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What track should I take if I love arts and mathematics?

Hi! I'm currently a Grade 10 student and about to finish my Junior High School on March or April. Last week, we had a career day where we learned about the different tracks that we should take for Senior High School. I'm a little bit worried because despite that the orientation was conducted for 3 days, I'm still bothered if I will take Arts and design Track or Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Strand. I really love arts but I don't want to leave math behind. So I think, I'll take Architecture in college (though I'm still not 100 percent sure what career should I pursue in the future) because it has both arts and mathematics. But during our Career Day, both Arts and Design and STEM offers Architecture. Now I don't really know where will I enroll? Can someone give some advises? Thank You Very Much!

#ArtsAndDesign or #STEM #SHS #helpmeoutplease #thankyousomuch

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Steve’s Answer

One thing that I have been heavily involved with over the last 3+ years is Data Visualization using Tableau. I enjoy using Tableau as it allows me to be creative with visual design instead of producing boring reports. Check out Tableau Public online to see how math and art come together with Tableau.

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Melanie’s Answer

Does your school allow you to take some classes outside of your chosen track so that you will be able to get experience with both until you learn which one you are most interested in? I like that you are thinking of ways to combine your interests by looking at fields such as Architecture for when you are in college. I think that there can be many ways to combine artistic interests with Science and Math, some other options are graphic design, computer modeling, or even 3D printing with all of the technology advancements. Also if your school does not allow classes in both tracks, try to see if there is an activity outside of school where you can keep pursuing your other interests and you will always be a well rounded student!
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Jezreel’s Answer

I say go for mathematics!! I am finishing my bachelors in mathematics this year actually, I can tell you there’s definitely a lot of art(discrete) in maths. The further you get, it only gets more interesting. Fractal geometry is a subject that I find has some neat art for example. How can you imagine a shape that has no area with infinite perimeter? That’s what fractals are! Carrying non whole number dimensions, and a repeated pattern through infinite zooms like the Mandelbrot set(check it out on google if you want to see). What’s even cool about these fractals is that it’s art in nature. Romanesco broccoli, thunder, human nervous system, trees, and so much more to name. Even if you explore graph theory, they have topics on colors. Graph colorings to be specific. Plus, you can always do freelance art if you must; the world is your oyster! I don’t know too much about art, but if you’re truly more passionate about that compared to mathematics, I implore you to do that instead. When I was a kid, I was always told what I should be or do when I got older and I ended up not liking it when I took courses in that field. Sometimes you won’t really know what you want to do until you try it out, and later down the line, it’ll come to you. You’ll feel it and know if it’s right for you. Whatever you decide, I’m sure you’ll make the best out of it. Just pursue what you are passionate about and if you work hard you’ll make a decent living for yourself. We all deserve to be happy instead of dreading a job we never wanted but pays a lot. Good luck!

Jezreel recommends the following next steps:

Make a pros and cons list of both arts and mathematics
Research research research. You might end up finding something that fits the best of both worlds.
Make sure you keep your goals aligned. Down the road, you’ll be happy about what you’re doing even if it sucks sometimes.
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G. Mark’s Answer

There are a lot of valuable factoids in those other answers, but I'd like to offer some personal experience. When I was taking grad courses in computer engineering, I took a course from a guy named Sproull (other computer people might recognize this). He wrote a book about computer graphics and it was terrific. He was also involve in the design of the first Alto computer that the Mac was based on. He knew all the math, all the algorithms and seemed to be just ecstatic about the whole art/computer combination thing.

What I would recommend, in light of the close coupling of arts and computing and math today is to choose either math or art and minor in the other. The fact that music and movies and art and all the rest is so closely coupled today, and the fact that you really can't experience any of them without seeing that a lot of it was made on computers and using exotic mathematics is proof that you really won't be able to avoid math and computers today if you love art. Also, some of the most beautiful things I've seen in life are so exquisitely mathematical, that I don't think you could possible go wrong.
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G. Mark’s Answer

First I'll give you some practical and "sensible" advice. Focus on mathematics. It has wide-ranging applications and prospects for gainful employment and good pay. There are many, many areas that require mathematics, and engineering applications being a lot of them, it has the potential to benefit many people every day.

Now I'll give you a "happy" answer, and I don't mean to downplay this. If you do what you like, you'll likely be good at it. And if you're good at something, you have the most potential to help the most people. And here's the kicker: Mathematics and art are a match made in heaven. These days, applying artistic concepts finds a helpful hand in computers and architecture and manufacturing and designing of ergonomic tools and just about every beautiful construct and solution that the world needs. So if you love art and you pursue mathematics, you'll find yourself indulging in artistic pursuits all the time. And you'll have the most likelihood of finding ways to merge these all the time.

One example that you'll be confronted with frequently is the commercial applications of art being drawn to engineering and general STEM concepts. Look at the most beautiful songs or movies or art or architecture or just about every technical product in the world. You'll see a lot of them that exhibit that catch-phrase engineers and scientists use for beautiful solutions and designs: "Sexy". When an engineer or scientist talks bout a "sexy" solution, they're talking elegance. The thing that makes your heart jump when you see it. It could be a math formula or a cool car or a beautiful building or a wonderful orchestration of a musical piece.

Now my personal opinion -- that some may find controversial, but hey, it's my opinion -- is that if you pursue art, you would be less likely to also pursue math with the same vigor, but if you pursue mathematics, you'll be drawn to art compulsively. At least I found that in myself. I used every scientific invention or projects as opportunities to explore the "sexy" solutions and artistic approaches to problem solving. I suspect you will too.
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Zachary’s Answer

You may also want to consider anatomy and physiology in addition to architecture. I am not sure what kind of art you are particularly interested in, but having a background in biology, I can definitely Say that having an artistic nature is an asset in the life sciences.
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