Looking for help on picking a college for graphic design and photography

[trevorjk]

• Where do I start to look for various schools that fit with my selections?

• With photography and graphic design, how much would I be looking at for a 2 year or 4 year course?

• Does the name on the school really matter?

(next post shows a little info that I have dug up)

[trevorjk]

After a little research I have found really next to nothing. As im trying to find schools that have good photography and graphic design with multimedia courses and web design. But one school has jumped out for me.

http://www.artinstitutes.edu/index.asp

http://www.artinstitutes.edu/schaumburg/?ref=1 (the location I would go to)

I was wondering if anyone has any experience with this school? Is it good/bad? Where can I find possible reviews on the school?

Also as I know nothing about prices for school are these fair prices? (I will be applying with FAFSA and other grant sites and also will be getting loans)

http://www.artinstitutes.edu/tuition.asp

I have emailed them asking for information on the school and classes/courses that I specified but I probably wont have that information for a week or 2.

So with what little research I have accomplished, have I found a good school? Also does anyone know of other schools to look into in the extreme north east Illinois and south east Wisconsin area? As I will be a commuter

[trevorjk]

Thanks for any and all help, it is appreciated very much.

[Thordic]

Isn't RISD supposed to be good?

Plus their mascot is a big rubber dong.

[geekwarrior]

I believe that school is very hard to get into...alot of people go there AFTER they have completed a BA or BFA at a different 4 year college. You have to have a lot of killer design pieces to show just to get in, and it's very expensive.

The name of the school won't matter to much IF you come out of it with an awsome portfolio. You have to find the school that is going to help you make that awsome portfolio. So maybe not name so much, but experience.

Both those careers choices are very competative, so if you are in it for the money, you better be really good to do well.

To help you out it might help if you answer these questions. Are you willing to move out of state? Is cost an issue? Do you have any experience or work to show the school to help get you in?


edit: the AI in Ill might not be as hard to get into as the one here in CA. I have heard good and bad things about that school. I have been to the AI in CA and saw some of the students work...the commercials they did were better than alot of Super Bowl commercials - very funny, witty, etc. The students design work was above average...not all of it great, but some of it was awsome. The nice thing about that school is the entire campus is geared towards design. The bad things I have heard are some of the teachers and students are very snobbish, and that some of the teachers don't take there job to seriously (I believe that last part was only the part time teachers though)

[Thordic]

Ah ok. I knew nothing about it, but it always seems to pop up whenever people are talking about that sort of thing

[neppo1345]

RISD is the end all be all of design/art schools.

[NotKai]

The AI schools are terrible; I would avoid them at all costs. A mass-produced art school is never going to be the right answer.

I see that you are in Wisconsin, which is great.

Check out the Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design. HERE! It has an amazing mix of fine art and commercial art (design, illustration, etc.), and the graduating classes are consistently technically great artists. A lot of schools are stressing concept over technical skill right now, so it's really refreshing to see a school like MIAD stressing both aspects. Plus, I think in their commercial art programs, they have something like a 98% job placement rating, right out of graduation.

You should also look into Columbia, in Chicago. I'm not sure how their graphic design program stacks up (I assume it is pretty strong), but they just about the number 1 photography school in the area.

Also avoid state schools at all cost.

RISD is a fantastic school as well. I'm looking at it as a possible graduate school.


A couple questions though:

Are you a technically strong artist in any way, right now? Are you skilled in the fundamentals of drawing, painting, etc.?

A lot of people I've met assume that all it takes to be a successful graphic designer is the knowledge of how to operate Photoshop and Flash, and that it is something that can be simply learned in a four year college program. (or two year, at some community colleges)

Graphic Design is an art, not a trade.

If you don't have a prior background in art, or at least a strong passion for art, you're in for a rough time.


I'm not assuming that you don't have what it takes, I just want you to be sure that you do.

[SCpoloRicker]

Since NotKai has done the "it's art!!1" thing; as an account manager I'd like to remind you that I'd like to see *it* on time and on budget, please.

/it was due yesterday
//fill out yer damn timesheets!!1

[geekwarrior]

Since NotKai has done the "it's art!!1" thing; as an account manager I'd like to remind you that I'd like to see *it* on time and on budget, please.

/it was due yesterday
//fill out yer damn timesheets!!1

lol.....do i put the playing pool for 2 hrs down as part of the creative process?

[geekwarrior]

Are you a technically strong artist in any way, right now? Are you skilled in the fundamentals of drawing, painting, etc.?

A lot of people I've met assume that all it takes to be a successful graphic designer is the knowledge of how to operate Photoshop and Flash, and that it is something that can be simply learned in a four year college program. (or two year, at some community colleges)

Graphic Design is an art, not a trade.

If you don't have a prior background in art, or at least a strong passion for art, you're in for a rough time.


I'm not assuming that you don't have what it takes, I just want you to be sure that you do.

QFT. You can pay lots of money and learn the technical aspect of all the programs, but they still can't teach you how to be creative or be a good designer. They can stimulate your creativity, and show you the fundamentals, but thats about it. The people who don't have the passion or creativity end up working for the penny saver for $12/hr putting ads together. Not worth 4 yrs of your life and all that $$$

[SCpoloRicker]

Honestly, there are many times where I need competence with multiple programs, attention to detail, and time management a lot more than I need "great creative thought".

There are times you need a quality Art Director; but there a lot more times I just need a quality artist.

/we call them "wrists" in the industry
//the 2 hours of pool is "brainstorming"
//here's a free "change our strategic ownership" and "a new paradigm"

[trevorjk]

The AI schools are terrible; I would avoid them at all costs. A mass-produced art school is never going to be the right answer.

I see that you are in Wisconsin, which is great.

Check out the Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design. HERE! It has an amazing mix of fine art and commercial art (design, illustration, etc.), and the graduating classes are consistently technically great artists. A lot of schools are stressing concept over technical skill right now, so it's really refreshing to see a school like MIAD stressing both aspects. Plus, I think in their commercial art programs, they have something like a 98% job placement rating, right out of graduation.

You should also look into Columbia, in Chicago. I'm not sure how their graphic design program stacks up (I assume it is pretty strong), but they just about the number 1 photography school in the area.

Also avoid state schools at all cost.

RISD is a fantastic school as well. I'm looking at it as a possible graduate school.


A couple questions though:

Are you a technically strong artist in any way, right now? Are you skilled in the fundamentals of drawing, painting, etc.?

A lot of people I've met assume that all it takes to be a successful graphic designer is the knowledge of how to operate Photoshop and Flash, and that it is something that can be simply learned in a four year college program. (or two year, at some community colleges)

Graphic Design is an art, not a trade.

If you don't have a prior background in art, or at least a strong passion for art, you're in for a rough time.


I'm not assuming that you don't have what it takes, I just want you to be sure that you do.

[Warwitch]

Ringling art school in Sarasota, FL. A couple of my friends have gone there and really loved it

[MayAMonkeyBeYourPinata]

Columbia College in Chicago.
Art Institute College in Chicago.