Long post about studio arts / creating an art major

College Majors Visual Arts and Film Majors
1

<p>Hi there. This is a semi-long topic, but any help is extremely appreciated!</p>

<p>I’ll be a student at a state university in the fall, one in which the only art-related major is Studio Arts. I can’t really afford to transfer anywhere else.</p>

<p>No portfolio is required to gain entry into the program, which is a good thing as I just recently discovered an interest in drawing. It isn’t a top art school, but becoming a professional artist isn’t quite my end goal.</p>

<p>Here are the required classes:

[quote]

SA 0110 Foundation Design
SA 0120 Foundation Painting
SA 0130 Foundation Drawing
SA 0140 Foundation Sculpture
SA 1230 Drawing
SA 1240 Sculpture
SA 1250 Painting
SA 1260 Printmaking: Etching
SA 1270 Digital Imaging</p>

<p>**Art History Requirement: 4 Art History classes</p>

<p>Plus 3 of the following electives (though you can take more)**</p>

<p>SA 1330 Drawing
SA 1340 Sculpture
SA 1350 Painting
SA 1365 Printmaking: Screenprinting
SA 1370 Preparation and Practice in Visual Arts*
SA 1420 Color
SA 1430 Perspective Drawing
SA 1440 Sculpture: Portrait
SA 1450 Painting: Figure Portrait
SA 1455 Painting: Landscape
SA 1530 Directed Study: Drawing*
SA 1540 Directed Study: Sculpture*
SA 1550 Directed Study: Painting*
SA 1560 Directed Study: Printmaking*
SA 1570 Directed Study: Electronic Media*
SA 1900 Internship*

[/quote]
</p>

<p>Here’s essentially my situation: I’m double majoring in a basic business program (16ish courses as opposed to the 23+ in the regular major). This major is for sure.</p>

<p>I want to include art somehow in my education. The problem is that by taking the studio arts major, I won’t be able to take some other courses in film (another interest).</p>

<p>I also really have no interest in sculpture, painting, or printmaking. I figured that a fundamental course in painting would be useful, but beyond that I’m not sure I want to take advanced sculpture and painting when it’s not something I really care about. My main interest is drawing, digital art, graphic design, and (maybe) spray paint art.</p>

<p>So I am considering creating a major myself; it’s called Interdisciplinary studies. It would consist of roughly the following classes (divided into sections as required by the major):</p>

<p>
[quote]

Tentative title: Art and Technology</p>

<p>Fine Art – 18 Credits
Foundation Design
Foundation Drawing
Foundation Painting
*Drawing
*Perspective Drawing
*Drawing+ OR *Preparation in Visual Arts</p>

<p>Technology – 12 Credits
*Digital Imaging
*Directed Study E-Media
Motion Picture Fundamentals
*Technical Directing</p>

<p>Perception & History – 12 Credits
Intro. To Psychology
Brain and Behavior
*Psychology & the Media
Words & Images OR Narrative & Technology</p>

<p>*Upper level (1000+) course

[/quote]
</p>

<p>As you can see it’s more focused on drawing and digital technology. I threw the psychology classes in there because they fulfill a gen. ed requirement; I intend to study abroad, and that generally fulfills some of the art history classes I'd have to take as a SA major.</p>

<p>Any thoughts on the lack of art history in my major? I can probably tie one class or so in. Which of these would be the most beneficial?</p>

<p>
[quote]

Intro World Art
Intro Modern Art

[/quote]
</p>

<p>My ultimate goal (tentatively) is to start up practical(real life) art-related companies; stuff like Threadless, Etsy, etc. Not really interested in the traditional “fine arts” museum life. </p>

<p>If entrepreneurship really turns out to not be my thing, I suppose falling back on a graphic design or digital art field would be fine.</p>

<p>I figure I can learn specific programs if I want to go into a specific field like 3d modeling, animation, or concept art. Correct me if I’m wrong, but the fundamentals (drawing, design, etc.) are the main talent of those guys; the computer programs just add to their skill?</p>

<p>Any thoughts on my situation, the interdisciplinary major, or anything else?</p>

<p>Thanks for the help!</p>

2

<p>I am a bit confused. Why would you apply there if they don’t really have a program that you wanted? Was price your only consideration?</p>

<p>I am asking because there are a number of programs available that might have met your needs such as Digital Design at University of Cincinnati or New Media Design at RIT or one of the majors at Pratt Institute etc. Have you considered these places?</p>

3

<p>I actually applied to Cincinnati and got into the Industrial Design program. But like I said, I still want to major in business while having a second art-related major. Plus I couldn’t really afford to spend 30k+ for a field I wasn’t all that into.</p>

4

<p>So my first question. Do you really need to have that second major? Why not take the art classes you are interested in and that best suit your goals? Does the extra major on the diploma add much? If so, your Interdisciplinary Studies looks quite interesting and I think it is quite good (and important) to mix art with digital technologies. Contemporary art will more and more be using digital technologies. I do feel, however, that art history is vital to any person interested in pursuing the art field (either on the art side or the business side). You don’t know where to go, if you don’t know where art has been. Even masters of old studied art history. Picasso–one of the most creative artists in the past 150 years–admitted he would go to museums and copy (and learn) from masters such as Velazquez. With that said, I would say Intro to Modern Art is an absolute must. I would even suggest you take more Art History (perhaps take out a class or two from your plan?). It may not seem important, but trust me and trust all artists. Best of luck!</p>

5

<p>I apologize, I didn’t explain that detail. I have to have another major with the basic business major, otherwise I’ll have to take the full biz major. </p>

<p>Taking some art history classes will probably be a good idea then. I can probably incorporate those 2 classes into my schedule. Combined with books, I think I’ll be ok in the history department.</p>

6

<p>Take both Intro World Art and Modern Art if you can. They will both be invaluable.</p>