The Official Artcenter Thread - like, omg!

[jellybean]

The New Illustration Curriculum
"The Art of Research"- will be a required class for 1st, 2nd, and 3 rd students starting fall 2005.

What's new?
1) Design based thinking - understand what's relevant to illustration.
2) Relevant and contemporary- international language.
3) Business skill- students will know their markets.
4) Presentation skill

Committee's interests:
1) Entertainment Design- 3D base foundation of design work.
2) Entertainment Art- mostly character books.
3) Motion Illustration- motion and traditional.
4) Contemporary- involve conceptual work.

[A.Miller]

Hey Gunnz if you are gonna apply try not to get too hung up on the fact they say 12-20 pieces. I had probably like 40-50 figure drawings and paintings(traditional and digital), a sketchbook and even an entire Biggie newsprint pad of warm up gestures and stuff. I would never have considered submitting that much stuff but an admissions advisor told me to and it worked out, I got in. I would strongly advise meeting with someone in admissions and getting feedback on what your portfolio is lacking. Good luck.

[gunnz]

Hey Gunnz if you are gonna apply try not to get too hung up on the fact they say 12-20 pieces. I had probably like 40-50 figure drawings and paintings(traditional and digital), a sketchbook and even an entire Biggie newsprint pad of warm up gestures and stuff. I would never have considered submitting that much stuff but an admissions advisor told me to and it worked out, I got in. I would strongly advise meeting with someone in admissions and getting feedback on what your portfolio is lacking. Good luck.

Thanks! I talked to the counselor a week ago....and she said I needed either five finished color concept pieces (what a broad term), or 25 quicker ones. I had like 20 figure drawings which I showed, and she said that I didn't even need that many. I think I'm just going to keep doing landscape and architecture studies....which will be my color pieces. I have a big sketchbook, but I guess those studies are too experimental. I'll probably have to pick some good ones and redo them onto a bigger, more finished format. I've been polishing up on my life drawing skills as well, and trying to replace OK pieces with better ones. Hopefully I will have a portfolio suitable for both Cal Arts and Art Center. The animation program at Cal Arts looks great too. Eventually I would like to get into 3d and animation....and the emphasis on storytelling and being able to act out the characters is what I want. Art Center is an attractive program because there seem like more possibilities.

[gunnz]

Ok...I'm confused. Some of the Art Center students say that it is hard to get scholarships the first year, and then it gets a lot easier once you get to the sophomore year. Oe the other hand, I've also heard that if you don't get scholarships coming in as a freshman, then it's damn near impossible. Which is true?

[PolinaH]

I hear the latter is true, and I've seen it happen more often than not. The besttime to get a scholarship for artcenter is the time you apply. Compitision is a little less, and I think the judges might be a little easier...

I've just got accepted to Art Center, but I'm still waiting for results before I make my decision

[Gygaxis]

I've heard word that the entry scholarships are generally a larger reward, but I also hear it's next to impossible to get one of those coming in. You can apply for scholarships every semester, there is a good chunk of money out there for scholarship funds. I also hear that applying for scholarships during the summer semester is the best time, due to less competition.

[Helium Macaroni]

If anyone has the need for a very nice place to live, and has a bit of cash, there are two openings in my appartment complex coming up, a one bedroom and a studio. My appartment manager specifically asked if I knew anyone from Art Center that was looking for a place. I asked him why Art Center students and not Occidental College students whose school is right in the nieghborhood. He mentioned that the Art Center kids were always quiet and never had any noise complaints filed against them, while the Oxy kids were always annoying as hell and treated the place like a dorm, parties and all. I laughed and said that was probably because we have no life.

Its funny 'cause its true.

I live in Eagle Rock and its a wonderful hip neighborhood that's actually walkable and is about 15 minutes from school. The one bedroom will go for about $925, while the studio will go for $750 I think. The one bedroom is actually quite comfortable to live in if you have a boyfriend/girlfriend/or farm animal that you live with who you can split the rent with. Not the cheapest, but its a very nice place to live, the managers are extremely nice, the places are clean and well maintained, parking and laundry is in-building, central heating and air as well as a wonderful neighborhood to live in. (And the best fucking coffee house in the city on the corner.)

Let me know if anyone is interested.

[PeggyChung]

just curious, how much are you guys expecting to pay at the end with financial aid coverage? and how much do you get in financial aid? how much in scholarships? thanks

[mercan]

I laughed and said that was probably because we have no life.

Its funny 'cause its true.

That's not true.We do have a life, just...a...ah...different yeah that's it.

[A.Miller]

Helium, I'd like to hear more about the studio if you have got any more info about price, size, etc.

[Drunken Monkey]

not entirely true... 1st term trans with 21 units here... there is space for life. 1-2 evenings a week, + 1 full day you can go out to bars/clubs/beach/museums or whatever your venue. 6-7 hours of sleep a day... its not ideal,, but then its ACCD THE NAVY SEALS OF DESIGN HOOOA! LATE TO CLASS? FORGOT YOUR NAVY SEAL GEAR? BETTER TAKE THIS TERM OFF JABRONIE!

[mercan]

1-2 evenings a week, + 1 full day you can go out to bars/clubs/beach/museums or whatever your venue. 6-7 hours of sleep a day...

Wow...I envy you.I can have 7 hours of sleep only once or twice a week, and going out to even for an evening is kinda hard, with all the workshops and all...maybe I'm pushing myself too hard.

[steve kim]

i agree with the monkey. the 'artcenter will takeover your life' sentiment is kind of overblown. if you manage your time well, you should get all your school work in, + a little 'life' here and there, AND tons of time spent on your personal work.

most of the tales of woe prolly come from 1st/2nd term students who are struggling to adapt to the new workload. veterans such as i find it all laughable! hahoaeh!

[jellybean]

not entirely true... 1st term trans with 21 units here... there is space for life. 1-2 evenings a week, + 1 full day you can go out to bars/clubs/beach/museums or whatever your venue.

21 units + Trans --> death wish?

I was going to ask why, but I remembered that they gave me the same unit load for my first term too. Did you transfer your academics?

After the first year, I feel like I have an extra class in my workload. Its smarter to load up on units at the start and coast later to make time for your professional book.

I thought art boot camp was going to make me a better person, but deep inside, I'm still a[n obsessive] lazy ass.

[jellybean]

Wow...I envy you.I can have 7 hours of sleep only once or twice a week, and going out to even for an evening is kinda hard, with all the workshops and all...maybe I'm pushing myself too hard.

Um, this is why student government gives out food at Movie Night. We're passing out ice pops on Wednesday afternoon at the bridge. Sugar is my friend too. Seriously, I'm looking forward to having people hang out instead of just passing by once they get a freebie.

[mercan]

most of the tales of woe prolly come from 1st/2nd term students who are struggling to adapt to the new workload. veterans such as i find it all laughable! hahoaeh!

Hehe, that's probably true.We're just a bunch of scared fresh meat.

It's not just about the workload though, after all the homework you want to work on a personal project too.I think that's the most time-eating part.

[BlackGuy]

I need advice because I feel extremely lost and confused right now as far what to do. I'm gonna pour out my past, my present situation, and my goals and I'm going to tell you my problem/s and I hope that maybe someone can give me some guidance and advice on what the hell to do.

I dropped out of high school my senior year in 2003. It's my biggest mistake and one true regret of my life, but I was pretty much a fuck up back then. I dicked around all of 2004 because there was a bit of a shitty situation going on, and I finally started thinking about my future this year. I got my GED in february and got my shit together and am going to the Art Institute of Washington. I am also currently working part time as a legal assistant in Washington D.C.
Now my reasons for going to the art institute are two fold. The first is while I'm there, to build up a better, more recent portfolio. The second is to pour all of my energy into my work to get as close to a 4.0 as possible. I've asked my drawing teacher for extra assignments on top of the extablished curriculum because I want to improve and because if I do all this work, my letters of recommendations will be better. I don't doubt that I can get the grades because I can tell that nothing here is too difficult. I will stay commited and I will do it.

That is pretty much where I'm standing right now. Here are my problems/questions. I want to go to Art Center. I very much want to go to Art Center. But I live across the country in D.C. I'm pretty sure I'm not going to be able to work and attend school there at the same time, mainly because of several things that I've heard. And since the school doesn't offer housing, I don't know what the hell I'm going to do as far having a place to live. This is my MAIN problem, and I just don't know enough about these things, or about california and Art Center, to come up with a solution. I had pretty much given up hope on ever going to Art Center, but today I had dinner with my best friend's mother (who is like a mother to me) and her bf. I was just meeting this guy and he is a photographer from Guatemala. Now we're talking casually about what I want to do with school and whatnot, and when he hears what I want to do for a living, he pulls out all this Gnomon and Art Center information and shit. We just talked for like an hour and a half and I pretty much poured out that Art Center was where I really wanted to end up, but I'd most likely have to go to a school with housing. He pretty much said "fuck that" and convinced me to just go for what I want. I just really don't know how. I'm asking for any help and advice you guys can offer. Anything at all, I'd appreciate it. Maybe even some obvious information that I don't know. Thanks guys.

[Gygaxis]

That's kind of like what my situation was like after high school, cept I stuck it through. I didn't know exactly what I was going to do, my grades were pretty shitty, and I really wanted to go to art center but didn't think there was a way in hell I could afford it. You will not be able to work while you're here, maybe some workstudy or something, but don't plan on more than a few hours a week for working part time. The illustration department's load alone is pretty hardcore, product or transportation design are even more hardcore, they're up to 21 credit hours a semester mandatory for at least the foundations stuff. And I know personally, I spend at least 2.5-5 hours out of class doing homework for every hour I spend in that class that's about 10-25 hours of homework per class per week. As far as housing, you'll pretty much need a car out here, there's plenty of places to live that are decent around, roommates, renting a room, small apartments ETC. And it's not to hard to find another Art Center student to live with. I came out here and house hunted from a hotel for a few days and found a place. Depending on where in the area you're going to live you can expect to pay $450-500 for a tiny room without great proximity. $600-750 gets you nicer rooms/splitting apartments. $800-1000 starts getting you single bedroom apartments. And at the moment gas is about $3/gallon. Seriously, the program is worth every penny though, and I'm gladdly going into larger debt than many third world countries to pay to go here.

[BlackGuy]

oh god, I don't even drive!! I'm diabetic and because of that, my doctor has to approve me to get a license, which he will not do. I guess that's my own fault though because I don't keep my blood sugar in control as much as I should. So basically you HAVE to be pretty loaded to go there? God I don't want to stick my parents with my AiW bill, my ACCD bill, and my goddamn rent. I don't even know if that's an option, and even if it was I can't do that to them. This is looking more and more impossible.

[mercan]

Hmm...Forgive my lack of sleep but I didn't exactly get about what you want advice.Do you want advice about how to get in to AC or why should you try to get here.

Anyway, I'll just pour out whatever comes to my mind, hope that helps.


I drifted around for a couple of years before starting AC too, and I sometimes regret it but I'm getting over it.Late or not I started and I have to focus and do my best.I've done lots of figure drawing, illustrations and storyboards for my portfolio.I think setting up an appointement with a councelor and showing your current portfolio is a good idea but I didn't done that.And of course color work is always a nice touch.As for housing, it's not hard to find a place here.Office of Student Life will help you a lot, and Hellium has a post up there about openings in his building (of course if you re going to apply soon that is).And I think finding a house for yourself and living on your own (or with roommate/s) is a whole great experience.

Of course I don't know about your future plans, but for me AC has proved to be the most right desicion I've ever made in my whole life.I feel like I'm getting back what I'm paying for.Besides education, life is pretty sweet too.

You should definitly must have a car here.I'm working on getting one and I'll probably have one in a couple of weeks.So far I've managed, thanks to my helpful friends but here life without a car sucks.

So yes, it costs a lot of money and workload can be really heavy sometimes but AC is a pretty great school.I strongly reccomend it.
And this is the end of my "Life at AC" novel.

[BlackGuy]

my main problem is how I'm going to live. It doesn't look like school+job is very possible. And if in anyway something is wrong with my residence, I'm screwed because my home is across the entire country. How are you all doing it? Do you all go to school and work or what? Parents helping you guys out?

[wazabi]

Get goverment grants, some scholarship and SOME FUCKING LOANS. It didn't cost my parents a single dime.
If you want to save more money prepare a kick ass profolio that can place you in advace standing (you could start as second term and save you around 10,000) and scholarship.
If you want it bad enough theres nothing that can stop you.
STOP MAKING EXCUSES...now go and draw.

[CruShTinbOX]

How does Art Center work as far as student loan refund checks and what not? When I was at SCAD I had an occasional job, but for the vast majority of the time I was there I just lived off of my refund checks... you know, extra money that was left over after the school took what they needed from my loans. Is that the way it works at Art Center? I'm assuming so because so many of you don't have jobs or anything so you have to be paying your rent, utilities and food somehow. If not, how do you work that all out?

[mercan]

Well, it's hard to say because it's really different for everyone.There are people who worked for some considerable time and saved money then came to AC to get a degree, there are people who got scholarships or loans and there are people whose parents help em out.I think there are various types of loans and if you are an international student, like me, you suck so you don't have any chance of getting many types of loans.I always see those posts on the boards about loans that are only for female students (I suppose some kinda feminist thing hehe).
Anyway, my parents are helping me out so far but I'm applying for scholarship this term and I'll start working on campus too just to lessen the burden on their shoulders.

[BlackGuy]

a friend of mine actually made that same suggestion, but GODDAMN the loan amount I'd be asking for makes me cry. I appreciate you guys giving your input.

[Sheff]

With regard to whether or not Art Center is worth the tuition, I taught at another school where tuition is also very high. Not as high as ACCD, but higher than the local University.

I think it is worth it. In comparison to the curriculums and students I've seen at other colleges, ACCD grads blow them out of the water not only in portfolios but more importantly in work ethic.

I hear about Lorrie Madden's 150 drawings a week and I laugh. I've taught kids who can't make it to 100 or even 50 after the whole term. What I wouldn't give to have some ACCD caliber students.

As much as you guys complain about the curriculum and things, I guarantee you it is much worse elsewhere. Even if Anne may seem out of touch with student needs, the teachers who have seen it all know what you need to do to find work.

The question is: Do you need to finish? If you can get a professional portfolio together before graduating and find work, then it's up to you whether or not you really need that BFA. There might be other financial aid issues to contend with as well.

If you know what you really want in specific learning and the degree is not important to you, you can find that elsewhere for cheaper than ACCD as well. There are other ways to get a professional portfolio together without going to ACCD. If your goal is to find a job you can do that.

This past weekend, I met a couple of bad ass guys who were self-taught from books and really young. They were very specific about what they wanted to learn and only went to workshops they could drive to.

When I went to Art Center, there were a lot of classes that I had wished I had taken but didn't. So my advice would be make the best of your time and take control of your education. Don't just drift through the curriculum.

[Rascar Capac]

When I went to Art Center, there were a lot of classes that I had wished I had taken but didn't. So my advice would be make the best of your time and take control of your education. Don't just drift through the curriculum.

Ill second that..you're payin all that money - you have to make sure you get rid of the BS classes that inevitably get dropped out of the curriculum anyway! ..and sub them with more technical classes from other majors.
I CANT believe illustrators werent required to take the VISCOM classes
How I wish I had taken those...instead we had to take such classes as "art concepts and experimental illustration'...I understand its important to expand your horizon but for the money we were payin...forget about it, I want technical training, not experimentation..that comes later

[BlackGuy]

Ill second that..you're payin all that money - you have to make sure you get rid of the BS classes that inevitably get dropped out of the curriculum anyway! ..and sub them with more technical classes from other majors.
I CANT believe illustrators werent required to take the VISCOM classes
How I wish I had taken those...instead we had to take such classes as "art concepts and experimental illustration'...I understand its important to expand your horizon but for the money we were payin...forget about it, I want technical training, not experimentation..that comes later

and which classes do you think those are? both that can be dropped and that should be taken. I definitely feel that perspective is one of the ones that should be added.

[Sheff]

I graduated over 10 years ago so I can't speak to the current curriculum. I would say take whatever classes you can that will provide you with the skills you will need for whatever area you want to specialize in.

I think I was 5th term when I had a 3d class. At the time the computers were so slow in 3d apps that you had to wait 3 minutes for an undo. I dropped that class immediately and substituted it with a traditional painting class. So for the rest of the time in school, I had no computer training whatsoever.

I also wished I had some viscom classes. I could have done without moderism and psyche of success. Some of the upper end illustration classes were also a waste of time. In general, I think I would have taken some trans or product classes. Anything that will not benefit your skills or problem solving ability is a waste, but you might not know which classes those are until years later when you are out in the field.

[jellybean]

How does Art Center work as far as student loan refund checks and what not? When I was at SCAD I had an occasional job, but for the vast majority of the time I was there I just lived off of my refund checks... you know, extra money that was left over after the school took what they needed from my loans. Is that the way it works at Art Center? I'm assuming so because so many of you don't have jobs or anything so you have to be paying your rent, utilities and food somehow. If not, how do you work that all out?

Refund checks? Financial aid can't exceed the cost of tuition. The only time I have a refund is when I overpay tuition because the loan is taking too long to process...