Art Design Animation degrees and careers - where do I start?

[blueshoes]

Dh and I have professional degrees and jobs following an academic path through school and university. Dd 17 seems to follow a different path in that she is into animation, art and design and also decent in physics and math.

I am out of my depth wondering what she should do at university and then her chosen career.

My concern is that a purely graphics design or art foundation degree would not lead to a well paying job and is highly competitive to boot. I have the greatest of respect for people who make a career out of it. Dd is hardworking but not particularly confident or one to put herself out there. We want her to enjoy her work and feel a sense of achievement (related to lack of confidence and getting easily stressed at new things) but also to be able to make a decent living without having to hustle for or at work.

Dd loves animation most and can learn to use software easily. She admitted that she is more of a 'do-er'. Perhaps an apprenticeship degree but what, where?

Wearing my practical hat, if she could have an applied aspect to her degree/job, using her physics, such as in industrial design or product design, perhaps that could lead to more job prospects whilst keeping the design element in there. However, I think a university course that is pure physics or engineering would not be suitable because that is too 'hard', as in hard science/STEM, for her.

Please talk to me as my life experience is narrow of people who do other fields. Any specific examples of universities, degrees, courses, jobs would be gratefully received. Dd will be attending a virtual university fair soon and this can help to focus her questions.

Posting in AIBU for traffic. Thank you for reading.

How long ago was that @TheEmojiFormerlyKnownAsPrince ?

We are sharing our experiences! Not trying to put anyone off the creative industry, but you have to realistic. I work in the creative industry and It was bloody hard to get my foot in the door and I know many others struggled big time or had to go into a completely different direction altogether or retrain in something else.

I know absolutely nothing about this as a profession but I do know my stepdaughter is studying for a degree in animation at Wrexham Glyndwr University, which is well regarded 😊 and scores especially well with regard to inclusion and wellbeing 😊

Well it was a fair bit ago. But it was still very tough, and the same attitudes prevailed. But l never gave up. I had 80 interviews before l got a job.

My niece did the same degree as me. She also found a good job.

emoji 80 interviews! I am not sure my dd's confidence which is already a little shaky can take that knock.

The clear message seems to be dd needs persistence to get a job in design and to stay in design. She just has to go in with her eyes open.

Jacob thanks for suggesting architecture. It is a good fit for her subjects and also a lot of hard work and 7 years studying for not stupendous job prospects. Ideally Dd is able to pivot quickly if she finds herself down a route that is not suitable.

Op let her go to art school and study animation its a huge lucrative field, also video games concept design.

Just encourage her to research routes into the field while she is still in school.

Don't try to push her into something else just because it makes you more comfortable.

Batlights my concern is not for myself but for my dd. Thanks for the tip.