SVA or CCA's Illustration

[L33T Agent]

Hi! I'm currently debating between SVA and CCA's illustration program. I've heard much praise for both schools and their illustration programs, but I'm curious to know which is better. Some of my questions are:

- Which school has the stronger illustration program? Which school will I get the better education?
- What are the different teaching styles of each school?
- I'm looking into doing comic book covers, magazine covers, etc. Which school will hold a better opportunity for me to pursue this?

I've also looked at the student work from the illustration program from each school, and I really like the work from CCA, but I can't say I'm too impressed with SVA's. Why is it that I continue to hear so much praise for SVA?

Additionally, I heard that SVA academics are merely just weekly assignments, etc. but I'm not sure how reliable my sources are. Is this true? I haven't heard much about CCA's academics, so I'm also curious as to what theirs is like.

Cost and location are not a concern, as both schools are relatively the same price, and I'm okay with either SF or NYC.

Thanks to anybody who is willing to offer some advice and to clear up my confusion!

[Meloncov]

I'm an animation student at CCA, so my knowledge of the illustration program here is limited and my knowledge of SVA's is nearly nonexistant, but I'll help as much as I can.

I've been fairly impressed with the one illustration class I've taken, and I've heard good things about the other illustration one teacher. I'm not sure if there is really any distinct teaching style for either school-just that of individual teachers, so I don't know if I can say anything meaningful there.

And what do you mean by "academics?" All classes, liberal arts classes, what?

[L33T Agent]

Meloncov, thanks for the help

Which illustration class did you take?

By teaching style, I mean whether there is a lot of creative freedom or not. I have heard that Art Center College of Design is more of a business-oriented school, and a lot of the teachers try to render your style into the "Art Center" style and I was wondering if CCA would do the same (though I've heard from some people that they don't).

As far as academics, I mean liberal arts. Like, what do you think of the humanities courses? Which ones are worth taking?

[Elwell]

-Which school has the stronger illustration program?

That's absolutely a matter of opinion. They're both strong programs.

Which school will I get the better education?

No one can answer that but you.

- What are the different teaching styles of each school?

CCA's program is much smaller than SVA's (twelve instructors listed vs. ~100), so their program is by definition going to be less diverse. Whether that's a plus or minus depends on the individual student and their relation to the instructors.

- I'm looking into doing comic book covers, magazine covers, etc. Which school will hold a better opportunity for me to pursue this?

Publishing is still largely concentrated in New York, but where you are located makes much less difference these days than it used to.

Additionally, I heard that SVA academics are merely just weekly assignments, etc. but I'm not sure how reliable my sources are. Is this true?

All classes at SVA meet once a week for three hours (six hours for some studio classes). For a BFA you have to take a full load of humanities and art history credits. SVA also has an academic honors program for those who qualify.

[Meloncov]

I'm taking illustration 1. I've also taken drawing two, which, while technically in the drawing and painting department, is taught by an illustration teacher.

I'm pretty sure, on average, CCA teachers teach more classes than SVA teachers (CCA has tenured professors; SVA, iirc, does not), so the size difference isn't as pronounced as it appears.

For most CCA illustration classes, the subject is assigned but we have near total creative freedom beyond that. For example, for my current project, we were assigned one of two children's stories, but we're free to interpret it more or less however we wish.

Liberal arts classes at CCA tend to be better than at most art schools (not saying a whole lot), with many instructors shared with UC Berkley.

[ekoshock]

Funny, I've ended up getting accepted to both of those schools. Ended up choosing SVA due to my stubborn insistence that I had to be in New York. =P


-Which school has the stronger illustration program?
Dunno.

-What are the different teaching styles of each school?
In terms of technical approach, it depends on which teacher you take. I've had one painting teacher who went right into colors, warm colors vs. cool colors (not color theory) and another teacher (whom I've sadly not took) started with values. Same thing with drawing teachers too. My advice is to take advantage of both of the different painting and drawing classes, you might as well get your moneys worth and learn whatever you can.
In terms of creative freedom, I guess I can agree with Meloncov. They would assign a subject, and you do whatever you want with it.

-Which school will I get the better education?

For either school you go to, it's not so much who and which class will give you a better education because the classes and the teachers will be a hit or miss but it's what you will do with the stuff you've learned. Because simply doing your homework assignments and listening to your teachers isn't enough, as art schools don't teach enough info as it is ... if you use your spare time to take things further to draw, paint, research and work on your own projects, draw, sit in extra classes, paint, visit museums, draw, paint, and pretty much work your ass off, you *will* get something out of your art education.

Like any other place, whether its CCA, SVA, TAD or whateverthehell, simply trusting that your classes and instructors will give you a good education and make you magically improve and doing the barest minimum won't get you anywhere or give you a decent education.
All the best learning you can do comes from what you do with what you've learned. And I don't mean just doing the cruddy homework. Go out and make your own things in your spare time.

Sorry if I sound so redundant.


-I'm looking into doing comic book covers, magazine covers, etc. Which school will hold a better opportunity for me to pursue this?

If you want to meet art directors and illustrators in person, I'd say SVA, simply because of it's location; its proximity to the Society of Illustrators, DC and Marvel's headquarters and various publishing companies. Plus alot of Art Directors and illustrators (and some cartoonists) live there and can be seen at Society of Illustrators show openings and whatnot.

-Additionally, I heard that SVA academics are merely just weekly assignments, etc. but I'm not sure how reliable my sources are. Is this true?
For most part, yes. But some classes give homework in a different format, like a biweekly assignment.


Message me if you have any more questions. =)

[OchreHand]

I graduated with an illustration degree at SVA in 06. I will say that the school has a solid illustration program, but as someone else mentioned, it's up to you to push yourself or just float by. No teacher, no matter how brililant, can transform you into a magical artist. In my experience:

+ You won't get a lot of business knowledge at this school. While there is at least one class that does teach you self promotion, most students leave without knowing what to do when they get their degree. The pro-active students are the smart ones, though. They start picking the professors brains on contacts or grilling guest speakers on who they know.

+ Most of my illustration professors were oldschool -- very few understood concept/production art, photoshop, or digital painting. You won't get industry wide knowledge, but the profs will teach you the fundamentals of picture making. Even some professors discourage the use of Photoshop for your assignments because they don't want you to take shortcuts for your assignments.

+ When I was there, assignments were weekly based. They lecture then give you homework, then a week later, class critique of your homework. You usually start with thumbnails, then they give you a week to do the finished work. It's not a bad system and of course some profs are better at critiquing than others.

+ sophomore year is mostly drawing and painting fundamentals and compositions and Art History. The teaches won't t consider you an "artist."

+ junior year is essentially your 'hardcore' year at SVA. As a junior, you spend the entire year applying what you've learned and working on your illustration thesis. At the end of that year, if you did it right, you'll be exhausted and sleepless. You then a get a blunt critique by the dean of the illustration program. Lots of kids cry.

When I was there, the thesis critique was done by Thomas Woodruff -- aka the Simon Cowel of SVA. If you have him, prepared to get some very honest words about your work. He'll then decides if you're good enough to participate in the Thesis Gallery show where the public gets to see your illustration work.

+ Painting courses vary depending who you take... The profs I took focused mostly on the drawing, values then colors last. You also need to take a slew of humanities courses that include English, culture, and history.

+ Publishing is huge in New York City, but sadly, there appears to be less editorial work available for illustrators nowadays. It's not impossible of course, but magazine work is becoming less of a focus. A way to break into the industry is to submit your work to annuals and contests, like the Soiciety of Illustrators which is in the city.

Also, in my opinion, attending school in New York will be unlike any other city, simply based on the culture. NYC is home to some of the best museums in the world (The MET, MoMa, Frick, and so on), art galleries, fashion and food

[CaNiBaLe]

I am an international transfer student pursuing illustration at CCA, and I love it! like anywhere you find good and not so good teachers. Same deal with students. if you're serious about it you will learn a lot, since teachers teach you A LOT! they are doing demos all the time and handling you tips and techniques. It's up to you if you want to master them or not. They have humanities/science classes requirements to graduate as well.

There are two kinds of illustration classes: the core illustration classes (that go from 1 to 7) where you are given an assignment and have to create thumbnails, value studies, color studies etc till you hand the final. They meet twice a week in 6 hours per week. Traditional media is highly encouraged for finishes. The other kind of class is "illustration tools" that teach you specific fun stuff, like techniques such as oils, watercolor, digital media (basic), sequential (comic books), children's book illu, visual journalism etc.

You also have to take electives outside your major that are really great (I want to take them all) and fun. And last, but not less important, the weather here is really nice, always a little windy, never very cold, never very hot. People is usually friendly (or crazy) and there are lots of stuff to see and do around. I currently live at the dorms and it's been a great experience as well!

hope you find the school that best suits you!

[L33T Agent]

Wow, thanks for all the feedback, everyone!

@ekoshock: I have sent you a PM

@OchreHand: Yeah, I am definitely considering submitting my work to Society of Illustrators amongst other contests. Which illustration teachers would you recommend? The class descriptions are kind of vague, so for somebody like me who is looking for graphic novel and journalism type of illustration work, which classes would you recommend? As far as editorial work, would you say that NYC holds much more opportunities for me as opposed to other locations?

@CaNiBaLe: Thanks for all the insight on CCA! Which illustration teachers would you recommend? Is Illustration 1-7 basically the nuts and bolts of what illustration is all about (as in, assignments are incredibly diverse, as it will cover all sorts of illustration work)? I have looked at Illustration Tools as well and classes like "Editorial", "Survival", "Sequential", and "Visual Journalism" and others really interest me. Which Illus Tools classes have you taken, and can you give me a description of what you all do? I read the description on CCA's website, and classes like "Survival" and "Vis. Journalism" still aren't giving me a full picture of what the class is really about, so I'm hoping you could update me on those

Oh, and which dorm do you live in? I'm thinking of going into Clifton Hall, as I heard most 1st year students reside there. Can you give me some info. about your dorm, whichever one it is?

@SVA students: Which dorm would you recommend for 1st year students? I hear New Res. is best for first years, and the GW is usually for upperclassmen. Any info on dorms?

I really appreciate all the feedback that everybody's given me!