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Expert: - 1/16/2010


Question
i think i'm pretty good at art, i'm top in my class in practicles... maybe not so much in theory and history but i still do enjoy it. my parents are worried that if i do study art in university that i wont i find a decent career that will pay my bills and keep me from relying on them. they suggested i combine my artistic abilities with a science but thats not going to well... i thought about animation which seems really exciting, i like drawing characters and creating stories... but computers hate me. how much skills in computers does animation require? i'm sure if i actually tried i'd get the hang of it. what does studying animation intell? i really want to study art, i've heard from people all the stuff you learn like the phsycological part of it and it sounds really exciting. i really dont know tho... sigh...

Answer
Hello Sarah,

My parents, especially my dad, were worried when I first went to study art. I will admit, it isn't always the easiest path to travel, but if you truly have a passion for it, the payoff can be really great. Plenty of job opportunities exist for artists of all kinds. If you act professional, work hard, and stick to it, you will find something. I have a full time job as an artist that supports me very well, and I don't rely on my parents for money at all!

But, I would suggest that you only go for it if you really, REALLY love art. You'll need that love to keep you going during your early career, and anytime you hit a roadblock (or creative block).

As to animation, computers play quite a big role these days. As you can see from films, 3-D animation is all over the place. Also, a lot of 2-D (traditional animation) is done on computer programs, too. In fact, unless you are going into fine art, many careers in art utilize the computer. At the end of the day, you'll need to find a way to be friends with the computer. Don't be afraid of it! It's just a tool, just like a paintbrush or pen.

More important than computers, the most important part of studying animation is learning the art and design concepts that go behind all art, as well as learning the basic principles of animation.

If it helps, you can start researching around the companies in your area to see what type of jobs are available near you. If you plan on moving or have a certain interest for a particular company, look them up too. Learning about this in advance may help guide you as you decide what to study. A good website for animation is the Animation World Network at www.awn.com.

Also, as long as you have a basic art degree, you can learn new things later if you decide to go in a different direction. Be open and flexible to opportunities.

I hope this helps get you started!
Let me know if I can be of further help.
Good luck!
-Gianina

Careers: Arts

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Gianina L.

Expertise

I can answer questions concerning most traditional mediums such as acrylics, watercolor, colored pencils, collage/cut paper, graphite, charcoal, and pen and ink. I also have strong, advanced knowledge of Photoshop, Powerpoint and Publisher; and beginner to immediate level knowledge in Illustrator, Freehand, After Effects, and Flash. In addition, I can cover miscellaneous subjects such as portfolio preparation, applying to art schools, art school study skills, color theory, basic design and drawing principles, basic animation techniques, working on personal art styles and exploring new artistic techniques. Topics such as the detailed legal aspects of art, web programming and Flash action scripting do not fall under my area of expertise.

Experience

Experience in the Area
I graduated summa cum laude with a double BFA in Illustration and Computer Art (specializing in 2-dimensional animation) from the Savannah College of Art and Design, where as a student, I happily tutored fellow peers in all aspects of art and created numerous illustrations for the school newspaper. For the past several years, I have been illustrating seminar books, designing numerous graphics, and creating short animation sequences for use in video. In addition, I work as a private tutor and am co-director / co-owner of a company that focuses on and promotes the local music industry. I assist with all the day-to-day operations of this company as well as manage all art direction and design.

Education/Credentials
Savannah College of Art and Design
BFA Computer Art, Illustration
Summa Cum Laude
Dean's List, GPA 4.0

Awards and Honors
Induction into Alpha Pi Beta honor society for art and design, 2002
Outstanding Achievement in Computer Art, 2002
Outstanding Student for the academic year 2001-2002
Awarded "Most Dependable" for District, the student newspaper, 2002
Who's Who Among American Colleges and Universities, May 2001
Better Business Bureau Honesty in Advertising Essay Competition, Merit Award, November 1998
Mary Renee Whelan Scholarship, Savannah College of Art and Design

Exhibitions and Festivals:
Embodiement; Myths in Animal Form, www.postpicasso.com, December 10 - January 10, 2005
SCAD Alumni Show, Stardust Café, Orlando, FL; December 2004
Finalist, International Juried Online Symbolist Art Show, www.dracoblu.com, May 2004 - April 2005
Finalist, International Juried Online Symbolist Art Show, www.dracoblu.com, May 2003 - April 2004
Senior Showcase, SCAD Pei Ling Chan Gallery, Savannah, GA; May 2002
2D or not 2D, SCAD Trustees Theatre, Savannah, GA; April 2002
Small Works, SCAD Exhibit A Gallery, Savannah, GA; November 7 - December 31, 2001; art was purchased
Magnanimata Animation Festival, May 1999

Publications
Quoted briefly in Animation World Magazine, "Predicting the Future of Futurama" (April 1999) and "Ed, Edd, n Eddy: A Unique Approach" (June 1999)

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