#and you dont need a diploma for an art and animation job anyways

[rylxdreams]

When you're enrolling for college tomorrow but you're still unsure about your course and school:

[elviraaxen]

Im a self taught artist who hoped to get into the industry. Im getting old so I might have blown it by now, and this is really my biggest challenge. As much as 'you dont need school' is being repeated, I feel like it is a complete lie.

I hardly ( like almost never) see any job listing for juniors/entry level jobs (while senior job listings are all over the place) and feel that's because all the entrylevel jobs are reserved for the school kids or family/friends of the people who already work there. I feel like I have been tricked into thinking I ever had a chance.

(I don't live in the US)

Am I being too negative?

Oh dude you nailed it! I don't like when people who went to art school say that, because having a diploma and getting first dibs on entry level jobs is a massive privilege over those who didn't go to art school. Not to mention that you need contacts to stay in the industry and the fact that said contacts are essentially only accessible behind a paywall isn't really considered by those who went to school.

With that being said though, many schools are like.. actual garbage and don't deliver on what is promised. I don't wanna talk down on any specific art schools bc i don't know the statistics but I just wanted to mention that school isn't always a one-way-ticket to the industry, because they can be really poorly established or too far removed from the industry, and you really shouldn't feel bad for not going. It's so expensive and if you don't live in a country where there's any big schools you may as well just teach yourself, like you've already done!

But as for more practical advice, if what you need to get in to the industry are contacts (bc let's be real who is hired from regular job applications nowadays), what can you do to achieve that?

Are there conventions near you? Do you promote yourself online? Are you in any group projects currently? Are there smaller studios where you live that you can contact directly? Are there meetups or anything like that for animators? I think this is what you should focus on as best as you can, and then hope something picks up!

Hopefully (I can't promise it will, but hopefully) you get in contact with someone who knows someone who knows someone that works for a studio and they just happen to need a new recruit. Because that's usually how it works it seems, especially in smaller studio circles.

But as to answer your last question, i really don't think you're being negative and I totally agree, it's a very realistic depiction of what the landscape looks like and basically always has looked like. But please don't give up!!

Do your best and love your art and be proud of the fact that you have taught yourself a very difficult craft. Even if it doesn't lead to a job in the near future, that doesn't mean never, and it doesn't mean you can't make art anyway 💪

If you have any more further questions don't be afraid to ask!

[samuel-is-an-idiot]

I want to be a florist, and I'm disabled. What the fuck is up with that?

So I'm 17 going on 18 and in France that means that next year I need to go to UNI, I needed to choose what I would do next year, last year and keep going this year with the same goal.

It was clear to me that I would never be able to do what I wanted because it was too physical for me; let it be working with animals, humans, be a nurse and shit, impossible because I'm a quadruple threat: I'm autistic, I got a defective immune system, chronic fatigue and chronic pain. And so, last year I started to say I wanted to be a psychologist, which I don't want to be but allowed my mother to be happy, my dad to dont care and everyone to get the fuck off my back. But this summer (amongst a lot of traumatic experiences) I fell in love with flowers. I've always loved nature and amongst the chaos that were the holidays we were on, I fell in love with their quiet stability.

So I started thinking about becoming a florist. My mother (whom I don't see anymore for other reasons) thought it was a bad idea, she supported me but she thought it was a horrible idea, because "I am disabled therefore I can't do physical jobs, i should stick with safety jobs like psychologist, we need psychologists!"

She kicked me out in october and a few weeks later I had my first internship as a florist and I fell in love with the job. I loved everything about it. I had 2 more internships since then and everytime I just got confirmation that the florists I worked with loved working with me and are willing to take me on a 12 weeks apprentice ship while I study to get a diploma in floral arts.

The job is exhausting and I have to talk to some dickheads who want to buy fancy flowers but I get so much satisfaction and peace working with the flowers, cleaning them and making art that I like that it's all worth it.

I'm also learning to listen to myself and to what I need instead of what people say I need. And I don't think I've ever been as comfy with my disability as I've been since I live with my dad and let myself wear and use the aids I need to wear and use.

Anyway, all that shit to say that; Imma be a florist, fuck you to everyone that said I couldnt be what I wanted to be and be what you want to be, listen to your body, don't force yourself and flowers are cool.

TLDR: Local disabled kid about to become a florist rambled about it because they're happy & proud