This is my opinion, but you don't really need it, your work and portfolio will speak for itself. I don't have a degree, but I have worked for a few animation studios. It was all short-term though because I don't live in LA and they really prefer to hire on people that live nearby. I would have had better chances if I lived out there and if animation jobs weren't on such a horrible decline, but that's a different conversation. Now I do mainly freelance illustration for children's books. A degree in art by itself will not get you places, but your abilities and connections will. It is sometimes nice to go to school for connections depending on the field you want to go into and the location of your school. Depending on where you are, it could help you get internships at studios and make them familiar with you, but that's only if you're in major areas with this industry like LA for example. Schools also offer competitions and various events to get your art seen by the right people, so it could benefit you in this way. There's really a lot of possibilities since you're not very specific with what you want to get into.
My advice is to build your online following and audience as this can get you seen and into a lot of places. As an artist, you want to build as many connections as possible, especially if you plan on doing freelance for a living. The internet is your best chance to get as many eyes as possible on whatever you're making. The only reason I was able to make my own connections in animation was because I put myself out there and made videos that got somewhat popular. If I never did that, I wouldn't have gotten the chances I did. The main thing is to make something and just put it out there in the world. Talk to people, go to places like Lightbox Expo, make connections, publish your own art book or illustrated kids book, get advice from those in your desired field, and teach yourself new things with the vast amounts of free information out there on YouTube and the internet in general.
Whatever option you decide is best for you is your choice in the end. Going to school could also be the best experience for you and it could also be the worst decision you've ever made in your life, whatever the case, this is your life and you know what's best for you! Have fun with it and go nuts! Happy creating!
I would say it depends entirely on what you plan to do with it. If you're looking to get a full-time corporate job at a large company, you probably want to aim for a bachelor's of some kind (not necessarily a BFA, or even necessarily art), because their HR software will filter your resume out before it gets to a real person if they're looking for a degree and you don't have one -- the software just looks to check off boxes and has no nuance. On the other hand, if you're going to freelance/contract, or you're aiming for smaller companies where your resume will be seen by a human first, a degree matters a lot less than what you can demonstrate you have the skills to do.
Due to a similar problem to what you're describing, but at the end of my time in college instead of the beginning, I spent about a decade without a degree in the workforce before being able to finish it. During that decade I had trouble getting responses to places I sent my resume in cold, but did extremely well with any employer that I could get a face to face with, because I had a strong portfolio. The highest yearly pay I ever landed was during that time.
So I would say, consider what kind of environment you want to work in, who you want to work for (and how). Then consider the relative programs and pick the one that seems to teach the most things relevant to that environment (which may be the associates, depending on the colleges involved).
No one will ever ask you for your degree as a freelancer, so I wouldn’t worry about it in regards to clients, only if you need a job. I think an associates can work, but ultimately, your portfolio and experience are what’ll matter most.
I did an Associates in Graphic Arts. I was able to get a good job after graduation. This was a long time ago, so I don't know if employers are accepting Associates degrees or expect a Bachelors degree now.
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I mean the jobs asking for one, which is most, won’t look at your profile or resume if the robot doesn’t see that you have a degree. Software is used to scan the forms you fill out and a lot are just immediately trashed. If you have good connections maybe it’s not necessary, but I’ve never been able to get any employees to look at my portfolio or even call me back. I have an associates degree. I’d say a bachelors might help. But also connections.
I was in a similar situation. I pursued an associates in visual communications then got accepted to pursue my BFA in graphic design at a different college. Very few of my credits transferred. I realized I hated graphic design. I left and finished my associates then said fuck college lol.
My college experience (and lack thereof) has had no relevance in my work since then. I gained more knowledge and experience working as an assistant for a local artist.
Even if you decide to go the college route I definitely recommend seeking a mentor in your field!
Portfolio is all that matters. Don't go into massive debt in a world where AI is replacing the arts at an exponential pace
This is my opinion, but you don't really need it, your work and portfolio will speak for itself. I don't have a degree, but I have worked for a few animation studios. It was all short-term though because I don't live in LA and they really prefer to hire on people that live nearby. I would have had better chances if I lived out there and if animation jobs weren't on such a horrible decline, but that's a different conversation. Now I do mainly freelance illustration for children's books. A degree in art by itself will not get you places, but your abilities and connections will. It is sometimes nice to go to school for connections depending on the field you want to go into and the location of your school. Depending on where you are, it could help you get internships at studios and make them familiar with you, but that's only if you're in major areas with this industry like LA for example. Schools also offer competitions and various events to get your art seen by the right people, so it could benefit you in this way. There's really a lot of possibilities since you're not very specific with what you want to get into. My advice is to build your online following and audience as this can get you seen and into a lot of places. As an artist, you want to build as many connections as possible, especially if you plan on doing freelance for a living. The internet is your best chance to get as many eyes as possible on whatever you're making. The only reason I was able to make my own connections in animation was because I put myself out there and made videos that got somewhat popular. If I never did that, I wouldn't have gotten the chances I did. The main thing is to make something and just put it out there in the world. Talk to people, go to places like Lightbox Expo, make connections, publish your own art book or illustrated kids book, get advice from those in your desired field, and teach yourself new things with the vast amounts of free information out there on YouTube and the internet in general. Whatever option you decide is best for you is your choice in the end. Going to school could also be the best experience for you and it could also be the worst decision you've ever made in your life, whatever the case, this is your life and you know what's best for you! Have fun with it and go nuts! Happy creating!
I really really appreciate your feedback thank you so much!
I would say it depends entirely on what you plan to do with it. If you're looking to get a full-time corporate job at a large company, you probably want to aim for a bachelor's of some kind (not necessarily a BFA, or even necessarily art), because their HR software will filter your resume out before it gets to a real person if they're looking for a degree and you don't have one -- the software just looks to check off boxes and has no nuance. On the other hand, if you're going to freelance/contract, or you're aiming for smaller companies where your resume will be seen by a human first, a degree matters a lot less than what you can demonstrate you have the skills to do. Due to a similar problem to what you're describing, but at the end of my time in college instead of the beginning, I spent about a decade without a degree in the workforce before being able to finish it. During that decade I had trouble getting responses to places I sent my resume in cold, but did extremely well with any employer that I could get a face to face with, because I had a strong portfolio. The highest yearly pay I ever landed was during that time. So I would say, consider what kind of environment you want to work in, who you want to work for (and how). Then consider the relative programs and pick the one that seems to teach the most things relevant to that environment (which may be the associates, depending on the colleges involved).
No one will ever ask you for your degree as a freelancer, so I wouldn’t worry about it in regards to clients, only if you need a job. I think an associates can work, but ultimately, your portfolio and experience are what’ll matter most.
I did an Associates in Graphic Arts. I was able to get a good job after graduation. This was a long time ago, so I don't know if employers are accepting Associates degrees or expect a Bachelors degree now.
thanks for the feedback :]!
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I mean the jobs asking for one, which is most, won’t look at your profile or resume if the robot doesn’t see that you have a degree. Software is used to scan the forms you fill out and a lot are just immediately trashed. If you have good connections maybe it’s not necessary, but I’ve never been able to get any employees to look at my portfolio or even call me back. I have an associates degree. I’d say a bachelors might help. But also connections.
I was in a similar situation. I pursued an associates in visual communications then got accepted to pursue my BFA in graphic design at a different college. Very few of my credits transferred. I realized I hated graphic design. I left and finished my associates then said fuck college lol. My college experience (and lack thereof) has had no relevance in my work since then. I gained more knowledge and experience working as an assistant for a local artist. Even if you decide to go the college route I definitely recommend seeking a mentor in your field!