Is it worth to go to uni back to uni to become an illustrator?
I went to uni previously for a non creative degree. Considering applying to get a proper foot in the industry.
Replies14
- @Kelly Oozageer Hi Kelly, thank you for the advice, really appreciated it
- @Beatrice Garcia Hi Beatrice, thanks so much for your feedback. Encouraging to here. Will definately keep this in mind
- @Afua Bediako I feel it is best, as a Graduate Fashion Illustrator, just to get more better at using the software, i feel it is best to try onlibe courses that are available for free or even short term ones, unless using a degree will gain a well erned job for the future or if you are just trying to freelance i feel there are other ways than just having a degree. It is all about youe creative work, how you network and gain your audience.
- Hey Afua,@Lynsey Shaw I agree with Lynsey. I was in a similar situation and now make my living full time as an artist and illustrator.The trick is to hone those skils, do other jobs in the meantime to help support yourself financially and above all to never give up! There are lots of rejections but you need to not take them personally and keep moving forward and approaching companies where you think your illustrations could add value!Bea
- @ɐɹoᗡ ɐuu∀ ˥ Hi Anna, thanks for your in depth reply! Yes finance is definately one of the the cons for me as if I were to it would be my second degree. But thank you for your insight! Really appreciate it
- @Anna Negrini Hi Anna, thank you for your reply, yes I have heard a lot about it being a good place to get your creative juices following. Having not had that since ALevel. I wondered if I was missing out. But thank you for your insight!
- Hi Afua,The answer for your question really depends on your financial situation. I would highly recommend to have a bit of calculation how much it would cost you to attend on a full time course for illustration, compared for a short course and complete self thought way. I think no one really talk about the fact that most of creative degree cost more than what junior creatives makes for years.Independently from finances attending in a creative university can be a wonderful experience. So if you ca afford after the calculation I would recommend doing it, life is short after all.However you can get away absolutely without having a degree. If you determined anough you can teach yourself to be an illustrator without problem, employers will barely hang up on if you have a degree, it's more like a nice to have.
- I've listened to a lot of illustrators' talks during Pictoplasma and most of them agree that uni might not teach you technical stuff but it's a good environment that makes you think, experiment and find your own voice, so if you struggle doing it by yourself it can be a good choice.
- @Helen Panayi That's true, thanks again!
- @Afua Bediako No problem!It doesn't hurt to know your way around the adobe suite, it's still industry standard, but I've talked to a good few professional illustrators that use procreate for all of their work. It's all about the final image- as long as the artwork files are usable it doesn't really matter how you get there.
- @Lynsey Shaw Hi Lynsey, Thank you for your reply, that giving me some resurrance, how long did it take you before you could rely on it as a full time job, if you don't mind me asking?
- @Helen Panayi Thank you so much for such an in depth answer! I really appreciate that. I suppose I've been looking in the wrong places. I feel like I am relatively happy with where my art skills are. I just maybe need to pratice getting getting better at using photoshop and illustrator? Would you say it's essential to be a pro at these? Currently I use Procreate, mostly because its cheaper.Thank you for those suggestions, been using Skillshare mostly. I'll definately check those out! Thank you by the way. Your art is super cute
- Hey Afua!I studied illustration. In my experience an illustration degree will give you loads of time and space to learn about yourself, try out different styles and practice your illustration- you'll be pushed to try new ways of working to see what works for you. It might teach you about different avenues for your art and where illustrations are used in the world. You might build connections with other students and with tutors that can help with your career. Other than that, it won't give you a foot in the door - people commissioning illustrations don't care if you have a degree or not, it's all about the images you make.If you feel like you're happy with the illustrations that you can make already, it's probably not worth it, it probably won't give you more exposure or the attention of Art Directors. But if you want to force yourself to focus and make time to work on your artwork, a degree would put you in the right environment for that.If you go for it, have a look at who the tutors are, I feel like they're probably a big factor in what you will get out of the course, as much as what uni you go to.Also don't feel like a degree is your only option. Since graduating I've been on a few short courses which have been amazing - plus they're much shorted and cheaper than uni! Check out Make Art That Sells or Orange Beak if that sounds interesting.Good luck either way, your fairies are super cute!
- Hi Afua, I did a business degree, and am now an entirely self taught illustrator, it can be done if you dedicate enough time to honing your creative skills.
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