What type of education should I expect at SVA?

[MyOrangeHat]

Exactly what can I expect out of my education at SVA? I know you get what you put into it. But what I'm really hoping to be able to get are those classes that most would call boring, the real fundamentals classes that make sure you have all your basics down 110% and you can do them in your sleep. Is that what the foundation year is about?

I really want a real EDUCATION about art, not just instructors telling me to express myself ignoring the fact that I can't draw a human hand to save my life and I have little to no grasp of color theory. I want to actually learn HOW light bounces off of objects, WHY it bounces off the way it does, etc.

Is SVA the place to get such an education? I've been accepted into Fine Arts (still considering a switch to illustration) for Fall 07 with a small merit scholarship and a decent sized need-based grant. But before I finish the loan paperwork (ouchie BIIIG loans) I just want to make sure it's what I really want. It's a LOT of money down the drain otherwise.

[Wierdokid182]

I'm basically going on what my friend told me. She said that if you are going there for the Studio art you can expect alot of hands of stuff. She told me the school didn't really have a good Computer Arts Program (She ended up complaining about it and transferred out in her senior year to a shittier school, which was dumb IMO but eh, more power to her). It's really not that bad though and even she said she complained too damn much. If you are looking for one of the best illustration programs though, I hear Parsons is the place to be. After I'm done with FIT, I hope I get in there :/ But it's all a matter of $$$

[Elwell]

If you are looking for one of the best illustration programs though, I hear Parsons is the place to be.
I don't know that I'd agree with that.

MyOrangeHat, foundation year is hit or miss for fundamentals, depending on the instructors. The problem is that the Fine Arts department does the hiring for the foundation drawing and painting classes, so some of them are very technically focused, some of them... not so much. For what you want, try to get the foundation schedule with Mattelson teaching painting, I think it's #4. Definitely switch to illustration if you want to work figuratively, even if you want to be a gallery artist.

[dguy]

She told me the school didn't really have a good Computer Arts Program (She ended up complaining about it and transferred out in her senior year to a shittier school, which was dumb IMO but eh, more power to her). It's really not that bad though and even she said she complained too damn much.

Your friend protest too much, considering SVA has the strongest Computer Arts program in NY, if not the entire northeast. It is certainly alot stronger than Parsons, and NYU. Considering SVA entries accepted into the MetroCafe out number all the other schools in the region. And dropping out in her senior yeah? wow that's the year you are suppose to put your demo reel together to get a job? what is she doing now?

[dguy]

To the OP, if you want to learn how to paint, switch to Illustration. In Fine Arts it's all about the 'idea' with very little emphasis on techniques. Illustrations on the other hand, they WILL teach you how to paint and render.

[MyOrangeHat]

Okay it's really sounding like illustration is the way I want to go. I had only picked fine arts because the representative from SVA I spoke with said it was the most flexible so I could fit in a broad range of study and I was undecided about career direction. But since illustration sounds like the perfect fit I suppose I don't need any more flexibility than that. :0)

Thanks for the help!

[Wierdokid182]

Your friend protest too much, considering SVA has the strongest Computer Arts program in NY, if not the entire northeast. It is certainly alot stronger than Parsons, and NYU. Considering SVA entries accepted into the MetroCafe out number all the other schools in the region. And dropping out in her senior yeah? wow that's the year you are suppose to put your demo reel together to get a job? what is she doing now?

Oh Boy, lol, You're telling me, man! I told her she should have finished up her year there instead of bitching so much. She's now finishing her credits up at Mercy College. I don't know if you've heard of that school (If you want to get an idea of what it's like, tune to the CW Channel everyday at around 12:00 when Maury comes on and just watch their commercials. It's quite the opposite...) But yeah, it's not looking good :/ *shakes head*...She only has to finish up some credits, but she's still whining.

[SquirrelQueenofDoom]

I completed Freshman year in Computer Art at SVA, and I couldn't have asked for a more instructive year. The teachers are great and helpful and actually know what they're doing (Art History, we won't count that, will we?) but the biggest thing I learned is that there is no secret to depict how light bounces off of something, or how a form turns in space; it can't be described in words and can only be taught by repetition and attention. In my drawing class, we drew nude figures from 9 AM to 3 PM with a lunch break. By the end of the year, our interpretations had improved tremendously, and that's what I call success. Will you be living in a residence? I have lots to spew on that topic too; if so, I hope you think mice are cute and cuddly.

Oh, and I went to the MetroCafe show for Computer Art - SVA dominated with over half of the submissions from SVA students. Judging by the paintings hung up around the school during the year, I'd say the Fine Arts and Illustration programs are both swell, but personally I think Illustration looks better on a resume.

Plus it's in NYC! I got to see David Blane spinning around in a gyroscope hanging from a crane in Times Square - what's better than that, I ask?

[supermark]

"..............I hear Parsons is the place to be."

I'm not saying it isn't but heck I've heard a million other answers to the question "who's the best for whatever?..."
The best thing is too just check out tons of schools and do plenty of research.

[Wierdokid182]

"..............I hear Parsons is the place to be."

I'm not saying it isn't but heck I've heard a million other answers to the question "who's the best for whatever?..."
The best thing is too just check out tons of schools and do plenty of research.

That is true. But it also depends on what you are looking for. Research will tell you what the schools are all about, but you have to be specific with what you want out of a school...You can't expect things to work out once you get there.

[riccjohn]

I go to SVA for Computer Art and I can tell you that it is the best school for CA in AT LEAST the Northeast. As for illustration and fine arts, I know that the workload is pretty heavy with a lot of hands on work to get you to learn as much as you can in your Freshmen year, just as with every major at SVA. I see the Fine Arts major's work hanging up all the time and I'm amazed not only at how talented the kids are who are accepted, but how much their talent grows during the year. I'm glad I made the right choice to go to SVA.

[Storyboard Dave]

One thing that I would also highly suggest as you start moving through their program (and any other college's as well) is to start looking beyond the college and start plotting your portfolio's route towards a business model.

Don't just start doing assignments for the sake of doing them. Have a rationale for doing them. And part of that rationale is "Does it look professional?", "Can I get hired to do this?", "What's my market?", etc..

You might even graduate with a high GPA but if your portfolio doesn't look up to professional standards, simply put- you won't get work. There are literally thousands of new art school grads every year and that coupled with working professionals out there still scrapping for those jobs as well. You need to be able to hit the ground running once you get out of school.

So above & beyond what you're learning in school, you still have to blaze your own path beyond your collegiate years.