Thoughts on The Art Institutes? Education in general?

**Daniel Hurd** · September 1st, 2011, 12:25 PM

Hello everyone!
I am currently attending the Art Institute Of Pittsburgh Online in the hopes of one day becoming a concept artist for various games and movies.

I have been a student there for about 3 months now and was fairly happy until recently. I am currently in a Sculpture and Drawing class specifically for the Game Art and Design program. I was excited for this class prior to taking it but now I am very disappointed. The class seems less about sculpture and it's applications in gaming than it is about abstract high end sculpting.

It feels as though the class is focusing heavily on abstract art, and often times I (and the other students) feel very lost as to what the instructor is even talking about.

So my question is this. Is education over rated?
I have been drawing all my life, and will never give up on my dream of doing concept art for a living.
Would I be better off taking a few classes from the likes of Schoolism? I am already well versed in photoshop and have some freelance experience. Sometimes I feel like I am wasting money and time on an education that may not matter so much in this field.

I'm new around here so be gentle!

**Daniel Hurd** · September 1st, 2011, 02:15 PM

Anyone???

**Tim Murphy** · September 1st, 2011, 02:57 PM

It's been two hours in the middle of the workday. Chill.

**Alice Herring** · September 1st, 2011, 05:55 PM

Middle of the workday AND that very topc has been discussed ad nauseum on the forums. Try looking around first before you ask a question.

**Rebeccak** · September 4th, 2011, 12:08 AM

The Art Institutes were just sued by the US Govt. for $11 Billion:

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/08/09/ed...ofit.html?_r=1

**J_Chish88** · September 28th, 2011, 11:33 AM

Hey, art schools are overrated, too expensive and superfluous. If you want a real, cheap education for gaming, I'd definitely recommend digitaltutors.com and thegnomonworkshop.com. Very cheap ways of learning everything you need to get a job. I've been to a few schools and would be happy to give you other advice on this.