Back in the early to mid 1980’s CalArts was my college of choice. Unfortunately I had no scholarships, or financial aid to get me there after being accepted, so I went to art school elsewhere. I have no regrets, it hasn’t hampered my career or creativity in the slightest. At the end of the day, what you learn in college isn’t what you practice in your career of choice, and that is especially true in the ever shifting world of design and the visual arts.

The video below is John Lasseter’s commencement speech for the CalArts graduating class of 2014. It is presented to fresh faced, eager to start their career, wide-eyed graduates that will go on to create amazing works of art and design in ways we can’t even imagine yet. We have all been there. If someone had told me back then, that I would be working with the tools I have today, making the things I make, I probably would have laughed at them. Here is Lasseter’s words of wisdom on making the transition from student to pro, and staying inspired along the way. The first five minutes are introductions, just incase you want to skip to the core of the speech.