It's been 2 years I'm majoring animation on my college, I agree that the course doesn't affect your skill, its just a knowledge, you have to grind everyday, practicing in your room (in this case im using assignment to learn new things and to not lost track). BUT I do feel the difference if I wasn't take this degree, theres so much thing outside the animation skill, I mean in the college you will learn how to manage a project, how to work with the other artist, how industry produce the animation, the workflow, manner etc. so for me , I'm happy to be here. but I do have to warn you, if you wish to take an animation degree please be serious for that, animation is a team work job, and I have seen many of my friends were giving up because inconsistency
@cable Can 100% confirm that for online education as well. I'm currently going to an online 3D animation school and learned these same things outside of just improving my animation skills
That is a topic that's on everyone's mind. I feel like most people are aware that going to school for a degree isn't necessary, but it is super helpful to be told by someone with experience that it isn't absolutely needed to be successful.
Ive been an animator for almost the past 10 years, I didnt get a college degree in animation but i did a whole online animation program (2 year mentorship and finished with a great demo reel) cost me about $12k
Completely agree with you on this. Uni gave me space for making lots of like minded friends and relationships, great teachers who kept me working on a schedule. Other than those 2 things, I have gotten nothing for my years going there.
Took a 2 year gap between junior and senior year to work and figure out if finishing an animation degree was worth it. I feel like it is since a bachelors can help in other fields when animation work is slow if someone tries another field but really a great artist whose active will get the same job without a degree.
While it is true, literally everything you said, one thing that I still think makes college a privilege is that I'm in class with 15 to 18 other students, some don't even attend, so I really can just talk to my lecturer and ask him to show me what he knows, but I wouldn't be able to do that with an online course because it has probably about 1000 to 10,000 daily attenders. I also learn from my course mates, when they have a cool idea, they share it. If you have a way of circumventing that issue with online courses I'm all ears.
That's just the thing though (concept art student here) alot of uni students are just not motivated to do anything which works in the favor of those who are cause they get the lecturers to themselves but for online courses literally everyone their is motivated and want to be successful. Your best bet is to look for someone who does a 1 to 1 online course.
im in an online course for animation at cg spectrum and honestly its a great school. classes are only 3-5 students and sometimes even less. its great because my class is only me and one other girl and she doesnt show up a lot so i end up with a full hour of 1-1 with my teacher. its also a lot cheaper than going to a campus. the art school near me would of cost 120k for a 4 year degree and the one im at now is 8k per 9 month course. way better imo
I'm right at the end of my gap year. Out of sheer chance, I've received an opportunity for a pretty crazy project I'm getting a ton of imposter syndrome for. This project will certainly give me some traction and publicity but I can't imagine if freelance is feasible long-term. I guess I'm still waiting on some luck to kick in while I procrastinate applying for animation university and taking up that debt.
As someone who has imposter syndrome for a crazy project as well, grab that chance! We don't have that many opportunities like this in life and just being there to receive it, as well as being offered this, will allow us to improve massively! You may not have the skill you need right now in your mind, but you can still progress throughout the project! That doesn't mean you should burn out while doing this. Every artist undersells themselves. Ask the people part of this crazy project about what made them choose you, I think that'll help you lots. Cheers inkstain and good luck for the future!!!
I like how you’re open-minded on both sides. The degree I’m doing has suffered from Covid and undergone changes that have reduced our class hours so not every group/individual has decent time for feedback. Often, tutors across classes don’t even coordinate well and the teaching is just their part-time job so students can’t reach out to them on most days. All this generally has caused a skill gap between fresh graduates and the required level to become a junior at a studio so getting a job is harder. But despite all that, I still enjoyed the things I’ve learned that I wouldn’t have encountered had I not went. My uni emphasises a lot on non-traditional narratives and experimental styles and exposed me to how style and medium choices can be more powerful emotionally depending on the story. I remember our first shortfilm assignment, the tutor was giving feedback on each grps style frames, and commented how everyone’s doing the same style. All our line thickness is the same, the brush we’re using is the same, etc. There’s definitely a lot more things students complain about (like degree costs and how initially you have to do both 2D and 3D) but overall I love how uni helped me break open from my limited mindset about how a film can be made. Yeah it really does depend on how you feel about uni and how uni makes you feel.
No, It's cheaper to live with roomates & work-part time in a rural area (where universities are anyway) and practice on your own. If you can afford living in a metro area even better. The time working is less or equal to the 2years spent in non-art uni classes. Parents don't know jack about the industry.
Thanks for making this. I just about got through year 1 of uni, bombed in second year. I don't think I enjoy education. Having now taken a year out and finally being well medicated for adhd and other stuff, it feels like it could be a good thing going back. The structure, the deadlines, the potential connections to be made. Before meds, adhereing to university was a nightmare and i couldnt cope. Now those things are exactly what I could benefit from . while i feel like i NEED to make uni work, it's good to know that its not the end of the road if i don't pass. Grieving the first two years a bit because my mental state meant i got nothing out of it, but like you said, time. Time for me most importantly to develop as a person, and then (hopefully) by extension an artist. being mentally okish and taking care of myself has been huge in reconnecting with my craft Though I'm not sure on the practicality of spending the same level of money as uni on developing your own project. The only reason most people can afford university is student loans, which have no interest and get paid out incrementally if you're earning above a certain point right?
A good video but I think theres an important part of the discussion thats missing here. You generally don't need a degree to get a job in animation yes thats true BUT! A degree, really ANY degree is important if you want a VISA. If you intend to work remote and always work remote maybe its not much of an issue. But if you want to work in another country that possibly has a larger more thriving animation industry/community you will need a degree just to have skin in the game for the visa process. It'll just help a lot.
Agreed, this is something I've seen people from first world countries with thriving animation industries to not understand. If you're from a third world country, and hoping to move abroad, a degree helps a lot. And freelancing/remote work isn't for everyone.
I had my bachelor in animation since 2019 and yet to enter the field lol definitely not necessary but it was great training and gave me a portfolio if I choose to.
Thank you. The only time I've seen anyone mention that education platforms such as CalArts are for rich people. Just like being a racecar driver. First you have to be able to afford the cars, the parts and repairs, and time on track, only then you begin to develop practical skills and hunted by sponsors.
I do college and online courses, I can handle both! and I'm still managing to do my personal projects, I loved how you have an open mind about college, I'm a little undecided whether to continue or not, my parents are very open and support me in whatever I need. I would like to hear your advice, I know I should make this decision on my own, but I don't know, I would like to hear your thoughts. I love my projects, but I feel that leaving college can be a little dangerous, also because I am from outside and there are not many opportunities in my country. My college is also online, so I don't interact much with my colleagues and the professors don't give very varied feedback, but even so the content is interesting to put into practice, moreover the extra time I have is great for my personal work. well I'll have to think about it calmly. Thank Howard ❤
I would have definitely chosen animation over architecture if there were any in my country. Besides, it's not really a developed or known industry here in Ethiopia. But, I do it on the side just for the passion anyway so, thanks for the support it means a lot.
Hi, is it possible for someone who already went to college, but did not pursue an animation major? The reason why is because I’m studying something else, but I deeply wanted to study animation. Where I’m from, there aren’t that many animation programs offered, and I was dissuaded from people to not major in anything art related because there’s the risk of unemployment. The thing is, I’m convinced that having a degree in animation is not required to work in the industry. I was thinking if I should consider online schools (not colleges but animation schools like Animation Mentor or iAnimate) that offer courses for newbies that want to change to the industry. I was thinking once I’m finish with my college degree, I want to practice on it as a side hobby for now, and get better on my own. I have a passion for 2D animation.
Concpet art student here. Bro this video has so much truth (Even though I'm not doing animation). It being university in General, from my experience so far the lectures INDRODUCE the fundamentals and then it's up to the student to go and expand on that information themselves. On my first day they even said to the class that just because you enrolled on this course doesn't mean your guaranteed a job after you graduate and you lr degree doesn't mean anything, your portfolio does. Even though I already knew that before I enrolled I was still shocked they said that to our faces. Moreover the real benefit from university is that you get your own space to practice ALL DAY. Amd if you need help just contact the lecturer and he/she will arrange a time to have a 1 to 1 with you. Furthermore you get to collab with other students from different courses. Ive collabed with small team and were developing our own small pixal art mini game. And we even get pointers from Our lectures to improve it. Overall what makes university beneficial is the environment, that's what your really paying for. But if you can get all that without university then yeah it's better you don't go. Not to mention that you really have to cut back in your social life since you have to be disciplined enough to wake up every day and practice in your dorms. It Defiantly isn't for people who love to go out alot.
As someone who majored in gaming/animation for community college, graduated with it almost a year ago (so not in school atm, taking at least a gap year break) and thinking about what to do next, how is concept art? Asking out of curiosity
@AnimeTechnoBlade 100 well for starters, specifically I'm actually a foundation year student so I haven't gotten into the "MEAT" of the course just yet (that be next year). At the start it was a little controversial cause all of students including myself was a bit concerned about the content of the foundation course and challenged the lecturers therefore they overhauled a few modules to be more specific in content. But over time I've gotten used to it and the personal 1 to 1 meetings are great, cause I can ask the best way to study, ask what books I should buy and study from etc. The lecturers are great, a few of them attended the same university and came back to teadmch what they have learned working in the industry. But it does require alot of independence, to get better results you gotta make a schedule and follow it every week (you don't have to of course but having a plan would logically be a good idea). And then study all day pretty much or study with friends. Overall it's ok for a foundation year anyway. However I wouldn't recommend doing this course if your not willing to give up alot of your social life.
@AnimeTechnoBlade 100 I start 3d next year but so far it's only been 2d. Edit: will be doing both, since 3d skills are becomesong required alot now apparently
