About 4 years ago, I was a graduating student still considering whether or not I was destined to become an artist or an architect. At this point I had already killed all of my other #ProfessionGoals e.g. my childhood dream of becoming a war pilot or a soldier. I have also always wanted to become an actress, but –let’s get real –I wouldn’t stand a chance. So in the end, it was down to whether or not I apply to the College of Architecture or the College of Fine Arts and Design.
One of the advantages of graduating from UST High School was I was automatically qualified upon having a certain average required by the college. I was qualified for both Arki and CFAD. After days and weeks of thinking, I got to my final decision when I realized that I was horribly bad at Math and I wasn’t really up to that kind of challenge. I thought to myself: Architecture requires a lot measurements, T-squares and scales. I bet there’s also Physics. In CFAD, you don’t have to worry about things like that –which leads us to the first reason out of five:
1. There is NO MATH
Don't get me wrong, Math is very important. We can't live in a world without it. But being a person who does not understand it as easily as the others, it is heaven for me to be in CFAD. The quality of life in CFAD is a lot better since students are given more time to concentrate on things we will actually use in life -as future Advertisers.
If I hadn’t chosen fine arts, I would have flunked out by now. My mom is a professor at the University which makes it easier for us to pay for my tuition. UST is the best choice for my family. If I had not chosen Advertising Arts, I would be long gone from the University by now. Or if I did survive, having the goal of graduating Cum Laude would be so hard; I would not have enjoyed my life in college. Every other program in the world has more Math than we do, and if you guys don’t like Math. THIS IS THE PLACE TO BE.
As Ariana Grande says, “I got one less, one less problem” since I didn’t have to worry about Math. On top of that, I learned to value myself more since my weakness isn’t magnified. I got to focus and excel in other things I am good at.
2. The learning opportunity in the arts is almost infinite.
Advertisers practically do everything; from photography, to copywriting, digital, event organizing, web design, fashion design, production design, animation, game development and film making, to sculpting and painting. The courses you will tackle in the duration of your stay in CFAD are limitless! I feel like a Barbie doll that can be anything she wants to be. With so much learned in the duration of my stay, there are more opportunities after college.
Skeptical? Thinking “jack of all trades, master of none?” That is not entirely true. With such diversity, one can still specialize through taking electives. Electives are special courses that are required to be taken up in 3rd year before taking the Thesis.
Believe it or not, I was not at all an “artist” when I first started out in CFAD. I knew nothing at all. But they taught me literally almost everything. I became an artist because it molded me into one. Who knew that in 3 or 4 years after high school, I’d be living and breathing art?
3. The “Advertising Experience” is brought to you.
There are so many curricular and extracurricular activities that are organized by this department to hone students to their full potentials as advertisers in preparation for “the real world.” Ideas That Matter and Touchpoint are only a few advertising-centric organizing bodies that set events to give students the opportunity to learn more by inviting professionals and practitioners who are currently successful in the field.
The most notable, for me especially, is the Ronnie del Carmen event Touchpoint recently held last August (2015). Ronnie del Carmen is the co-director of Pixar’s newest animated movie Inside Out. He is an alumnus of the University –Fine Arts being “CAFA” or “College of Architecture and Fine Arts” back then. I will forever be grateful for that moment, and to be honest, I am still in awe. To give that man a painting of mine is truly an honor and to have received compliments from him is beyond words; “flattering” is an understatement. I would never be in this position if it weren’t for Touchpoint.
4. Constructive Criticisms: It’s the best place to build character.
Art is subjective –we all know that. Being inexperienced artists, we need mentoring; constructive criticisms and harsh comments are a big part of “growing up.” The work is exciting yet extremely horrifying. Only the toughest of the tough survive in this industry; mind, heart and body –a true holistic formation. Every single one of us had been tested in character and critical thinking. The weakest of hearts are turned into stones before graduating.
I am proud to admit that I have been “personally victimized” by my professors and colleagues and I would not exchange it for the world. CFAD Advertising Arts not only strengthens one’s foundation in the arts but also builds character.
5. Money, money, money money... MONEY!!!
I remember at an Ideas That Matter talk once, a student asked Ben Deluyas, Creative Director at McCann Manila, what he does when people tell him “Adver ka lang.” He was shocked by the question so he asked the audience, “Really? May nagsasabi sainyo nun?” And the crown replied in chorus; “YES!” I remember his answer was something like this:
*DISCLAIMER: THE QUOTE ABOVE WAS SAID AS A JOKE. But the salary thing is actually quite, well –true. There is money in Advertising. Big money, if you’re good.
“When people tell you ‘Adver ka lang,’ tell them ‘Baka gusto mong bilin kita, mas malaki pa ang sweldo ko sa president ng Pilipinas.”
*DISCLAIMER: THE QUOTE ABOVE WAS SAID AS A JOKE. But the salary thing is actually quite, well –true. There is money in Advertising. Big money, if you’re good.
As one professor of mine told us during the first day of design class,
“There is always a need for Advertising.”
This I guarantee you: THERE WILL ALWAYS BE A JOB FOR YOU. Not everyone can draw, design or basically “make art.” Not everyone can be an artist. We are practically indispensable. The world needs us to beautify and entertain. We are practically surrounded by brands and advertisements. People will pay big money to get their products sold. Advertising is the trigger that gets things going. Advertising makes the world go round, with Money being a secondary element. There would be no economy without advertising. Just think of a world without ads! It would literally be chaos.
The thrill of catching up with the ever-changing world is the best thing in being in this industry. Nothing is fixed: there will always be something new. You will never be bored. In fact, you will almost never rest. With endless work, comes endless money.
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