christophkim

Alright, please bear with me for the semi-long read because your help and input will be extremely appreciated.

I am currently in junior standing in college and attending a traditional 4 year University as a Business major but I've slowly started to realize over the years that this is NOT what I want to do. I really really want to pursue further education in the Arts, preferably Advertising and/or Graphic Design.

In high school I never took any art classes but I took a couple figure drawing classes in my current University, I wasn't very good at it and I'm not very good at drawing, but I'm 100% sure a career in Advertising/Graphic Design is what I want to do for the rest of my life.

I know that in order to get into an Art school such as Pratt, New School, SVA.. you need a portfolio mainly consisting of still life drawings in different mediums.
What do you guys recommend I do ? Are there any classes I can take to improve upon my drawing ? I know that drawing should be fundamental and almost second nature for art students but I'm just not that great at it.

All input is greatly appreciated ! Thank you.

TheresaCPA

Take some visiting summer student classes at some of the better schools known for ART. MASS Art, RISD, SAIC has a summer program. This way you keep your junior status and you can work on a portfolio and discover the artist in you. For Graphic Art try RIT and NYU

Spruce

to get better at drawing, you should draw. just keep a sketchbook and draw daily, do stuff from observation and draw things around your house or w/e. get some friends to sit for you for just 5 minutes and keep working at it. drawing is a learned skill, so practice makes perfect. avoid drawing from pictures whenever you can, its a bad habit to develop, and good luck!

taxguy

Christophkim, you don't solely need life drawing in your portfolio for most schools. What they do want, however, is drawing from observation. This is different from life drawing.

Life drawing, to me, represents drawing of people, animals and figure drawing. Drawing from observation is more expansive. It includes all that I mentioned plus drawing of rooms, objects, buildings, plants etc.

christophkim

bump up for one time

LilyMoon

My son is a graphic design major at SUNY New Paltz. His portfolio included drawings but also photographs and graphic design work he had done. I think a portfolio should showcase where your talent lies.