Comments on: Art Institute Of Vancouver – For Serious Gamers

By: In High School

In High School — Sun, 01 May 2011 02:36:19 +0000

Thanks Kelly!

Do you know if there is a game art and design specific program at SFU?

also.. what are the benefits of going to AIV vs. SFU SIAT?

By: Will

Will — Tue, 29 Mar 2011 18:57:10 +0000

Thanks for the review and comments. It really helped me out on my choice.

By: Kelly Waters

Kelly Waters — Thu, 24 Mar 2011 05:54:37 +0000

Hey In High School,

I would say that the degree is the way to go. If I were you, I would just start learning Maya, Photoshop, Illustrator, etc. by yourself, or get a tutor. Remember that I graduated from AI over 5 years ago, so things may have changed, but from what I have heard from friends going there, they have not really changed for the better.

As for chances of getting a job, thats all on you. At both AI and SFU the good teachers will tell you that it is all about portfolio and networking and that is exactly what it is. You need to keep working and learning on your own, and meet people doing jobs that you could see yourself doing. For me, the industry work that I have gotten so far was through friends and volunteering at industry conferences.

Good luck!

By: In High School

In High School — Mon, 14 Mar 2011 03:50:02 +0000

Does it increase your chances of getting a better job by going to AI, getting a diploma, then going to SFU SIAT and getting a degree, or is it better to just stick with one?

By: Not Happy

Not Happy — Mon, 05 Apr 2010 22:33:13 +0000

I’ve had a bad experience at Art Institute of Vancouver-Burnaby. It’s a private school and as mentioned earlier in the thread, all they want is your money. My case is as follows:

I was demonstrating my skills in a location audio PACE exam when I was cut off and was unable to complete it. The instructor has gave me no warning, instead told me to leave. This then lead to a failure in the class and when I attempted to dispute this, the program head recommended that I do not make an appeal due to my “track record”. Upon further questioning about my “track record”, I found that they “misplaced” information of another students with mine and took back any claims about my record. Once I thought I was in the clear to have a fair dispute, they told me I was suppose to submit with my complaint, an printed copy of an online record. I know for a fact that all my assignments and grades were above 85% and the PACE only weighted 40%, I know I would be able to pass the class, even with partial marks of the PACE exam. Despite this, I was unable to have a valid complaint without this document.

Once I attempted to log online, I was told that I cannot access this section of my student control panel because I have fees for next quarter. That’s $7,000.00. I called in and they told me they cannot provide for me these records, but again pushed me to pay my next quarter so I can validate my dispute. It’s a circle of money with that school. Even the person who was responsible for linking graduates up with work quit, failing to meet their promise of helping students 6 months after graduation to find work. My roommate just graduated from the school and received no kind of career assistance and is still working for free on multiple productions.

Trust me, your investment of $30,000 + a year will not stretch down the road.

By: FormerAiStudent

FormerAiStudent — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 17:15:46 +0000

“Would hope that they have improved in several areas in the time since I graduated.”

Unfortunately, they didn’t.