ShopDreamUp AI ArtDreamUp
Deviation Actions
I've been debating with myself lately on whether or not to continue going to college. I'm currently finishing my freshman year at SCAD (an art school).
My older sister just graduated from the same school a year ago and is now living on her own and working for a TV show (she does animation). She's doing really well and gets paid a decent amount, and also gets benefits.
We grew up both wanting to be artists, so I followed a lot in her footsteps.
I worked really hard all through high school to tailor my grades and portfolio specifically for getting scholarships to this school. I landed myself a $28,000 yearly scholarship with my efforts, so I know I'm on the right track. (it's about 33k a year for tuition alone) I know I'm really serious about making my career with art and improving my own technical skill. This is what I want to do for a living.
But there are so many sides to "Art as a living"
- I could work for an official studio company like my sister
- I could do freelance and make money off individual clients
- I could go into fineart/prints and make money of selling pieces or copies of my pieces directly.
- I could try self publishing books/graphic novels
- I could travel around to different conventions and make money off Artist Alley (I actually know people who do this full time)
If I really dedicated my time, I could make a living off of selling plushies/fursuits/merch on etsy LOL
Of those choices, I know landing a studio job would be the most stable. (And would be a lot more likely attainable with a degree) But I feel like I would enjoy any of the other options more, and they don't really require a degree. (Though I would probably have to get a day job of some sort just in case)
And what happens, if by some chance, I spend three more years getting the degree and then can't find a studio job? .__.; At my skill level, college isn't really about improving my art: it's all about meeting people and making the connections and the degree title that comes at the end. The bulk of the improvement I can make now is from practice and doing, which honestly I haven't had any time for since I've been in college.
Seriously: I've only made one serious illustration my entire year here. When I was in high school, I made a new illustration every couple of weeks. If I didn't have school obligations, I would paint things every day.
And I also get extremely frustrated when I have to take useless classes that have no benefit to me other than being a graduation requirement. COUGH COMPUTER APPLICATIONS COUGH.
So now I'm stuck with a decision. Should I stay in college, spending three years and thousands of dollars, to get the degree? Should I drop out, get a part/full-time job in retail,and try any of those other options I listed before?
I'm really considering taking a year or two off and "testing out" how I'll do without a degree. But I'd lose my scholarship, have to reapply, my parents might not have the money to support me, and will be a year behind everyone when I come back.
Your thoughts?
My older sister just graduated from the same school a year ago and is now living on her own and working for a TV show (she does animation). She's doing really well and gets paid a decent amount, and also gets benefits.
We grew up both wanting to be artists, so I followed a lot in her footsteps.
I worked really hard all through high school to tailor my grades and portfolio specifically for getting scholarships to this school. I landed myself a $28,000 yearly scholarship with my efforts, so I know I'm on the right track. (it's about 33k a year for tuition alone) I know I'm really serious about making my career with art and improving my own technical skill. This is what I want to do for a living.
But there are so many sides to "Art as a living"
- I could work for an official studio company like my sister
- I could do freelance and make money off individual clients
- I could go into fineart/prints and make money of selling pieces or copies of my pieces directly.
- I could try self publishing books/graphic novels
- I could travel around to different conventions and make money off Artist Alley (I actually know people who do this full time)
If I really dedicated my time, I could make a living off of selling plushies/fursuits/merch on etsy LOL
Of those choices, I know landing a studio job would be the most stable. (And would be a lot more likely attainable with a degree) But I feel like I would enjoy any of the other options more, and they don't really require a degree. (Though I would probably have to get a day job of some sort just in case)
And what happens, if by some chance, I spend three more years getting the degree and then can't find a studio job? .__.; At my skill level, college isn't really about improving my art: it's all about meeting people and making the connections and the degree title that comes at the end. The bulk of the improvement I can make now is from practice and doing, which honestly I haven't had any time for since I've been in college.
Seriously: I've only made one serious illustration my entire year here. When I was in high school, I made a new illustration every couple of weeks. If I didn't have school obligations, I would paint things every day.
And I also get extremely frustrated when I have to take useless classes that have no benefit to me other than being a graduation requirement. COUGH COMPUTER APPLICATIONS COUGH.
So now I'm stuck with a decision. Should I stay in college, spending three years and thousands of dollars, to get the degree? Should I drop out, get a part/full-time job in retail,and try any of those other options I listed before?
I'm really considering taking a year or two off and "testing out" how I'll do without a degree. But I'd lose my scholarship, have to reapply, my parents might not have the money to support me, and will be a year behind everyone when I come back.
Your thoughts?
Hey 2021!
It's been three years since my last update here omg. 2020 flew by in a blur, but I guess 2019 and 2018 did too. I've been working from home in quarantine since march 2020 and still here ha ha. But I'm turning 28 tomorrow! yahoo I'm currently working as a lead background designer at Bento Box Atlanta and really having a good time and working with some amazing artists day to day. Since my last update here: - I got nominated for a daytime Emmy for work on a Netflix series called "The Who Was Show" - Several other shows I worked on have gotten released including: Dicktown, Paradise PD seasons 1-3, The Masked Singer season 4, Hoops season 1, and Central Park season 1. - I bought a condo around the Atlanta area. - I adopted a third cat (Cookie). - I made a bunch of great friends in and around the Atlanta area, really found a community here. and I'm generally living out here and growing. I'm in a pretty positive place in my life and working to keep it that way. I mostly update on
2018!
I'm 25 now! This last year I adopted two kittens, got a new job at Floyd County Productions, made a lot of new friends!
New job is still background illustration for 2D animation, I'll let ya'll know when the project I'm working on gets released.
Some of the stuff I did at Bentobox Atlanta go published! If you want to check it out, I did BGs for The Who Was Show (Netflix) and design + production BGs for this movie called The New Adventures of PaddlePop (Or Max the Lion). I even have my own Imdb page: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm9376260/
Still doing some conventions, been to Momocon, Hamacon so far and I'm signed up to vend at Dragoncon
Wow it's 2017
All my journals are now annual and surprised at the movement of time ha ha.
This last year has been really crazy for me! I finally moved out from my parent's house, got a job in animation, have my own apartment with my BF and things are looking up! Been very very busy with work and some conventions. Not sure how many of you still check this place anymore, but wanted to let you know I'm still alive. I live in Atlanta Georgia now :U If any of you live in the area hit me up!
This has also been the year that I've made the most art but haven't been able to post any of it for NDA reasons but hopefully someday soon I'll be able to point out the
Wow it's almost June
I don't update enough on here lmao but I'm going to a bunch of cons this summer/fall!
About to head off to Megacon (Florida) and then Akon (Texas)
Will be also at:
Anime Expo - Dealers
Natsucon - Dealers
San-Japan - Artist Alley
Anime Weekend Atlanta - Artist Alley
Youmacon - Artist Alley
© 2012 - 2024 Kafai
Comments26
Join the community to add your comment. Already a deviant? Log In
You've a $28k scholarship? Omg, I will be attending SCAD this Fall and even though I've tried my best, they only gave me $25,5k ;_____; I got the maximum artistic scholarship, but my academic scholarship is just pathetic Y_Y
So have you made your decision yet? Would you still attend SCAD?
So have you made your decision yet? Would you still attend SCAD?