In U.S., Would Free College Make it Harder to Get Art Job?

[matthewroel]

This idea has been bothering me for a while, but I wanted to shout this question out so I can know whether or not I'm worrying myself over nothing. Currently, there's talk about Bernie Sanders promising to make college free, and while I think that's a good thing. I worry about the potential trickle down effects on the fields of animation, storyboarding, children's books, concept art for games and films were it to happen; I don't think this'll be an issue for mainstream comics or Indies.

If college is free, I wonder that the employers in those industries will change their policies so that an art related degree is the bare minimum for having your portfolio looked at, like a lot of jobs in the U.S. now. He'll, from what I've read, this is basically what happened to in-house graphic designers: no degree, places won't think twice about looking at your portfolio. In Graphic Designs case, this stems from the sheer number of Graphic Designers out there, a problem for over a decade.

I have a vested interest in a possibility like this, since I'm not majoring in art, just doing it on free time, and with the intent of being a professional freelance artist, who'd like the possibilities of dipping my toes in any of the above mediums. I just dislike the idea of graduating, then having a lot of doors close because I didn't get the right degree years back

Could this potentially happen? Or, is it just misplaced worry? Also, if Art Schools were made significantly cheaper, and thus more went, would it compound this issue? I'm very curious to hear from better informed individuals, those with an ear to the ground. After all, what happened to in-house graphic designers happened over a period of time, and it might've been easy to see how the winds would change if you were a pro at the time.

[Luie]

Nope. Heck if I could go to college for free I would. I had to drop out because my loans plus working still didn't quite cover my tuition. With having to work as much as I did, I didn't have time for putting as much effort into my art as I thought I needed. Even if my degree didn't mean as much, I'd still have the experience and knowledge I need to do things on my own on a professional level. I'd even go back just to learn more things and meet more people in the industry. I could probably land a job though making connections regardless of how much worth my degree is. I can't say this for every artist, but as an illustrator there are so many avenues I could go down that it would not be an issue. All I need is to be taught how to do new things, and I really wish the outrageous tuition cost for art colleges didn't get in the way of that.

[PixyByte]

Even if college was completely free (a wonderful dream), I think a lot of companies would keep the mindset of wanting experience more than a degree. Or at least the good companies, anyway. I mean, yeah it's nice to see someone has a degree, but if their portfolio is garbage... I don't think free college would make it harder to get an art job. Most artists I know of don't have a degree, and I don't know if they'd really feel the need to devote the time to going to classes just to have a paper say they can do what their portfolio already proved. If anything I think free college would make companies crack down harder on portfolio requirements, but not necessarily make the job difficult to get. If everyone who applies for a job went to college, not everyone's portfolio is going to be of the same quality or even what the company is looking for.
Just my 2cents

[AnnaLandin]

Uh, no.

I'm Swedish. College is free here - no tuition fees, no nothing. Getting any art-related job is STILL about skills and making connections, not the college degree you may or may not have earned. Having a degree from a specific college and in a specific field is still useful, because it means potential employers can be certain you know certain things, but at the end of the day, it's your displayed skill that matters.

If your portfolio is good, and you show them that you know what you're about, it doesn't matter if you went to the Royal Academy of Art or if you're entirely self-taught in art and spent your college years in the electrical engineering department.

[heterodont]

lol I'd love free college. 39k for one year of college (ofc with no financial aid or scholarships) isn't fun to think about in the long run

Anyway, I feel like it's general consensus that having a great skill set > BFA/MFA degree in (Art Program of Choice). I don't think it'll change anything in the industry if colleges were free - hell, people with exceptional skills already but unable to attend college due to financial reasons or other could finally get something to help them expand their skill sets or connections without digging them into a deep financial hole. If you're going to art school, you're not going to just get a degree - you're going because you want to grow as an artist and make connections with people who have already had experience in the field you're interested in. Sure, maybe having a degree from a college will make you more preferable when you're competing for jobs - but if your portfolio looks like you have no idea what you're doing, it's not going to help at all.

To be more specific, about your Graphic Designer problem - there's already tons of illustrators, visual development artists, so on so forth already out there in the industry, yet studios don't go around saying you HAVE to have a degree from an accredited college - all they care about is that you can take a problem they have and solve it efficiently and properly.

[matthewroel]

Excellent responses from everyone! Especially @AnnaLandin and @heterdont, you both echo certain things I've thought about that counteract my suspicions. I just appreciate talking about this with people that would know better than me.

[nathankschulz]

Nope. In fact it would probably open up some possibilities. In America, the school debt is bigger than the house debt. That's insane. Our education system needs an overhaul.

[Doubtcent]

The funny thing is that when I first started "going to college" part time, I realized that I wasn't learning anything. Then I went to the library and found that it has a lot more info on my interests or concerns. Just about anything you want to know is available to the public, the only thing you don't get is a degree. Which, turns out, you don't always need to get a job in the field you want to be in. You just need experience. School doesn't always do that for you, and it just causes you to lose money for something you don't really need in the long run.

So unless you're gonna be a doctor or a lawyer or a scientist or something along those lines, then go to college. But if you just want a job and money in the bank, and free knowledge, go to the library, go online and buy some old used textbooks for cheap and study on your own.

However if you want to go for art, there's plenty of resources outside of college, but some of us can use a course or two to get even better. I could use better anatomy and stuff, but I can just take a class on the side if I have the time. For the majority, I am learning it all for free. Nifty, huh?

[matthewroel]

Great comments. I recognize that it's a needless worry, but a part of me still hopes that, whatever a
happens if college were free in America, certain american studios or companies don't treat an art degree as the bare minimum to be looked at.

From what I've read, that doesn't seem to be where things will go, I just dislike thinking about the possibility, however unlikely it is. Rationality!

[Starfestival]

Most art colleges in the US are private. IIRC Sanders free college plan only affects Public colleges like state universities.

[MannyMelancholy]

I see what you mean. it's tricky when you think about it. Consider this. It's already extremely hard to get a job in art. Let's say you go to school for animation. There is only a handful of jobs available because there are only a few "hot spots" where animation companies thrive. Burbank, Los Angeles, San Diego and San Francisco. These are where you will want to be when it comes time for work (if you live in California) Wanting an art job could be extremely hard based on where you live because you may have to move to where the work is at. As opposed to someone who lets say wants to be a police officer or teacher. Every city needs a police department and schools but not every city needs an animation studio (unfortunately). A handful of jobs for animation students from all across the country that are trying to make it. It's not going to boil down to how many people have a degree from free college, it's going to boil down to the Quality of your work and Work experience. Just having the degree will not gaurentee anyone a job.

[ToonDoctor]

I think it's too complex an issue to even try predicting how the industry will react. I do disagree with the comments about education, even art-based no being as necessary and that simply reading books from the library can help.

Proper education is about exchanging with your peers in a systematic manner and being forced to critically evaluate your own work. There are so many things that one can learn in books that don't translate to experience. Art school in particular by forcing students to repeat certain exercises and techniques forces students to acquire skills. I've had my share of art school. But if I could find the time to go to one of the intensive summer camps on comics, I would go.

It's too easy to dismiss the value of schooling and working with your peers and an instructor. Feedback and the interaction is half of the education. You can't replicate that experience with just reading a book.

[matthewroel]

You're dead on @ToonDoctor, it IS too complex of an issue to really gauge how certain industries might react, but I don't think my fear'll be a reality.