Thinking about art school

[atthestartline]

Hi-
I'm 32 years old and I am considering going to art school to study photography and graphic design. I have dabbled in both feilds for several years and want to start a new career. My question is: should I attend school or just learn the trades while working for photographers and agencies? In other words, at my age is attending art school worth it? If so, does anyone know anything about the Art Institute of Colorado. Any suggestions, ideas or comments are greatly appreciated.

-Freshman

[pinkbubelz]

Hi-
I'm 32 years old and I am considering going to art school to study photography and graphic design. I have dabbled in both feilds for several years and want to start a new career. My question is: should I attend school or just learn the trades while working for photographers and agencies? In other words, at my age is attending art school worth it? If so, does anyone know anything about the Art Institute of Colorado. Any suggestions, ideas or comments are greatly appreciated.

-Freshman

Hi There,

Do you have a degree already in another field?
Also, what would you like to do with a degree in art? Would you like to teach or just work in the trade? Are you interested in the art or the business side of things?

I think those questions are the most important to answer before deciding whether or not to go and get a degree.

I have several friends who decided to get a degree as an "older" student, they found it very rewarding and they got way more out of their education than someone fresh out of high school. (myself included). The positive thing is the structure of a college education can help you to learn a lot of things and you have the added benefit of being able to "bounce" new ideas off of other students--vs. working in trade, where it may be a lot more commercial in approach....It all depends upon whether you want to do more "commercial" (read: mundane) photos vs. more "artistic" and creative photos.

Yes, people have been successful without a degree, however, the up side to having a degree is that it can "validate" your knowledge and/or your training, s. just learning through working... (oftentimes a degree also means a higher starting salary as well.)

You should take some time and talk to the students and faculty at the school you want to attend, perhaps they can shed some light as to the type of experience you will get there.

Good luck!

--Iris

[atthestartline]

Iris-
Thanks for the inforamtive response. You made some great points. I do have a degree in exercise physiology and I know that if I did go to school I would get much more out of it than I did when I was a young undergrad. School would also keep me more focused.

Thanks again.

Hi There,

Do you have a degree already in another field?
Also, what would you like to do with a degree in art? Would you like to teach or just work in the trade? Are you interested in the art or the business side of things?

I think those questions are the most important to answer before deciding whether or not to go and get a degree.

I have several friends who decided to get a degree as an "older" student, they found it very rewarding and they got way more out of their education than someone fresh out of high school. (myself included). The positive thing is the structure of a college education can help you to learn a lot of things and you have the added benefit of being able to "bounce" new ideas off of other students--vs. working in trade, where it may be a lot more commercial in approach....It all depends upon whether you want to do more "commercial" (read: mundane) photos vs. more "artistic" and creative photos.

Yes, people have been successful without a degree, however, the up side to having a degree is that it can "validate" your knowledge and/or your training, s. just learning through working... (oftentimes a degree also means a higher starting salary as well.)

You should take some time and talk to the students and faculty at the school you want to attend, perhaps they can shed some light as to the type of experience you will get there.

Good luck!

--Iris

[hennadatta]

Me I am 22 but I am thinking on the same lines ie getting a degree from art school...

I finished my high-school and then got really confused with what to do... Haven't been able to decide what to do yet... though have been pursuing diploma programs in computers and french.... I don't have an undergraduate degree...

Now is it worth it to go into art school or can one be satisfied by being self taught??? I don't think I will take art up as a serious career... more like a creative recluse...

Any suggestions on what kind of lessons should I take???