Hey! My name is Katie Dobson and I’m a freshman at the Art Academy this year. Lauren Alyea is one of my roommates in the dorm, she also blogs on here. I’m an illustration major and I’m from Louisville, KY, which is only about an hour and a half drive. Not too shabby. I went to North Oldham High School and graduated in 2010, so I’m a traditional student. So, well, I love the Art Academy & there will be much more about why to come. I just wanted to introduce myself!
Katie
P.S. Learn how to cook rice before you go to college, because it’s a cheap, versatile, and precious commodity to the college student and I just burned the crap out of the bottom of my pan trying to cook dinner. Ahh well.
hey im luna im a freshman in high school and i plan to also major in illistration im thinking about apllying for this one let me know how u like it so i can make up my mind ^^
thanks-
Luna Peterson
Hey, Luna. This is Lauren, Katie’s roommate. I’ll try to get Katie to respond to this as well, but I think having multiple opinions helps with such a major decision like this. Though you still have a long ways off, my one regret when it came to the college search was waiting until my senior year to start looking, so good job on that!
Though I am not an illustration major (I am a photo major) many of the people I know here are in illustration and they love it here. The two professors who head up that department are amazing. Really cool and dedicated guys. All of the staff here is wonderful and really care about the community of artists here.
One thing about this school that can be one of the scariest, yet it becomes one of the parts you love, is that we only have about 200 students here. Especially with visual arts it becomes a blessing. All the staff know you and are able to give you the time and attention you deserve. There is a real sense of community here and a great amount of collaboration and sharing of ideas amongst the students. We have a really great program and it is going strong. The facilities are wonderful. Another great part about us being so small is that when you are an upperclassman you are given a studio space that you share with a small group of your peers.
I really do love it here. There is not a single day that I regretted my decision to come here.
I would get in contact with the admission guys, all of which are awesome and will do anything to help. One thing I suggest doing is talking to them about your portfolio and how to successfully build it up now, so in four years you can really have an advantage over the competition.
Hey Luna! Yeah, Lauren just took the words out of my mouth! Roommates for a reason
I think it’s important you decide for yourself if you like the vibe here. I, personally, love it! I won’t have illustration classes until the end of next semester, but from my upperclassmen friends, they love it! And the professors that head that department are AMAZING. Mark Thomas and Ken Henson. They’re the best. The faculty is so great.
SO. My advice to you. BUILD YOUR PORTFOLIO. And TAKE AP CLASSES, starting your sophomore year. They aren’t much harder and really prepare you for school. AAC accepts them and it got me out of a lot of rudimentary courses. Also, check when we have Experience Days, (aka open houses) and come visit. You can bring your portfolio and have a review too. You have to RSVP for these things though. The next one and last for the year is coming up on the 12th of March, Saturday. I suggest getting your portfolio reviewed and all that jazz junior year at your earliest. You’ll grow A LOT before then. Practice drawing from life. Get good. Come to AAC. Great life plan. Hope to see you soon, Luna!
Katie
Many thanks for making the effort to line all this out for all of us. This post has been incredibly helpful if you ask me.