columbia college chicago

[geekygirl007]

right now I am looking at colleges. I would like to study graphic design heavily, but still be able to train in music, as I play the clarinet. columbia college I can do that, but it is slightly expensive, so I would like to get some opinions before I jump into that. so anyway, opinions on the graphics program at columbia? or columbia itself?

[Thaelys]

Hi welcome to CA. I'm from Chicago and I have many friends/co-workers that are Columbia Alumni. I took a couple of film and animation classes there 16 years ago.

For Chicago I'd recommend Columbia College, Academy of Art - Chicago, or School of the Chicago Art Institute. Columbia is a solid commercial communications art & media school and it's very established. Most Columbia GD alum I know have excellent photography (for a non-major) skills in addition to their GD skills. I know it's on the expensive side but you get a good education from veteran pro graphic designers. There are few schools in Chicago that are better, yet more expensive.

I would advise caution if you're looking at Art Institute - Chicago (NOT to be confused with "School of the Art Institute" ...BIG difference) or International Academy of Design and Technology. I studied CG and Interactive Media at IADT and it was a mediocre education at best. Stupid me, I choose the cheaper/faster school.

I work with 3 AIC grads. They know how to use the software but their design theory and practice is lacking. They get the job done in production, but that's about it. Just my opinion, someone may find an exception to my case.

[IcyM]

Well, I don't know Columbia personally, but another way to find a good school in Chicago could be asking the advertising agencies in the city. Chicago is (as far as I read) is a major advertising/graphic design hub. Give them a call or email explaining your search for schools, if you can contact a staff artist or art director, they may be able to point you in the right direction as well. Plus, it certainly doens'nt hurt to come from a school that the art director recommends.

[geekygirl007]

thanks for the idea of talking to businesses in chicago. I'm leaving town for a few weeks, but I'll definetly try that when I get back!

[Storyboard Dave]

thanks for the idea of talking to businesses in chicago. I'm leaving town for a few weeks, but I'll definetly try that when I get back!

Is Chicago the place you want to be after graduation though? If not, it might not matter where you get the rock solid education then. Obviously being in a city where the local art school feeds into a major industry helps but if you're thinking about possibly moving beyond Chicago, there are plenty more options available.

Just food for thought.

[Thaelys]

Exactly why I'm not attending school in Chicago ;)

[strych9ine]

I'm went to Columbia for college, and I live in work in Chicago right now. I present to you: my thoughts. *ba dump*

If you are serious about learning and pushing yourself during school, Columbia may not be fore you. At least, when I started attending in 2000, it was a very relaxed environment where you could really turn any old crap in and get a decent grade. I had the occasional class where the professor actually provided me with some insight, but I remember teaching my professor how to fully utilize photoshop when I was a freshman. So many courses that were lackluster for so little payoff and so much goddamn MONEY.

I am a professional web and graphic designer, and I can honestly say most of what I've learned that helped me land a job came on my own time after I got out of college. I went for Graphic Design/Illustration, and while it provided me some time to concentrate on more projects, I didn't exactly feel enlightened.

That being said, the school is right in the heart of downtown, and it's inspiring for me to be at the epicenter of the city that I love going to school. But in all honesty, I left the school jaded about college in general. I think you could find somewhere else, something more challenging and ultimately fulfilling.

[Thaelys]

I know Columbia is not a GREAT school but has the GD program really gotten that laxed? It sounds exactly like my experience with IAMD. That's discouraging, I have a few friends that are grads (much earlier, like class of '96 or earlier) though I think 2 of which studied GD there. It sounds like they have gone the way of the other Degree for $$$$$$$ schools in Chicago.

[IcyM]

Storyboard Dave is totally right, you might want to give consideration to the choice city you want to work at. New York and San Francisco, to a lesser degree, are graphic design cities as well. There is nothing like getting out and living elsewhere while you study.

You could start safely back home in Chicago and move afterwards, but if you can get to point C while bypassing point B, why not?

[Storyboard Dave]

Storyboard Dave is totally right, you might want to give consideration to the choice city you want to work at. New York and San Francisco, to a lesser degree, are graphic design cities as well. There is nothing like getting out and living elsewhere while you study.

You could start safely back home in Chicago and move afterwards, but if you can get to point C while bypassing point B, why not?

While it might never be listed in any college's curriculum but I think IcyM's got a very valid point here, travel is also essential for personal growth as an artist. This is a perfect opportunity for you to expand your horizons, not just artistically but as a person. Go see what another city has to offer. I'm always encouraging students to travel abroad.

You'll grow in the next few years by leaps and bounds so why not challenge yourself to not only do well creatively but as a person learning about a new city and environment? I can guarantee you that you'll look back and be amazed at the experience. You're at a great time in your life. Why not take a chance on things now?? It'll only make you a better person (in so many ways) down the line.

Live life without having to say "I wish I would've..." if you can,

[geekygirl007]

right now I live in the middle of Iowa, and expanding my horizens is a big draw for me to chicago. I've visited, and it's so diverse. I absolutely love it, and I want to live there. thanks for the info about columbia. I really do want to work hard and get a really good education, so maybe I'll keep looking. my main problem right now is that I want to find a good art school that will let me continue in music along with my studies. I don't need a minor, but I want to be able to keep playing. I am having trouble finding that, however.