Advice looking for ArtSchool specializing in 2D/3DConcept/Illustration/GameModelling/3DAnim&Render
💬Hello, I'd like to keep things brief if I can but I think a bit of elaboration might be helpful.
Here are my Portfolio sites:
https://www.deviantart.com/robotelixa
https://www.artstation.com/robot-elixa
That being said, I have been a Hobbyist Artist developing over the past 7 years or so, I have never had art classes or been to college but not for lack of wanting to. I have been doing alot of studying between 2020-(present) as of late to try and bridge the gap from hobbyist artist to professional Freelance/Industry artist and I would like your advice for good schools that fit my needs. In my experience, where I live is effectively a deadzone for Digital/Game/VFX/ConceptArt etc and the schools do not specialize in the trades I would like to specifically improve but they maintain the costly prices of artschool in general and focus mostly on finearts which I think is valuable in ways but not specialized enough.
I'm aware that in industry, unless it's an indie project perhaps it's unlikely that I would be both the 2D concept Artist and 3D character modeler but for freelance and personal projects I would really enjoy moving in the direction of improving those skills. Skills being, Illustration,Concept Art,Character Design, Graphic Design, 2D MotionGraphic, 3D gameready character workflows, a minor focus in game character implementation, Character Rigging, VFX and 3D Film rendering. It seems very difficult to find one school that specializes in all of these things, and I had also hoped perhaps there would be some sort of Art Industry trade schools that operate less like traditional colleges but more precise trade schools for skill development without the fluff of maintaining credit hours before getting to the skills you really came to develop.
I've only seen perhaps 2 brick and mortar schools that operate somewhat like this, being
ThinkTank: https://www.tttc.ca/
CGSpectrum: https://www.cgspectrum.com/
I've also tried online schooling solutions like MarcBrunet's "ArtSchool" which I did find to be very comprehensive and good, but my experiences with that are another story, ultimately it did not fill the social/mentorship needs to push me further I found because it wasn't in person with more of a real interpersonal connection. I studied it for about 7months 12hrs a day and suffered 2 burnouts, I think having a person involved directly may be good for mediating pace.
I can't find anything else that has this laser focused almost tradeschool like format with both 2D/3D skills in America, given ThinkTank seems 3D/CGI/VFX focused. I find that these schools are far more economical and you really seem to be paying just for what you came to learn and not credit hour fluff. I don't mind traditional colleges but I've heard too many times, artists come out with much debt and their degree wasn't worth it but the portfolio was all that mattered and I'd like to just get what I want, but Artschools can seem very nebulous in what you're getting and like you'll just be in them and only find out it was or wasnt what you wanted by the end. I've spent alot of time pondering school and weighing pros/cons and trying to be self sufficient for my own education but, I'd like to find something that finally fits my needs, I think the lack of formal mentorship and in person ongoing connections has been detrimental for the speed and efficiency of my development.
All of that being said, what are your thoughts and experiences? It seems like most CG art schools might be located in high cost of living places as well, like NewYork, LosAngeles, California etc which was a long time barrier to entry for me. Any resources, for finding such schools you know of or feedback would be appreciated.
Thanks for your time. 💙