Just catching up on your blog and stopping by to say hello. I saw your questions about art school and if it was worth it. I went to art college for 4 years (Wigan) in the 70s and came out with a city and guilds certificate in advertising design and a diploma membership in the SIAD in children's book illustration. Must say the degree has opened many doors for me, not always in the book illustration field. It got me my first job ( after 12 months unemployed) illustrating school work books for the Lancashire County School system. It was a nice job, but totally overwhelming as I was the only illustrator there. Teachers from all over the area would come to me wanting illustrations for their particular pet projects. Enough work to keep 10 artists busy for many years! :) I married and moved over here about a year later. Worked as a paste up artist for a small newspaper and then for the local printer. When I switched to the healthcare field I was surprised that I was offered a higher pay rate "because you have a four year degree" The fact that it was in art didn't make any difference. I don't think it would have worked that way back home where art college is sort of looked down on.
As far as what I learned in art college. Well, computer graphics was just coming on the scene. We were the last class to be taught the old antiquated ways of hand set type, how to use copy fitting tables to calculate the font size needed to fill a particular space. Things that can now be done in 30 seconds on the computer would take us a couple of hours, maybe longer back then.
So to answer your question, no I don't think you missed out on much by not going to art college. I'm just glad it didn't cost my parents thousands of dollars like it would have over here.
Hi Polly - thank you very much for stopping by and leaving such a lot of detailed information about what Art College did for you. I suspected that it might help with jobs and now we know that it can.
And you seem to learnt some useful practical skills as well. I wonder if the same can be said for a Fine Art course?
6 comments:
Love your work and energy!
Thank you, Jean. When my energy is low, your comments get it going again!
Hi Judy!
Just catching up on your blog and stopping by to say hello. I saw your questions about art school and if it was worth it. I went to art college for 4 years (Wigan) in the 70s and came out with a city and guilds certificate in advertising design and a diploma membership in the SIAD in children's book illustration. Must say the degree has opened many doors for me, not always in the book illustration field. It got me my first job ( after 12 months unemployed) illustrating school work books for the Lancashire County School system. It was a nice job, but totally overwhelming as I was the only illustrator there. Teachers from all over the area would come to me wanting illustrations for their particular pet projects. Enough work to keep 10 artists busy for many years! :) I married and moved over here about a year later. Worked as a paste up artist for a small newspaper and then for the local printer. When I switched to the healthcare field I was surprised that I was offered a higher pay rate "because you have a four year degree" The fact that it was in art didn't make any difference. I don't think it would have worked that way back home where art college is sort of looked down on.
As far as what I learned in art college. Well, computer graphics was just coming on the scene. We were the last class to be taught the old antiquated ways of hand set type, how to use copy fitting tables to calculate the font size needed to fill a particular space. Things that can now be done in 30 seconds on the computer would take us a couple of hours, maybe longer back then.
So to answer your question, no I don't think you missed out on much by not going to art college. I'm just glad it didn't cost my parents thousands of dollars like it would have over here.
Hi Polly - thank you very much for stopping by and leaving such a lot of detailed information about what Art College did for you. I suspected that it might help with jobs and now we know that it can.
And you seem to learnt some useful practical skills as well. I wonder if the same can be said for a Fine Art course?
ah, yes we all have those gifts we don't know what to do with and hope they don't visit so we have to wear them :O)
I think that one's a universal problem!
Post a Comment