Graphic & Traditional Illustration.

[rebelsolo77]

Can someone explain the difference between a Graphic Illustration Degree and a Traditional Illustration Degree?
I want training in digital art, but nothing graphic design-ish (like typography for ex.). Thanks. :)

[Mirana]

I didn't realize things like typography were taught in illustration degrees, but if they are...isn't that a plus? Shouldn't you be aware of things like typography when creating work for print?

[sweetoblivion314]

at AAU they have both degrees. Im in Traditional and i have spoken to several people in graphic. In traditional they teach you almost every medium including painter and photoshop illustration. They focas totally on single images though. in graphic you take alot of graphic design courses that would teach you about designing layout and compositioning books and boxes and things.

[rebelsolo77]

Heh, that's funny AAU is actually where I will be going. Traditional sounds more up my alley. I'm sure some graphic design classes would be beneficial, but I took one in community college and absolutely hated it.
Anyways, thanks for the help!

[Seedling]

You should ask the individual schools in question. Generally when the word "graphic" gets thrown around, there is much confusion. Everybody uses it to mean something different.

[droidonthemoon]

true, the word does get thrown around alot, but honestly, if you want to be successful as an illustrator, taking a series of "graphic design" (including typography) courses along with the "traditional" will throw you so far ahead of the rest of the players. check out www.drawn.ca and see what some of the absolute topclass players are doing and the amount of "design" that is included. too many artists, in particular, illustrators, do not understand design, only rendering. remember the point of illustration is visual communication. without design, greats like Norman Rockwell (whether you like him or not) would just be mediocre renderers. Go for the illustration degree, but add a year (or at least a semester) of graphic in there. i require it of all my employees