Schools for Graphic Design

Danielle&Scott Posted: Apr 08, 2004 08:42 AM

Schools for Graphic Design

I am interested in going back to school after Danielle and I get married. Does anyone know of any good schools they can recommend that I can look into?

I am looking for schools that offer programs in Computer Graphics. I would like to attend a SUNY school.

Also, I was wondering if anyone has gone to Katherine Gibbs or the Chubb Institute, or any of those other schools that offer programs in Graphics. Please give me your feedback of these schools, good or bad.

Thanks,
Scott

btrflygrl Posted: Apr 08, 2004 08:45 AM

Re: Schools for Graphic Design

one of my best friends went to Katherine Gibbs and is now working at Bookspan in Garden City making $35,000 and she's been there a year MAYBE at the most. She is a graphic designer and quite talented....they do a lot of computer work there too.

Sasha96 Posted: Apr 08, 2004 08:50 AM

Re: Schools for Graphic Design

I have a friend that went to SUNY Farmingdale and is doing graphic design. He's at an agency making in the mid-40's. Salary's range though depending on the kind of place you work.

From my experience (through DH who is a web developer) some employers look more highly upon prospective employees who have attended a university, rather than a school such as Gibbs. I also believe that you are what you make of a program and that if you can gain such skills so that you have a competitive portfolio then you should be fine.

Right now it seems as though the market is flooded with designers, so those with good skills in another area are much more marketable (i.e. Flash, excellent print work, HTML, Director/Lingo, etc.). It's a nice field though. DH can always get freelance work. Let us know how you make out!

hotelcalie Posted: Apr 08, 2004 09:08 AM

Re: Schools for Graphic Design

FIT has a program for this. It is a great school and all the teachers must be in the business..so they really have 1st hand knowledge. I went for Advertising and got a good job after graduation. Plus they are SUNY so it is cheap!!

Jan05Bride Posted: Apr 08, 2004 09:14 AM

Re: Schools for Graphic Design

FIT & Pratt are good schools.

My brother is a graphic designer, freelancing - He makes tons of money as a freelancer - up to $50/hr

Danielle&Scott Posted: Apr 08, 2004 09:23 AM

Re: Schools for Graphic Design

Where is FIT and PRATT located?

I was thinking about Farmingdale University, which would be good because it will be close to where I will be living too. Maybe I will look into that. Any other schools.

I was thinking that companies would be more interested in a person that had a bachlors degree over a person that went to a school like gibbs or chubb institute.

Jan05Bride Posted: Apr 08, 2004 09:35 AM

Re: Schools for Graphic Design

Posted by Danielle&Scott

Where is FIT and PRATT located?

FIT is on 27th/7th in NYC
Pratt is in Brooklyn

bridget&jimmy Posted: Apr 08, 2004 09:39 AM

Re: Schools for Graphic Design

I am a Graphic Designer and have to warn you about Gibbs and Briarcliff and schools that promise you a degree in less time then it would normaly take. They are not New York State Certified and that is why you recieve a Certificate and not a Degree. I would recommend SUNY Farmingdale if you really do not have a portfolio, because FIT is very hard to get into and they have portfolio requirements to get in. Farmingdale has a great program, and I have hired a designer that went to Farmingdale and she has been nothing but great. But if I had to choose someone who went to Gibbs and similiar schools I would pick someone from Farmingdale over them. I have taken refresher courses at both Gibbs, Briarcliff and Farmingdale, and Farmingdale's classes blow away the others. They are more in depth and especialy if you take night classes the teachers are much more knowledgeable. I know that the teachers all work in the field. While at Gibbs I know most of the teachers are Gibbs graduates.

Also Gibbs charges you an arm and a leg to get a certificate while if you go to SUNY you pay normal tuition. If you want anymore info you can FM me.

Bridget

Danielle&Scott Posted: Apr 08, 2004 09:39 AM

Re: Schools for Graphic Design

Ah too far for me. I am looking for schools on Long Island. Preferably Nassau County. I think Farmingdale is the Farthest I would go.

So do you think there is a possibility to make alot of money doing graphics? I assume it all depends on the company that you get hired at....

I like the idea that I can also get paid on the side to do some freelance work.

Jan05Bride Posted: Apr 08, 2004 09:44 AM

Re: Schools for Graphic Design

Posted by Danielle&Scott

Ah too far for me. I am looking for schools on Long Island. Preferably Nassau County. I think Farmingdale is the Farthest I would go.

So do you think there is a possibility to make alot of money doing graphics? I assume it all depends on the company that you get hired at....

I like the idea that I can also get paid on the side to do some freelance work.

Do you have any experience in the field? What made you decide to persue graphics?

My brother works for one company as a freelancer. In addition, he does work on the side.

Sassyz75 Posted: Apr 08, 2004 09:55 AM

Re: Schools for Graphic Design

I used to be a Graphic Design recruiter. I personally think that the field is rather saturated and the only way to make MAJOR money is to go to one of the nationally know art/graphic schools....

Art Center in Pasadena, CA
Rhode Island School of Design
Pratt
Parsons
SVA

Graphic programs at SUNY or Katherine Gibbs would probably teach you graphical word processing in Quark, Photoshop and Illustrator- but there is SO much more to graphic design that that. But I would dare say that graphic designers coming out of those schools aren't working at the major firms doing brand identity systems (i.e. Pentagram)...

If you really want to be a Graphic Designer I wouldn't short change yourself by sticking to a Long Island school- they aren't the best. Inconvenience yourself and go to a better school- you'd probably get a more well-rounded education... it's not just simply about computers..

Danielle&Scott Posted: Apr 08, 2004 10:26 AM

Re: Schools for Graphic Design

Right now I do not have any experience in graphics. I did take Quark Express a few years back and got a certificate in it, but I really do not remember anything about the program. I have always been interested in graphics, and animation. I think it would be something that I really could enjoy for a career. Right now I am in Marketing research, and I find it rather dull.

bridget&jimmy Posted: Apr 08, 2004 10:27 AM

Re: Schools for Graphic Design

Well I have to disagree with you Sassy the field is still ever growing, alot of places on Long Island are now setting up there own in house departments so the field is growing on Long Island more and more everyday. You can have the potential on Long Island to find a good job with very little stress. Trust me I use to work for a big agency and the hours were crazy. Now I run a in house graphics department for a company in Syosset making more money then I did for the firm I was working and my hours are 9-5 M-F and if I want overtime I can have it. I also can telecommute if I choose to, which is another great option. Alot of Long Island Companies are doing this now, Telecommuting is going to be great in a few years when I start to have children.

Sassyz75 Posted: Apr 08, 2004 10:35 AM

Re: Schools for Graphic Design

Since you all ready have experience in Market Research, why don't you go for a marketing degree and try to get into the creative aspect of that. Market Research is very important- maybe you can translate that into a better marketing position- brand manager? I know Coach has been looking for an in-house market research person for EVER

I guess the types of Graphic Designers I used to recruit for were the types that made it into Communication Arts Magazine Graphic Design Annual...

MCDO15 Posted: Apr 08, 2004 11:48 AM

Re: Schools for Graphic Design

CHUBB = BAD BAD BAD!!!
fm me for details if you want to know more

i would like at devery...they have great programs and also online learning

MegLehner Posted: Apr 08, 2004 11:52 AM

Re: Schools for Graphic Design

I dont know if Hendricks Institute is still in business but if they are - stay away, very far away.

Danielle&Scott Posted: Apr 08, 2004 12:16 PM

Re: Schools for Graphic Design

Posted by MegLehner

I dont know if Hendricks Institute is still in business but if they are - stay away, very far away.

My friends wife went there and she told me the same thing.

Danielle&Scott Posted: Apr 08, 2004 12:16 PM

Re: Schools for Graphic Design

Posted by Sassyz75

Since you all ready have experience in Market Research, why don't you go for a marketing degree and try to get into the creative aspect of that. Market Research is very important- maybe you can translate that into a better marketing position- brand manager? I know Coach has been looking for an in-house market research person for EVER

I guess the types of Graphic Designers I used to recruit for were the types that made it into Communication Arts Magazine Graphic Design Annual...

I hate Marketing research....lol. I want to get out of this field.

trish101003 Posted: Apr 08, 2004 02:01 PM

Re: Schools for Graphic Design

Unfortunately I can't offer any advice, but I just wanted to say that I have been dreaming of getting into graphic design for a while. I currently have a high position in a marketing department for a very large company in manhattan, and am doing extremely well, but I'm just not happy. I know I'd take a huge salary hit, but graphic design seems like it would be a better fit. Plus its something that I could possibly do from home.

Good luck Scott.