Guy Shows The Harsh Rejection Letter This Prestigious Art School Sent Him, Turns Out Other Applicants Received The Exact Same One
Interview With Artist
Every young aspiring artist knows that getting into a good art school is a milestone of their prospective career. But they also know that it’s easier said than done. In fact, even the most talented people are not immune to a letter of rejection, or rather something that feels like a cold slap on the face. Sadly, many great talents are forced to bid farewell to their dreams and take on new career paths they are less than excited for.
But a Berlin-based fantasy artist named Jonas Jödicke was not one of them. You may have heard of Jonas from our previous article about his “Yin And Yang” artworks that enabled him to make a living as an artist at the age of 22.
It turns out, his artistic journey was not as smooth as it may seem. After receiving a harsh rejection letter from the Berlin University of the Arts, he did not give up and ended up working with big international companies.
So Jonas filmed this viral TikTok video where he not only showed his impressive portfolio which apparently was not sufficient to land him a place, but also called out the institution for something more sinister. So dear art schools, take notes, ‘cause this message from Jonas is for you.
More info: Instagram | Facebook | TikTok
The 27-year-old artist Jonas shared a viral TikTok video of how he got rejected by a prestigious art school in Berlin
Jonas has been creating and imagining fantastic worlds ever since he can remember. In 2010 he started uploading some of his artworks on the Internet and what started as a hobby has now become his profession. Jonas’ art is being sold on many different products and platforms all around the world. His paintings are known for their portrayal of majestic animals and magical sceneries, mixed with bold colours and spiritual themes—especially the interplay of Yin and Yang. We wrote about them in a previous article that you can find right here.
Berlin-based digital artist Jonas Jödicke, 27, shared a TikTok video explaining how after submitting what seems to be an impressive portfolio, he still got rejected for a place at Berlin University Of Arts. In a video, he not only shared his frustration but also showed that fellow rejected applicants, even his sister, received an identical generic letter. The video went viral, amassing more than 470k views, hitting a soft spot to many aspiring artists out there.
But unlike many others who gave up and chose a different career path, the author of the video pursued his dream and ended up working with an impressive client list, like Adobe, Winsor&Newton, and Ravensburger. “I wasn’t so surprised that I was rejected, actually,” Jonas Jödicke told Bored Panda in an interview and added: “I know that art schools have their own criteria and my portfolio might not have been the best fit for ‘fine art.’”
In order to get in, Jonas had to submit a portfolio so he selected some of his artworks he felt confident about
Image credits: jojoesart
Image credits: jojoesart
Image credits: jojoesart
Image credits: jojoesart
“What I was really disappointed about, though, was the fact that the school sends the same copy-pasted letter to every applicant they reject, stating the very same specific reasons: first, that they are not talented enough and second, that they follow cliches they don’t understand,” Jonas said. “Many students will think that this letter is meant specifically for them and they give up on art. I am glad I didn’t do that and pursued my dream anyway,” he told us.
Jonas was feeling hopeful and did not expect to receive this kind of rejection letter
Image credits: jojoesart
Speaking of the identical rejection letter the university sent out to multiple applicants, Jonas said: “I completely understand that they can’t write an individual letter to everyone as they receive hundreds of applications. But I would expect them not to state such specific and harsh reasons for the rejection when the letter is a generic standard response. They could either state no reasons or say something like: ‘your portfolio didn’t seem like a fit for our school.’”
The artist believes that telling someone they are not talented enough is also nonsensical in the sense that “talent” is a very subjective concept. “Fortunately I was already working for some companies at the time of my rejection and already had some success with my work. When I found out that the school sends out generic rejection letters, I also knew I didn’t have to take their words to heart. I know that many people who apply to art schools don’t have that kind of support. Dozens of people told me they gave up on art after they were rejected, which is super sad.”
Soon it turned out that Jonas was far from the only applicant who received this exact rejection letter
According to Jonas, we live in a completely different era than 100 years ago. “Because of the internet, we have an equal playing field for everyone. The world isn’t as centralized as it used to be, so the opinion of ‘established authorities’ like art schools doesn’t matter as much anymore.”
Moreover, Jonas believes that anyone can find a niche and an audience that works for them. “I have seen so many artists succeed without the aid of art schools. We also have unlimited access to courses, tutorials and great teachers online that give access to the knowledge you need as an artist to gain an understanding of art fundamentals.” Jonas urges aspiring artists to “not let anyone mold you into someone you aren’t meant to be and find your own sense of aesthetic.”
But Jonas just didn’t give up yet and continued to pursue his career in art which landed him work for some great companies
Image credits: jojoesart
Image credits: jojoesart
After Jonas’ TikTok video went viral, Jonas received both support and criticism. “I‘m always open to discussion and criticism but the kinds of comments some people left point to a bigger issue I have observed in the art community for a long time: gatekeeping.” He explained: “As per the Urban Dictionary, gatekeeping is ‘when someone takes it upon themselves to decide who does or does not have access or rights to a community or identity.’ Another definition states: ‘When someone uses a hobby or interest as a means of elevating themselves above others to give oneself a sense of being superior (…)’”
Jonas continued: “I see this issue mainly manifesting itself as a schism between the art establishment (galleries, universities, historians, studied artists, etc.) and more contemporary art communities that emerged with the internet. For years I‘ve seen one group accuse the other of ‘not being true artists.’ We have all heard sentences like: ‘Fantasy/furry/comic/manga is no real art!’, ‘Drawing wolves is kitsch!’, ‘Abstract paintings are cliché!’, ‘They tape a banana to the wall and call it art?’, ‘Your work is too pretty to be in a gallery!’, ‘Real art has to be shocking and political!’…and so on.”
So dear art schools, this is the message Jonas has for you
Jonas said that he’s very open to “discussing the nuances between ‘illustration’ and ‘fine art’ or to differentiate between decorative and provocative work but I won’t stand for any one individual or group getting to define what is and isn’t ‘art.’” According to him, “diversity is what makes life interesting—and it should be no different with art. I might enjoy one genre or subject matter more than the other but that doesn’t mean I get to exclude, defame or erase. After all, beauty has always been in the eye of the beholder.”
Jonas concluded that “whether you draw furries, paint dragons, do cross stitch, dance, sing, write poetry, create abstract pieces or smash eggs on a canvas — thank you for sailing with me on this vast ocean called art.”
And here is the full video Jonas shared on his TikTok, which went viral, touching a soft spot for many artists out there
@jojoesart Good I‘m not from Austria and started a war out of frustration :sweat_smile: #artschool #artuniversity #myportfolio #artportfolio ♬ Chopin Nocturne No. 2 Piano Mono – moshimo sound design
Image credits: jojoesart.
The prestigious institution Jonas was rejected from is known as Berlin University of the Arts in Germany, which began its academic activity in 1696. According to their website, high competition at Berlin University of the Arts allows only 1 out of 5 applicants to be accepted. For those who are lucky enough to get accepted, the bachelor’s programs cost less than 1,000 USD/year and a year of master’s studies will set them back at 1,000 USD.
People chimed in and shared their thoughts about Jonas’ story
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His technique is great, it's very aesthetic and well-done. But it's also super generic, kitsch and boring. Here's a thought: perhaps they send the same letter to people who fit these criteria? The letter is actually in-depth and states reasons for the rejection, which is more than you could say about, well, any other rejection really. If it truly was about the letter and not the fact that he is pissed to not get accepted, why even post his art? Also, I wonder why they admit so few students? Could it be that there is a narrow job market for actual artists?
I'm glad I'm not the only one who thought so. Yes, it's good, but there's so much stuff out there that looks just like it. Nothing about it really stands out. The best I can say is that the work is technically proficient and pleasant to look at, but generic, unoriginal and uninspiring. It's perfect for trading cards or something like that if a company wants to hire him for that kind of stuff. Or he'd be a good book illustrator. He'd even make a really good tattoo artist. He's definitely talented, but it takes more than talent to rise to the top.
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I have no problem at all with popular and prestigious schools sending out generic rejection letters. A popular university will have to reject thousands or tens of thousands of applicants, it's just impossible for the admissions department to send thousands or tens of thousands of individual letters full of helpful advice or constructive criticism to that many young people. However! There's no need for the admissions department to send out a *rude* letter like that one.
It is not rude at all, it is the kind of thing one hears typically in a highschool art class, as an advice to become more original. AND he can try again next year. EDIT: I should have added that the OP claims the letter says he has no talent and sucks. That is not true. For the translation look at my other comment.
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You may give me all minuses of the world, but it is really terrible kitsch...
His paintings are on par with drawings you get at a cheap souvenir shops in Dalmatia. So bad they aren't even Kitsch. Just don't start any world wars, kiddo.
yeah that's what I was thinking. I don't find it bad per se, but this is souvenir art.. which is not a problem in general, but what was he expecting..
Load More Replies... If you ever get a rejection letter from art school , don't enlist in the artillery corps.
I also got rejected from the state college of fine arts without even being given a reason. The rejected portfolios just lay on the floor of the entrance of one of the buildings and you just had to look for yours. Was sad about it but I knew they only accepted very few people anyways. I applied for a private art and graphic design school a week after and got invited for a personal interview with the headmaster. He looked at my portfolio and then said "Well, I understand why they didn't accept you at the [name of the college]." My heart dropped for a moment. Was expecting to be rejected again. Then he continued: "Because you're not an old-school artist. You wouldn't have been happy there. You are a graphic designer and illustrator. We'll gladly accept you here!" My final project was one of the best 4 out of 60 people. Moral of the story: Sometimes it's not about your skills but about fitting in. The same goes for jobs. We all get rejected from time to time. Pick yourself up and try again
This deserves more ups, and I think actually is what the OP was trying to get at. Just because this guy's style is more is more James Patterson than F Scott Fitzgerald doesn't mean it's bad work. Do I understand how it didn't get him admitted? Yes. Do I understand why he deserved to be sort of insulted about it beyond the fact that he wasn't accepted? No. I applied to MIT at one point. I wasn't nearly good enough to get in (and I knew), but they didn't feel the need to lay that all out for me. I got a short, basically "sorry no" letter and that was that. Years later, I actually got a job at MIT, which I was good at and absolutely would not have tried for if they had disparaged me in that rejection. Further, it would have been really unusual to receive specific feedback on an application, as most "higher education" does not consider an application to be a request for feedback. Why art, which is even more subjective, would earn an actual critique as part of a rejection is beyond me.
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Dude looks and talks like he thinks people owe him stuff. They don't. The thing is, it is a generic craft, this is not art. Real art starts with understanding you don't know s**t and you will never know and you know how to apply a craft to express whatever comes drifting afloat in yur noggin and present the world with new ideas.
Oh and Random Panda; get your head out of your panda behind. That's not art, because it doesn't adhere to the one rule of being original (style, concept, subject). If I can find a gazillion results by reverse searching his work, then it's not original. Period. That doesn't make him great at a craft. It's his attitude that's so closed minded (at this point) what's making him not something to get some original work producing anytime soon. Art is subjective. And with Ravensburger as a company willing to buy his drawings, that kinda confirms it. They don't want anything you have to think about, they just want pretty puzzles. You can of course call me a snob, or you can call me someone that's explaining a concept to you that you didn't understand yet. It's also interesting that you want to start calling names to defend someone you don't know. Now go chew some bamboo like a good little black and white bear.
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I wish there was a photo clear enough that I could zoom in and read the letter in full. This article seems to give a lot of weight to one sentence.
He' ll be rejected more than once in his life.... He might think that he is a talented artist, but I can' t see any depth in his work. I' ll show them to my daughter, she is studying 3D Animation and knows much more about art than I do
I cannot read German but he's saying that the content of the letter is rude. By all means send out generic mail merged letters to save time but don't tell everyone that they suck and lack talent.
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It's not a "generic" letter. It's the letter that they send to all the people that only sketch the one thing they can draw, kinda well. They send proper rejection letters to the people that are talented but just aren't right for the school. They send the letters with suggestions and encouragement to the people that deserve it. It's the cliched "horse-girl", "dragon-boy", "anime-kid", "fantasy-guy". Everyone of you thinks you're a great artist, when you're mediocre, at one thing, at best. They get a TON of applications from people EXACTLY LIKE YOU every year and have to weed through them to get to the people that actually put in the time and effort. The fact that they responded to you wasting their time WAS the courtesy. Oh, you do animal yin-yangs? How original. Wait, that's just about all you do? Fantastical animals? You don't say.
I imagine that art schools get thousands of applications every year, so they don't really have time and sources to write an extensive detailed review for every applicant they reject. So yeah, those letters are gonna be generic, whether you like it or not. The text shouldn't be degrading and demeaning, obviously, but I can't really say if it was, because I can't see what the letter actually says, just the OP's interpretation.
It is a generic answer by many art institutions in Germany, for anything deemed as Kitsch..they could have said they think it is corny/Kitsch, of course :) "Ihre Arbeiten folgen unverstandenen Vorbildern und Klischees. Eine eigene Problemstellung ist nicht erkennbar "= The presented examples of your work follow not enough understood/absorbed examples and clichés (my guess: weeping animals). An original take on the problem/topic (my guess: destruction of nature) is not evident. -
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His art is a bit bland. Well done but bland and overdone. The Tao theme is done to death.
It appears to be a German school, and generally, Germans (including institutions) are pretty direct. This is no exception. I don't see any issues here. It's a little jarring for some people.
This is why I've always kept my art work private because critics are brutal and my art to me is an expression of myself. I'm not ready to have that vulnerable side criticized. But I do love it. I paint, make jewelry and resin sculptures.
you can share your art just for fun, I'm sure lots of people would like to see it! & there are lots of friendly art groups online. but applying to a big art school is different, you're specifically asking them to judge your work.
Load More Replies... oof. i mean, i don't think taping a banana to a wall is art either, and i don't think nfts of an ugly monkey are worth millions... but i gotta say i see why the school wrote what it did. he has great technique but man his illustrations were so cliche it hurt. the only piece in there that had a hint of real art was the animal souls one. the balance and composition there... there was something there.
We've seen this artist before! https://www.boredpanda.com/these-5-yin-and-yang-themed-artworks-enabled-me-to-make-a-living-as-an-artist-with-22
He is the original artist behind these works! We have featured him before on our page as well :))
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It seems like the letter was accurate. I’m sure they reject thousands of applicants by checking some boxes for reason for rejection and the system generates a rejection letter. Nothing special for him. People don’t get heartfelt personal feedback with their rejections.
It's kind of like when one of my art students presents me with a portrait of Marilyn Monroe, Morgan Freeman, or stereotypical Pop Art. There's nothing wrong with copying other works of art. But when you present it for a show, be original. Nothing turns judges, jurors, etc., off more than seeing someone with a lot of talent, presenting something they've already seen a thousand times.
So the kid got his feelings hurt because they called his art for what it is? Art schools aren't looking for the same thing from everyone.
I sift through hundreds of portfolios every year. On that portfolio, rejection is the only option for a self-respecting art school. It would take more than one course to knock the kitsch out of him. Although I'd have thought any art school in the Austro-German region would think twice about rejecting young, privileged, strong-opinioned men! They seem to seek outlets elsewhere and manifest their anger at personal rejection and "Hey Presto!" WWII!
Well, he came back as Monte Christo on Tik-Tok, didnt he..
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As one person correctly pointed out - these are considered illustrations by art schools and would not be accepted for the courses that they chose as they don't consider illustrations as artwork. This is very common and they don't explain this anywhere, because they are snobby tightwads. I couldn't get a foot in either for the same reason. They are art and they are beautiful.
You are completely right and I don't know why you were downvoted.
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The fundamental principles of art and design are the same whether you learn them at a "prestigious" art school, your local community college or on your own. It is true that a degree from a fancy art school will impress people who don't know anything. (Edit to say - I got into a state college that had/has a very good art department entirely on the strength of my portfolio - my grades in high school were terrible. I decided not to go to college at that time, though.)
Well at least he turned art school rejection into a successful illustration career rather than going on to become a genocidal hate monger. And yes the art school should have said more concretely what it wanted. I think there is an element of classism or "insider knowledge" that means successful applicants ( who likely have been to other art schools as kids) would have known about the prejudice against illustrations and "cliche's". And it is annoying when they tell you your work needs to get better and you are like "that's why I applied to your school!". But its also life and if this is the worst rejection/ review he ever gets he will be lucky.
*Captain America voice* I understood that reference!
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It's impressive how many of you completely miss the point. No one cares what you think of his art. What's relevant is that the critique was neither relevant nor useful since they just sent out a standard letter. Either you offer useful critique or you send a generic rejection letter. This is neither.
The whole concept of "education followed by job" is sooo babyboom. Who needs education if you're already an artist? You work for companies like Ravensburger, who makes beautiful puzzles of your art. Congratulations! You already own the world.
As an artist, I can say that art schools are mostly a joke today. Most of them charge way too much for the actual education you get. You can get a much better education today from online schools such as imaginismstudios.com or thegnomonworkshop.com
However, I will ALSO say that if this kid doesn't get used to rejection being in the art/illustration field, he's going to have a seriously bad time in his career. It's one of the most competitive fields to be in, especially being so young. With the advent of the Internet, companies can now choose artists from all over the world to work with, and they don't even need books to look through or agencies to choose those artists. They can just do a Google search. So, yeah, this kid better be prepared for disappointment, OR be prepared to work his ass off! Based on this post, he is not ready for either.
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Do they (German art schools) want more Hitler? Because this is how we got Hitler.
That's what pissed me off about art class in school. At the beginning we were told art is subjective and there is no right or wrong. Everyone develops their own style. Then your work would be picked apart. This is wrong, that's wrong, you should do it this way. We were stuck for weeks drawing a f*****g lemon too. I lost interest in that class very quickly.
It seems to me that his idea of fine art, and theirs lay at different ends of the spectrum. They wanted examples perhaps an I'm just saying perhaps because I really don't know,but things like landscape, architecture, models,and still life an sketches. An what he sends is basically fantasy,and spiritual looking animal totems of one type or another. I really enjoyed the way his artwork was done, but nothing made me go wow! I am glad he continued his art; it does have a place in the world,but perhaps just not at a fine art school. I also agree maybe don't send the same cookie cutter rejection letter each time; an I realize that all rejection letters can't be individualized,but what would be the difference in a one paragraph letter stating why they don't want you; instead of a letter full of dream dashing. If he takes anything from all of this; I hope it's doing more research on the school he's applying to next, and maybe check into it's background history more.
Actually, that type of rejection (especially from art schools), is quite common. After getting accepted into a 'lower' college, my teacher loved to tell us that we were there because we weren't good enough to get into (Top school name here).
Boring stuff. Art schools hate the fact that he has no inner freedom, is very formed and pure kitch, no point in teaching him, he is not art school material, well done. The rest of the story I find dubitous.
This is what happens when kids that have grown up being told they are never wrong, that they never came last in a race, that they never lost a sports event, that everyone's a winner, meet the real world. Yes, you are good a drawing, but being good is not enough to be admitted to a good art school. Your art needs to stand out, be exceptional, have something that few others have.. And these pictures, although decent enough, are not that.. It's time to realize that the real world doesn't work on the premise that everyone is equal.. I blame your parents for allowing you to live in this fantasy world for too long.
If you are already that irritated by this letter, don't study art. They won't tell you how pretty and special your stuff is all the time. Competing finding work, especially in the art field in Berlin you have to have balls of steel.
That is soooooo unnecessarily cruel. Their job is to accept or reject. Not insult and break someone's spirit. This guy is VERY TALENTED!!!!! They should have just told him sorry no and maybe recommend a different school that would appreciate his style.
I cant draw a table without looking like it wants to fall off the paper am drawing on....whatever that guys style,whichever it is ...its great..He's self taught ffs why would they say he has no talent?...they'd rather say they are full and wont be taking any more students.....they criticising his work when he was looking to learn amd compliment his talent...they are weird and its awful to generalise all the artist with a generic rejection letter.
So this is the guy who did the black and white lions. I love this picture, I have it on my screensaver. Now I need to look up his other work.
And now I've just bought 2 of his sweatshirts!
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Hope not he is not a German. (we all know what happened when an artist got a harsh rejection from the school...)
I have only one advise for this prestigious art school: make sure before you turn someone down. Vienna did and 50 million people died.
This letter served an important purpose. To be a creative one MUST have skin of iron. The ones that quit were never truly in it. Else what would happen when true criticism came their way? This letter is fuel for those who have fire, affirmation for those that do not.
dark humor on* german art schools should be more careful with rejecting young painters* dark humor off
I would have thought an art school would be more creative. Glad this person landed in a better place. Maybe that art school has gotten too old and inflexible for its own good.
He should have sent a letter back saying "I regret to inform you that I cannot accept your rejection letter at this time. It was unoriginal and not what I was looking for, and not big enough for my demonstrated talents." Just saying that rejection letter is some good irony for those keeping score.
You can come to Argentina, here you can study art without being selected, education is universal
You sure it's Kunste and not Kuntse because the latter seems far more appropriate?
FFS!* German art schools really ought to learn not to make the people they reject so very angry. (*That stands for For France's Sake)
I think the core problem here isn't really that he didn't get accepted to that one school, nor even HOW they rejected him. The core problem is that art has changed, but the educators have not. Art isn't just used by painters or sculptors hoping to get displayed in a museum any more. There are people who want to create art for video games, to draw for calendars or puzzles, to make movies, and so much more. They want to learn about shapes and shading, colour theory, and how to develop a unique style. But to my knowledge, most art departments only want to teach "classic" art. The university I went to, a middling-sized city in Canada, would deride this type of student with statements like "you're not an artist, you're an *illustrator*". Except that some people *want* to be illustrators and you're not some fancy art school you're just a bottom-third-of-the-pack post-secondary institution. If there are no schools willing to teach people the principles of good art, I think *that's* a problem.
None. People turn into Hitlers for more complex reasons. It's not like someone is a happy go lucky, sweet, life loving person but then an art school rejection turns them into a genocidal monster. Use your loaf.
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The comments beneath this article is why I never applied for art school. Art is subjective and I'm not here for labelling anything someone doesn't like as unoriginal, kitsch, bland or not "real" art. Instead I chose to take private lessons from a famous and successful artist in our country. He hated art schools, because in his experience they kill creativity and all their students come out doing the same stuff. There's nothing I hate more than art snobs. And just fyi, I don't think of myself as some great artist, it's a hobby I do for fun. But I know enough about art to appreciate skill and creativity.
He is an illustrator. That's an Art School he applied to. The letter is in fact demeaning and unnecessary, but his art does display those characteristics, incidentally. Honestly, I wish I could draw half as good as he does, but the conflict between illustration and art has been going on for centuries now. He needs to apply to a school that caters to his type of work. My wife made the same mistake, only in reverse. She went to a design school where she hated illustration. Eventually they told her she should have gone to an art school.
The best artists never went to art school. If his art is not too experimental or creative for them, so what? The most important thing in art is to create stuff that YOU love!!! Don't let your creativity be pressured by other people's opinions, an unhealthy perfectionism, or money. When you reach that "I don't care, I just want to create what I love" state then you will unleash your potential. I do agree that the letter is written in a very rude and discouraging way, but that's Berlin for you. Its not polite, encouraging Canada.
You can't create what you want without learning the proper technique.
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Austrian. He applied at an art school in Vienna.
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His technique is great, it's very aesthetic and well-done. But it's also super generic, kitsch and boring. Here's a thought: perhaps they send the same letter to people who fit these criteria? The letter is actually in-depth and states reasons for the rejection, which is more than you could say about, well, any other rejection really. If it truly was about the letter and not the fact that he is pissed to not get accepted, why even post his art? Also, I wonder why they admit so few students? Could it be that there is a narrow job market for actual artists?
I'm glad I'm not the only one who thought so. Yes, it's good, but there's so much stuff out there that looks just like it. Nothing about it really stands out. The best I can say is that the work is technically proficient and pleasant to look at, but generic, unoriginal and uninspiring. It's perfect for trading cards or something like that if a company wants to hire him for that kind of stuff. Or he'd be a good book illustrator. He'd even make a really good tattoo artist. He's definitely talented, but it takes more than talent to rise to the top.
Load More Replies... I have no problem at all with popular and prestigious schools sending out generic rejection letters. A popular university will have to reject thousands or tens of thousands of applicants, it's just impossible for the admissions department to send thousands or tens of thousands of individual letters full of helpful advice or constructive criticism to that many young people. However! There's no need for the admissions department to send out a *rude* letter like that one.
It is not rude at all, it is the kind of thing one hears typically in a highschool art class, as an advice to become more original. AND he can try again next year. EDIT: I should have added that the OP claims the letter says he has no talent and sucks. That is not true. For the translation look at my other comment.
Load More Replies... You may give me all minuses of the world, but it is really terrible kitsch...
His paintings are on par with drawings you get at a cheap souvenir shops in Dalmatia. So bad they aren't even Kitsch. Just don't start any world wars, kiddo.
yeah that's what I was thinking. I don't find it bad per se, but this is souvenir art.. which is not a problem in general, but what was he expecting..
Load More Replies... If you ever get a rejection letter from art school , don't enlist in the artillery corps.
I also got rejected from the state college of fine arts without even being given a reason. The rejected portfolios just lay on the floor of the entrance of one of the buildings and you just had to look for yours. Was sad about it but I knew they only accepted very few people anyways. I applied for a private art and graphic design school a week after and got invited for a personal interview with the headmaster. He looked at my portfolio and then said "Well, I understand why they didn't accept you at the [name of the college]." My heart dropped for a moment. Was expecting to be rejected again. Then he continued: "Because you're not an old-school artist. You wouldn't have been happy there. You are a graphic designer and illustrator. We'll gladly accept you here!" My final project was one of the best 4 out of 60 people. Moral of the story: Sometimes it's not about your skills but about fitting in. The same goes for jobs. We all get rejected from time to time. Pick yourself up and try again
This deserves more ups, and I think actually is what the OP was trying to get at. Just because this guy's style is more is more James Patterson than F Scott Fitzgerald doesn't mean it's bad work. Do I understand how it didn't get him admitted? Yes. Do I understand why he deserved to be sort of insulted about it beyond the fact that he wasn't accepted? No. I applied to MIT at one point. I wasn't nearly good enough to get in (and I knew), but they didn't feel the need to lay that all out for me. I got a short, basically "sorry no" letter and that was that. Years later, I actually got a job at MIT, which I was good at and absolutely would not have tried for if they had disparaged me in that rejection. Further, it would have been really unusual to receive specific feedback on an application, as most "higher education" does not consider an application to be a request for feedback. Why art, which is even more subjective, would earn an actual critique as part of a rejection is beyond me.
Load More Replies... Dude looks and talks like he thinks people owe him stuff. They don't. The thing is, it is a generic craft, this is not art. Real art starts with understanding you don't know s**t and you will never know and you know how to apply a craft to express whatever comes drifting afloat in yur noggin and present the world with new ideas.
Oh and Random Panda; get your head out of your panda behind. That's not art, because it doesn't adhere to the one rule of being original (style, concept, subject). If I can find a gazillion results by reverse searching his work, then it's not original. Period. That doesn't make him great at a craft. It's his attitude that's so closed minded (at this point) what's making him not something to get some original work producing anytime soon. Art is subjective. And with Ravensburger as a company willing to buy his drawings, that kinda confirms it. They don't want anything you have to think about, they just want pretty puzzles. You can of course call me a snob, or you can call me someone that's explaining a concept to you that you didn't understand yet. It's also interesting that you want to start calling names to defend someone you don't know. Now go chew some bamboo like a good little black and white bear.
Load More Replies... I wish there was a photo clear enough that I could zoom in and read the letter in full. This article seems to give a lot of weight to one sentence.
He' ll be rejected more than once in his life.... He might think that he is a talented artist, but I can' t see any depth in his work. I' ll show them to my daughter, she is studying 3D Animation and knows much more about art than I do
I cannot read German but he's saying that the content of the letter is rude. By all means send out generic mail merged letters to save time but don't tell everyone that they suck and lack talent.
Load More Replies... It's not a "generic" letter. It's the letter that they send to all the people that only sketch the one thing they can draw, kinda well. They send proper rejection letters to the people that are talented but just aren't right for the school. They send the letters with suggestions and encouragement to the people that deserve it. It's the cliched "horse-girl", "dragon-boy", "anime-kid", "fantasy-guy". Everyone of you thinks you're a great artist, when you're mediocre, at one thing, at best. They get a TON of applications from people EXACTLY LIKE YOU every year and have to weed through them to get to the people that actually put in the time and effort. The fact that they responded to you wasting their time WAS the courtesy. Oh, you do animal yin-yangs? How original. Wait, that's just about all you do? Fantastical animals? You don't say.
I imagine that art schools get thousands of applications every year, so they don't really have time and sources to write an extensive detailed review for every applicant they reject. So yeah, those letters are gonna be generic, whether you like it or not. The text shouldn't be degrading and demeaning, obviously, but I can't really say if it was, because I can't see what the letter actually says, just the OP's interpretation.
It is a generic answer by many art institutions in Germany, for anything deemed as Kitsch..they could have said they think it is corny/Kitsch, of course :) "Ihre Arbeiten folgen unverstandenen Vorbildern und Klischees. Eine eigene Problemstellung ist nicht erkennbar "= The presented examples of your work follow not enough understood/absorbed examples and clichés (my guess: weeping animals). An original take on the problem/topic (my guess: destruction of nature) is not evident. -
Load More Replies... His art is a bit bland. Well done but bland and overdone. The Tao theme is done to death.
It appears to be a German school, and generally, Germans (including institutions) are pretty direct. This is no exception. I don't see any issues here. It's a little jarring for some people.
This is why I've always kept my art work private because critics are brutal and my art to me is an expression of myself. I'm not ready to have that vulnerable side criticized. But I do love it. I paint, make jewelry and resin sculptures.
you can share your art just for fun, I'm sure lots of people would like to see it! & there are lots of friendly art groups online. but applying to a big art school is different, you're specifically asking them to judge your work.
Load More Replies... oof. i mean, i don't think taping a banana to a wall is art either, and i don't think nfts of an ugly monkey are worth millions... but i gotta say i see why the school wrote what it did. he has great technique but man his illustrations were so cliche it hurt. the only piece in there that had a hint of real art was the animal souls one. the balance and composition there... there was something there.
We've seen this artist before! https://www.boredpanda.com/these-5-yin-and-yang-themed-artworks-enabled-me-to-make-a-living-as-an-artist-with-22
He is the original artist behind these works! We have featured him before on our page as well :))
Load More Replies... It seems like the letter was accurate. I’m sure they reject thousands of applicants by checking some boxes for reason for rejection and the system generates a rejection letter. Nothing special for him. People don’t get heartfelt personal feedback with their rejections.
It's kind of like when one of my art students presents me with a portrait of Marilyn Monroe, Morgan Freeman, or stereotypical Pop Art. There's nothing wrong with copying other works of art. But when you present it for a show, be original. Nothing turns judges, jurors, etc., off more than seeing someone with a lot of talent, presenting something they've already seen a thousand times.
So the kid got his feelings hurt because they called his art for what it is? Art schools aren't looking for the same thing from everyone.
I sift through hundreds of portfolios every year. On that portfolio, rejection is the only option for a self-respecting art school. It would take more than one course to knock the kitsch out of him. Although I'd have thought any art school in the Austro-German region would think twice about rejecting young, privileged, strong-opinioned men! They seem to seek outlets elsewhere and manifest their anger at personal rejection and "Hey Presto!" WWII!
Well, he came back as Monte Christo on Tik-Tok, didnt he..
Load More Replies... As one person correctly pointed out - these are considered illustrations by art schools and would not be accepted for the courses that they chose as they don't consider illustrations as artwork. This is very common and they don't explain this anywhere, because they are snobby tightwads. I couldn't get a foot in either for the same reason. They are art and they are beautiful.
You are completely right and I don't know why you were downvoted.
Load More Replies... The fundamental principles of art and design are the same whether you learn them at a "prestigious" art school, your local community college or on your own. It is true that a degree from a fancy art school will impress people who don't know anything. (Edit to say - I got into a state college that had/has a very good art department entirely on the strength of my portfolio - my grades in high school were terrible. I decided not to go to college at that time, though.)
Well at least he turned art school rejection into a successful illustration career rather than going on to become a genocidal hate monger. And yes the art school should have said more concretely what it wanted. I think there is an element of classism or "insider knowledge" that means successful applicants ( who likely have been to other art schools as kids) would have known about the prejudice against illustrations and "cliche's". And it is annoying when they tell you your work needs to get better and you are like "that's why I applied to your school!". But its also life and if this is the worst rejection/ review he ever gets he will be lucky.
*Captain America voice* I understood that reference!
Load More Replies... It's impressive how many of you completely miss the point. No one cares what you think of his art. What's relevant is that the critique was neither relevant nor useful since they just sent out a standard letter. Either you offer useful critique or you send a generic rejection letter. This is neither.
The whole concept of "education followed by job" is sooo babyboom. Who needs education if you're already an artist? You work for companies like Ravensburger, who makes beautiful puzzles of your art. Congratulations! You already own the world.
As an artist, I can say that art schools are mostly a joke today. Most of them charge way too much for the actual education you get. You can get a much better education today from online schools such as imaginismstudios.com or thegnomonworkshop.com
However, I will ALSO say that if this kid doesn't get used to rejection being in the art/illustration field, he's going to have a seriously bad time in his career. It's one of the most competitive fields to be in, especially being so young. With the advent of the Internet, companies can now choose artists from all over the world to work with, and they don't even need books to look through or agencies to choose those artists. They can just do a Google search. So, yeah, this kid better be prepared for disappointment, OR be prepared to work his ass off! Based on this post, he is not ready for either.
Load More Replies... Do they (German art schools) want more Hitler? Because this is how we got Hitler.
That's what pissed me off about art class in school. At the beginning we were told art is subjective and there is no right or wrong. Everyone develops their own style. Then your work would be picked apart. This is wrong, that's wrong, you should do it this way. We were stuck for weeks drawing a f*****g lemon too. I lost interest in that class very quickly.
It seems to me that his idea of fine art, and theirs lay at different ends of the spectrum. They wanted examples perhaps an I'm just saying perhaps because I really don't know,but things like landscape, architecture, models,and still life an sketches. An what he sends is basically fantasy,and spiritual looking animal totems of one type or another. I really enjoyed the way his artwork was done, but nothing made me go wow! I am glad he continued his art; it does have a place in the world,but perhaps just not at a fine art school. I also agree maybe don't send the same cookie cutter rejection letter each time; an I realize that all rejection letters can't be individualized,but what would be the difference in a one paragraph letter stating why they don't want you; instead of a letter full of dream dashing. If he takes anything from all of this; I hope it's doing more research on the school he's applying to next, and maybe check into it's background history more.
Actually, that type of rejection (especially from art schools), is quite common. After getting accepted into a 'lower' college, my teacher loved to tell us that we were there because we weren't good enough to get into (Top school name here).
Boring stuff. Art schools hate the fact that he has no inner freedom, is very formed and pure kitch, no point in teaching him, he is not art school material, well done. The rest of the story I find dubitous.
This is what happens when kids that have grown up being told they are never wrong, that they never came last in a race, that they never lost a sports event, that everyone's a winner, meet the real world. Yes, you are good a drawing, but being good is not enough to be admitted to a good art school. Your art needs to stand out, be exceptional, have something that few others have.. And these pictures, although decent enough, are not that.. It's time to realize that the real world doesn't work on the premise that everyone is equal.. I blame your parents for allowing you to live in this fantasy world for too long.
If you are already that irritated by this letter, don't study art. They won't tell you how pretty and special your stuff is all the time. Competing finding work, especially in the art field in Berlin you have to have balls of steel.
That is soooooo unnecessarily cruel. Their job is to accept or reject. Not insult and break someone's spirit. This guy is VERY TALENTED!!!!! They should have just told him sorry no and maybe recommend a different school that would appreciate his style.
I cant draw a table without looking like it wants to fall off the paper am drawing on....whatever that guys style,whichever it is ...its great..He's self taught ffs why would they say he has no talent?...they'd rather say they are full and wont be taking any more students.....they criticising his work when he was looking to learn amd compliment his talent...they are weird and its awful to generalise all the artist with a generic rejection letter.
So this is the guy who did the black and white lions. I love this picture, I have it on my screensaver. Now I need to look up his other work.
And now I've just bought 2 of his sweatshirts!
Load More Replies... Hope not he is not a German. (we all know what happened when an artist got a harsh rejection from the school...)
I have only one advise for this prestigious art school: make sure before you turn someone down. Vienna did and 50 million people died.
This letter served an important purpose. To be a creative one MUST have skin of iron. The ones that quit were never truly in it. Else what would happen when true criticism came their way? This letter is fuel for those who have fire, affirmation for those that do not.
dark humor on* german art schools should be more careful with rejecting young painters* dark humor off
I would have thought an art school would be more creative. Glad this person landed in a better place. Maybe that art school has gotten too old and inflexible for its own good.
He should have sent a letter back saying "I regret to inform you that I cannot accept your rejection letter at this time. It was unoriginal and not what I was looking for, and not big enough for my demonstrated talents." Just saying that rejection letter is some good irony for those keeping score.
You can come to Argentina, here you can study art without being selected, education is universal
You sure it's Kunste and not Kuntse because the latter seems far more appropriate?
FFS!* German art schools really ought to learn not to make the people they reject so very angry. (*That stands for For France's Sake)
I think the core problem here isn't really that he didn't get accepted to that one school, nor even HOW they rejected him. The core problem is that art has changed, but the educators have not. Art isn't just used by painters or sculptors hoping to get displayed in a museum any more. There are people who want to create art for video games, to draw for calendars or puzzles, to make movies, and so much more. They want to learn about shapes and shading, colour theory, and how to develop a unique style. But to my knowledge, most art departments only want to teach "classic" art. The university I went to, a middling-sized city in Canada, would deride this type of student with statements like "you're not an artist, you're an *illustrator*". Except that some people *want* to be illustrators and you're not some fancy art school you're just a bottom-third-of-the-pack post-secondary institution. If there are no schools willing to teach people the principles of good art, I think *that's* a problem.
None. People turn into Hitlers for more complex reasons. It's not like someone is a happy go lucky, sweet, life loving person but then an art school rejection turns them into a genocidal monster. Use your loaf.
Load More Replies... The comments beneath this article is why I never applied for art school. Art is subjective and I'm not here for labelling anything someone doesn't like as unoriginal, kitsch, bland or not "real" art. Instead I chose to take private lessons from a famous and successful artist in our country. He hated art schools, because in his experience they kill creativity and all their students come out doing the same stuff. There's nothing I hate more than art snobs. And just fyi, I don't think of myself as some great artist, it's a hobby I do for fun. But I know enough about art to appreciate skill and creativity.
He is an illustrator. That's an Art School he applied to. The letter is in fact demeaning and unnecessary, but his art does display those characteristics, incidentally. Honestly, I wish I could draw half as good as he does, but the conflict between illustration and art has been going on for centuries now. He needs to apply to a school that caters to his type of work. My wife made the same mistake, only in reverse. She went to a design school where she hated illustration. Eventually they told her she should have gone to an art school.
The best artists never went to art school. If his art is not too experimental or creative for them, so what? The most important thing in art is to create stuff that YOU love!!! Don't let your creativity be pressured by other people's opinions, an unhealthy perfectionism, or money. When you reach that "I don't care, I just want to create what I love" state then you will unleash your potential. I do agree that the letter is written in a very rude and discouraging way, but that's Berlin for you. Its not polite, encouraging Canada.
You can't create what you want without learning the proper technique.
Load More Replies... Austrian. He applied at an art school in Vienna.
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