Am I crazy to be an art major?

I don't have your answer, but nothing is ever wasted, especially education. Who knows, you might get the degree and end up in some completely other line of work, and suddenly your knowledge or ability become valuable in a completely unexpected way.

My sister majored in languages for two years, switched to math, and became one of the most successful people I know. I doubt the first two years were wasted.

very true, roger... so my aunt and benefactor keeps reminding me. But I do worry that I'll have no qualifications for a fall back. I guess at that point I'd go back and get my teaching credential or something. I mean, I know it'll work out one way or the other...but I really want my art career!

Whatever you decide, Cyphercat, be sure to keep art in your life. There is a great and profound difference between being an artist for a living and being an artist as a way of life.

Wise words, indeed, JLNobody. I am very tired of people who seem to think of higher education as a kind of "trade school" where they'll learn a skill that will earn them a good living later on or open a door on golden opportunities because they have the "right" degree from the "right" college or university. That's not what education is supposed to be about.

As to your question, cyphercat, I'm not in that field so can't give you any first-hand advice. But from what I do know of the publishing world, there is free-lance work available for illustrators. It's mostly a matter of making the right connections. And right about where you are right now probably isn't a bad time to start. Does your school have anything like a placement office? Talk to them or to your faculty advisor about opportunities in the field, then send out some feelers.

I don't mean to sound like I am approaching it as trade school, that I have to make money off of my education in art or it's not worth it. I love being in school and I love artwork, I'd be going to school for the same degree even if I knew it wouldn't get me a job... I just want to have hope of getting employment as an artist because it would be such a pleasure to make a living that way and because it's been a goal for so long. I will, of course, always keep at my artwork in any case, it's been part of my life since I was just a sprout, can't stop now!

It has been my observation (impressionistic as it may be) that the college majors who seem to be more concerned with their chosen subject matter than with the job it might provide are students of philosophy, art, and anthropology/archaeology. It seems that no matter how the job market looks the enrollments in these fields remain constant. Few people enter these fields to make money; they do it because of their fascination with the work itself.

Agree with all here.

As a corollary, I don't think someone whose work doesn't sell isn't doing real art, or someone who carries on an older traditional approach to art rather than breaking new ground is not doing art.

cyphercat, we could tell, I think, by your question wording that you value art for itself.

Making a living can get to be important and is reasonable to think about. I think M. Andrew's suggestion is helpful.
As to a special illustration school, I don't know the value or advisability of that.

I have mostly made my living as a landscape architect, a field that often but not always involves a lot of drawing and drafting, and some fair level of creativity - I don't, therefore, feel like drawing or painting up a storm when I get home from work. So... there is something to be said for part time illustration, as opposed to full, in that it could leave you energy for later interests like painting or sculpture, etc. On the other hand, creative satisfaction may only leave you wanting to do more...

Id like to do a creative job too, do you think i can find what Im looking for!?
Im not dumbing it down but its seems people think mucking about with paint and doodling isnt a proper job, therefore there arnt many around.

Good luck with your education and your search.If this is what makes you get out of bed in the morning then you must continue to persue it.

Are you in the UK?

the degree will open up possibilities you hadn't previously considered, and I agree with the previous posters comments.

Go for it. Aim for your goals but have backup plans. Some people 'make it' in illustration and you could be one of them, As a painter it's outside my field.

Can you write? someone who can both write and illustrate well may have extra options open in illustrating childrens books.

I wonder, Osso, to what extent has the "painting" dimensison of illustration been replaced by digital art techniques.

I don't know m'self, JL. Probably a lot.

Material Girl: no, I'm in the US.
Vivien: I do like to write, so maybe that will be a possibility...but from what I've read that usually comes into play after you are already an established illustrator.

that's true - but if you can produce something unique and exceptional - well there's a chance

Just as an aside here, I hold a BFA in Art. This meant I took all of the painting classes I wanted, all of the sculpture and printmaking classes I wanted, and quite a bit of art history. I then got an emphasis in Graphic Design.

True Graphic Design gets underplayed so much in the world today because the popular belief is that anyone with a copy of photoshop or illustrator can do it.

To a degree this is true, but you add a college-level art background to that, and the skills you learn in designing on paper, the rules of design that apply to color, the rule of thirds, all of that can be easilly applied to Graphics with profound results.

I got to take the courses I wanted, and still managed to get a very marketable degree that utilizes the skills I learned in art. It doesn't really matter if you're all that great at computers. You choose 2 programs to learn, and learn them. The rest will come.

Don't ever shy away from doing something you really want, there are ALWAYS applications to be found for what you learn in college.

IF I can produce something unique and exceptional?! I am quite certain you mean "when"!

thanks questioner, that's really interesting. That also makes reassures me about the computer skills part, which has been a bit of a concern to me.

I appreciate all the input from everyone!

yes of course I did!

I just have to say I'm so proud to be a featured topic. I'd like to thank the academy! *sob!*