<p>So D3 will be a sophomore in the fall. She loves animation of all kinds, is obsessed with it. My other 2 are in college, and that went fairly easily because they went the more traditional, academic route. I have started some computer searches to try and figure out college visits with vacations and trips over the next couple of years, but I really have no idea how to narrow stuff down. It seems these schools are all over the country! I'm clueless about portfolios, what kinds of things might need to be done in the summer, and what kind of timelines are involved. Anyone else going this route and have words of wisdom?</p>
<p>California Institute of the Arts (CalArts) should absolutely be on your list. </p>
<p>@Moonpie,</p>
<p>My DS HS2015 is interested in the art side of video game design, but he may change his major to animation.</p>
<ol>
<li><p>you will need to get involved in this section of cc, where there are many helpful people whose kids attended college for animation.
<a href=“http://talk.qa.collegeconfidential.com/visual-arts-film-majors/”>http://talk.qa.collegeconfidential.com/visual-arts-film-majors/</a></p></li>
<li><p>you can either go the art school route or the univ school route.<br>
Art schools such at Cal Arts or Ringling. Univ such as USC or Chapman or Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles. You probably get better animation training at an art school but a univ gives you options should your kid decide to change your major. My DS will be applying to a univ to keep options open. (many Cal Arts grads go to work for Pixar). You should definitely plan a Southern California college tour trip and include Cal Arts, USC, UCLA, Chapman, and LMU, (Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, Laguna College of Art and Design also?? those art schools are very small but very specialized). </p></li>
<li><p>you may want to consider going to national portfolio day. It’s in the fall and many of the arts colleges get together and your kid brings their portfolio and gets constructive criticism on how to improve their portfolio. I’ve heard that lines are very long so you should get there early.</p></li>
<li><p>I believe there is some ranking of animation programs on the internet.</p></li>
<li><p>For summers, your D could take animation classes. There is an awesome program at Cal Arts called CSSSA (california summer school session for the arts) but admission is very competitive. There are probably great animation classes all over the country.</p></li>
<li><p>here is a brief summary of some programs by TaxGuy, a well known cc poster:</p></li>
</ol>
<p>There are a couple of other schools that I would recommend in addition to Ringling and CalArts.
- School of Visual arts in NY: This is probably the best 3d grad school in the east coast after Ringling. They also have a strong 2d animation program in their undergrad offerings. It also has the huge advantage, ( and the cost disadvantage) of being in Manhattan. Let’s face it: You will get more internship opportunities in Manhattan vs. Bum crap iowa or savannah.Moreover, all their professors are currently working in the industry and thus have a LOT of connections.In addition to their traditional major in 2d animation , they have a 3d concentration in it as well as a computer art major.</p>
<p>2.SCAD: SCAD has a very strong 3d and 2d program including a strong sequential art program. They even have a sound design major. Moreover, you can take courses from all disciplines. However, they are in Savannah and not a great area of Savannah at that… enough said.</p>
<ol>
<li><p>USC: Very well known and strong program on the west coast. However, like their Calarts counterpart, where many prefessors come from, they are very 2d oriented including wanting a strong 2d portfolio.</p></li>
<li><p>Cal Arts: Widely considered the best school in US for animation,but is very 2d oriented. They have both character animation ( which is primarily 2d) and experimental animation. Be advised that CalArts is widely considered a primarily 2d oriented school.</p></li>
<li><p>RIT (Rochester Institute of Technology): RIT is the newest member of the elite programs offering animation. They have both a 2d and 3d program and courses can be taken from both offerings. I like their program a LOT; Also, they are in Rochester, which limits connections and are a relatively new program.</p></li>
<li><p>Ringling: A number of folks recommended Ringling ,which has the top ranking for 3d animation. However, it is primarily a 3d oriented school. Don’t expect much scholarship money from them too.</p></li>
<li><p>Academy of Art University in San Fran. This is NOT part of the Art Institutes and like RIT have both a 2d and 3d oriented animation majors. They have good rankings and a good representation in the industry of its grads. Other than that, I don’t know much about them.</p></li>
</ol>
<p>8.Digipen in Redmond, WA. They have a strong animation program,but it geared towards entertainment design/game design. </p>
<ol>
<li><p>Pratt Institute supposedly has a good program. Moreover, they are in NY,which helps with internships and connections.</p></li>
<li><p>RISD has a very good 2d animation program. It isn’t as well ranked as some of the other programs mentioned here, but it is supposed to be good.</p></li>
<li><p>San Jose State University in Calif: Supposedly has a very strong program. However, I don’t know much about their program.</p></li>
</ol>
<p>12.Fashion Institute of Technology supposedly has an up in coming program. Moreover, it is part of the NY State University system,which makes them very reasonable in tuition. It is a relatively new program. Thus, I don’t know much about them.</p>
<ol>
<li><p>Drexel University’s Digital Media Department in the Westphal College of Media Art and Design supposedly has a good program. I don’t know anything about them though.</p></li>
<li><p>Laguna College of Art and Design is a good combination of an animation program and a small liberal arts school. I don’t know enough about them though.</p></li>
<li><p>Dupaul University supposedly has a strong program. It certainly looks good on paper.</p></li>
<li><p>SAIC ( School of Art Institute in Chicago) supposedly has a very good program. It is also a top program for painting and illustration too. </p></li>
<li><p>I know that UCLA has a top ranked animation grad program , although they too are primarily 2d oriented. I don’t know about their undergrad offerings.</p></li>
<li><p>Florida State University, College of Motion Picture Arts has garnered a good reputation for its animation offerings. You should check them out. In fact, you should check out all the schools mentioned. </p></li>
</ol>
<p>Finally, whatever program you decide on, get a subscription to Gnomon’s video library. It is only a few hundred dollars a year,and you will have access to training by some of the best people in the US on a wide variety of topics.
I hope all this helps and that I didn’t overwhelm you with the vast array of choices. </p>
<ol>
<li>do you mean DePaul in Chicago?</li>
</ol>
<p>I know a AV production manager at a major video game maker. He attended Evergreen as did quite a few well known animators.
<a href=“Evergreen Animation Labs | resources for animation support and information”>http://blogs.evergreen.edu/animation/</a></p>
<p>@brownparent,
I presume yes. I just cut and pasted it from an old cc thread.</p>
<p>My D attended Ringling for computer animation so ask away!
I feel your pain–I’m the science-minded person who went traditional avenue and ended up with art student D. It’s been a great journe but totally new to me when animation was brought up. I didn’t really know what animation was! How was I going to find a school that I hoped would really prepare her for that field?</p>
<p>At the time I looked up the major studios to see where they were hiring from. Pixar at that time (they no longer do this on their website) mentioned CalArts and Ringling for animation as the best schools, (I’m not sure there was even a third option) so those were automatically listed. First and foremost I wanted an employed graduate. Then I added all the suggestions we got from the internet and friends. </p>
<p>We personally visited Ringling, SCAD, Full Sail. I also considered traditional universities (for all those “keep your options open” reasons. Final results–Ringling hands down for 3D computer animation.
Not everything is equal–film school is not computer animation. Gaming design is not movie studio animation. There is a pretty wide gamut and many aspects overlap. Having lots of technology (which Ringling has) doesn’t guarantee anything if not backed up by education. Beware of programs where you “graduate quickly and get through school”, “look at all our shiny computers”, “we teach you all the latest software”, etc.
If what you love is character design, sculpture etc–it doesn’t keep you out of the field–you don’t have to be an animator to work in animation films. Lots of overlap.</p>
<p>Go to a National Portfolio Day. Can’t stress this enough. Drawing for CA–real life, quick sketch, action oriented is not the same as still life and portraiture. Draw from life–not photos and still life. Kids who had some amazing work (and won awards even) were not considered for CA --they were steered towards fine arts. It can change the direction of the portfolio. Also many schools attend NPD–it’s like a career day–you can pick up LOTS of info and talk to people from different schools to see what they offer.</p>
<p>Attend a pre-college summer program. There was NO way I was spending thousands of dollars on a specialized education that my kid decided “wasn’t right”. It seemed pricey (as is everything) but you earned college credit for the time spent at pre-college and was certainly better than signing up long-term for something you may not ultimately want. Better to know earlier than later if you really want to pursue the path.
In fact, a friend of D, had DREAMED of computer animation–and ended up hating it–guess what? Computer animation means you sit in the dark for hours in front of a computer…</p>
<p>Son’s long-term GF pursued her BFA first and developed her portfolio. She is now at USC getting her masters in cinematic arts, specializing in animation. It is a 3 year program and she is very much loving it!</p>
<p>Kat</p>
<p>Thank you so much for your quick replies! Cal arts is top of her list, as is SCAD, SVA and A few others. I’m looking a a few summer programs for next year. She draws EVERY DAY… Before bed, in classes, when she wakes up… It’s nuts. When her sketch books fill up, I have to go buy her another one. She also has started doing some digital art and it’s even better than some of the other stuff. But she needs classes to do actual animation, so thank you for reinforcing she needs to go to a summer program. We went to How to Train Your Dragon and was in tears most of the movie because she loves the animation so much. Then, when they showed the concept art and story boards at the end…came unglued. It’s her passion. I really appreciate the links and the info… I have searched CC, but apparently didn’t use the right wording because none of these came up. She will be going to art 2 in the fall, but I also have her on a waiting list with a really good art teacher to work on technique. We have a list of schools to visit, broken down by region and places were I have free housing : ) so we will start next summer with some pretty amazing car trips!</p>
<p>Google each school and review their student work to get an idea of the quality of their program. Check to see if the emphasis is on 2D or 3D animation.
And yeah, How to Train Your Dragon was super!</p>
<p>@gouf78 I have been googling away!! That’s why I decided to throw in the towel. Every school seems to have things that are great. I do know she’s most interested in creating stories, the art and the graphics…she wants to do it all, not just draw. I have a list of schools that offer actual degrees in animation, not video game design, or things like that. Most of the ones listed above are somewhere on that list. I just don’t know how to narrow it down, and how to prioritize. Having been through this twice, I know it all has to done in the next 2 years…or does it? I know my other 2 girls pretty much had everything in place to apply the fall of their senior year. For art schools, how does this work? How do you send a portfolio to so many schools? Is governors school a good thing? How about private art lessons? Sooooo many questions?! Also…is this something she’ll have to pursue a masters in? Summer programs are definitely on huge docket for next summer </p>
<p>is there still time to sign up for a summer program at ringling or scad or sva for this year?</p>
<p>Sounds like you’ve got an animator on your hands!
There are a lot of schools these days offering animation in response to the explosion of interest in the field. But the top two are Ringling and CalArts. That hasn’t changed. They are art schools first and foremost. Admission is pretty limited. I’m sure there are many other routes at schools but I only know about Ringling which I can tell you about. Perhaps it’ll apply to the art school route vs. universities with animation programs.</p>
<p>One difference between art school vs university is what is required in GPA and test scores. Ringling required “decent” grades and did not require SAT. They wanted a great portfolio. On their website is a description of the type portfolio needed (requirements vary) for each of their disciplines. This is why National Portfolio Day is important to get some feedback. </p>
<p>Ringling did change from Ringling School of Art and Design to Ringling College of Art and Design. They became accredited to allow students to take earned credits with them to another institution if they transferred. Not all art schools are colleges. With that change, a student now is required to take core requirements like science and english etc. But it is still “science for artists”–you aren’t going into engineering with the program. AP credits and dual credits do count and can save time and money.
They are (as most art schools) are NASAD (National Association of Schools of Art and Design) accredited.
SCAD does not have this accreditation. Many people think it doesn’t matter. (I’m biased because I personally did not care for SCAD nor its program in animation)</p>
<p>Most of D’s portfolio was created during the pre-college program–her art literally exploded in those few short weeks of schooling (which made me a true believer in Ringling). More portfolio pieces were created in AP Art class and her teacher helped guide her selections.
Most important in the portfolio is drawing from life–not from photos. The website gives a short description of what is acceptable.
How to submit your portfolio is usually on the website. At the time (probably changed) she had to take slides of her works. Many schools want CD’s or other electronic submission of portfolios. </p>
<p>Another thing to keep your eye on is the submission dates for portfolios. At Ringling, CA deadline is much earlier than the other majors. Many students who do not make it into CA are offered game design or illustration. CA is very structured–most other majors are on a rolling admission basis.</p>
<p>I know a young man who just graduated from Cal Arts and has a great jo at a well-known film company. LIke your daughter, he loved the whole process, the story-telling, the drawing, design. He has a strong personal style, which may be important.</p>
<p>I would think a summer program or even a fall program if geared to helping assemble a portfolio would be really helpful. If she chooses schools to apply to strategically and wisely, the process does not have to be overwhelming.</p>
<p>She can apply to a few colleges/universities and a few art schools and decide in late April of senior year, if she is not sure. A lot can happen in that last year of high school and sometimes keeping options open as long as possible is useful, depending on personality.</p>
<p>It got too long! So I started over!<br>
Portfolio as I said isn’t hard to submit because it’s all electronic–it’s hard to decide what to put IN the portfolio.
I am not familiar with govenors school.</p>
<p>Private art lessons are sometimes a double edged sword. Portraiture, still life isn’t what they look for but.Illustration loves it. For animation. drawing from life (nudes, action) is better. It really depends on the teacher. If you have a college nearby that has a studio where you can go and just practice with models and get some instruction that is great.</p>
<p>One book/DVD suggested to us at NPD was by Glen Vilppu. Just google the name–it’s a great example of what they look for. Order the video too–your kid will love it (and so will you). Note that your kid doesn’t have to BE Vilppu to be accepted (LOL) --just that the quick sketch is important in animation. My D had a small series sketch of a squirrel doing somersaults at NPD and that was the ONLY thing they liked in her whole book at the time (what a crusher!). But that turned out to be exactly what they were looking for. So she worked from there. Keep a tough skin.</p>
<p>And learn perspective–this is something my D did extensively in HS (she drew comics, er…graphic novels). She says it is surprising how many students don’t know it and it is not an easy class.</p>
<p>Needing a Masters–some universities do animation as a masters. Again, I can only speak for Ringling–no masters–they’ve already put you through the ringer so it’s four years. And you have to stay on track. </p>
<p>Next summer (or even the next) do a pre-college program. Apply early if you want CA. Sometimes a concentration will get filled early (especially CA) and you won’t get to even try it. I’m sure that varies widely.</p>
<p>Here is a link from the visual arts forum</p>
<p><a href=“http://www.animationcareerreview.com/articles/2014-top-100-animation-school-programs-us”>http://www.animationcareerreview.com/articles/2014-top-100-animation-school-programs-us</a></p>
<p>^^^^^The school listed as #2 is where son’s girlfriend is studying for her masters. She had obtained her BFA at an in-state public, and was accepted into the masters program USC School of Cinematic Arts, there were 13 chosen for her year. Financially she was awarded some scholie money, so there is that. </p>
<p>She worked full-time throughout her BFA, still took 4 years but has no debt from that and she paid for her school all on her own with no family help but due to her parent’s financials was not eligible for any aid. So she chose her in-state public which is not so great but very affordable and made it work for her. She graduated with honors so we are all so very proud of her.</p>
<p>The company she works for transfered her to LA when she was accepted to USC so she kept her fuull-time employment, they gladly work around her class schedule. She is employed in a field that has NOTHING to do with art/animation…veterinary medicine! But it does allow for her other passion which is animals. Son and her have a zoo in their home!! Job also provides excellent paid for health benefits.</p>
<p>Seeing her succeed makes me a believer of where there is a will, there is a way!</p>
<p>Kat</p>
<p>You guys are awesome. Thank you sooooooo much</p>
<p>Don’t forget University of Utah! </p>
<p>Also, there are lots of animation studios in Montreal and I think 3-year “cegep” programs that lead to degrees.
I looked into them for a student who’s interested in EMCA, one of the top schools for animation outside the US - the advantage is that EMCA is very cheap but they only take about 40 students per year and these students need to have AP/IB French + 3.0 in honors/AP curriculum + art experience/ECs, then there’s a selection on portfolios. So they were also looking at Gobelins, Supinfocom, UBristol, U South Wales, or Swansea Metropolitan.</p>
<p>Moonpie, my DS is an animation freak, too. He draws all over EVERYTHING – walls, tables, even his pillowcase. I painted his wall in his room in Dry Erase paint, as a matter of fact. And ever since he was about 11, he spends his free time on animation projects. He started with stop motion stuff and now does hand drawn animation on a Cintiq tablet. Some of it is self-taught, and some of it he learned at a film center in our town that gives classes.</p>
<p>Anyway, he absolutely loves it. His dad and I were also concerned about the cost of art school, and how narrow a field this would be, but we’re going for it. My son is into traditional (2D) animation, as opposed to computer (3D) animation. Cal Arts is the “best” for this, but it’s too far away, and I will be honest, it’s VERY difficult to get into. He is going to attend SVA this fall and he can’t wait. I do think they have a very good 2D program, and while it’s not a traditional campus experience, I’ve come to understand that my kid is not a traditional kid. I’ll post back here in the fall and let you know what he thinks of it, if that would be helpful. </p>