07-16-2012, 11:12 AM
Hi hopefully I can help with some thoughts.
I think you need to first do a little bit more research on the various creative fields that are available to you and what kind of jobs you would want to get afterwards.
For example, are you sure Graphic design is what you actually want to be doing? Your sketchbook has very little graphic or design work in it at all. If you are sure you do, then you probably should be providing more examples of this in your portfolio. I would be looking at doing more research and produce pieces that fit in the field that you are applying to get into! (logos, posters, labels, package and product design, typography, ad layouts etc) I'm not saying necessarily restrict it to these but they will want to see some evidence that you know what you are applying for as well as some fundamental creative skills!
It sounds to me however that you are more into illustration as a path than graphic design. Perhaps you want to look into a more fine arts/illustration degree. Alternatively you could look at doing courses that are tailored more specifically. There are lots of not necessarily university level courses that attempt to train you for a particular vocational industry like video games. Some of these you can even take online.
I don't fully agree with the other two that university is useless. It can be useless depending on the place and the calibre of teachers (sounds like Dan didn't go to a particularly good one). Really what you get is 3-4 years of time. This is time that you can dedicate to bettering yourself creatively and trying out a bunch of different things and meeting like minded people, without necessarily having to worry about working full time as well. Yes it totally depends on the place so I'd suggest you do a lot of research beforehand on what past students have said about places that you are considering going to.
The livestream interview with Kekai showed that he also didn't have great things to say about the course he went to, but what he did say was that during that time he dedicated himself to getting better at the other stuff (like drawing dragons) that he may not have been getting directly from the course or the instructors.
The real point there is that you need to be dedicated and motivated no matter whether you go to uni or not! You can do all this on your own but you need to be disciplined. I personally wish I had gone to art school knowing what I know now just so I would have spent that time to get in the practice I needed rather than having to do it now. I work full time and am doing it on the side. Let me tell you, it's hard work!. But if you love it....
Basically however you do it, if you start now and dedicate yourself to practice and improving, every day you will be taking steps towards doing something you love. Hope that helps!
I think you need to first do a little bit more research on the various creative fields that are available to you and what kind of jobs you would want to get afterwards.
For example, are you sure Graphic design is what you actually want to be doing? Your sketchbook has very little graphic or design work in it at all. If you are sure you do, then you probably should be providing more examples of this in your portfolio. I would be looking at doing more research and produce pieces that fit in the field that you are applying to get into! (logos, posters, labels, package and product design, typography, ad layouts etc) I'm not saying necessarily restrict it to these but they will want to see some evidence that you know what you are applying for as well as some fundamental creative skills!
It sounds to me however that you are more into illustration as a path than graphic design. Perhaps you want to look into a more fine arts/illustration degree. Alternatively you could look at doing courses that are tailored more specifically. There are lots of not necessarily university level courses that attempt to train you for a particular vocational industry like video games. Some of these you can even take online.
I don't fully agree with the other two that university is useless. It can be useless depending on the place and the calibre of teachers (sounds like Dan didn't go to a particularly good one). Really what you get is 3-4 years of time. This is time that you can dedicate to bettering yourself creatively and trying out a bunch of different things and meeting like minded people, without necessarily having to worry about working full time as well. Yes it totally depends on the place so I'd suggest you do a lot of research beforehand on what past students have said about places that you are considering going to.
The livestream interview with Kekai showed that he also didn't have great things to say about the course he went to, but what he did say was that during that time he dedicated himself to getting better at the other stuff (like drawing dragons) that he may not have been getting directly from the course or the instructors.
The real point there is that you need to be dedicated and motivated no matter whether you go to uni or not! You can do all this on your own but you need to be disciplined. I personally wish I had gone to art school knowing what I know now just so I would have spent that time to get in the practice I needed rather than having to do it now. I work full time and am doing it on the side. Let me tell you, it's hard work!. But if you love it....
Basically however you do it, if you start now and dedicate yourself to practice and improving, every day you will be taking steps towards doing something you love. Hope that helps!