[The-Hand]

NO........

[MrTurquoise]

WOOT!! YES!! Self taught all the way!!! I hate how everyone (mostly young people) think that they can just go to some college for a few years, and party and drink and get laid all the time, and then come out with some degree and a bunch of conditioned and robotic information temporarily lodged in their skulls, and think that they're going to all of a sudden be able to immediately find some six figure job!!...

But ah well, that's there mistake, not mine, so what do I care!??!...

So yeah!! Self-Taught DEFINITELY is bettah!...

[Colin-Ashcroft]

Originally Posted by MrTurquoise

WOOT!! YES!! Self taught all the way!!! I hate how everyone (mostly young people) think that they can just go to some college for a few years, and party and drink and get laid all the time, and then come out with some degree and a bunch of conditioned and robotic information temporarily lodged in their skulls, and think that they're going to all of a sudden be able to immediately find some six figure job!!...

But ah well, that's there mistake, not mine, so what do I care!??!...

So yeah!! Self-Taught DEFINITELY is bettah!...

Wow, with that image in your mind I can see why you think it would be a waste of time. True some people think they can hitch a ride on such a course and party.

From my experience most courses have a percentage of people with that attitude. Although I don't think a degree is valued in the industry to me it was invaluable in other ways. I went on my course as I am dedicated to my art not to earn big money.

I learn't so much and was exposed to so much which may not have been the case otherwise such as animation, two whole days of life model per week, oil painting etc etc You had all the facilities and equipment at your fingertips. The tutors often had industry professionals come in and talk to us.

From my experience the most negative aspect of my course involved some tutors trying to influence you in their personal approach to art. If you get this from two different tutors it can be pretty confusing. then on the other hand you would get a tutor who would not try and teach you. He would give you the tools to express yourself!

Like I said before I feel that a Degree is pretty worthless in the industry but of great importance to me in other ways. Going on a degree course or being self taught both have their good and bad points. We are all individuals, what works for you may not work for the next person and vise versa.

[echosilver]

I'm 18 and have just completed my A-levels (like a non-compulsory version to the last 2 years of High school). About a year ago, we we're expected to have a general understanding of where we wanted to go in education/life etc, and then start making plans such as sending applications or writing CV's.

I was stumped. I knew what I wanted to do, just not how to get there. I was one of the last students in my year to send off my university applications (last lesson of the last day of term!)

I now have a conditional offer to Derby Uni, which I'm really happy about but at the same time I know FULL WELL that I'll be teaching myself alot on top of the classes.

I know myself enough that if I didn't aim for something (like an illustration masters at uni), I just won't get off my backside and get it - I have to work on motivation.

I guess I'm trying to say that BOTH doesn't hurt. I know I'll be in debt for quite a while but I also know I'll have the skills and motivation by the end of it to work it off.

Plus it's an ace way to make long life contacts too I think. Not that you can't without a degree, but if you we're best buddies with someone back in the day who are now the head of a huge company, they might take a shine to ya. XD

[myrkrig]

sry for brigning dead stuff to life but
my wise mentor once said a very true thing " only the fanatics get the jobs "

nolife, nolife, nolife CG thats the only thing that matters.

Education is merly to show you the tools and guidence.
Good education is a good jump start into the mega stream of softwares and brushes, and a teacher in real person is priceless, constructive feedback, and their own experience can teach you far beyond any tutorial.

School will not work for you.
You must be the one nolifeing

Self teaching is a must for everyone, and it will never end.

So go dedicate your self to a program and eat, sleep, worthship, give away your soul to CG

my final point is;
It does't matter where you no life, just that you do it.
(To awnser the question The pricetag comes with your own human work experience. not if you went to school or not)

[Steve_Somers]

I went to the Art College where I live in Milwaukee but most of the skills I use in my work now were skills I built from my own projects that had nothing to do with school, and the irony is that the awards I won in school came from projects I did outside of school.

However I will say that Art School introduced me to many great people, both students and instructors - people I'm still friends with. School can also help you to discover what you DON'T want to do before you get a job doing it. But more importantly it helped develop a work ethic. I always did stuff before, but at my own lazy-ass leisurely pace. Waiting for "inspiration"...

If you really want a free education it's simple. Dedicate at least one to 12 hours every day to learning and practicing. Doesn't mean you'll be rich or popular, but after 5 years of that you'll definitely be able to make better work.

When I pay that $196 student loan every month I wonder if it was worth it, and I can't honestly say it truly was, but it wasn't really a waste either.

If I had it to do over again I would've taken a few studio courses from artists I admired, and maybe taken some humanities courses at the cheapo college.

So invest a lot of time, treat it like something important, and "follow your nose", if something stinks - move on to something else.

[kovah]

So far having been mostly self taught thanks to the crapness of art teaching in the places I went to where uni only just about redeamed itself by teaching me *some* 3D software as i knew more about photoshop than the all the tutors put to gether when i got there at 19 years old.

A degree just makes wrenching open the window into the artworld a tiny bit easier, the rest of the crowbar needs to be made of a solid portfolio that can smash the glass if need be.

i will make a diagram

Degree->[----][-----------------------------------------] <-Portfolio/personality/ability and skills

[MC1986]

Hmmm..... This thread has certainly shed some light on my current situation. I'm studying animation at a school that provides very little actual instruction, and for the most part leaves the students entirely to their own resources. Based on the testimonies from this thread, as well as my own experiences at another art school, and what I've heard from peers who studied fine art at university, this tends to be all too common.

I can totally vouch for what's been said about the need for self instruction: Most of what I already know about drawing and painting can be attributed to practice, studying independently, and determination for improvement; not so much from the instructor.

Having said that, there are several teachers from my old school without whom I'd be completely lost, and wouldn't have even known where to start. Unfortunately, they are in the minority.

I've been been enrolled in this overpriced, less-than-I-expected animation program for almost a year and don't feel as though I've learned as much as I could have if the curriculum had more structure to it. I've been contemplating withdrawing for some time (or simply not returning next year, but finishing this year for the credits), and I think that's the decision I'll ultimately make. I have a long way to go before I'm ready to enter the industry, but whatever skills I need, I'm not going to learn here.

[Petra]

I'm in my third year of an art-academy and I've learned far more by drawing for myself, in my free time instead of all the assignments we get.

I only have two teachers 'illustration' who both have an opposite style towards mine. They hate the use of the computer and they struggle with their own opinion above what is best for the student. Also, they like black and white better than colour. And as I don't do what they like, I get less help too.

Of course here and there they give good advices, but overall..I think if I had more free time I'd be a lot better.
Anyway, being in art school sure does motivate to make art every day and being with classmates who like the same thing is great too. The school is so different from other colleges that I wouldn't know if I survived if I choose something else to study.

I just chose the wrong art school I guess...

[JamesDonVito]

As I mentioned in my audio book on how to make it as a Concept Artist, going the self-taught method is a definite contender in how to get your education. I went to one of the best schools in the world, but having that name behind you will only get someone to look at your work, not necessarily get you the job! You are only as good as the weakest piece in your portfolio - classic idea, but so true!

In this chapter I mention several different ways to make it on the self taught road:
http://destinationconceptartist.com/...arning-part-2/

Draw on my friends!

[mogster]

I'm fully self trained through my own dedication, and yes i would have loved to go to collage, might still do.

[JamesDonVito]

The answer: No. You won't make more money or be hired more often just because of the school on your resume, but it will give you a stronger chance of getting studios to look at your work.
-And thereby give you chance of getting more gigs.

Learning never stops at school, that's the cool thing about art; you never get done learning!

James DonVito
more here: http://destinationconceptartist.com/

[TylinaVespart]

The more I look at it, the pickier I am about the universities I'd even Want to get into. I'll by aiming for a degree, but that's more so that I can leave the country than anything else. It's amazing what a bit of paper will do for your options.

[Vig]

Weather you choose to go to school or learn on your own you're still going to be teaching yourself. You get out of it whatever you put in, this is true for both methods.

If you go through school you'll probably get a little more structure and focus but that greatly depends on the school, the teachers and how well you can marry your interests with what the school does. For that structure and focus you also normally get a pile debt.

Also keep in mind that your education never stops even if you graduate. Often its a good foundation to start you're self teaching. Either way you go you need to be disciplined and devoted.

How you get to an awesome portfolio doesn't really matter just as long as you get there. I don't know single place that would pass up a person with an amazing portfolio that lacked a degree, for a mediocre person with a degree. A jaw dropping portfolio and a degree? Well I can't see how that would hurt other than your bank account.

[J_Chis88]

the degree doesn't matter. Teach yourself everything. Go to digitaltutors or gnome workshop. Go to get tutorials on torrents. Save yourself the money. School is not worth it.