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Hi everyone,
My daughter is a senior in high school and she wants to study graphic design in college. She went to the summer program at Academy of Art University in SF this summer and loved it. The program seems to be excellent and profession driven which is good. But I am concerned about her having a more diverse college experience and the tuition is quite high. Do any of you know of highly rated graphic design majors at colleges in California or Oregon?
Your help is greatly appreciated!!
N
My daughter is a senior in high school and she wants to study graphic design in college. She went to the summer program at Academy of Art University in SF this summer and loved it. The program seems to be excellent and profession driven which is good. But I am concerned about her having a more diverse college experience and the tuition is quite high. Do any of you know of highly rated graphic design majors at colleges in California or Oregon?
Your help is greatly appreciated!!
N
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California
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Re: College recommendation
Tue, October 21, 2008 - 1:41 PMThats a great question, and I am afraid that I cannot offer any recommendations.
I will share, however, that my experience of getting a graphic design degree from a university that did not specifically specialize in the arts seems, in retrospect, to have not provided me with all that it could have. I am sure that there are good programs at more mainstream schools, but I kind of wish that I had the FULL graphics experience from a program that valued the arts more...and offered an education that supported having a career in the arts.
I have friends that went to the Art Institute in Chicago. They did not seem to lack the diverse college experience that you refer to. I would imagine that most arts schools teach not only the basics of design, but how to utilize the technology and the tools that are essential in this line of work.
just an opinion
Jake -
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Re: College recommendation
Tue, October 21, 2008 - 2:32 PMIf you are interested in getting into the graphic design field, you have a better shot if you attend a college or school that specializes in the arts.
If not, you will graduate and find that your competition (recent grads) will be better educated/trained in the programs ad agencies and graphic design studios are looking for.
And the graduates of art school will have better portfolios. (that's been my experience when I was hiring).
You might find that an art school (one that teaches graphic design but doesn't offer a degree) could work too.
I graduated from the School of Visual Arts (SVA in NY) before it was an accredited college. It had a great reputation as an art school (still does... but now they offer degrees).
If your portfolio is better than the next person... you will get the job... degree or not. Education is important, but the degree is not as important as the EDUCATION... learning about design, knowing the web and print programs and the portfolio.
In my opinion... if you are spending all that money on an education.. it's should be in the area where you want to make a living.
Also.. have no fear.. there is lots of work out there for artists. -
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Re: College recommendation
Wed, October 22, 2008 - 12:49 PMSuch great input! Thanks so much.
I'm friends with the chair of the art department at Humboldt State University and she was the one that told me a more comprehensive education makes for a more diverse thinker which I agree with. She also reminded me that my daughter is only 17 and that her focus may shift off of graphic design or at least be influenced by the diversity of classes she'd be exposed to at a more traditional university. I do like the idea of my daughter being exposed to lots of things that could inspire alternate art based avenues. Right now we are considering...
UC Davis
Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo
Mills
Cal Arts in Oakland/Berkeley
I also hear the program at Portland State is pretty good.
Sooooo happy to hear there's work out there for artists! -
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Re: College recommendation
Wed, October 22, 2008 - 3:07 PM"She also reminded me that my daughter is only 17 and that her focus may shift off of graphic design or at least be influenced by the diversity of classes she'd be exposed to at a more traditional university"
That's true, if you got to an art school and not a college that specializes in art. But all art colleges have to expose their students to other areas of study to be accredited.
I had also gone to the High School of Art and Design... and some of my classmates after spending 4 years studying art decided not to continue in the arts.
But many of the skills you learn can be translated into the traditional work force.. organization, meeting deadlines, creating presentations (power point).
Last year I went to my high school reunion and we did a survey of how many people stayed in the arts. Most of my classmates stayed in the arts as illustrators, architects, graphic designers, silk screeners, print makers, book illustrators, art teachers, sculptures... the list went on and on.
Bottom line, if your daughter shows a passion for art, art school is the place to be and to grow. -
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Re: College recommendation
Sun, December 28, 2008 - 11:18 AMVery thoughtful comments. Much appreciated.
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Re: College recommendation
Fri, January 2, 2009 - 2:50 PMRelated question: recommendations for MFA or PhD programs offering full rides or *significant* scholarships. I'm looking specifically into New Media. Thoughts? Online or international are options as well. Mainly, I want the advanced degree without being in debt for the rest of my life. -
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Re: College recommendation
Sat, January 3, 2009 - 10:50 AMIf i was just starting out I would get involved in animation for the game industry. If it hasn't overtaken hollywood in bucks made, it will soon.
Plus animation skills are transferable between the 2 industries.
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