<p>If my son isn't applying to any of the colleges at the nearest NPD, can he still go? Is he able to get feedback?</p>
<p>He will be possibly applying to schools for Industrial Design, Game Design, Engineering and Arts, Creative Computing, or Digital Media Design. Looks like he would do portfolios for 6-8 schools, but he won't be applying to art only schools, since he's applying to different schools for different majors.</p>
<p>He doesn't have a portfolio and he needs help and guidance. He only has sketches, game moves/characters/storylines, etc. and then he has 10 short animation projects.</p>
<p>If he were able to attend a NPD (and there's one within 2 1/2 hours of us in the fall), would it be useful for helping him with schools such as USC (Interactive Entertainment major), UCLA (Digital Media Arts), and any common app selective schools that have an arts supplement?</p>
<p>Not really much help at a school that doesn’t require a portfolio or is not part of the NPD tour. The schools are spending the most time with seriously interested students. At many schools, you enter the program and get to continue in the program at the end of freshman year based on the portfolio the student developed through the year.</p>
<p>I can’t really say much more than that because I don’t know any of those majors really well. One question, are you guys picking a school first, major second or major first, school second? I don’t know if those schools are the best for those majors or not. So, just asking.</p>
<p>Bottomline, you really should have a portfolio - there are programs that you can pay for that help with portfolio development. I suggest you google businesses/programs in your area that offer such classes. The reason I say this is because you should know a little bit more about the talent level and artistic potential of your child before dropping big bucks into a degree that is passion-oriented and talent-based. The lack of a portfolio says he may be interested in his intended major or think its cool but maybe not a lot more than that. Many kids don’t have a portfolio arranged but are able to create one from the dozens of complete pieces of work they have lying around the room and basement along with several sketchbooks full of random work and ideas. </p>
<p>None of this doesn’t mean your son can’t be amazingly successful either but he will be competing in the future for opportunities against kids that are exploding with creativity and strong inner drives to produce.</p>
<p>Very helpful response, Madaboutx. My son is super creative but also isn’t set on any specific major/career at this point. He is still exploring even as he goes into college application season. So, likely we are looking at schools that have possible majors he’s interested in, but not looking at art schools and definitely not looking to spend crazy amounts on college.</p>
<p>He has probably a dozen to two dozen drawing notebooks filled with ideas but very few “finished” work. All of it is done with either pencil or colored pencils. I’ve never had the money to spend on fancy art supplies and he, so far, has preferred drawing with pencils. The only formal class he’s had is animation; he’s had no art class.</p>
<p>But he’s more about the ideas than the art. He does not want to be an artist. Isn’t there a difference between being an animator and being a product designer? Or a game designer?</p>
<p>He does <em>not</em> consider himself to be a good artist in that regard. His work is in the ideas realm, if that makes sense. Yes, he has hundreds and hundreds of character sketches and drawings, but no big finished still lifes or anything like that. He writes poems, character descriptions, and storylines to go along with all his game designs and sketches. I’m just not sure how to help him figure out what would be the right fit of a major or college.</p>
<p>And what is this basement thing, ha-ha? We live in an 1100 sq. ft house in So. Cal. Not much room for anything!</p>
<p>So, it sounds like this would not be the place for him since there are no schools on his list that are a part of this portfolio day.</p>
<p>The NPD is for artists, no question about it. If he is positive he doesn’t want to draw or do anything in the art realm, then there’s no reason to go. However, it sounds like he <em>may</em> be an artist, what with your description of his sketch books and interests. I suggest you have your son go to a few websites of his favorite game developers and look at their career pages (examples: Blizzard Entertainment, Rockstar Games, Electronic Arts). There he can see all the jobs they are looking to fill and their associated descriptions. This is an excellent way to find out where his interests might dovetail with an actual career goal, plus it will clearly spell out the education and/or skills required. Been down this road with my son, the future game artist. </p>
<p>Graphic design is an option, marketing and advertising is another route. Writing another. He sounds like he needs something broad enough that he can sample stuff then narrow it down fast if he finds a passion. Graphic design is tough if there is no passion in it but its doable.</p>
<p>I think he should grab his sketches/books and go to NPD. If he is interested in game design/animation then those quick unfinished sketches (especially if they show action) and character design are what are important. Many NPD allow animation projects to be shown but you have to provide the computer/etc (you are totally responsible for everything–don’t go asking for an electrical outlet–look it up for requirements). Pick out only the best from his books–they cannot look at every thing–short and sweet of only the best. Pencil drawings are fine. Hopefully he’ll get real feedback on his work and what to concentrate on in a portfolio if he should need one. At the very least he (and you) can see what’s out there and the type of work other students are doing. It’s an eye-opener.
In the list of schools at the NPD find ones that offer animation/GD. And then make sure you are in the line to talk to the person FOR animation/GD. The fine arts guru won’t value your quick sketch in the least while the GD guru thinks they are great.
If you go, do not be discouraged by all the awards, stunning portraits, scenic art etc you see done by students. Relax and admire it but Game design/animation requires a different type of art. </p>
<p>My son will be a HS senior this fall so we’re in the home stretch! He took a drawing class at our local community college this summer and will take a figure/portrait drawing class at Pacific NW College of Art once football season is over. At the last NPD, he was advised to do more life and figure drawing. We’ve already visited Oregon State U and will be visiting Laguna College of Art & Design in January. Those are the best choices based on his interests and our budget. Thanks for asking!</p>
We live in an 1100 sq. ft house in So. Cal. Not much room for anything!</p>