What is your favorite part of SVS and what can we do better?
-
I've been curious about the European market as well! I think my art has a pretty American look to it, but often when a book is released with a different cover for the US and European markets, I usually find that I like the European cover more.
-
Another thing that I myself have trouble with is adjusting scans or photos of original artwork in Photoshop to look like the originals. I'd love to see the process pros use to get their images ready for publishing.
-
I really enjoy the forum but I find the delay loading of the pictures a bit annoying...... or is it just me?
I like that SVS really focuses on the storytelling side of things, not so much in the software, although they cover it too.
In general. I love it
-
My 3 favorite things about SVS-
- Courses that include assignments or workbooks.
- The fun tone of the classes and personality of the instructors.
- Curriculum that includes both art skills and business knowledge.
Things you could do better-
This is concerning art skill classes. I'm also a subscriber to schoolism. My intention is not to offend with this comparison, but I think there's a couple of things that schoolism does that I've found to be very beneficial as a self-studier-
- They push you to improve your skills with assignments. Even with taking a class by subscription, it is organized by lesson and each lesson includes an assignment. You feel obligated (or at least I do) to do an assignment before you move on to the next concept. I've noticed with classes here, assignments feel like an after thought- not because the workbook exercises are inadequate- but because it almost feels like there's no pressure to do them- it's just there as an option included at the end of all of the course content. I think Jake's update of "How to Draw Everything" is a great improvement to the way the material is organized- to give more emphasis on encouraging you to apply the knowledge presented. I also loved a moment in one of the classes here where Will tells you to pause the video, come up with some thumbnails and then un-pause the video to see how yours compared to what Jake came up with. That felt like a break through moment for me, because I was challenged to apply the knowledge taught, and then I had a professional standard to compare my results to on the same exact exercise. This kind of brings me to the next thing I think schoolism get right:
2)They include the prerecorded critiques of the live class students for each lesson/assignment. You get the benefit of seeing someone less skilled than you getting critiqued- people with a similar skill level as you get critiqued, and people with stronger skills than you get critiqued- all on the same exact assignment. There's something about that set up, that I feel lets you learn so much. There's a good variety of critiques, that it's almost as good as getting a personal critique- most of the questions you struggled with during your assignment, get answered if you take the time to look at the critiques included. I know you include critique sessions here, but they are usually on personal pieces. I learn a lot from those, but it's a bit different than being able to view critiques on the same assignment.
Anyway, just thought I'd throw those out there. I really love SVS and think it's a unique and much needed addition to online art education. Thanks for all that you provide and all your hard work.
-
I'd like to reply to the comment about having more female instructors. I couldn't agree more. We are working with some now and they are fantastic. Over the past 2 years we have been really trying to get women teachers and they have all declined. I'm not sure why it's worked out that way, but I wanted to let you guys know that we are aware of it and have been trying to fix it for a very long time. We just haven't had many takers so far in terms of teaching. Luckily that seems to be getting better now though. : )
-
Okay, You twisted my arm. I'll teach. I can do a class on how to be a full time mom and illustrator. Lesson one: "I can't clean the messy kitchen. I'm using it as reference!"
Kidding aside, I love all of the suggestions above and have two to add. As suggested in another thread, it would be great to have live, in-person events with SVS students and (if available) faculty...much like your open house. I would also love a way to organize smaller critique groups. I do hesitate suggesting "closed groups" because I would hate for anyone to feel left out, but it is easier to get/give feedback when there is a smaller group to get to know and understand.
I've been taking classes from SVS for a long time--near the beginning, I suspect--and every change has improved the learning and SVS community. Thank you!
Twitter: @Joy_Illustrated
Instagram: joy_illustrated
Website: joyheyer.com -
I agree with Tess about the Visualizing Perspective class by Will where he has you pause the video that is my favorite class I have taken here. I feel like I got so much out of that class. I also really enjoyed the Draw 50 Things class and would love to see more challenge type classes like that. I would love to see some more watercolor and traditional art classes as well. The only thing I can think of for improvement is some of the lessons can get a bit long, it's just easier to digest information in shorter bursts sometimes I think, maybe that's just me and my old brain though lol.
-
I love the content and the different subjects offered. My suggestion is just about customization in organization. Is that possible? I love my spreadsheet where i can see in one screen which classes i have taken and which ones i have left. I also like to colorcode which ones i want to take next or listen to again. Also if i have completed any assignments or still need/want to. I hate updating the spreadsheet when there is new conent added to the website. It would be nice to be able to do all that on my dashboard. To be able to view the classes in different orders like by subject or by date added or alphabetically.
My other suggestion is to be able to "play all" when there are multiple videos for a class.
I love how much i have learned here. Thank you so much for all the amazing classes!
-
@joy-heyer Lesson one: "I can't clean the messy kitchen. I'm using it as reference!"
I am stealing this one
-
I will ditto @holleywilliamson suggestions about organization. I meant to mention something along those same lines, but forgot.
-
Lee started a topic with a survey of things we'd like to see more of at SVS, so if you haven't seen it, you might want to check it out. A lot of good suggestions have been given there, as well:
http://forum.svslearn.com/topic/3907/svs-survey/34
