<p>Hello, I am new to CC and have a son headed for college in 2009. He is interested in a sequential art degree and is currently looking at SCAD. We have a local art school in Denver, RMCAD, that he visited, but they do not offer a degree specifically in sequential art. I have looked at some of the threads on SCAD and other art schools and would appreciate some advice on a few things. I posted first in the parents forum, but several suggested I look in this forum.</p>
<p>Would he be better served getting a general art degree (BFA or BA in illustration) at a good school (art or otherwise) and focusing on the sequential aspect at grad level?</p>
<p>Another interesting element is that his scores may place him in National Merit running. Of course, that won't be known fully until next school year ('08-'09) when he goes through the process, but his scores are certainly good for Colorado. Thus, we are also looking at schools that give full tuition for National Merit finalists AND have a decent art department. Any suggestions to look at? Some that I have run across in researching are University of Central Arkansas, Oklahoma State, and University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire. I would appreciate feedback on the art departments for these schools and any others that offer full ride for National Merit.</p>
<p>i cant say i'm overly familiar with sequential/comic stuff, but i think illustration would be his best bet. not sure how many, if any, schools offer degrees specifically in this, thus i think he would have to study illustration, which i think would be infinitely more valuable to him than only studying something as narrow as what he likes now.</p>
<p>does he enjoy art in general or only this? i can't stress how important "knowing" it's what you love before doing something as demanding and exacting as art school. he still has another year, so i would consider a pre-college program this summer. while many summer programs have comic majors, i can't say it's something iv seen a lot of as a "major" course of study as an undergraduate.</p>
<p>if this is what he truly loves, i would highly recommend he go into illustration. there are a lot of really great illustration programs out there that would certainly fulfill his academic needs as well.</p>
<p>edit: maybe i have no idea what i'm talking about, im assuming sequential is the same as comic book art?</p>
<p>"edit: maybe i have no idea what i'm talking about, im assuming sequential is the same as comic book art?" Yes, you are correct. At least that is how my son has explained it.</p>
<p>Thanks for the advice on a program during the summer. RMCAD offers a variety of summer courses/camps that he will most likely want to attend (including one in comics). We are still talking and looking at the various options with him, and I appreacite your insight.</p>
<p>SCAD as you probably know has a major specifically for sequential art, and they dole out tons of scholarship. I was only a commended merit student but I still got a $20,000/year offer just for my ACT score.</p>
<p>And look at the course requirements for the major as well as available electives in the schools. Compare and contrast with the SCAD course list, which has a strong Sequential Art major. See what areas are emphasized -- drawing, storytelling, character design, inking, etc, etc. and see how they mech with his interests. What's lacking, and what's stronger at the various schools? Where do his interests lie?</p>
<p>Oh and also SVA has a Cartooning Major, which is all about comic books and they have several prominent alumni and professors. They also have a great illustration program.</p>
<p>Sequential art and animation are two very distinct disciplines and skill sets though though SA can lead to work in the animation industry - storyboards, plot and character development. However, I would not advise a student interested in SA to pursue a degree in animation. An animated cartoon is not a graphic novel.</p>
<p>A degree in SA will drive the student toward very specific goals with specific skill sets, while Illustration promotes a more diverse portfolio.</p>
<p>Thanks for all the suggestions! It is true that he is very focused on writing graphic novels, and thus, is quite serious about the sequential focus. We will continue to dialog with him and search out what funding options would be available for him.</p>
<p>I know vey little about the SA dept at SCAD, but have spoken to the Chair on a few ocassions and found him to be friendly, personable, and funny. However, I also heard that students are at times afraid of him because he is a straight-shooter and tells it as it is. In a niche industry as SA I think this is important since an undergraduate SA major's students portfolio will largely be one-dimensional and may not be suitable for work outside the industry. At some point it may be necessary to encourage students that lack appropriate talents to explore another major - or work a lot harder on their projects.</p>
<p>My son will major in Illustration—sequential art, graphic novels. He is looking for diversity and a challenge in his education. He currently attends a public school for the arts and humanities and really got NO positive feedback about SCAD from any sources he tried. SCAD came up early because it is one of the closer art schools to us. We were guided into schools accredited by NASAD and/ or AICAD because of the flexibility they offer. (SCAD is not accredited by either). We visited Ringling–nice campus-very weak and limited liberal arts options. Very disappointingly small scholarship offer. (this is their norm) He attended a pre-college program last summer at CIA and loved it. MICA is our other possible option at this point in time. Both MICA and CIA appear to offer the flexibility and diversity of liberal arts classes he wants. Scholarship offers from both make the bottom lines essentially even for us. AIB was also on the short list but got bumped based on a campus map (buildings spread too far and transportation iffy).</p>
<p>would appreciate any comments on MICA or CIA Illustration programs with regards to sequential art or graphic novels—Coming down to the wire</p>