Graphic Design Schools - Everything You Need To Know
A successful future in the new media industry (and specifically,
graphic design) depends on choosing the right school. As a
graduate student in this field myself, I will be able to provide
you with the absolute best advice one can get in regards to this
topic.
1. Area of Focus
The first thing that you need to know about schools of this
nature is that they are designed with everyone in mind, and that
means people going into the program may have absolutely no
experience. In my case, they asked for a portfolio of work as
part of the admission process. So, if you are self-taught and
eager to solidify your already existing knowledge, or a total
beginner, this is a good choice for you. If, however, you have
already completed a similar program, you may wish to take a new
program merely to upgrade your skills (because the field of new
media is always changing). If you can, it really, really, really
helps if you take a freehand drawing course prior to learning
how to draw using a computer.
2. Recognition
- Does the school participate in any graphical arts
competitions? - Have students accomplished anything of reknown
in the industry?
3. Teachers
Trust me, this doesn't go without saying. The quality of your
education will be directly related to the instructors. I have
never encountered an instructor that wasn't immensely
knowledgeable about the subject area. Of course, there is a big
difference between knowing the subject area and being able to
teach (that is, to convey that information, and manage students,
answer questions, etc).
4. Job Placement
100% make sure that you get into a program that incorporates
on-the-job experience. Or at least a practicum. This usually is
100 hours of real on-the-job experience and it is absolutely
invaluable to your career.
5. Curriculum And Tools
You must assess whether the curriculum is relevant to you field
of study. You may want to compare the curricula of different
schools to see which offers the best form of education. As it so
happens in my case, the administration did something they have
never done before: changed the curriculum halfway through the
program. The reasoning behind this was that the software we were
scheduled to be instructed in would soon be discontinued on the
Mac. It really pays off if you can see the facilities beforehand
so you know what tools they are using. Don't just oogle at the
computers, snoop around and see the programs directory and make
note of what programs are installed, and if they are the latest
versions.
6. Student to Teacher Ratio
Graphic design is kind of an industry that more or less demands
personal contributions on every project. For this reason, you
can't just be known as the photoshop guy, it is your
responsibility to be well versed in a lot of different programs
and techniques for creating stunning graphics and illustrations.
And that means you will definately need one-on-one instruction,
or at least the ability to stop the class in case you get lost.
These programs are very fast-paced and if you don't make sure
you fully understand concepts in the first semester you will get
hopelessly lost - fast.
7. Accreditation
Accreditation means the school has passed a certain standards of
educational quality. If you can, ask for literally one minute of
the head departments time and find out a listing of companies
that students have been hired into.
8. Cost
A full education in graphic design can cost anywhere from 13,000
to 16,000 dollars for an intensive one-year program (120
credits). The goal here is to find a university, college, or
technical institute that is recognized internationally for
excellence. Let's face it, Harvard University will look a lot
better on your resume than Texas Community College. Three great
recognized schools in are BCIT located in Vancouver Canada
(Vancouver is the equivalent of Hollywood for graphic designers,
web designers, and all new media experts), the Art Institute
(with locations worldwide), and the Vancouver Film School (VFS)
that has graphic design programs that are very specialized.
9. Scholarships
You might want to consider whether the design school you are
looking at offers any scholarships. You also might want to know
the terms to them too. Some schools offer scholarships based on
academic performance. Some offer them based on art competitions
they hold regularly. You should qualify for a national student
loan either way, and repayment is extremely affordable.