Studying arts and design opens you up to new interests and perspectives, making it a fulfilling experience. However, sealing your fate by choosing it as your academic track in senior high school can prove to be overwhelming for those who have yet to figure out if they want to pursue arts and design jobs after college. After all, it’s one thing to take interest in the arts, but another thing to actually specialize in it.
To help you better understand if you truly are a great fit for the arts and design track in SHS, we’ve rounded up the top qualities you’ll need as an art student.
Arts and Design SHS Track: 5 Qualities You Need to Have
Forget about stereotypes. Let’s talk about five of the most important qualities you must possess in order to make it through the arts and design SHS track, based on courses you’ll be taking and class expectations aligned with your school curriculum.
1. You have genuine interest in the arts.
Casually liking art is more than enough to pique anyone’s interest in the arts and design SHS track. However, choosing it as your specialization will be a huge commitment, effectively limiting your top options for college programs (unless, of course, you’re willing to process the necessary paperwork in order to switch specializations post-high school).
On top of this, studying the arts will not be a walk in the park, contrary to popular belief, so it’s best to make sure that you have your heart fully into it.
Don’t worry, though, because you don’t have to be fond of all forms of art. You have a wide array of art forms to consider, from visual arts and media to performing arts. As an arts and design student, you will likely have an opportunity to explore various forms.
2. You possess skills and talent in art.
This goes without saying, but it’s important to have at least some level of know-how in any art form, be it drawing or creative writing. You don’t need to be a world-class sculptor or a fast-rising filmmaker. It will come in handy to arm yourself with the basics if you want to ace in the arts and design SHS track—especially if you intend to major in Media and Visual Arts.
3. You are willing to keep an open mind.
As an art student, critical thinking will not only come handy. It is a requirement for every artist, writer, or art critic to know how to read between the lines and see the implications of things beyond the surface.
Whatever beliefs you uphold, you also have to stay open and considerate to your fellow students and teachers’ differing points of view, keeping in mind, however, the difference between respecting opposing perspectives and tolerating problematic takes.
4. You can accept criticism.
Pursuing the arts and design track in SHS won’t come easy, especially when the more specialized classes come. You have to be able to welcome and digest criticism—and as much as we’d love to assure you, not all of them will come in friendly packages.
5. You are not dependent on what the textbook teaches.
Part of what art stands for is the ability to evolve and build on whatever existing theories, concepts, and styles. It will be important to pay close attention to the classics and foundational aspects of art you plan to specialize in, but make sure to avoid relying on your textbooks too much.
The art that works and makes you unique as a media and visual arts practitioner will come from how you see the world through your experience, with your classes solely acting as your guide. Learn when and how to build on them, bend their rules, and innovate.
Explore the Arts and Design SHS Track at CIIT
CIIT Philippines is one of the leading institutions in the Philippines that specializes in world-class education in arts and design. Our arts and design SHS track was built on the core belief that both technical knowledge and practical experience are necessary in order to become experts in the field.
This is why we have designed our Media and Visual Arts strand to take a broad approach in providing our students with industry-standard, specialized curriculum that touches on various aspects of media and visual arts, from graphic design to film production to digital photography.
Start building your future in arts and design today. Learn more about our Media and Visual Arts strand here.
