<p>I want to get into Graphic Design(BFA) at a good art and design school. My top two choices are California College of the Arts and Pratt Institute.
I am currently a Junior in high school. I am the assistant design editor of the yearbook and next year I will be the head design editor. I know this doesn't sound even slightly impressive, but my school's yearbook has won design awards and is a bit more modern than most.
I am also hoping to become the SBO Artist next year, which will entail making posters and flyers for school activities.
This summer I am planning on attending CCA's summer program, which should help me build my portfolio and design ability in general.
I would post some pieces I am including in my portfolio, but I don't have any solid, finished products yet.</p>
<p>Now here are my questions/concerns:</p>
<p>1- I can't draw. I mean, I have enough ability to get by in the graphic design industry, but I can't draw detailed, realistic images. I know that a lot of art schools require you portfolio to include images drawn from still life. I am afraid that this will severely hinder my chances of being accepted. Any thoughts/ideas on how I can make them overlook my inability to draw or to improve my skill? [I have taken drawing courses, they seem to help a little.]</p>
<p>2- Do art and design schools look at anything besides your portfolio? I am worried that my extracurricular activities, grades and test scores are irrelevant.</p>
<p>3- Is my head in the clouds? Am I incapable of getting into these schools? I have been told I have talent, but am I taking it to far by thinking I have a future in this field?</p>
<p>Thanks for any answers and I apologize if I sound incompetent, please remain polite.</p>
If you are lacking at drawing skills, you might consider getting some outside instruction. Most top art and design schools have a foundation year where everyone takes the same things. Check the curriculum at the schools where you decide to apply. It’s all online. Next (i feel like a broken record here) take your portfolio to schools either directly or through a National Portfolio Day - link to schedule: [National</a> Portfolio Day - 2011-12 NPDA Event Schedule](<a href=“http://www.portfolioday.net/content/view/104/53/]National”>http://www.portfolioday.net/content/view/104/53/) . Get feedback on your work from these folks. If you can’t afford to travel to an NPD, take your work to a local art school to get feedback.</p>
<ol>
<li><p>Your grades and test scores matter. They especially help with scholarships.</p></li>
<li><p>What really is the value of an online group of people on whether you can get in? Work on #1 and let the people who are going to judge you give you feedback. You can certainly post your work here and get comments and feedback as many have. </p></li>
</ol>
<p>Here is another thing to consider. You didn’t mention money and most of these schools have $30,000-45,000/year tuition costs plus room/board and supplies. Scholarships matter unless your family has the resources for this type of expenditure.</p>
<p>Unfortunately I won’t be able to attend NPD, but thank you for the advising me to go to a local art school. I will certainly try that out. </p>
<p>I really am planning on posting some of my work for critique. I simply need to find the time to edit it down to my strongest pieces and set up a Flickr account. I just wanted to post this first and see what people had to say.</p>
<p>I am aware of the cost of art schools and I am working on obtaining scholarships. I have enough money in my own account that I could pay for the majority of four years at a school. I also have grandparents that really want to help finance my education.</p>
<p>I really am grateful for your comment. Thank you for your knowledge and I will follow your advice.</p>
<p>Graphic design isn’t about drawing, it’s about creatively communicating. I can draw photorealistic, and I think I used it once in my graphic design classes. You will have to take the art foundation classes, but you will also take foundation graphic design classes and these will probably determine whether you can pursue the fine arts graphic design degree (many places accept you into art school, and then the individual specialties review your work end of second year for entrance into their programs for the final two-three years).</p>
<p>Where I went to school they selected 1/4 to 1/6 of the people applying in a given year into the program. Out of those chosen probably about 10% got in for pure artistic talent. The rest of us got in because of skills in problem solving, active listening, ability to learn, curiosity and willingness to give up our lives to complete projects. This means your grades count! They indicate someone who is serious, and can be taught.</p>
<p>The majority of my graduating class are now working in the digital world, and drawing is only a very small part of what they do. BTW-Your work in the applied arts is also fairly unique, and applies directly to the major as well. So follow the advice already given by mom4art, and take your best shot.</p>
<p>^lou: you may be right for art programs at most universities but private art schools do things a bit differently.</p>
<p>air: The two schools you mentioned expect to see drawing in your portfolio. Pratt especially. Look at the curriculum for the CCA summer program. They will most likely have you in a drawing class in addition to design. Most pre-college summer programs do that. They are trying to get you ready for application season. You will get some portfolio work out of that but it would be good if you did more drawing during this school year and the beginning of next. Look for a life drawing class on the weekends in your area. Many community art centers and small museums have them. Don’t draw from photographs. That is not what the schools want to see. Carry a sketchbook around with you at all time and start! Draw your hands, your sneakers…the dishes on the table. It doesn’t matter what. Scans from a few pages of your sketchbook can be used for your portfolio.
You say you can’t make it to an NPD. But I highly recommend it if you can figure it out.
Good grades and a strong portfolio will get you merit scholarships at these two schools.</p>
<p>You should probably look for schools that are less artsy for graphic design. From what ive been told by teachers who regularly speak to admission people, alot of the top art schools look for very strong drawing skills. In graphic design, there is starting to become a departure away from computers to more hands skills and process based art production.</p>
<p>I think art center college of design is more suited to a design student with little drawing experience. If your grades are good (3.5) , you should also try university of cincinnati. They dont even ask for a portfolio and you even get a one year paid internship.</p>
<p>From what I’ve heard from my friends who went to FIDM and they have a graphic design program, you don’t have to know how to draw and they allow you to use a wide variety of images to create your entrance project and if you’re accepted, they have classes that teach you how to draw. You sound like you have a great start in graphic design and I was on the yearbook staff in high school and I can tell you that it looks great on your transcrips AND it gives you the experience you need to get started in the right direction.</p>