the first few terms giving you a solid work ethic. you've been able to demonstrate craft through endless hours of chalk rendering and wet sanding, as well as a solid knowledge of form and how it sits in space. this assumes understanding perspective. you spend a lot of time sketching out ideas and concepts and are capable of rendering out finalized ideas. you have a problem solving mindset. you can't draw a figure unless it's for scale. you may or may not understand rhythm and gesture in a drawing, and most likely have no sense of painting or color and how it applies to an image.

illlustration assumes = you may or may not have busted your ass with figure block ins. you can paint, you understand color, you can draw the human figure and head and understand proportion. you understand gesture and rhythm and force and what it means to bring an image to life. you probably have limited knowledge of perspective past the foundation class. you may have a looser craft that could be considered sloppy. you probably don't have as much experience drawing man made forms in space (props, vehicles, objects). the problem solving mindset may NOT be here.

product usually means your education thus far has emphasized design.
illustration usually means your education thus far has emphasized image.

the entdes track is a concept design track focusing on design AND image but the former being the most important. so when you say scott and marty have a preference for i.d. students, i think it's more accurate in that they want people who want to focus on designing and problem solving than color keying and composing since that's what the program is about. but ultimately you apply, just like everyone else, so it's your work speaking for you and not your major.

and yes it's tough to get into. and yes i think that's a good thing. and yes the classes are strict on who is allowed to be in there, and yes again i think that's a good thing. if anyone could just sign up for the class and get in then it would just be what was considered entertainment at art center pre-new curriculum. haphazard and full of mediocre talent. the beauty of having it selective is that everyone in the program WANTS to be there, WANTS to work hard, WANTS to do good work, and WANTS to push themselves to be better designers. None of this 'oh character sounds fun, i'll go check that out'.

Another great part of being in a small class with the same people is you make friends and get to know their style and work ethic. These guys will end up working in the same field as you and will ultimately be throwing work your way, and you theirs.

the entertainment design track at the school focuses on designing characters/creatures, vehicles/props, and environments. it applies to both film and game, but the truth is that there are more jobs in games than in film, so that's where the emphasis is. that and well, read sylvain's post on film art jobs - (http://www.hollywoodcomics.com/faq.html).

regarding: the drawthrough stuff - that's really just emphasize for drawing symmetrical objects in perspective. it's purely designing form in space. the drawing may often look 'dead' but it is a properly accurate design. so for instance, a vehicle that was plotted out on paper, should look just like you drew it once it's finished by the modeler. there shouldn't be any discrepancy in design if it's done right. and for your own sanity, by taking the time to draw through and design the object from a front 3/4, you make it easier when working out the rear 3/4 cause you've spent a good amount of brain power figuring out what's going on with the form. i must say though, scott preaches efficiency above all else. if you can model your design in 3d from a loose sketch then give it to someone to be animated or refined or what have you, then go for it.

and i don't think that those in the program are uncreative or derivative of 'star wars'. there is a lot of good, original, well thought out work being put up every week. enough to inspire me to keep at it. :)

cheers.

shaoshao

March 30th, 2006, 04:59 AM

as an illustrator currently in the entertainment design program:

i dont know what all this talk about the drawthrough method has to do with the entertainment design. for whatever reason, illustrators tend to think that thats what this program is all about. Everyone ive talked to has been like "OMG i cant draw in perspective, i'm not going to apply for entertainment design" I couldnt do drawthrough when i started (ive learned how since) As for developing an 'eye' for perspective, Gary is the man because hes been doing it forever and just automatically knows, you cant expect to learn what he knows in a couple of years. the Drawthrough method is a quick way to teach you how to draw things in proficient prespective.

We should be greatful for what we have, the kids in the years before us had to struggle to try and get entertainment classes. And now we're being blessed with great classes by Kevin Chen, Nick Pugh and the like. Not many other schools can say that they have a program like ours.

Helium Macaroni

March 31st, 2006, 05:52 AM

I submit that we shut this debate down. Either points that I have tried to make have not been put forward properly by myself, or those opinion have been misconstrued. I appologize if i've offended anyone in the progams themselves, or people holding opposing opinions, however please just remember, these points are just that, opinion. I don't believe further clarification or pontification is necesary or possible on a medium such as this.

Gygaxis

April 2nd, 2006, 08:06 AM

Art Center is definately going through a change at the moment, part of it is going more business oriented and letting more students in than before (hence parking issues being worked on etc) and Anne (illustration chair) has some very different ideas about where she wants illustration to go than some of us our thinking. Foundation has been getting beaten up a bit in illustration, though it's still super strong in ID. And the reason a lot of tuition has jumped is all of the fancy equipment those guys have on the ID side (I'm illustration).

The thing you have to do when coming to art center is find out what teachers are teaching what you want to learn and hunt them down. Do you want to learn about form? Get the ID side, get scott and neville and norm, want to apply it to figures? Go get Kyle Kane and Danny Galieote. It's not the same school as it was 10 years ago when Hogarth and Vern Willson, and Carmean, and Steve Huston and the like were all teaching here, but it's still an amazing place to be. Gary knows his perspective stuff, and he is also an amazing portrait painter (Adv. Sketching for Illustration) we do have classes on toy design opening up and the likes. Entertainment can go design or entertainment arts, which is a bit livelery than concept design stuff neccesarily is pigeonholed as. You can still get thought the skills to become a fantastic draftsman at art center, or an amazing painter, or an amazing designer, but you have to look for it.

And suppliment your classes. Don't just go to class, half ass your homework, and dick around. Read books on this stuff, find the good ones. Go to workshops and practice, get the milage. Go to other workshops, drop the $500 for Steve Huston's 3-4 day painting workshops, check out stuff at LA Figurative Academy. Hell, take a class or two at Gnomon, there's some overlap in teachers and course work and they're a buttload cheaper.

A lot of your education is coming from peers as well. And Art Center, while getting a bit watered down with increasing admissions, still has some incredibly talented students that you are always going to be learning from (and working with once you get out there.)

Is it possible to slack your ass off through art center? I suppose it is. But only if you're trying for it. There are still teachers assigning 15-20 hours of homework a week in illustration (Kyle Kane's head and hands class comes to mind, some of the perspective classes are giving a fair ammount.)

Don't come into art center expecting to be just handed a perfect education. It's a WONDERFUL resource for learning this stuff, and I certainly wouldn't be throwing my 13 grand a term to them if I didn't feel like it was worth, it's just a matter of making the most of what we have available.

And as far as teachers for incoming students, I highly recomend Lorrie Madden (Fairly Baroque figuartive style, very skilled), Danny Galieote (trained with Steve Huston, worked as a character animator for 10 years at disney, great rythm and form knowledge), Kyle Kane (Trained under Steve Huston, Carmean, Hogarth, Vern Wilson, very very solid understanding of form and how to apply it to the figure.), David Luce (Excellent painting teacher, pushes students to develop narrative skill), Alex Scheafer (Really fun teacher very helpful with oil painting), then higher term stuff Bob Kato (Sketching for Illustration, painting with acrylics and different approach than you're used to, a very very very good teacher and class.) when he gets back (two term vacation, but he teachs 3rd and 5th term classes), Ryan Maynerdink (Character stuff), Scott Robertson (Vis Com, it's ID Fundamentals little perspective, looooot of form.), Neville Page (same as scott), Norm Scheurman (More form stuff), Gary Meyer (Perspective god and amazing portraiture), I'm told jeff smith's pretty hot for watercolor work, Roland Young can teach you a lot in terms of selling things and clarity of concept if you want to take some of his advertising classes, When Mark Strickland gets back he's a great teacher to at least work with a little bit because he's got all those fine artsy hippy bullshit ideas and then he actually is a great artists and makes that crap make sense and helps you understand how you can apply it. Rob Rupple (SP?) is a great entertainment guy. Richard Keyes is fantastic for color theory. Bruce Claypool is a hardass teacher for design (or "appreciate the fuck out of what you don't have to do anymore cause now we have computers" class) and will hammer craftsmanship into your head on the illustration side. If/when Kevin Chen is back again thats another no brainer to get. You'll all find teachers that suit your needs and some teachers have teaching styles better suited to what you need than others do. A lot of it is a matter of discovering what you want, and your own strengths and weaknesses and what needs work. And ask around and find out what teachers are doing what. Keep an eye on your friends assignments, and upper term students, and plan what you want to do then do it.

CruShTinbOX

April 3rd, 2006, 02:29 AM

Well I guess helium deleted his post, but he mentioned something about the idea of basically making your own curriculum, rather than just following what the school lays out for you to a t. This is exactly what I want to do if I go to Art Center, because I have very specific goals in mind. But my question is, how open is the school about this? Do they allow their students a good bit of freedom when it comes time to pick classes, or do they try to get you to stick as close to the curriculum as possible?

lesedi

April 3rd, 2006, 08:54 AM

Thanks for the tips, Gygaxis. The Art Center newbies thank you. You too, Helium. Thanks for trying to look out for us and give us the heads up.

p.s. i'll be there in the fall.

shaoshao

April 4th, 2006, 01:55 AM

brum: its not easy if thats what your asking, in the illustration department theyre dead set on you taking their curiculum, you can try to squeeze your way out of some foundation stuff, but things like materials (shop class) and type, its going to be tough.

lesedi

April 4th, 2006, 10:29 AM

What's the best way to find housing? I'm coming all the way from NC, so I'll have to consolodate everything into one visit. Does the school have a housing forum or something similar?

shaoshao

April 5th, 2006, 12:54 AM

yes, contact student life, they'll guide you through it. also, craigslist.com is a great resource for those looking for a place to stay

CruShTinbOX

April 5th, 2006, 01:17 AM

What's the best way to find housing? I'm coming all the way from NC, so I'll have to consolodate everything into one visit. Does the school have a housing forum or something similar?

Whereabouts in NC? I technically live in SC, but I'm within 20 miles of Charlotte, NC. If all goes as planned (if I get accepted and can get the money, of course) I'll be coming out to Art Center in January for the spring term.

shaoshao: Thanks for the info. I'm curious though, that if it's so difficult to take that path, then why have numerous people in this thread mentioned that idea? But just to clarify, I don't mean I want to totally disregard the curriculum, I would just like to substitute some classes for others, for example I would like to take some ID related classes that may not be part of the Illustration curriculum (and I already have a BFA from SCAD, so any classes that are too similar to ones I took at SCAD I have no desire to spend more money on, like some of the basic digital design classes and stuff like that which would be worthless to me since I already know that stuff... but I don't mean foundation art classes, because that's what I need most right now), and I don't really plan on graduating, so classes that are required to take in order to graduate that are of no use to me, I want to just push to the back, so to speak, and then just leave before I ever take them, if that makes sense.

Denart

April 5th, 2006, 01:49 AM

broad noob question:
What should someone major in if they are going into character/creature design for video games/movies

:teeth:

shaoshao

April 5th, 2006, 05:24 AM

brum: the entertainment design curiculum as it stands is pretty steadfast, and there are only 3 illustrators in the program as of now, the rest all started out as ID, either product or trans and have brought over an incredible work ethic from that program. so, if you start out as a product designer (takeing basic vis coms ect) and then switch to illustration during your fourth term. pushing back your classes can be difficult or easy, from what i hear the product chair is more accomodating towards the people in entertainment design. while our illustration chair feels that we should still take the foundation classes.

den: character/creature design, i would think falls more into the illustration catagory. if you get into the entertainment design program you will be able to take specific character creature classes, the entertainment arts curiculum also has character classes but aparently treat them differently than ent. design. im not sure how though as ive only had the design class

lesedi

April 5th, 2006, 02:48 PM

Whereabouts in NC? I technically live in SC, but I'm within 20 miles of Charlotte, NC. If all goes as planned (if I get accepted and can get the money, of course) I'll be coming out to Art Center in January for the spring term.

Currently around Chapel Hill, but I'm from the Winston-Salem area. Are you originally from SC?

(I may be the only car in the lot with a UNC sticker.)

CruShTinbOX

April 5th, 2006, 03:20 PM

Currently around Chapel Hill, but I'm from the Winston-Salem area. Are you originally from SC?

(I may be the only car in the lot with a UNC sticker.)

Well I was born in Georgia, but I've lived here in SC since around 1st grade, so pretty much all my life.

Are you planning on driving out to California? I've been debating on what would be the best way to get out there, since I'm aware that you really need a car in LA, and it would probably be easier for me to just take my car with me than have to get a new one when I get out there... but at the same time it's such a long drive and I really hate driving long distances, so I don't know what I'm gonna do right now.

This is, of course, assming I get in and all that. I'm also a little nervous about the whole thing because I'll be 27 going in.

lesedi

April 5th, 2006, 04:37 PM

Are you planning on driving out to California?

...This is, of course, assming I get in and all that. I'm also a little nervous about the whole thing because I'll be 27 going in.

Brum- Have you thought about shipping your car and flying? Since you're doing the spring semester, it should be a LOT cheaper to fly and ship in the winter/moving and vacationing off-season Esp if you book both far in advace. Or, you could take several days and a friend to make the trek/ road trip. Maybe if you went from one spot you're interested in to another it might not seem such a hellish drive.

Being a lone female without a roadtrip buddy who can afford to fly back, I'm partial to the ship and fly, but we'll see what the wallet allows.

As for the 27 thing, I wouldn't worry about your age. I simply look at it as added maturity, perspective and incentive to make sure I work hard so some 19 yo doesn't show me up. (I love healthy competition. pushes you toward greatness.)

So, I'm curious: If you already got a BFA from SCAD, and you don't intend to graduate from ACCD, then why are you concerned about your age, and why are you trying to go to Art Center (rather than say, a portfolio school or professional development series or just building up your skills on your own?)

lesedi

April 5th, 2006, 05:40 PM

yes, contact student life, they'll guide you through it. also, craigslist.com is a great resource for those looking for a place to stay

Thanks for the tip shaoshao. I'm still waiting on my acceptance materials, so perhaps the student life stuff'll be included.

Lianna

April 5th, 2006, 09:53 PM

Going to visit Art Center this weekend!! [I know during weekends are the worst time to visit but it's my only option.] This is the only opportunity I can have to visit the Art Center before attending the school. Am I allow to just walk into the building and look around? Are there studio spots I can visit to see the current student's work?

Hope it'll be the right school for me.

Lesedi, I'm stuck with the same housing problem as you.. no relatives or friends near Pasadena.. make sure you go to pasadena a month in advance to look for housing~

CruShTinbOX

April 5th, 2006, 10:14 PM

lesedi: I actually hadn't even thought of the shipping idea... but I'm not sure if that would really be finacially feasable. I'll definately look into it though, thanks for the suggestion.

As for your other question...

So, I'm curious: If you already got a BFA from SCAD, and you don't intend to graduate from ACCD, then why are you concerned about your age, and why are you trying to go to Art Center (rather than say, a portfolio school or professional development series or just building up your skills on your own?)

Well here's my story in a nutshell:

I've always known I wanted to do something art related, but I never really knew what exactly that might be. I went to SCAD straight out of high school, without even giving it much thought, because it was close to home and I had a couple of friends who were going there, and I knew art was my thing, so I went. But since I didn't know what I wanted really, I just tried a bunch of different things over the years, from Film, to 3D, to Graphic Design, and finally Motion Graphics... but I was never really happy with any of them, and by the time I finally decided what I wanted to do (Illustration/Concept Art) I had already been there for 4 and a half years, and I had let my drawing skills slip, so I decided to just go ahead and graduate with the intention of teaching myself how to draw on my own. That, however, I have found just doesn't work well for me. I need the structure and push that a school environment provides, otherwise I tend to slack off. Some people learn extremely well on their own, unfortunately I'm just not one of those people.

Over the last couple of years I've done a lot of soul searching, and have gone back and forth on the issue of returning to school, and trying to teach myself, etc. And last year I finally decided it's what I want to do, and after researching a bunch of different schools, Art Center is the one that has really caught my eye.

I was strongly considering Watts Atelier... but the problem with that is I have no way to pay for it. I can't borrow the money from my family, and they aren't an accredited school so I can't get any kind of financial aid. I would basically have to move out there and work a full time job just to pay for living expenses, and still have to find some way to pay for the tuition. Even though the school itself is considerably cheaper than a regular school, when you calculate living expenses and supplies, with no option of financial aid, there's just no way I could afford it, even with a full time job, which I really don't want anyway as that's a lot of time I could be spending improving my art. With Art Center, I won't have to worry about having a job, so I can put all of my focus on my art, and I can get finacial aid to pay for it all. The resulting debt is something I'm willing to live with if I can achieve my goals.

The reason I don't really want to graduate is I have specific goals in regards to what I want out of school. I'm not going in with the intention of getting a degree. I just want to learn what I want to learn, and then get out of there. If that takes a year, then so be it, if it takes 2 years, then that's how long it takes. I'm just not interested in spending any more money than is absolutely necessary for me to get to the level I want to be at, especially if it's just for the sole purpose of getting a degree, which itself is fairly worthless as far as I'm concerned.

As far as the age thing goes... I guess it's just that I see so many awesome artists that are still in their teens and early 20's and it makes me feel like I'm way behind. So I just get nervous thinking about being at a school and being able to relate with people who are that much younger than I am... though from what I understand about Art Center they have a generally older than average student body compared to a school like, say AAU where there are a lot of students straight out of high school. I dunno, I'm just kind of nervous about it, but I know I shouldn't be, and it's something I'm sure I'll get over once I get out there.

shaoshao

April 5th, 2006, 10:50 PM

brum: seriously. dont worry, its pretty rare that people come into art center from high school. most people at least did 2 years or so at a community college first to prepare. i also know a good number of people with pervious degrees.

lesedi

April 5th, 2006, 11:24 PM

brum: I totally get what you're saying. My situation is very similar, actually. I also feel "behind" in my skill level since I haven't seriously studied art before EVER. What keeps me from feeling bad about it is I know I have the drive to get it doneand the largely untapped talent. I didn't already get a BFA, so I kinda want one, even though the objective is to get skillz, get portfolio and get PAID! So...we'll see if I do. Part of me feels like if I'm going THAT deep into student loan debt, I better have something "ie, a degree" to show for it!!

:)

JoshK

April 6th, 2006, 12:55 AM

Lianna there are some upper term student works hanging on the wall if you go to the illustration building and you can call and make an appointment for visiting. Also you can always walk around and go into a studio class and pretend you went into the wrong class, take a peak, and leave.....

gunnz

April 6th, 2006, 03:43 AM

Does anybody know how much part-time enrollment at Art Center costs? Also, is there a certain number of terms that you have to have passed in order to be enrolled in "Art Center Lite"?

Lianna

April 6th, 2006, 10:51 AM

Also you can always walk around and go into a studio class and pretend you went into the wrong class, take a peak, and leave.....

Ahahaha.. I did that with RISD and Cooper Union... will probably attempt to do that with Art Center but it will be harder because my dad's tagging along..

lesedi

April 6th, 2006, 12:33 PM

hahaha! Well, you know Art Center is known for having older students! ;)

Lianna

April 8th, 2006, 11:49 PM

Hmm.. Art Center isn't bright and orange like I expected.. the building is black.

There really isnt any student-life feeling in the school. No fooling around. People are definitely using their Saturdays to work.

I'm impressed of the work shown in the gallery-like room.

Gah, visiting Art Center made me realize how different college life is going to be. I definitely have to start adapting to this 24/7 working habit the AC students seem to have. I have to mature so much in 4 months.. To be honest, visiting AC has made me a little insecure. Learning to adapt to Pasadena/Los Angeles life is definitely going to be difficult work. Gosh, I never knew living here will be so hard. In NY, I feel so confident and independent, all I need was a metrocard and a map and I can get anywhere I wanted, everything I need is a bus/ subway stop away. NY is so easy. In Pasadena, you need a car, people drive so fast.. it's so confusing to get from one place to another.. I feel so completely lost. Housing.. guilt is consuming me because I know living here is going to be so expensive.. because of what I want, parents will have to sacrifice alot.

But I want to attend Art Center so freaking much. I seriously think Art Center will push me to my fullest potential.

Is it normal to have these feelings? AC people are so collected, confident and skilled.
I probably sound like such a wimp right now. :[

What a tough decision..

Gygaxis

April 9th, 2006, 12:39 AM

XDD Collected.

You're just here at like, the ultimate buckledown time, there's only two weeks left in the term so everyone has tons of major deadlines coming up in the next 14 days. There is a high work ethic, but there is definately some goofing around too. And the area is a little confusing at first, but it's laid out pretty well so you shouldn't have too much trouble adjusting to it. And lastly, you will grow in maturity over your time at art center too, I'm definately a far cry from what I was this time last term, and then I was a far cry from what I was prior to art center. Was the main gallery open today? I know the student gallery would be, but the main gallery is an Alumni show right now and has amazing stuff in it, some cool entertaintment stuff and some kickass figure painting (Steve Huston \o/)

Helium Macaroni

April 9th, 2006, 05:17 AM

In NY, I feel so confident and independent, all I need was a metrocard and a map and I can get anywhere I wanted, everything I need is a bus/ subway stop away. NY is so easy.

I lived in NYC before coming to Los Angeles as well..

Welcome to Hell!

Gygaxis

April 9th, 2006, 05:31 AM

Bah! West Coast is love *_*

Kendraad

April 11th, 2006, 01:56 AM

Greetings, I'm currently a freshman at Ringling School of Art and Design. At the moment I'm thinking of trying to transfer (if they allow transfers or if I have to start out as a 1st year again) to Art Center.

First off, I want to transfer because I feel Art Center would provide the tools I need for concept design. Ringling has 2 concept classes, but they seem pretty general (combined env., story, character, etc. all in one class) and the concept work coming out of this school doesn't look that great compared to what I'm seeing from Art Center --- in the sense of, I know AC is really geared towared the entertainment business, where as the concept work I see coming from Ringling seems more 'fluffy' and less ready to enter the entertainment business. The classes here are far more focused on traditional Illustration as opposed to the great depth of classes found in Art Center.

I'm really looking into character design/clothing type of things, as well as enviromental and ID. I've been watching TONS of Gnomon Dvd's and it's techniques Since this is the only method I have, which is why I would like to attend to go to art center. Is this the best method for the moment to approach learning the craft? Or do you recommend I trying on my own without the videos?

The other thing is, after looking at the majors provided, I was confused which one really would suited my interest. I saw an illustration entertainment minor, which seemed to have all the type of things I would like to take, but it seems really different from the actual Illustration entertainment major. Also, I see an environment major but I really don't want to get into designing hospital buildings and such, I'm very much into the fictional, fantasy/sci-fi architecture. What is your input on the different majors?

Ringling seems to have a lot more (to say it lightly) untalented individuals entering every year. Many of these individuals turn in unfinished, half- assed work for assignments and being in a class full of them is rather disheartening. Concerning some of the posts I've been reading on this forum, has it gotten to the same degree at Art Center now? I've always known AC to be a top art school.

One of my biggest problems with being able to attend art center if I am accepted is housing. Tuition will be a killer, but at least I can take out student loans. But housing is another story. I was looking at housing around the Pasadena area and I couldn't find anything cheaper then $850 - $1000 a month. I seriously can't afford that on top of the tuition and cost of supplies. Any help? If I can find a place with decent rent, I can go, but if not, I'm not sure what to do about that...

I would like to post some of the concept art I've been doing (character, enviroment, and industrial arch.) and wondering if you could tell me what you think, compared to what is being produced at AC, and if I have, well, potentional. There are few classmates I know here that are interested in concept art, and for me to recieve critiques from. And I would appreciate your input on my work and if you think this would be something good to put into my portfolio application.
I'll put them up tomorrow if that's alright.

gunnz

April 11th, 2006, 02:18 AM

As far as housing, look in Glendale. I just got a pretty decent two bedroom apt in that area for $1200. It's about 15 minutes from AC. You just need to find a roommate. What you should probably do it to find a temporary sublet or roommate through craigslist for a couple months. Then just look around for a better living situation.

JoshK

April 11th, 2006, 04:59 AM

If you get private loans, that will cover the cost of the tuition and living expense....might have to do cosign with your parents though.

Entertainment Design minor is probably what you want, its character and ID stuff.

I think helium posted a page back that the enviromental major is not what you want if you want to do enviromental design for entertainment.

I'm not sure if your studio classes will transfer.....usually AC doesn't let students transfer studio classes....

Kendraad

April 11th, 2006, 02:21 PM

I'm not sure if your studio classes will transfer.....usually AC doesn't let students transfer studio classes....

Do they accept liberal art courses do you know? For example, I've taken a writing class here, as well as a biology class and history class.

Kendraad

April 11th, 2006, 02:31 PM

Here are some of the concept work I've been doing, and to restate my question again, I was wondering if you could tell me what you think, compared to what is being produced at AC, and if I have, well, potentional. Keep in mind I've never done ID or enviromental type designs before. Any crit as well would be great and areas you see I could really improve on.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v124/kendraad/industrialdesignsmall.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v124/kendraad/Industrial2.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v124/kendraad/Enviromental3Small.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v124/kendraad/Enviromental2Small.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v124/kendraad/Enviromelasmall.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v124/kendraad/Charactersmall.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v124/kendraad/character5.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v124/kendraad/character4small.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v124/kendraad/character3.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v124/kendraad/character2small.jpg

lesedi

April 11th, 2006, 04:04 PM

I know a lot of you have recommended great professors to take classes with right from the gate.(and of course, amazing upper level professors too.)

How hard is it to get the great lower-level professors coming in? Is it pretty much luck of the draw, or directly related to how fast you get your deposit and medical form in so you can register? Can you request them when registering?

I know you AC folks are hectic thesedays, so thanks in advance.

Denart

April 12th, 2006, 12:04 AM

shaoshao

April 12th, 2006, 12:12 AM

all those specialized classes can only be taken once you are 4th term and above, they dont have any program wher eyou can take classes and not be enrolled, they have a flat fee that you pay per term, and you start as 1st term student and have to take those classes.

Lianna

April 12th, 2006, 01:32 AM

Has anybody recieved their financial aid/scholarship info yet? I've been having some minor problems with my papers so I re-submit them and they told me I'll get my results latest, in two weeks. Sigh.. Anxiously awaiting.

JoshK

April 12th, 2006, 02:21 AM

i got mine about 2 weeks ago but I missed the scholarship deadline for summer. There is another kid in my class that is going for fall and he didn't get his scholarship info yet.

lesedi

April 12th, 2006, 11:05 AM

Kit Baron told me we should hear for the fall by April 14 or so.

gunnz

April 12th, 2006, 12:18 PM

Kit Baron told me we should hear for the fall by April 14 or so.

Yeah....I'm still waiting for mine. April 14 seems a little soon. On that blue card that I got in the mail, it said that it would take from a month to six weeks, and this was about 3 weeks ago.

Lianna

April 13th, 2006, 12:30 PM

Hehe.. april 14th then..

...

oh CRAP that's tomorrow!!

lesedi

April 13th, 2006, 02:20 PM

Yeah....I'm still waiting for mine. April 14 seems a little soon. On that blue card that I got in the mail, it said that it would take from a month to six weeks, and this was about 3 weeks ago.

...what blue card??

(and you may be right, it took me forever to get my acceptance letter. Two weeks after it was postmarked, as I recall.)

lesedi

April 13th, 2006, 02:22 PM

Lianna,
Have you decided to go with Art Center yet or still considering?

gunnz

April 13th, 2006, 02:56 PM

...what blue card??

(and you may be right, it took me forever to get my acceptance letter. Two weeks after it was postmarked, as I recall.)

The blue flyer says that your portfolio is done being reviewed for scholarship consideration. It also says that you can pick up your portfolio.

Rascar Capac

April 13th, 2006, 05:41 PM

shaoshao

April 13th, 2006, 06:27 PM

laafa doesnt offer academic classes

Rascar Capac

April 13th, 2006, 06:55 PM

laafa doesnt offer academic classes

Sorry for the confusion, I worded this wrong -
I don't mean GEDs/academics.. but classes that would be considered part of the core curriculum at AC. At Laafa you can take this individually: Head/ figure drawing, anatomy, beginning painting etc..etc...
As for gnomon - last time I checked, they were geared more towards training for the 3D world but have 2D classes and of course, tons of DVDs. wrokshops,etc...

Lianna

April 13th, 2006, 07:40 PM

Lianna,
Have you decided to go with Art Center yet or still considering?

I really really REALLY want to.. but money is a huge problem for me right now. I have a little brother I have to be considerate about [he'll eventually go to college too] and I feel bad putting all this pressure on my parents. As a member of a middle class family, I'm too poor to afford art center's tution but apparently "too rich" to get any aid from the government. The whole moving business, renting apartment and getting a car almost doubles the tuition..so it sucks for me..

um.. so that puts me in the considering catagory?

Shoji

April 15th, 2006, 06:53 AM

thanks for the response Evil Shao! :P

another question for you lucky Art Center peeps:

I'm not interested in any form of degree but just want to learn, so is it possible to just take individual courses here and there at Art Center during the academic school year? :teeth:

IF that's not an option, what about the night courses? Are night teachers up to par with Art Center's usual?

and how does Art Center compare with Gnomon?
http://www.gnomon3d.com/coursesNew/analog_production/anatomy_design.html

Thanks for the time! :yayca:

yo den,

you have to be enrolled as a day student to take any day classes. the options are either a full term (full tuition ~ 13000) where you take at least 12 units (each class is usually 3 units so 4 classes minimum) and at most 18 units. Lite terms are 3 classes or less and are prorated at full tuition cost / 18 units = cost per unit. i think it's like 2k a class or something.

it's not possible to just take a few classes and not be enrolled in the class. people are sometimes able to 'sit in' on classes that aren't full but if you aren't friends with the other classmates it's usually frowned upon since you're taking up their crit time and wall space.

night classes can be great and the teachers can really push you but what you're going to lack is the level of skill and hardworking dedication in your class mates that you'll find in the day program. night students usually are older and coming back to take a few classes here or there (aka their priorities aren't always in a fulltime-school mindset), or it's filled with people who want to be exposed to something at a fraction of the cost.

i've never taken a class at gnomon but i'd say it's a much better route than art center night classes. especially for entertainment design. the teachers there are usually top notch and the kids that go there pump out some good work (at least from what kchen showed of the end of term showcase).

there is also a new entertainment school that opened up in pasadena and was started by matessi. again, i've never been but i think they've got some good potential if you find a good teacher. i'm planning on checking it out this summer.

cheers,

c

xHUNTERx

April 15th, 2006, 05:13 PM

hey guys, I haven't been around to check this thread for quite a while. I'l' try to answer what i can regarding den's question and shoji's response.

sitting in is generally not a big problem. Most teachers (good ones at least) are very willing to have students sitting into their classes as long as the students won't bother the on going class. Generally, you'd be getting the class materials that everyone is getting, but you probably would not be able to get any critisisms in class from the instructors. However, that does not mean you cannot find them after class to give you feedbacks.

A couple teachers though, dislike the idea of sitting in for their own reasons. Eric Robison being one (intro to entertainment), and Scott Robertson (his class used to be impossible to even sign into).

About Gnomon compared to Art Center. It's really hard to say because the instructors at Gnomon changes every semester there. However, the classes are <$800 there compared to 2000+ at art center. So if you wait around for the better instructors (Kchen etc., though i don't think he's teaching there anymore) Gnomon might actually be a great deal.

The main different in the class atmosphere between gnomon and artcenter is that at Gnomon classes are just more "chilled". The teachers will not push you as hard as the Art Center ones so you're on your own. That being said, alot of the students at gnomon are actually people from the industry that wanted a refresher course so it could be a great experience for you. :D

Timo C.

April 16th, 2006, 09:06 PM

First off I must say that this thread has been a huge help and inspiration to me.

I have wanted to go to Art Center ever since I found out it existed, but I kind of put that dream in the back of my mind because I had a decent job doing interactive design and limited 3d work where I was, and the pay was not bad either. But I had this drive inside of me that kept me feeling completley satisfied with what I was doing. Even though the work I was doing was completley unrelated I got my boss to let me take the weekened off to drive to California for the Gnomon workshop, and as amazing as that was, the best part of the whole trip was visiting Art Center.

It was like a little monastery up in the hills - Dedicated/disciplined to becomeing the best. I have never felt so motivated and so intimidated at the same time.

After I got back I decided to do whatever I had to do to go back to living my dreams and becoming a working artist. My art skills had atrophied from years of neglect so I am doing whatever I can to get them back up to snuff.

I would love to get feedback from people in this forum on my sketchbook and what I should focus on. Wether I go to AC or not, that is what I am going to prepare my protfolio for, cause in my mind AC the best.

I know there has been some discussion in this thread about wether the School is still the same school that it built it's reputation on or not, and I have really found that helpfull thanks for your honest remarks.

here is the link to my just started sketchbook thread here at CA
sketchbook (http://conceptart.org/forums/showthread.php?t=65994)

I hope to add more as I start serious work on my portfolio
I am hoping to enter the illustration program and work as a concept artist when I finish

Thanks for the look
T.

JoshK

April 16th, 2006, 10:46 PM

If you are going for illustration, i would recommend a lot of figure drawings from life and a couple of conceptual pieces for your portfolio.

gunnz

April 19th, 2006, 11:01 PM

Is anyone going to Art Center on 100% loans? I didn't get any scholarships this time, so I'm thinking about reapplying with a better portfolio and going in the spring instead of fall. They budget $75,000 for three terms. That sounds crazy. If I can go part-time in the first term, I would consider that as well.

Helium Macaroni

April 20th, 2006, 03:52 AM

I went to school all on loans. Its.. not advisable. From all logical standpoints, the tution cost of Art Center is ludicrous. But its all dependant on how much you'd like to gamble, and what your goals are. If you don't care about graduation, and can push your own schedule or agenda, then you can spend less money.

ChrisMayernik

April 20th, 2006, 12:40 PM

I got a 4000 doller scholarship for each term but I'm still not going. That's pretty much nothing cause I still got to pay 62 thousand dollers. Heck thats just tutition. another thing that bugged me was that they didnt tell me anything about my portfolio. I was exspecting them to tell me what they liked and didnt like so I could improve. And all the signatures on the papers of theirs were printed. Shitty cheapness.

Lianna

April 21st, 2006, 02:53 AM

I was exspecting them to tell me what they liked and didnt like so I could improve.

Do art colleges usually do that for you when you apply? I thought critiques were only given during open houses/ visitations/ national portfolio days. Heh, I might be wrong though.

Got 6k per term.. not enough but it's better than nothing. Scrap in a little cash here and there.. love the school and area so I'll think I'm willing to take the risk. [of being in big time debt, that is..] I'm in.

Shoji

April 21st, 2006, 06:54 PM

man you two sound a bit bratty.

be grateful.

6k a term is about the most you'll get coming in to school unless you get a corporate sponsor scholarship (full ride). but that's pretty much just reserved for trans and maybe prod (not sure). i've never heard of anyone coming in on a full ride from the school.

6k is about half, which if you do the math, it's like them saying 'we'll give you at LEAST $48,000' to come to school here. that's a lot of money so i would be stoked, not reluctant.

4k a term is still a lot of money, but i checked out your site and in all honesty you don't need to go to art center. given it would definitely help your design skills, it probably isn't worth the tuition cost unless you planned to go for just a few terms (and if you didn't receive more money each term) then leave. however, you should keep in mind that you'll probably improve by 20 fold in 4 terms at art center (about 16 months) than grinding on your own.

re: feedback from the committee - i felt the same way when i first got in. they don't give any feedback, and you'll learn that future scholarships are very similar. you get ranked but very little feedback. if it's feedback you want you need to meet with the instructors who are on the committee and have them look over your work one on one. not something incoming students are privy to in most respects. if you're wondering why you didn't get more money specifically, you'll prob never find out unless it's something as obvious as EFC. people call in all the time and bitch at financial aid wondering why they didn't get more money. lot of variables play into that, namely how much the dept has to give.

also keep in mind, if you're coming in with a lot of money, there is a good chance you'll be able to get more money each term. given, it's a bit difficult in illustration, it's not out of the question.

going to a school like art center is an investment in yourself. so save some time and ask yourself how much you're willing to invest (aka loans) in your education. and make sure you have a plan on what you want to do when you get out and how to make a return on that investment.

redoxyn

April 21st, 2006, 10:02 PM

To Lianna & ChrisMayernik : is the scholarship directly from the school? or does that include fafsa or cal grant? i think fafsa gives like 8k max and cal grant is like 12k max per year. just some extra cash.

gunnz

April 21st, 2006, 10:33 PM

Do you guys think it's harder to get scholarships if you already have a degree? I got totally neglected on the loans as well. I'm only getting about 3k a term in federal loans, and my EFC is 12k. Unmet need for 3 terms: $56,000. Damn...you guys should seriously be stoked about your scholarships. 25% and 50% are really good scholarship amounts!!

JoshK

April 22nd, 2006, 12:10 AM

Gunnz it's probably your EFC thats keeping you from getting more financial aid and having a degree means you can't get cal grant and federal grants (right?)...There is always private loan.....

ChrisMayernik

April 22nd, 2006, 02:04 AM

It's not that I'm not grateful but it's that the 4k just isnt enough. I worked really hard to have a good portfolio and I kinda exspected a better scholarship. I'm looking into ccad now. I'm hoping art center is just bluffing and will raise it later on. Yeah the 4k is directly from the school. Yea I don't need to go to the school but I would of liked to if I got a good scholarship. I'm looking into La figurative artist also. http://www.laafigart.com/ . THat place is amazing.

Lianna

April 22nd, 2006, 01:48 PM

Okay, I guess I am a little greedy not being sastified with 6k... That's because when I caculate, I always include apartment and living expenses. Man, living cost is a little under doubling the tuition, that really bites. It was just wishful thinking, hoping for more scholarship assistance. College is the first huge investment for any 17 year old so naturally, I hope to get the most out of the scholarship to ease the money tension.

redoxyn- Nopes, fafsa didn't give me anything and I don't live in Cali so Cal grant is out. It's scholarship directly from Art Center.

Kendraad

April 22nd, 2006, 09:49 PM

Dude, if you don't want your 6k a term, I'll sure as hell take it.

What major did you apply for?

J.Mac

April 23rd, 2006, 05:16 AM

Lianna i think you need to take a step back and get a better perspective, maybe attend some other schools and allow people who will appreciate the money recieve the money. i know you would like more but you need to understand that you are a 1st termer, and that fact you are complaining about it makes me a tad annoyed when many other people have to deal with the same situation with hardly any assistance from the school or parents, myself being one of those people... i don't mean to offend you but you are 17, you need to learn some life lessons and be greatful for what you have and are recieving.

-Jesse

Lianna

April 23rd, 2006, 08:39 AM

i don't mean to offend you but you are 17, you need to learn some life lessons and be greatful for what you have and are recieving.

Mmhm, I realize that. Thank you guys, for giving me a reality check, and also help strengthen my decision to attend art center. I sincerely hope I don't give off a snobby impression, I just don't know how to deal with my financial issues when the numbers are 5 or 6 digits.

How did you guys solve your financial issue? [Besides scholarships/loans]

Kendraad- Illustration.

Helium Macaroni

April 23rd, 2006, 04:19 PM

There are few other ways to solve the financial situations other than loans. You get you're shot at scholarship. Some of us didn't even GET a shot because we applied too close to the term we were coming into. After initial enrollment, chances of getting scholarship plummet because you're going up against heavier competition and you have to take time off to prepare your entries.

You're from NY, like me, so you're not a resident yet and therefore can't go for cal grants. CA residents have the Cal Grant option open, and those who haven't had a previous BA can apply for Pel. You're actually extremely lucky. You, a high school student, have a better financial shot than me, a college graduate before I attended Art Center. Ironic isn't it?

There is the option of work study, also. It's not much, but it can ammount to about $1500 or so per term.

Working outside of school is not advisible.

I only solved the unmet need that I had by private loans. Then, once I got a full time job, and switched to Lite terms, I was able to discontinue the loans that covered my living expenses. Would have been nice if AC had let me continue on that track considering that I could still pay my rent without selling my soul to Citibank, but I guess they saw it different.

J.Mac

April 23rd, 2006, 05:01 PM

well what i had to do was work part-time (bad idea) and take loans and get scholarships (not much of these) then some grants. It is sad because working doesn't make a difference unless you have a good job that pays more then $20. per/hr anything less makes me feel i am wasting work time i could use for school. So then i sadly have to live off my loans and be super poor, like this term i had to live off of 3,200 and some change no joke thank goodness i have some real good friends to help me out, but b/c i have no money for next term i have to take it off and try to get more some how, or head back to boston. which it might come down to some big ass loans and be even more indebt if i keeping going, a part of me does and the other is afraid i will just be indebt for the rest of my life. art center can be good, but man it sucks that you need so much money more then skill to attend this institution.

-Jesse

Helium Macaroni

April 23rd, 2006, 10:17 PM

but man it sucks that you need so much money more then skill to attend this institution.

Amen to that, dude.

gunnz

April 25th, 2006, 04:15 PM

gunnz

April 25th, 2006, 04:16 PM

Amen to that, dude.

Oh....so applying closer to the scholarship deadline decreases your chances of scholarship? I applied the day before the deadline.

CruShTinbOX

April 25th, 2006, 04:22 PM

Oh....so applying closer to the scholarship deadline decreases your chances of scholarship? I applied the day before the deadline.

I was told by an Art Center rep that this makes no difference. I asked her if I were to send in my portfolio for scholarship months in advance would that increase my chances of getting a scholarship, and she said no, and that they hold all portfolios until the deadline anyway, so it makes no difference.

Helium Macaroni

April 25th, 2006, 05:10 PM

BTW Helium, you aren't eligible for grants if have a previous degree.

Heck no. Cal Grants yes, but I wasn't here long enough before attending to qualify for those. But having a previous BA disqualifies you from Pel Grants.

And yes, if you apply late in the 'rolling admission' you won't qualify for the entering shot for scholarship, which is when you have the best chance of getting any money. When I appeared for a review, they told me if I wanted to attend the following term, I would not be in time to apply for scholarship.

gunnz

April 26th, 2006, 12:08 AM

Heck no. Cal Grants yes, but I wasn't here long enough before attending to qualify for those. But having a previous BA disqualifies you from Pel Grants.

And yes, if you apply late in the 'rolling admission' you won't qualify for the entering shot for scholarship, which is when you have the best chance of getting any money. When I appeared for a review, they told me if I wanted to attend the following term, I would not be in time to apply for scholarship.

Actually, here are the definitions from my Art Center awards letter package:

Cal Grants A and B
State grants for California residents with no prior bachelors degree
Pell Grant and SEOG
Federal grants for students with high need and no prior Bachelors degree. If you have used a portion of your 2006 Pell at another school, you will not be eligible for the full award at Art Center.

Looks like people like me are screwed. Oh well, I'm going anyways. A few of my friends have told me that I could have a great career without going to school, through a lot of workshops and sitting in on classes. I honestly know that for myself, I need to take at least a year off from my corporate life to devote myself to learning. I'm not really going to school in hopes of walking tall because of my Art Center degree. I feel like I need the competition, structured curricullum, and the extra push to advance my draftsmanship to a certain level. From then on, I can either keep going, or drop out and take night classes for motion graphics. I think it is all about having a little faith in yourself, and letting certain things pan themselves out.

untitlednesslife

April 26th, 2006, 01:38 AM

Kendraad

April 26th, 2006, 03:05 AM

Helium Macaroni

April 26th, 2006, 03:22 AM

Gunnz, don't fear. You have the right idea. If you know what you want, if you know your limitations and strengths, and if you're agressive enough to get what you want from the school, there's no need to graduate. I know the position you're in. I was in the same situation. It's not easy, and it can be discouraging, but as you said, you just need to a have a little faith in yourself.

sir nicholas

May 4th, 2006, 11:57 PM

hey guys, i've been working on getting my portfolio in gear for about a year now.
i just took steve huston's figure drawing workshop and after some eyeopeners my powers have grown! i feel like i'm ready to produce the kind of quality life drawings required to get in as an illustration major for spring 07. Should I submit newsprint life drawings or should they be on bond paper?

Also I am waiting until the summer ACAN intro to illustration class I take is done so that I will have high quality paintings for my portfolio (mo money that way?). Am I correct in my belief that if I apply in september before the scholarship deadline (oct 1) the term won't be filled up? frankly, this thread has gotten me pumped and i want to apply NOWNOWNOW but i know that I should try to make my portfolio a home run.

thanks!
nick

Sheff

May 5th, 2006, 02:25 AM

sir nicholas:

Take this advice or leave it, but be sure to send you drawings flat. I lived overseas when I first applied to ACCD and could not afford to send a portfolio in anything other than a tube. I got rejected. Then when I went there in person to present drawings in less than month, I was accepted. So basically there was less than thirty days between my rejection and acceptance letters.

If you're concerned about submitting newsprint, I wouldn't worry about it. Everyone knows life drawings are done on the cheapest paper so you're going to burn through a lot of it to get mileage. But if you have a drawing on newsprint that you really want to make look sharp, you could photocopy it at Kinko's. I have been in a few Kinkos that have a machine called the Zoomer which can copy 18 x 24 in paper. Conceiveably you could put toned paper through the machine and copy your drawings on to it and add some highlights in white prisma. Or you could simply copy it on to bond paper.

As long as your understanding of anatomy is good, you have a sense of perspective and proportion and there is confidence in your drawing you should be able to get in. Fifteen years ago, I got in and all I had was figure drawings. I didn't have any real illustrations in my entrance portfolio to speak of. I don't know how much has changed between now and then, but hopefully, not much.

Good Luck,

HellTaxi

May 7th, 2006, 02:45 PM

wsup everyone!!!!
i was just wondering if there were any other kids out there that got into ac right after highschool that could reply about how their experience was begining at art center...cuz all the older kids seem intimidating..and the way they make it seem like its major major workingage..*shudder*..lol..but yea..

and to be a little more on topic...
i got no award stuff at all......
how dumb is that...
im gonna go broke..haha

I would really not reccomend it to be honest. For the most part, the students i see that came straight from high school tend to be behind in terms of their foundation skills (with the exception of a rare few), and they are also a little less sure of what direction they wish to go, which leads to alot of major changing, = $$$. I would really reccommend spending the time to take some classes at PCC to sharpen your portfolio and foundation skills, as well as really help you decide which direction you want to go. I went to PCC for 2 years first studying product design, and at the last minute, realized that illustration was where my heart was. There are alot of other PCC alumni that would really reccomend it as well. At least look into it. Good luck

edit: PCC of course being Pasadena City College, located about 10 minutes from art center, alot of their art teachers currently teach or have taught at art center

J.Mac

May 7th, 2006, 07:16 PM

I have to agree with HellTaxi, you should get atleast a couple of semester/terms under your belt before you come just so you will be better prepared and have more direction. There are also other places you can attend depending on what you feel you want. PCC is a good one and it is affordable, LAAFA is great, theres gnomon if you really want to do 3D stuff, Associates in Arts and there is some others but to me those are the best ones around unless you want to do an Atelier type of program/training.

I wish i did that but it is to late for me, so take note and think about what you want. good luck!

-Jesse

PHATandy

May 8th, 2006, 12:07 PM

Just thought id post to thanks everyone for the information going round.
Im considering applying for spring2007/spring2008.

Im coming in from the UK so money is a bit of a problem but it seems that the school sounds very good, and after all im not sure if im going to get in (.. or get any scholorship :().
Im thinking about setting it back a year now and maybe doing a foundation year within the UK before heading out.

Do you think this applies to many of the Art Colleges in the US? Mainly Art Centre though cus im really very interested in then Entertainment Design course under illustration. I looked under the website and that course came under a minor and a major. I was wandering - do they still both come under Illustration and whats the difference.

Also applying from the UK do i need to take tests like the SATs or.. is acceptance almost all portfolio based ? What kinda extra stuff is needed if anything?

Thanks for any help anyone can offer, not only on art centre but on american Art schools all together, im at the hard point of deciding where i want to work towards and where to apply etc. Wouldnt mind people checking my sketchbook etc. see where im at, ideally id be comin straight out of college (usa equilivent of high school i think) and goin - not sure if i need to spend like an extra year working up etc.

Thanks. Andy.

lesedi

May 8th, 2006, 04:53 PM

random Art Center questions...

1. How far in advance did you move to Pasadena without a place to stay?
(particularly if you aren't already from California)

2. Anybody already planning to go to the sunset social?

3. What is the class schedule...because it looks like classes are on Saturday...only one day off? (if that's the case, I can already feel the burn from here.)

4. Are there earthquakes much in Pasadena? (east coaster here, forgive the SoCal ignorance) :bashful:

Sheff

May 8th, 2006, 06:08 PM

I had relatives in SoCal but I found an apartment in less than a month. I stayed there for 4 terms but got flooded out during a heavy rain. Found another apartment and stayed there for the rest of the time. It took me about 4 days to find that first decent apartment.

My first three terms I had Saturday classes.

I was sitting on the toilet when the Northridge earthquake hit. I thought I was going to die in a pile of rubble without my pants on. The ground was pushing up, so it was like the toilet was trying to buck me like a rodeo. That house/apartment was built in the twenties and I was on the second floor. I really did think I was going to die or at least the building was going to collapse.

I grew up in Japan, so we had a lot of earthquakes. It really all depends on where you are when it hits.

random Art Center questions...

1. How far in advance did you move to Pasadena without a place to stay?
(particularly if you aren't already from California)

2. Anybody already planning to go to the sunset social?

3. What is the class schedule...because it looks like classes are on Saturday...only one day off? (if that's the case, I can already feel the burn from here.)

4. Are there earthquakes much in Pasadena? (east coaster here, forgive the SoCal ignorance)

Hope that helps.

:bashful:

JoshK

May 8th, 2006, 06:55 PM

I was sitting on the toilet when the Northridge earthquake hit. I thought I was going to die in a pile of rubble without my pants on. The ground was pushing up, so it was like the toilet was trying to buck me like a rodeo. That house/apartment was built in the twenties and I was on the second floor. I really did think I was going to die or at least the building was going to collapse.

WTF lol

jellybean

May 10th, 2006, 09:39 PM

I've been away so long that I've totally forgotten how to use this thing.

1. I still live a county away and commute about an hour one way (60 mi round trip?). Not moving until the Fall.

3. Not everyone gets scheduled for all six days of the week.
4. I have yet to experience an earthquake on campus. Knock on wood.

"1. How far in advance did you move to Pasadena without a place to stay?

3. What is the class schedule...because it looks like classes are on Saturday...only one day off?

4. Are there earthquakes much in Pasadena? (east coaster here, forgive the SoCal ignorance)"

lesedi

May 11th, 2006, 09:58 PM

thanks Sheff and JB~

JoshK

May 12th, 2006, 08:25 PM

Lianna

May 13th, 2006, 03:05 PM

LOL. I forgot about the earthquakes.. and the floods.. and the dry periods.. does it ever get bad? It seem so peaceful there, can't imagine weather terror in the area.~ =p

Did anyone find housing yet?

echino

May 15th, 2006, 09:02 PM

Hello Art Center people. I'm currently finishing my first year at SCAD in Atlanta, but I'm planning on moving to Pasedina and transfer to the art center. On my spring break I headed out to LA to check out the campus and I was blown away. (mmm... so many shiney machines) Anyways, this fall I plan on taking some classes in the Art Center At Night programs that are offered. I heard that these are good for students who want to get improve and build more on their portfolio before they apply.

I was wondering if anyone going to the art center has taken any of these "Night" classes and If their are anything negetive things that I should know about this strategy.

So there's my situation. Hopefully I'll be seeing some of you this fall.

Helium Macaroni

May 15th, 2006, 09:41 PM

S.W.

May 19th, 2006, 02:10 AM

Today I saw Helium's final perspective project in Gary Meyer's class, it's in his note handouts, very outstanding.
I wonder how long did you spend on it? :xpld:

Helium Macaroni

May 19th, 2006, 02:13 AM

Today I saw Helium's final perspective project in Gary Meyer's class, it's in his note handouts, very outstanding.
I wonder how long did you spend on it? :xpld:

Oh.. heh, yeah my Shirow ripoff city is in there.. I think I spent like, about a 2 weeks on it, on and off.

Glad you like it =)

S.W.

May 19th, 2006, 02:44 AM

No I don't! Because your sketchbook stops updating again! :404sign: :uzi2:

Helium Macaroni

May 19th, 2006, 02:55 AM

uh oh.. is it getting all X'y in there?

S.W.

May 19th, 2006, 03:16 AM

What's a X'y??

If you mean Gary's class, we are just at the very begining with measuring our rooms as today's homework...

Helium Macaroni

May 19th, 2006, 03:58 AM

heh I'm confused..

What did you mean by.. 'No I don't! Because your sketchbook stops updating again!'

S.W.

May 20th, 2006, 01:23 AM

I saw that 3-pt perspective in the handout, and I realized that I've not checked everyone's sketchbook threads for a long time. The I found yours is not updated for a loooooooong time..:\

"Don't like it" was not really about the cityscape drawing, sry about making confusion.:dur:

PolinaH

May 24th, 2006, 10:38 AM

I went to the orientation today and I just have a question for current illustration students or anyone that might know the program.....Anne Field and two of the people that worked for her talked about some of the 2nd term and up classes that we would be able to take. The classes they talked about were "Analysis of Form", "Analytical Fig. Drawing", and "Drawing for Illustration."

From what I have read and gathered, there is no longer a class called "analysis of form"? Can anyone confirm this? Also when I checked the new cirriculum for each of the new illustration paths, there weren't any classes called "analytical fig. drawing" or "drawing for illustration." I also checked the summer schedule and non of these classes were on it except analytical fig. drawing. I thought they might have used the old cirriculum by mistake for the speech, or are we able to take these classes? Thanks.

I don't know baout the last class but both Analytical Fig and analysis of form both exist. (Analysis of form will be back in fall.) Analytical Fig comes in 2 forms...(which i just found our and got infurated by) one is the mini human, skeletal muscle models with rey bustos (www.reybustos.com) and the other is a drawing class with Danny Galiode. (I was infuriated because I thought the sculptures were called something else... and I never wanted to pick between the two classes since both instructers are extremely good!)

I envy that u guys are allowed to take it so early... I didn't get to take it till this term (my second term) and its still an elective, meaning I'm taking 6 full load classes..Personally I think they need to get rid of illustration now or at least leave if for the later terms since they make u take it twice.