Graphic Design Programs.

[gavin]

In the Fall of '06, I plan to go to art school. I've got a few choices that I'm looking into and am really curious to know more about the schools and their programs.
There are many different aspects I am looking into, as well. I'm looking at location (prefer a nice, quiet, peaceful, campus setting near or in a city), the cost (under 25k), the ease of getting accepted (below average high school grades, took two years off from college, no real formal art training [but very confident/passionate in graphic arts]), and of course - the program, teachers, etc.

Here are the schools I am looking at and what I know about them:

Ringling School of Art and Design: Fairly easy program, teachers 'hold your hand' through many of the courses. Usually you come off landing a good job. Many of the students are winning various awards for their work (Adobe.com).

Savannah College of Art and Design: Was once one of the best schools, but recently lost (and regained) its accredidation? I'm unsure of this, but it makes me skeptical, plus I haven't heard much of the graphic design program.

CalArts: Expensive, expensive, expensive. But, great department?

Academy of Art University in SF: They will accept me! But, it's not really a campus setting? And also, how is the graphic design program? I've heard it is more beneficial than the program offered at Ringling.

And please, if you have anything to say about any school, or program, please feel free to add in. Anything at all will be helpful to me!

[Storyboard Dave]

If you're looking to compare and see what other options are out there, check out this site:

http://www.aicad.org/

They might even have options you've never even heard of. Good luck with the search... and do realize that once you've attended a school and if for some unforeseen reason it doesn't work for you there, PLEASE have the courage to switch schools or majors. Remember, ultimately it's your education and your long term happiness at stake here.

Again... good luck.

[gavin]

Thank you very much for the link. It was very helpful!

I found a great new interest in PNCA (I've always dreamed of going to Portland). Plus it is a bit cheaper and whatnot.

[Storyboard Dave]

Originally Posted by gavin

Thank you very much for the link. It was very helpful!

I found a great new interest in PNCA (I've always dreamed of going to Portland). Plus it is a bit cheaper and whatnot.

Portland's a great city. My suggestion would be for you to muster up enough cash to go visit the place. See if it fits you. Take a look at the art on the walls- does it challenge & spook you a little? It should, because you want something to strive for.

Ask the Admissions people some tough questions. Are the instructors there working professionals? If so where? Where are their immediate grads going? A percentage of grads finding work isn't a good barometer- make sure they're in the fields they graduated in. Who are some of their famous alums from that program?

Sure it's one heckuva big decision now as to where you'll be attending but you also have to look beyond your four years there. You want to make sure that this is the place that will give you the best opportunity to step off from to that next plateau. Granted the majority of it will still be up to you, but you want to be given every opportunity while you're in college.

Good luck with the search!

[Icelandic Norm]

Originally Posted by gavin

Thank you very much for the link. It was very helpful!

I found a great new interest in PNCA (I've always dreamed of going to Portland). Plus it is a bit cheaper and whatnot.

Is this the Portland in Maine or the Portland in Oregon?

[gavin]

Dave,
I really appreciate the advice. I think the smartest decision would actually to go to a cheap state school. SUNY Purchase really appeals to me. I took a tour over the weekend, and I'm really blown away. The work on the walls definitely scares me a bit, like you said it should. Everything seems great about it (although a more difficult acceptance rate that the other schools I've been looking at).
This week, I'm going to call the dean of the Art+Design program and talk with him to set up a meeting.

As far as visiting other schools... that's going to be tough. I plan to visit Ringling sometime this year, but that's probably all that I really could afford.

In any case, thanks again, and I may have some future questions for you!

[Mirana]

For SCAD: "A nice, quiet campus" is not what you come to SCAD for. There isn't a campus, just a lot of buildings strewn all over the downtown Sav'h area. Dorms are old hotels, btw.

It's never lost accrediation that I know of...

The Graphic Design department is the largest department in the school. They have a lot of interesting work coming out of there, but it is very, very competitive for obvious reasons.

The tutiton is $21 currently (I think). They'll accept ANYONE who can pay them so artisitic skill is not a worry (they don't need portfolios for acceptance), but by the same token...it's up to you to prove you have what it takes to graduate. 2.0 GPA is what is required to get in--I forget the test scores, but they're fairly low.

I'm not in that dept, so I can't give you the finer details of the profs, but my GD friends love the course work.

[gavin]

Just an update on these schools.. I've learned so much in the past few days by talking with some real knowledgable people, including staff, grads, etc.

Mainly about two schools, SCAD and the Academy.

SCAD seems great thus far, a friend of mine went there, and was able to talk with me about it. He says that all that stuff everyone says is BS, and that's it's actually a great school. Never lost its accredidation, teachers are some of the best, and the organizations are great... everythings great except the crime.

Academy. They came to NYC today, and I got a chance to meet with the financial aid people, housing staff, admissions staff, and the associate head of the graphic design dept. Basically this school offers no scholarships, guarantess housing (pretty much), and prepares you for the working world totally. It gave me the impression of an expensive community college for the arts. Although it does seem like a great school (and roughly $29,000 per year with housing), it's basically just BAM! Graphic Design! Here's your career and we're giving you all you need to get a job. No core classes (except maybe art history and stuff), just hardcore graphic design. So basically it doesn't have that college feel, and isn't for non-serious people. It seemed great, really... just not the school for me.

[timpaatkins]

Hey Gavin, im also looking for good schools in NY, and just saw your tread. First I heard of Purchase! Do you have any other info than what youve already posted?

Also, have you checked out F.I.T? That seems to be the school of choice for me now, but Im coming over in a few weeks time from Sweden to check them out, and attend the Nat. port. Day.

[gavin]

I've got lots of info on Purchase. Heck, I lived there for a month last year!!

The people: very serious, very dedicated. Everyone in the conservatory loves it. Everyone spends ALL of their time in the studios, and works incredibly hard. Also, they're all pretty friendly and seem like really cool people.

The program: the Art+Design program is more geared towards people who are unsure. But then again, it's also geared for people who are sure. You take specific courses in your field of choice... or if you want to change "majors" your junior year.. I don't think it really matters, as you're still in the Art+Design program. You take a lot of core classes, including College Writing, and Culture + Society in the West. The teachers seem fairly nice if you are serious about it (like anywhere, I guess). The facilities are pretty cool. Everything is packed into one 3 story building with a basement. Everything is kind of beat up, but they upgrade things every year, like computers. You have access to EVERYTHING. The wood shop, metal shop, dark rooms, anything... it's awesome.

Campus: the dorms circle around this dining hall. If you're not into partying and like a quiet environment, apply for the Outback dorms, really nice, and brand new. They're also building new freshman dorms which will be up by Fall '06. In the winter, the winds pick up, and it's really hard to deal with, so be prepared for that (although FIT is not much different). There's also some apartments you can move into your sophomore year, and they're pretty cool too. Huge gym, huge library (open til like 2am), new buildings... nice student center with bands playing all the time.

I think the main differences are between FIT and Purchase are...
FIT is in the city, obviously.. much more going on. Purchase is in a really nice small neighborhood, and you have to take the bus to the nearest city (which is White Plains). You can take the train to the city (30 minute ride). FIT is a bit cheaper, and i s more geared towards fashion. Purchase is a bit more geared towards everything, including performing arts, music, and fine art. FIT is 10% more difficult to get accepted into.


Anyways, I put my app. in for Purchase, and last night I decided I wanted to try for FIT too, but I don't want to live in the city.. ah well. I'll be attending the portfolio day, too.
I really hope this info helps you!

[timpaatkins]

Sure did Gav, one of the reasons Im going to NY, is well, yea, livin in the city!
So Ill stick to my main choice, but Ill apply to Purcase as weel, just in case i dont get accepted into FIT. Maybe well see each other at Port. Day!