Schools for Graphic Design

Original post by Danielle&Scott

Apr 08, 2004 08:42 AM

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

Danielle&Scott Posted: Apr 08, 2004 02:08 PM

Re: Schools for Graphic Design

Nah...I dont want to work for anything that is related to marketing. I do not like the field at all. I would like to work for a Magazine or something like that.

Sassyz75 Posted: Apr 08, 2004 02:11 PM

Re: Schools for Graphic Design

But graphic design IS a function of marketing no? Yes, you would be more creative, but wouldn't you still be answering to the marketing folks?

dgtlsunshine Posted: Apr 08, 2004 02:25 PM

Re: Schools for Graphic Design

I have to agree with Sassy. The market is very saturated. My SIL is excellent and went to Pratt which is an excellent school and has had problems holding down a job since the turn of the market. Advertising is the first to go when the market is doing poorly and if your focus is on graphic design advertising is the majority of work you will be doing.

She can always freelance which she has been doing but as far as having a permanent job with benefits she has not been able to find one for over a year since she got laid off.

dgtlsunshine Posted: Apr 08, 2004 02:26 PM

Re: Schools for Graphic Design

Posted by Danielle&Scott

Nah...I dont want to work for anything that is related to marketing. I do not like the field at all. I would like to work for a Magazine or something like that.

I am sorry but I don't think you understand this market very well....you will HAVE to work with advertising/marketing especically doing magazines etc

bridget&jimmy Posted: Apr 08, 2004 02:34 PM

Re: Schools for Graphic Design

There are all different areas of Graphic Design and he was more interested in the animation and stuff, so you really dont work with marketing in that area of Graphic Design. I know that there are alot of job openings here on Long Island, especially in the web design field.

Sassyz75 Posted: Apr 08, 2004 02:35 PM

Re: Schools for Graphic Design

Isn't animation even harder to get into than 'regular graphics'

bridget&jimmy Posted: Apr 08, 2004 02:38 PM

Re: Schools for Graphic Design

Depends on the animation, I worked for Viacom for a couple of years, they own Nickeloden and things like that I had no problem getting a job there and did very well there. It was just alot of hours and hard work, and alot of traveling. Then I got this job which is 9-5 M-F, at the same pay and alot less work and I love it even more then Viacom.

Sassyz75 Posted: Apr 08, 2004 03:31 PM

Re: Schools for Graphic Design

When did you have that job at Viacom... I know it is pretty hard to get 'in' there unless you know someone.

tourist Posted: Apr 08, 2004 03:51 PM

Re: Schools for Graphic Design

Scott,

I am also in marketing.
For a small publishing comany. I'm not fond of it either. Its not so much research though, its sort of all over teh place.

However, once upon I time I thoguht about doing design. ( turns out, I'm not so good at it ) Everything I know, I pretty much learned here, b/c we do a lot of in house promotions.
Soemthing promotion related might be a good inbetween step. You won't need as much graphic education.
Professional courses might be ok.

Someone who used to wrokhere left to go back to scool to be a HS art techer & worked nights at Gibbs. She was hired for computer graphics classes, yet hardly had any experience in that.
Her backround was in actual art- like painting & art history.
So, I don't if that's alwayst he case, but their teachers may not be so qualified.

jar823 Posted: Apr 08, 2004 04:13 PM

Re: Schools for Graphic Design

I am a Graphic Designer. I actually met my FH in school!

I went to Katherine Gibbs. I have my certificate in Visual Communications. Basically, I took night classes, and learned the basics of all the programs. I would not recommend going there. The teachers are very nice, but I don't think that they are as dedicated as some other schools. I learned more at my job, than in my schooling.

Being in this field has nothing to do with, if you have a degree or a certificate! You must have the creative ability to succeed in what you do! And the experience will get you the money!

I only have a certificate, and I got hired in 2 weeks, because, I have the creative ability. My portfolio is strong and I have the motivation!

I work for Regent Sports, in Hauppauge. We work with sporting goods all day! fun fun fun!
We do packaging, catalogs, borchures, ads etc..... for Spalding, Mitre, MacGregor, Halex and our own brand Regent. I have been here for about 3 1/2 years and I love it. I am hoping to get a promotion to art director in the next few years, or I will be moving on.

Again, it is not the degree.....it is the experience and natural ability to do great work! If you have any questions, FM me!

FH went onto a different end of the graphics field. He works for an advertising agency. He does mostly web design. He works with Flash, HTML, Java etc...... Since his Art Director quit about 2 months ago, he is now getting experience in the catalogs, brocures, etc....

Good Luck with whatever you decide, and have fun with it! But to warn you, the market is flooded right now, and it will be hard to find a job.

I know within the last few years, Gibbs has a new animation program that should be great! Ms. Bundy is the best teacher at the school in plainview.

You will learn more on the job, than in any school that you go to! Every place works differently, but if you are natural at it, you can catch on quick!

Danielle&Scott Posted: Apr 08, 2004 04:17 PM

Re: Schools for Graphic Design

Thanks everyone. I guess I didnt understand what you meant by staying in the marketing field. I realize now that I might have to work in the marketing field. I would rather not work for my company that I work for now though.

bridget&jimmy Posted: Apr 08, 2004 04:31 PM

Re: Schools for Graphic Design

I worked for Viacom 3 years ago this month. And now I work as an in house web and graphic designer for a Aerospace company.

You are defenitly right that it dose not matter about a certificate or a degree but the classes at Farmingdale I found to be much more extensive than the classes at Gibbs.

Also you will learn much more in the field than in the classroom but in this field you never stop learnin. Technology increases so much that you have to continuely go back to classes.

Is anybody going to the Adobe confrence in Disney?

I will be there

Danielle&Scott Posted: Apr 09, 2004 08:03 AM

Re: Schools for Graphic Design

Question. How am I supposed to get into the program if I have to take the Art Aptitude test and Portfolio review, when I have no art background, no drawing experience, and no portfolio.

Click to see what im referring too

Sasha96 Posted: Apr 09, 2004 08:18 AM

Re: Schools for Graphic Design

I think the test is really something the school uses as criteria when selecting students for the program, just like academic programs look at special projects, etc.

With the portfolio, I think you will have to develop one. From what I read I think they are using this criteria for students who had a strong art basis in high school or an associates degree program. Can you create some projects for yourself? I would think that somewhere online, with a bit of searching, you can find a syllabus or something that outlines the kinds of projects some class had to do. Then you can just do a few of those! Maybe a friend in the field can help you tweek it.

It's never easy to change careers and go in a new direction. Look at everyone who is trying to become teachers. Best of Luck!

cluelessbride Posted: Apr 09, 2004 08:18 AM

Re: Schools for Graphic Design

I work in graduate school admissions at NYU, and it sounds like, from the link you posted, they are looking for people who already have a demonstrated aptitude for art. It's like the program I administer - we're not going to admit someone because they have an interest - we're going to admit someone because they have demonstrated talent.

If you have your heart set on Farmingdale, I would call them and ask if they can recommend some beginning art classes so you can build a portfolio.

Or, maybe you can take a graphic deisgn class though an adult-ed program just to see if you really like it? If you do, then you won't mind building up a portfolio, etc to get into a good program.

Sasha96 Posted: Apr 09, 2004 08:22 AM

Re: Schools for Graphic Design

good advice cluelessbride!

Danielle&Scott Posted: Apr 09, 2004 08:36 AM

Re: Schools for Graphic Design

excellent advice...thanks. I just started looking into schools...and graphic design is one of the things I am interested in. I have a few more things that I would be interested in going to school for. I just have to do some research and figure out which one I would want to major in and where I would want to go.
Thanks so much.

bridget&jimmy Posted: Apr 09, 2004 08:50 AM

Re: Schools for Graphic Design

I agree I would just take some art classes before you enter the program, take a intro to drawing and stuff like that and then build your portfolio from the classes. Also I know that BOCES offers and Adult Graphic Design Computer Program, you should look into it this to can also help you build up your portfolio.