How Risky is it to Pursue an Art-Related Major?

It can be pretty risky if you accidentally wear art gang attire and run afoul of the East Side macpaint crew.

 

I wouldn't say that. Yes, you can get jobs in the creative field without a degree but having the degree opens you up to steadier work at larger companies. For example, a graphic designer or video producer for any large company (like a sports organization) is going to require a degree. And if you do happen to get in without a degree it's going to be hard to move up. Be warned though, these are not positions that every place hires like accounting and other very technical skills.

Now if you want to take a chance on actually working on films, you don't really need a degree for that. You just need lots of experience as a starving production assistant, a good portfolio, and some lucky breaks.

 

the hardest part about the commercial arts is getting started. how do you build a portfolio with no experience, how do you get that experience without the portfolio? basically you start out as a piss ant and work your way up the food chain. school may help you position yourself for entry into a lowly position but once you get there it will all be a matter of talent and want-to.

 

portfolio is basically just samples of his work, I don't think he needs actual clients, just sample websites etc. that show what he can do.

 

i'm pretty sure i know what a portfolio is, huckleberry. just sayin' he will be taking a crappy, entry-level position to start. i just don't know if school is the best way to get there.

 

I wouldn't consider graphic design to be an art degree. I guess I think more along the fine arts line. Commercial art is a little more like practical vocational art-related.

In general if you are hesitant you should consider a double major or really strong minor (more hours than the minimum) to balance yourself out. So many graphic designers now are really holding other positions where they also do design. Why hire a designer and a book keeper for your company when you can hire somebody who does both?

I don't know anything about UNT for graphic design or film but I do know that UT is generally considered the best film program in the state and SMU has a big program...not sure how it would rank, though.

I have three art-related degrees and have done just fine. But I never cared while in school because I knew I would be fine. College was about learning for me, not job training. And I did not go into huge amounts of debt. Actually made money in grad school through stipends and research and teaching assistant positions.

 

I don't think anyone should get a marketing, communications or English/arts degree without doing one of the other two also.

 

So OP, how IS your portfolio looking?

 

Both of my parents are graphic designers and we are doing fine.

My dad is making a good living as a freelance graphic designer. It can most certainly be done. Like any art field though, it can be very competitive. Come to think of it, he's had some interns in the past. I'll ask him if he is looking for anyone right now if you want, but I can't guarantee anything.

My mom teaches graphic design at UofH and has taught at Art Institute in the past. I wouldn't recommend either of those schools though. I've seen your Rockets wallpaper and videos. I like your work more than a lot of the students already there. (sorry if I have offended any UofH communications majors) Like some other posters have said, if you are looking to stay in Texas, UNT has a very nice program. UT has a good program as well, and Austin is a lot more inviting than Denton.

I have a degree in music from a conservatory, so I know exactly how you feel about the risk involved. I went through the same thing. My advice would be to follow your passion and intuition if you really believe it is what you want. The arts can be very competitive, so make sure you have the skills and work ethic. You have to be able to roll with the punches and be ok with a lot of criticism. If you can do that, you will find your way and be just fine. I know you have the talent to be successful. We've gotten into it in the past, but Clutchfans really is a family. I hope for the best to come your way.

 

If you get an art degree, the prudent side in me would hedge:

-Get a technical related focus- at least IT has started to realize a need in design and user experience
-Avoid private school tuitions at all cost
-Be ready to w**** yourself out....and be lucky if you're able to

Being saddled with 200k+ unforgivable debt is what a starving artist makes.

*Assuming that you start off as 80% of the artists who graduate from private lib arts school.

 

I didn't read the whole thread, but my two cents: get a quote-unquote "real" degree in a specific field (nursing, engineering, etc). You'll have damn-near guaranteed job security while making a pretty good living, while being able to pick up and move anywhere you like, and you can have the time and resources to pursue other passions without worrying about paying your bills.

I'm an RN and I work three 12-hour shifts/week. That's four days off/week, for those not paying attention, and I make pretty good money. I wish I'd learned this years and years ago, but I'm pretty happy.








This is probably the most 'old man' post I've ever written on here. Oh well. C'est la vie, y'all.

 

My buddy got an art degree and is a brilliant artist. He's actually had a couple of shows in art museums, because he's that talented. He works in a pharmacy. Have a back up plan. Just saying.

 

if your interested in computer science as well as 3d art/animation. look into post processing jobs like rendering/lighting they use a lot of scripting for rendering. can also look at rigging or write programs that generate/populate scenes. (think computer generated buildings/cities/plants/etc) where you need to know the 3d software and decent knowledge of computer languages.