What is (or was) your college major? Does it help you with web comics?

[PixyByte]

Hi!
I have always been a little all over the place with my interests, so choosing a college major was difficult for me. Lately I have been really into my comic and have made a new year's resolution to go to college. I am in the middle of weighing my options as far as a degree goes, thinking about majors that would be beneficial to my comic and any future route I plan to go on artistically.
I thought I'd ask you guys since, hey, where else am I going to ask a bunch of fellow artists?
What is/was your college major?
Does it help you in creating your web comics? Or getting noticed?
What advice would you give an artist going into college?
Any other helpful tips would be appreciated. Thanks so much in advance!

[fighterxaos]

My major was "graphic arts technology" well, that's what my degree says anyway. Well, you'd have to think it would help with making webcomics right? I'd hope so. XD

My advice would be to network while in college. Meet new people, make new friends and try to reach out to people who would be looking for people to help out on projects.

Oh, and don't be like me and try to put in effort into the class projects. Looking back I wish I done my projects differently. Would have given me something nice to put in my portfolio.

[joannekwan]

I graduated with a BFA in Graphic Design, certainly the skills I learned in the program help with my comics, mostly with page/cover layouts and how things look over all. Principles in typography help immensely. I highly suggest taking even an introductory course in graphic design because that field is all about grabbing an audience's attention and making your stuff look good which applies to webcomics and every static visual in the world.

My advice to artists going into college, don't be afraid to experiment and get out of your comfort zone with your art. Make friends and try to enjoy the most of it.

[Kura]

I'm a high school drop out.

It helps.

I'm honestly not even joking, but at the same time I don't wanna recommend or talk others into taking this route, the school system is just not compatible for everyone for various reasons. But for me getting kicked out of school was one of the best things to happen to me in my life at that time, and the experiences and life I lived after in regards to work, people I knew, and life in general contribute a lot to how I write and create my comics.

[zetina]

I'm going to university. I'm taking psychology.
As you might imagine, it gives good insight into how people tic B)
I considered going to an art school at one point but you can learn a ton for free over the net by either doing or learning tips from others.

Graphic design, illustration, psychology, business - all seem like useful things.

[heterodont]

Currently in the Illustration program but going to aim for my schools major of Entertainment Arts.

Obviously it helped a lot so far, and even then all I had was just foundation classes this first semester around. Likewise with what @fighterxaos, put effort in your class projects! I dilly dallied too much and now I'm in trouble because of it It's always a good idea to pretend your class projects are for a client, that way you can produce the best thing you can make - and prepare you for when you're actually taking on clients as well!

Listen to your gut!! If you feel like you need to take a gap year before applying to college - take it! I'm in regret for not taking a gap year prior to going to college, so now I'm forced to deal with fun anxiety attacks at the realization I needed to mature in order to deal with college.

As for getting noticed, you can always tell the friends you make about your webcomic! If you're going into a strictly art-only college, theres a guarantee your friends ARE going to be interested in your work and how you go about things! just make sure to keep up with the interests rather than hearing your friends constantly say 'you have a webcomic?!' and then never linking them to it (alas another folly of mine)

[PixyByte]

I'm sure a degree in graphic arts technology helps
Great advice, too. I always wonder how to find artists in my area, never thought how much networking in college could help! lol

[PixyByte]

That makes a lot of sense, now that you mention layout and typography. I can definitely see where that would be useful.

[aspiderjonny]

Currently in SVA for Cartooning (Junior as I write this).

To say it helped is an understatement. I had a very good understanding of composition and storytelling the last two years have really brought the important elements of had to make it work to me. I also have been a very active member of the SVA Cartooning Club since Freshman year. Made a lot of awesome friends and even got to sell my stuff for free at NYCC and MoCCA with them (also SVA's own cons too).

Also, last term I had a webcomics class on Thursday mornings, which greatly helped to build and improve my website.

[keii4ii]

Linguistics. Not the most directly helpful. I loved most of the classes, though, and like with any life experience, it affects what I create -- just not in a super obvious way.

[PixyByte]

@kurapikasuki Hey whatever works for some people might not work for others, right? Experience counts for a whole lot, especially when it ends up as a good story!

@zetina I studied psychology on my own for a couple years, I find it fascinating! My original plan was to go into neuroscience, which is still high on my 'want to study' list. Honestly, it's just a lot to go into, and my current focus is art. A lot of jobs I look at require at least some degree in an art field, no matter if I have the artistic ability or not, they need a nice piece of paper saying I can do what I can already prove.

@heterodont Yeah I can understand the need to mature before you feel ready to deal with college. I have social anxiety so I tend to be kind of a loner. I'm not used to being "hey look at what I made!" but I guess I've gotta get over that if I want to get anywhere

[MannyMelancholy]

I was an Animation Major and it helped tremendously with courses that pushed character/creature posing along with the principles of animation and I think it helped to give dynamic pose and gesture to my characters in Et Spiritus Divino

[PixyByte]

@aspiderjonny That sounds awesome! I don't know if I have anything specific to Cartooning where I live, but I hope to find a local art community.

@keii4ii Hey it's still important.

@MannyScribbles Animation was once a dream of mine, to be an animator for Disney, and I haven't completely given up on Animation as a major simply because I can definitely see how know how to make things move would improve poses and gestures. You'd be able to see it through, more clearly in your head, I suppose.

So far, I'm bouncing back and forth between Graphic Design, Animation, and Video Game design/development. All of them sound like so much fun, I can't choose. lol I'm a HUGE gamer, I love games, but my comic, Pixy Byte isn't exactly going down the game development path, so Animation or Graphic Design seems like more useful options. I'm so confused

[zetina]

Actually, from what I understand, rather than a diploma, it's the portfolio that matters.

[demthorshie]

My major in college was computer science. I wanted to get in to graphic arts but my parents talked me in to majoring in something that would net higher annual income, boy were they wrong. x.x

Majoring in computer science had zero impact on my art career obviously. And while I do have a part time job as a web designer, I currently make my living through art and illustrating. I honestly wish I majored in something art related, without a doubt, it would have helped a lot in the long run x.x...

[SethJH]

I just earned my BFA in Animation last month. Although, 2 years into my 4 year course of study, I realized I don't like to animate, but I do like to do programming, 3D modeling/texturing, game development, graphic design, and digital painting. I'm looking to get into games and film, primarily as a 3D materials/modeling artist. As for my comic, I learned skills like composition, color theory, character design, and graphic design. I wouldn't necessarily say the degree or courses themselves really taught me how to do what I do, but rather the peer-review and being given the space and time to experiment is what helped me learn the most.

[meatmaiden]

I'm in art college right now for Illustration---- which of course is helping me learn to draw xDD

But oddly enough one of the professors in the film department is helping me more than anyone else with my comic?
I think because he's used to setting up camera angles and things he's able to give really good advice for how to draw my panels... I meet with him once a week and show him what I'm doing. (I have a lot to learn!)

[phen]

I graduated with a BFA in painting and it's definitely really helped me out with my personal work ethic and technical skills. The structure you go through with rigid deadlines helps you focus on creating even when you're not "feeling" creative. And your professors will help you immensely with getting projects started and things going outside of the curriculum, including helping you find shows and conventions that would be beneficial to your body of work.

For an artist going to college, the most important piece of advice I received was stay active! Get involved with your peers, talk to professors about everything (they love talking to you as well, that's why they're there!), and participate in visiting artist lectures/shows. There's so much you can learn from helping visiting artists with their installations -- plus, they'll remember you later on down the line! It's just a wonderful experience as a whole.

[kambreapratt]

My degree is in Art Education.
I don't actually draw the comic, my husband does,( and he doesn't have a degree in art but works professionally. )

I'm sure my degree comes in handy. If nothing else, I am trained to spot errors and know how to fix them. I know it drives my husband nuts sometimes, but everything I have pointed out to him and editor has pointed it out as well. He listens to me now.

Also, my background working with students helps in the story process as our character is in high school.

[goenn]

My degree is architecture! Eh, it helps somewhat in the buildings part but I don't have any free time whatsoever to do comics wahahahahah. Only in holidaysss