Researching Art Schools - Any Recommendations?

[Lucky Platt]

I went to the School of the Art Institute of Chicago for a year, for painting and drawing. I don't think they have a grad program specifically in illustration, but at SAIC you can do anything, you're not limited by the program you're accepted into. It was wonderful, the most luxurious educational experience for an artist that I could imagine. I'm also still in debt, which isn't crippling at this point, but probably wasn't the best financial decision. I think art school provides discipline/deadlines and can be invaluable in terms of connection with faculty and other students. Ideally you can fully immerse yourself in the experience and really limit distractions and other obligations for the time you are in school. I think you have to be willing to go into debt that you might carry for years, art school scholarships are scarce and super competitive. Overall I think art school is a strange beast - lots of delicious candy and frills for sure, but a good deal of learning you could get for a fraction of the cost through a combo of online learning with SVS, finding a mentor artist to work with, studying locally through a community college or arts organization, attending an artist residency for some of that essential immersive creative time reading, writing, going to shows, connecting with a critique group etc. Wishing you the best of luck!

[Nyrryl Cadiz]

@Julia Simona studied MFA in Visual Development fro academy of Art in San Francisco, CA

[Sasha Contreras]

@ArtofAleksey Hello! No budget for now - just doing research. If selling my soul is worth it I guess I'm open to the idea lol

[Nyrryl Cadiz]

@Sasha-Contreras hi! But don’t you have a degree in Graphics design already?

[ArtofAleksey]

@Sasha-Contreras im attending FIT in nyc,
It doesn’t compare to SVAs or Pratts program but it’s a lottt cheaper. And im breezing through it but it does take some self motivated work on the side. At least the first 2 years. The BA programs they have after you complete their AAS seems really serious though. They have an Animation track, a Toy Design track, and Illustration Track.

[Julia]

@Nyrryl-Cadiz thanks! I could not remember right. Isn't it an Art School? Maybe I got confused with the many options US studies offer! (and acronyms).
Sorry if my post was not relevant in this context!

[Nyrryl Cadiz]

@Julia hi! Oh no, you were actually correct. Academy of Art University is actually an art school. Despite the university name.

[Nyrryl Cadiz]

@ArtofAleksey wow! You’re back to school? That’s awesome. Are you taking an MFA?

[ArtofAleksey]

@Nyrryl-Cadiz no im doing an AAS and then will do a BA. I have a BS in nutrition so I don't have to take most of the classes, and electives. I just have to take the art classes.

[Nyrryl Cadiz]

@ArtofAleksey since you already have a bachelor’s degree, shouldn’t you be eligible for a master’s?

[ArtofAleksey]

@Nyrryl-Cadiz im not going into debt for the rest of my life lol. The aas and the BA are affordable and teach me the things i need to learn

[Nyrryl Cadiz]

@ArtofAleksey debt is definitely not worth it

[ArtofAleksey]

@Nyrryl-Cadiz yeah i wish we had affordable education in this country like other countries haha but its ok. Im still kicking butt

[Sasha Contreras]

@Nyrryl-Cadiz Hello good afternoon! Yes I do have a BFA in graphic design unfortunately I have not found any creative positions in my area. I've been unemployed for several months now and the two years I was employed I was working in manufacturing design. Unfortunately my area does not have many creative opportunities. The work experiences I have had - now contribute to me hating graphic design. I feel that illustration is what I now enjoy doing. I have been applying to many positions including outside my area for work in illustration but because I do not have perhaps the skill level or connections I have yet to find a creative role.

[Sasha Contreras]

@ArtofAleksey That's pretty awesome! Thank you for sharing your current experiences with me. I will research FIT and look into their program. I hope you've enjoyed your experience so far What track are you interested in?

[ArtofAleksey]

@Sasha-Contreras yeah its been great so far. I'm not certain, I might do a combination of animation and illustration but we'll see

[VeronicaMui]

I didn’t go to an art school so no recommendation to share, but I would encourage you to look into scholarships so you won’t have to worry about creating a ton of debt. I’m sure you can find a lot of information about those through school websites or perhaps others can recommend places for that.

[Sasha Contreras]

@Julia Thank you so much for this helpful link Hope you are doing well!! Happy holidays!