what exactly should I major in?
Its always been a huge dream of mine to create my own cartoon on TV. I should be majoring in animation, right? #art #college-major
2 answers
Patty’s Answer
No one can tell you what you *should* major in. The best way to determine the answer to that question is to evaluate your strengths and your weaknesses. A good start to do this is to speak with your guidance counselor in school and ask to take the various career/occupational assessments. Based on your self-reported answers, it will recommend careers that are well suited to your interests. Researching those careers to ascertain what type of training and/or education you would need would then help you to see if you have the abilities to accomplish that training. I am a firm believer in, "if you want something bad enough, you can make it happen." But from a realistic point of view, if the career that comes up as being suited for you requires a great deal of math, for example, and your overall grades for many years in math have not been stellar, or you simply do not like math, chances are, you may not really enjoy that career. You need to take a hard look at yourself and honestly assess whether you would be willing to do something that you may not like. Remember, a career is a long term thing. And yes, while you can change careers, after your initial schooling and acclimatization into a career, it becomes very difficult timewise, and financially to change careers, especially if the new career is radically different from the one for which you already have been trained.
Whatever you do, please don't make a decision based on salary expectations alone. Because I can tell you from experience, the novelty of being paid a high salary wears off pretty quickly if you don't enjoy the work. And then going to work becomes the most soul-stealing activity you will ever do. Find something you love to do, see if it is something with which you can make a living wage (contrary to popular belief, there ARE certain majors where you really won't be able to support yourself-- gender studies, for example, springs to mind!).
Also, don't rule out trades! Those are extremely necessary and are often recession proof! There are increasingly more available opportunities to get financial aid to acquire a trade. Explore those as well! Not everyone is suited to go to college and have an academic career-- which incidentally, is not a 'better" career path than a trade. In our society, where many of the previously lucrative types of jobs are being consistently outsourced to foreign countries, for many students, getting into a trade such as plumbing, electrical, or auto mechanics can result in becoming a small business owner who, especially with respect to trades, often become more successful than college educated individuals. If I had it to do over again, I would have definitely explored getting into a trade.
I hope this helps. I wish you all the success in all your future endeavors!
Patty recommends the following next steps:
Luke’s Answer
Animation Majors:
Ideal if you want the technical skills for animating characters and scenes (2D or 3D).
Courses cover drawing, character design, storyboarding, animation techniques (traditional & digital), and software like Maya or Toon Boom.
Other Options:
Storyboarding/Concept Art: If your passion lies in creating the visual style and story flow, consider a major in illustration or concept art.
Writing/Screenwriting: A strong foundation in storytelling and scriptwriting is crucial for any cartoon.
Film/Television Production: Learn the broader aspects of TV production, including directing, editing, and sound design. This knowledge can be valuable even if you focus on animation.
The Best Choice Depends On You:
Interests: What excites you most? Drawing, storytelling, or the technical aspects of animation?
Skills: Consider your existing strengths and areas you'd like to develop.
Career Goals: Do you want to be a lead animator, storyboard artist, or the show's creator (showrunner)?
Here are some additional tips:
Talk to professionals: Connect with animators, storyboard artists, or showrunners to learn about their career paths and the skills they use.
Build a portfolio: Regardless of your major, create a strong portfolio showcasing your artistic abilities and storytelling ideas.
Minors can be valuable: Consider a minor in writing, business, or film to complement your animation skills.
Remember, the animation industry values well-rounded individuals. No matter your major, focus on developing a strong portfolio, relevant skills, and a passion for bringing cartoons to life!