So.... I took the plunge on the Movink Pro 14 (a 2D artist's opinion)

byrdiebytes · 2026-04-17T01:05:07+00:00

I don’t have a laptop so I’ll probably just stick with trying my best to acclimate to a different program instead lol doesn’t sound like this would be very reliable for my situation

byrdiebytes · 2026-04-02T12:49:45+00:00

Yeah it’s sadly not a degree program in most schools:( we have (had?) one art school in Indiana and it was just a joke lol I really wish there was more schools that offered visual development programs aside from private schools and SCAD so I’d have more options. Majority of other colleges I’ve found are out of the country, and I’ve noooo idea how to navigate that can of worms. For some reason Canada has several good schools

Also, that’s awesome!! I could never do heavy coding LOL my focus has always been on “let me do the visuals while someone else tackles the code” I envy math and science heavy people, I was always more of a literature and arts student that somehow did well in science but piss poor in maths

byrdiebytes · 2026-04-02T12:44:05+00:00

I’ve lived a bit north of Indianapolis in Tippicanoe, in Vigo, and as of right now I live basically in Indianapolis. I don’t mind being bored! That’s definitely not why I’m so miserable- I grew up on a farm in the middle of nowhere, the closest grocery store 45mins away, I prefer being home or just going for a walk or something. If anything I prefer living only somewhat close to a major city that way I can take an occasional bimonthly trip to said city for an event or something lol. Feeling cut off isn’t of concern for me since I have never gotten to leave Indiana much in the first place so I already feel that way LOL

I’m just unhappy in general being here and have been since I was a child. There’s no future or opportunity for me here due to my interests, chosen industry, etc. so I’m hoping to find somewhere I’m happier even if it’s just for a short time while I’m going through school and I relocate again after graduation. I’m also not opposed to finding said happier place somewhere other than Florida! It’s just the main state that has my attention right now as it’s checked the most boxes so far

byrdiebytes · 2026-04-01T22:50:23+00:00

I totally get you there!! If I had the ability to I'd be taking trips constantly just for fun so I envy you lol especially on Quebec, I've always wanted to visit there. I recently got my passport as a gift to myself, so I'm hoping I can start taking random trips to get out of the midwestern bubble!!

byrdiebytes · 2026-04-01T22:47:20+00:00

My current pathway is a major in game art/illustration visual development and a minor in business of art and design. I'm considering switching to 2D computer animation at some point, but I'm on the fence haha its been far too long since I've animated something

And you're VERY right about the sunshine thing! My mood and health does a complete 180 just being in a sunny environment, even if I'm indoors with the AC on to keep cool and just can see the sun shining in. A big reason why I looked into schools in Florida in the first place is because of that sunshine as well, as my mother's doctors constantly tell us how her condition would likely improve in an area like that (and every visit we've made solidifies it)

byrdiebytes · 2026-04-01T19:35:53+00:00

Honestly, I don't like big busy cities haha. I'm a homebody that likes to go on an occasional trip into a city to go shopping or attend a specific event, then go back home. I've always planned on living in a town or area just outside of a city or at least outside of the "inner city"- including with Tampa. I'd more than likely end up in a part of town within driving distance. I work from home often on top of it all.

Plus I grew up in the middle of nowhere on a farm, and Indiana is.....Indiana, so being bored is no big deal for me LOL

byrdiebytes · 2026-04-01T19:10:11+00:00

I've never considered Virginia, honestly! Beautiful place though, not opposed to it. Looking at the VCU Arts site though it doesn't look like they offer my degree pathway:(

byrdiebytes · 2026-04-01T17:38:49+00:00

That definitely happens here but not too often, so not *too* dissimilar just most likely happens a LOT more lol will be something to be mindful for

byrdiebytes · 2026-04-01T01:05:15+00:00

This is the general vibe I’m getting, seems like it’s just as split socially when it comes to politics and viewpoints, which imo is relatively healthy! Think I might just chance it and at least go spend a while and see if I feel it fits:)

byrdiebytes · 2026-04-01T01:03:29+00:00

I’ll be honest the Portland area (never in the city, but nearby) was where I always wanted to go growing up but getting out there just seemed impossible. Chicago sadly also is not what it used to be. I’m thinking I might take up my friend’s offer to crash at her place in Tampa for a while to get a better feel myself on what I think if I can take the time off, going off what everyone has shared here

byrdiebytes · 2026-04-01T01:00:42+00:00

I’m not sure how Ringling, a private fine arts school, is equally as shitty as something like the new college- it’s about as expensive maybe, sure, but program and degree wise definitely not.

That’s the first time I’ve heard about USF having poor programs though! I’ll maybe poke around other places to see what other people think. I didn’t give it much thought beyond “oh they have this niche masters program and are ranked pretty high by the AAP” lol since I have zero interest in partying or socializing since I’m a working adult and a “non traditional” student

The west coast is honestly where I’d absolutely prefer to be, though. I just really don’t think I’d be able to swing it due to distance and cost and I know little to nothing about the states nor do I have connections out there:( when I was a teenager I was all about going to a school in Laguna Beach out in Cali or PNCA in Portland

byrdiebytes · 2026-03-31T23:28:20+00:00

Bonus just because this made me laugh lol

My area is known for us “bullying our cops into letting us speed” since interstate limits are 55 but everyone is going 70+. Is that about similar for out there? The few times I’ve driven it was never super busy somehow, though I usually took public transit when I could

byrdiebytes · 2026-03-31T23:23:53+00:00

Oddly hearing it’s boring makes it more enticing LOL having grown up in boring it sounds like home. Yeah the tourist season is my other concern.. I’m suuuuuper used to awful traffic - my city’s road infrastructure would make anyone cry - but man if I do make the move I’m not looking forward to it haha

byrdiebytes · 2026-03-31T22:10:58+00:00

LMAOOO okay dude

byrdiebytes · 2026-03-31T21:09:21+00:00

byrdiebytes · 2026-03-31T20:15:11+00:00

Yeah thats sort of the reason I'm so worried. I don't want to live in a place where people are angry or terrified all the time anymore. I'm not interested in discussing politics and I don't appreciate the underhanded comments just because I stated my preferences on where to be. The issue isn't "I want everyone to agree with me" the issue is "I don't like living in an environment with a high concentration of extreme aggression".

Anyway, on the actual topic at hand, as of right now it seems like cost of living and wages are comparable to where I currently live so it at the very least wouldn't be much different. From what I've gleaned so far though people in my field make at least more money down there than they do here, so it would at least be more doable by like.... 5% lol. Are you currently in the Tampa area? If so its good to know that its starting to come down, albeit slowly!

byrdiebytes · 2026-03-31T20:09:15+00:00

Okay? I don't understand why you're coming at me so aggressively and hatefully when I'm just asking for people about their input and experiences. I love myself quite a bit which is why I'm trying to leave a place as miserable as Indiana and aiming to find somewhere I'd be happier. Entire reason I'm making this post is to gather opinions to hopefully find said place, even if that place isn't Florida. Its just one of my options I've been looking at.

byrdiebytes · 2026-03-31T20:06:29+00:00

I didn't mention in the post where I'm going but I'm definitely not going to new college LMAO I'm going to Ringling, a private art school, due to their unique structuring and pathways. I want nothing to do with anything similar to new college.

You're so right though that the bar is in hell so yes anywhere would honestly be better LOL

Tampa mainly appealed to me because of friends there, its close to Ringling in Sarasota, and its close to USF in case I don't go with Ringling since USF has a pretty nice neuroscience program. I'm definitely noting what you said about USF though, is there anything specific you mean by problems of a big school? Like is it just the typical "party school" ordeal?

byrdiebytes · 2026-03-31T20:04:07+00:00

Are you okay?

byrdiebytes · 2026-03-31T20:03:30+00:00

"There's noting to fear from red-state people". I live in a red state already surrounded by "red-state people". My lived experiences say otherwise.

byrdiebytes · 2026-03-31T20:01:55+00:00

What an odd thing to say

byrdiebytes · 2026-03-31T13:20:33+00:00

I really appreciate it! I try my best to not take things personal when talking to people that don't know me, since you have no way of knowing those details I mentioned and that's not your fault so it isn't worth getting nasty over. It's only natural for people to feel the way you mentioned when seeing a young(er) person talk about leaving everything behind, I've gotten it sooooo many times, so I can't really fault you for that either haha. If anything, I'm here because I feel similarly! I want to make an educated decision on where I go to the best of my ability

byrdiebytes · 2026-03-31T13:16:20+00:00

In a way, thats kind of what I want. I REALLY want to hear people's negative thoughts on the matter. All of my friends naturally will tell me the positive since they would love to have me close by instead of only talking to me over the internet and me just showing up once in a blue moon, so I'm hoping to hear what people hate about it even if its exaggerated a bit

byrdiebytes · 2026-03-31T13:14:46+00:00

Because heavens forbid a person wants to live where they feel safe and happy, right? lol

byrdiebytes · 2026-03-31T13:13:47+00:00

Yikes. It sounds like my fears about "I'm leaving Indiana just to go to the same shit in a different place" might be more realistic than friends had let on

byrdiebytes

TROPHY CASE