To be honest, ACAD wasn’t exactly my first choice in schools as there was no animation major offered there, but what I can tell you is that I haven’t come to regret my decision to attend.
Before I was admitted into the VCD program, I spent a few years learning basic visualizing skills such as drawing, painting, and studying anatomy. As I had expected, this training was really useful for me during my time there under the pressure of tight deadlines.
They had a program that matched my own interests and would push me to challenge myself with new ideas as well as face my weaknesses.
I had heard a lot of good things about the school before I made my final decision. ACAD had a well-known reputation and had an environment that fostered learning. There were also several successful graduates of the program that I admired such as Joy Ang, Sam Weber, and Matt Rhodes. Lastly, they had a program that matched my own interests and would push me to challenge myself with new ideas as well as face my weaknesses.
The VCD Program
For information about the program specifically, you can check out Sander’s review of the program or visit ACAD’s actual website page for VCD.
I will however add some things that Sander’s review haven’t mentioned. During your first year, your time table is filled up with three types of studies:
1) Liberal studies – art history, contemporary art analysis
2) Fundamental drawing classes – such as life drawing, still life in enlarged size, some perspective drawing, creative media usage such as carving potatoes into stamps, etc.
3) 2 courses each semester from the fine-art department – jewelry, glass, sculpture, fiber,
media, etc.
During this time, you learn how to conceptualize and execute your ideas. The instructors are friendly, but will demand high quality work. Be a good craftsman as well as a brilliant minded one.
I had the chance to experiment in different fields before diving into a specific niche.
There were two pros about this first year setting. Firstly, it incorporates new ways of thinking and working. For example, before ACAD and I had almost only worked on paper and canvas. There, I had the opportunity to work with real world objects manipulating them with my hands through different mediums. Secondly, while in the first year, I had the chance to experiment in different fields before diving into a specific niche.
I slightly disagree with Sander about the second year. He says, “In the second year the work load gets a little ‘easier’; you have more freedom to explore different styles”. For me, discipline dominates over freedom and second year is no different from the first. It doesn’t matter if you are going into the design or illustration stream, you have to learn the basics. You do have a bit more freedom to choose stories you are working on, but there are still strict requirements. The good news is that I’ve heard instructors are loosening up and computer technologies are being introduced earlier.
The third and final year was much easier. I became used to the schedule and there was a lot more freedom of expression with our projects. The semesters usually started with some 1-3 week long warm up exercises and then finished off with work that required continuity, such as character designs, storyboards, graphic novel illustrations, and complex environment scenes.
After four years of studies in either the illustration or design stream (ideally if you work hard), you are equipped with excellent presentation, organizational and research skills. You are brainwashed with new aesthetics and will successfully be switched to creative mode. With a pencil in your hand, you can communicate your ideas with clients efficiently. Of course, for those who use their time wisely during summer, you will probably get a job at the end of the last semester.
I will recommend ACAD as long as you realize that the school is an environment to help you establish yourself and is not a guarantee.
The Verdict
I will recommend ACAD as long as you realize that the school is an environment to help you establish yourself and is not a guarantee.
Since graduating I’ve become an art teacher. I love the environment and it’s very rewarding teaching young students how to draw and design. When I have free time, I provide freelance concept art and illustration services.
If you are interested, you can browse through my website at www.rowenawang.ca.
(5 votes, average: 4.40 out of 5)
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