I’ve only recently realized what I want to major in (Illustration).
I initially applied to a few random schools, because I had no idea what I wanted to do. I had only applied to four art schools, and was accepted to Parsons, SAIC, and Ringling, while I was rejected from RISD. I’m angry at myself for not applying to more art schools, because now I’m kind of at a dead end;
After some research, it seems that the three schools I was accepted to are weak in illustration, as they are all specialized in another area. At this point, my only way forward is to go one of these schools for a year, then transfer to a school with a stronger illustration department.
In terms of finance and location, SAIC would be ideal (they offered me a 65k); however, they don’t have an illustration department, which is the base of my worries – that if I go to SAIC for a different area of study, my transfer portfolio for illustration won’t be strong enough for me to get accepted since I’ll lack proper instruction in the illustration area.
Which school should I go to for a year? And if I study some other area like painting/fine arts at SAIC, would that be enough to prep me for an illustration portfolio, or should I not take the risk?
I’d really appreciate some help or suggestions! I’m feeling lost and devastated - like I’ve messed up my entire life even though I haven’t- and it’d be great to hear someone else’s point of view.
Let’s start from ground zero…
You’ve been accepted to some really good schools, so CONGRATS!
But you have some hard questions.to answer.
What are your ultimate goals?
Career in mind?
What would you like to do with an illustration major? Something you can make a living at?
Is it worth the potential debt? If finance is a problem what are your alternatives?
What type of art is your strength?
Did you have the grades for RISD? Some schools/universities require more academic (over artistic talent) for admission.
This totally sounds like me last year. I only applied to two art schools, one of them being SAIC. I went there for a semester even though I was unsure of whether or not I would like it. Obviously I didn’t because I left after a semester.
Don’t get me wrong, it has great facilities and professors, it just was not for me at all.
And you are right, they do not have an illustration program.
If anything, SAIC taught me what I didn’t want to do. So it was time well spent, I think. But not time enjoyed. So yeah, if you are unsure of going there to begin with and you want to major in illustration, I would suggest not going there.
A girl I follow on tumblr is at Ringling in the illustration department. She really enjoys it there and she is creating amazing things. You can find her stuff here: http://sophiemintz.■■■■■■■■■■
I haven’t looked too far into Ringling’s illustration program but you can ask Sophie questions about it (I have before and she was super helpful).
I don’t know anything about Pratt but if you have any more questions about SAIC I’d be glad to help.
@riss111 congratulations on some pretty impressive acceptances!
Keep in mind that whichever school you choose for a year, it will be your foundation year. So one option for you is to choose the school either which has the most rigorous foundation program or which has an approach to foundation studies that clicks with you.
During that year you will definitely gain perspective not only in whether to pursue your interest in illustration but where exactly.
And then two final thoughts: 1) illustration is one of the applied arts so it’s helpful to choose a program that not only helps you in technique and concept but that also helps you acquire the professional development and connections you need to make it as a commercial artist; and 2) just because a program doesn’t offer “illustration” as a major doesn’t mean it won’t teach you to be an amazing illustrator. SAIC really doesn’t offer majors in anything specific because it’s quite interdisciplinary. Your “major” would be “studio” and you select any course of study you want within that general category. That doesn’t mean that you and your advisor can’t sit down and chart out a traditional “illustration” concentration to meet your goals.
So check out all your schools for their foundation studies and illustration offerings and then start asking questions. Visit as many of the schools as possible in the next month so that you have a good feel for what it’s like there. You have till May 1 to make a final decision.