Question for you Al

Well, you're a graphics designer so I figured you'd be the one to ask. I wanted to know what you thought about online design classes, ones that are accredited. First of all, do you think they can really teach you, and if so, are they even credible? I mean, would you even take a guy seriously if he tried to get work with an online degree? It's merely that given my circumstances, it might be more practicle for me to take online courses as opposed to on campus ones. I'm just really concerned about its credibility. Of course, being the public forum that this is, I welcome everyone's opinion...just a thought I've had for a while now. Thanks Jeremy

At the age of 14, (Two years younger than they would allow) ( But they made an exception) I was enrolled in the famous ARTIST school. This was started and run by Famous Artists such as Norman Rockwell, Al and Dorathy Parker, Dong Kingman etc. They really all WERE Famous artists. I think that was the start of correspondence art courses. Havnt you seen plenty of those DRAW THIS in the back of old comic books and such? Completion wouldnt get you a cup of coffee back then nor do I think it would today. It might be fun if you have free time and would enjoy the hobby of it. I just wouldnt expect to have doors open because you have a degree from a 6 month or even a ten year correspondence course. At any rate....your work will always be the last word.

Hi Jeremy.. Not to butt in or anything, but I have a bit of experience with the online thing.. I attend the Art Institute Online. It's a great school. As far as will you learn anything? It's entirely up to you. You'll get out what you put in. You are limited only by your own mind and motivation. Your work will get critiqued by not only your instructor, but by all the students in the class as well. Which is extremely nerve wracking at first, but you get used to it. I'm chillin in my sophmore year, and I've definitely improved from when I started. I highly recommend it. :o) I'll get off my soapbox now... theval

Ooops, forgot.. It's an accredited school, and you will actually earn a Bachelors degree instead of just a diploma. And I can't remember if I said it already, but it's a LOT of fun as well as hard fucking work. :o)

thanks for the input John, Val. Very helpful. I think I'll actually try out the art institute. I have no problems doing work on my own, and I"m hard working, ect, so that was never a concern. I was just concerned about its effectiveness and credibility. Living in SD is expensive, and I need something that's flexible with work. Also, is it something you can take anywhere...say, Australia or something? (long story) lol. To be honest with you, I just need to get my education, but my life can't seem to stay stable enough for me to be in some place for more than a year...not to mention I'm poor as hell :). Jeremy

Jeremy, YES, you can do it anywhere. That's the beauty of being online. A link to help you: http://www.aionline.edu/ (This is their main site for Online. It's full of info about all the programs) Call the 800 number on the site!!! The admissions person will call you (if you call after business hours) and give you as much info as you need. Like I said...I highly recommend it....

While I don't personally know anything about them, I'd think there must be SOME good ones and I'd think it's a good 'alternative" particularily since I think it's most how you apply yourself, providing you have at least a seed of ability of course. Not to mention the far less structure program. If ya want email some samples of your artwork, I'll be honest. Don't be leary of listening to theval, the woman's got a good head on her shoulders, she won't steer ya wrong...Doc

Thanks, Doc. It's a division of the Art Institute of Pittsburgh. They finally made the online classes available a few years ago. Some of the people who attend the campus courses also do the online as well. Don't get me wrong, it's still labor intensive. I just like having a 24 hour school day, so I can log on and post my assignments when I want. Doc, you should check out that link too, so you can see what it's about. I'd trust this school more than the other ones. I think because it's an actual college, and you end up with a degree. But I might be a little biased.. :o)

I'll just post some on here, I don't mind people seeing it :). I apologize for the quality of the photos though...I don't have a scanner at the moment, and as such have to use my piece of shit camera. And now some color...least with sharpies anyways. Like I said, the qualitiy to the majority of them is pretty poor, as the flash on the camera messes with my shading a little bit...but you get the jist of it. haha, go to town boys :)

Personally, I think by looking at what you posted, I'd say you have the potential, there is definitely a grain of talent/ability there, now you just need to hone it and practice. When drawing something, try to have a good picture of it, really look at the details that make it look like it does, now figure out how to transmit that image to paper as accurately as possible. When done, really look at it, look for any mistakes, redraw it again and again if neccessary. Of course a good online course would probably make that easier, but it still involves a lot of practice and dedication. Personally, I think it partly a matter of how determined you are, pretty much like damn near anything else in life actually...Doc

Thanks for the advice Doc, will do. I do have a tendency to stray from my original idea, and then I just end up goin by the feel of the picture. And I'll never quit drawing, regardless of what I'm doing as a career, (which if not tattooing will be something involving my graphics art degree)...but I'm pretty damn sure it'll be tattooing eventually. Anyways, thanks again for the advice. Jeremy

NOW WAIT JUST A FREAKING MINUTE THEVAL AND EVERYONE...... ACTUALLY THE ANSWER IS.... Well, actually Theval is kinda right. I don't know that it really matters wether it's online or not... actually the accredation is really the big issue, and working toward an actual degree. Get an actual BA, BS or AS. If it's accredited, probably not bad. Most of the AI, (Art Institute) schools are a pretty good deal!

I'm only kinda right? sheesh...

That pretty much makes it an open and shut case for me then. Sounds credible, and reliable, so, good enough for me. Haha...the real issue is that I plan on moving to Aus next year, but I want to start school now, and have it come with me...thus, Ai seems to be what I'm lookin for. Thanks guys! Muchos appreciation Jeremy

Anything for you, sassafrass.... :o)