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As a HSchooler, what classes should I take?

By cubitfox | Tuesday, December 26, 2006 at 4:01pm

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Sandrock's picture
Submitted by Sandrock on

I voted for drawing classes. If you are serious about pursuing a career in animation, you definitely need this. You may take it for granted now, but in the long run you will find yourself looking back at the basics, and drawing classes will help you develop a strong foundation for these basics. Graphic design is good too, but I rank drawing classes on top with graphic design as a second choice.

Cheers, and good luck!

cubitfox's picture
Submitted by cubitfox on

Thanks for the advice. You don't need a graphic design class to learn photoshop. Any other advice? Anybody?

cubitfox's picture
Submitted by cubitfox on

Does the design class teach Flash?

I think it only teaches photoshop.

DSB's picture
Submitted by DSB on

Take the drawing class for sure. Even if you never do a single frame of drawn animation in your entire career, having those skills will serve you well.
Design is more about color and composition, and while those are important as well, they're not the primary concern of an animator (which is what you said was your goal).

cartoonchaos's picture

The class seems to focus more on still life and portrait drawing then proportion and other principles factored into animation.

Which class should I take?

hee hee... sounds like an oxymoron to me.

I agree with DSB. Get solid drawing skills.

Follow @chaostoon on Twitter!

Larry L.'s picture
Submitted by Larry L. on

Hello,

DRAW, DRAW, DRAW...especially from life. It's the best thing you can do...keep a sketchbook with you always. You don't software as much as artistic skills. You can learn software later....

Keep it fun!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thanks,

Larry L.'s picture
Submitted by Larry L. on

Hey Guy,

You don't need a poll...look around the industry!

Take a sketchbook with you EVERYWHERE!!!

Keep it fun draw from life and from your imagination. Make it a resolution!!!

I have to te;ll you- when I was in high school (last century) I drove Mrs. Monk (our art teacher) nuts by drawing cartoons all the time. She made me draw from life. For me, it was a bitter pill to swallow but....SHE WAS RIGHT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I am grateful everyday for her "encouragement".

Keep at it!

Happy New Year!!!!

phacker's picture
Submitted by phacker on

Unless you are a natural I'd vote for the drawing class as well.

They teach you to see as well as to render. If you can't visualize it you can't draw it or paint it. Proportion and perspective are all elements of still life and portraiture.

When I was studying we couldn't take graphic courses like "Form, Design and Color" before we had taken a few basic drawing courses.

Larry L.'s picture
Submitted by Larry L. on

Here's another thought...

You migtht want to look into Glenn Vilppu's classes.

[U]http://www.vilppustudio.com/
[/U]
Glenn is an amazing artist and a great teacher!

He has an online service which will mentor your drawing. If you take a drawing class- take it from someone who can draw and teach.

Thanks.

b'ini's picture
Submitted by b'ini on

Can you take both? I took every art class that was offered in HS, including ceramics, and did my final semester as an independent study in painting. If it's available, take it. Do it all!

A solid foundation in Photoshop will come in handy with digital animation. Frankly, it's almost taken for granted that people know photoshop. It's used for creating textures, backgrounds, assets used in Illustrator, AfterEffects, Maya, and Flash. Also, if your school has tablets, PhotoShop is often used for drawing and painting, not just photo manipulation.

To me, Photoshop = work = $$.

BUT, you can't go wrong with a drawing class.

Ken Davis's picture
Submitted by Ken Davis on

Software changes, thus instruction in software is changing too.
Artistic skills tend to remain constant, thus artistic instruction seldom changes.

Ergo: learning software is something you can do as needed, but developing solid artistic skills can be the better foundation to build your career upon.