Programs Double degree in physics/visual arts unwise?

[jebii]

I'm honestly surprised they're offering it in the first place, but there you go.
First thing is I'm equally passionate about both art and physics, because they're an approach into understanding how the world works. i.e. knowledge makes me ridiculously happy.

I've been engaging and reading about both subjects ever since childhood, so it pains me to have to make a choice between the two. The most rational course would seem to be pursue one as a career, and the other as a hobby. But I'm an indecisive person who wants to do both!

So my question is, would that be redundant? I can't imagine how I could combine art with physics as a career... The thing about this course though that instead of 3 years it is extended to 4 years to accommodate both, so I suppose that puts off a bit of strain, but undoubtedly both courses would require a lot of time.

Any opinion/advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

[symbolipoint]

You CAN combine visual arts and physics. Do you understand that physics gives us skills and concepts directly related to photography? Do you understand that visual communication techniques are important for explaining physical sciences and technology? Imagine creating a three dimensional model of something you are studying.

 

[Choppy]

Well, technically that wouldn't be redundant. Redundant refers to multiple tasks achieving the same objective.

That said, I think it's fine to pursue both, but it's also important to keep in mind your objectives in doing so. With respect to physics, it's important to keep in mind that most people who start down that path don't end up doing physics as a career in academia. With respect to art how much does one need a formal education in it to pursue that as a career? (I really have no idea as I've never looked into it.)

 

[jebii]

You CAN combine visual arts and physics. Do you understand that physics gives us skills and concepts directly related to photography? Do you understand that visual communication techniques are important for explaining physical sciences and technology? Imagine creating a three dimensional model of something you are studying.

I haven't thought of that, thanks.

Well, technically that wouldn't be redundant. Redundant refers to multiple tasks achieving the same objective.

WHOOPS I thought it meant something different, my bad.

That said, I think it's fine to pursue both, but it's also important to keep in mind your objectives in doing so. With respect to physics, it's important to keep in mind that most people who start down that path don't end up doing physics as a career in academia. With respect to art how much does one need a formal education in it to pursue that as a career? (I really have no idea as I've never looked into it.)

From what I've gathered companies don't need your degree, just a good portfolio. I don't know what I want to do with my life yet, so I'll keep an open mind. Thanks.

 

[Rika]

I was in the same situation. I went for BSc in Physics but I realized that I hate programming and doing research (and I really was interested in physics) so I went to art school after graduation (higher education is free in my country) and I regret that I wasted my time doing physics.

I suggest doing visual arts because:

- you will likely do physics as your hobby anyway because it's very very hard to get a job related to physics (and you would need to get degree in engineering rather than in physics) while with strong portfolio getting a job related to an art is not that hard - good graphic/industrial/entertainment designers or tatooists will always be in demand.

- you need to work hard for many years in order to have a good portfolio. Physics classes are very time-consuming so you won't have a time to work on your art skills. So it's either art or physics.

- you don't need college degree but there are good ateliers and non-degree courses (online too) which are much cheaper than art school but allow you to get the best education. However if you want to do industrial design I think you should get college degree.

 

[jebii]

Thanks Rika, that clears up a lot of things :)

 

[lisab]

Sounds like an interesting combination!

Perhaps there are opportunities doing "artist's rendering" drawings of physics-related things, especially intended for the layman. Or computer generated graphics.