<p>Last year when I was a senior in high school I had posted a question on whether to pick between Brown and RISD (I didn't get into the dual degree program but I got into both schools). I decided to pick Brown because I was not sure what I wanted to do exactly (whether or not I wanted to completely immerse myself in art and limit my options that way). However, now that I have been at Brown for almost a month, I realized that maybe I should have picked RISD because I realized just how much I do love art. However I have a couple of problems. First of all, if I transfer to RISD for sophomore year I will miss foundations year. Second of all, my parents do not want me to go to art/design school undergrad. Third, unlike freshman at RISD I wont be given the opportunity to explore the majors offered at RISD (I dont know what I would do).
Ive spoken to a lot of people on campus including some people in the art world who have graduated from RISD. Interestingly enough they told me that if they could they would have liked to have attended a liberal arts school undergrad. The problem is that when I see RISD kids with all their studio time I cant help but feel jealous. And I feel like if I do decide to have a career in art (of which I am pretty sure although I dont know what yet) then I would be at a disadvantage not having gone to design school. I would be more well-rounded but its not the same thing. My dad tells me that I can always go to design school for grad school but I am not sure if that is enough to stand out? And then yet when I try to think of going to RISD and giving up all the literature, history, and language classes I am now taking at Brown I feel like I should stay. Everyone, including my high school art teacher, is telling me I need to follow my heart but my heart keeps changing its mind :/ One day I feel happy that I chose Brown and other days I feel like I made a mistake .
I am trying to think of careers in the arts that pay decently well (main concern for my parents) but it is hard. I thought of animation but I am not very techy. I thought of architecture but I do not think I have the mind of an architect. And I thought of graphic design (I am not sure I want to sit behind a computer all day every day). So as you can see I am a ball of contradictions and confused feelings. If ANYONE has any comments, advice, and options in terms of careers in the arts PLEASE help me. Thank you! :)</p>
<p>Hi there!
I’m a Junior in high school, so I’m not sure if this’ll be much help to you. But, I’m in (kind of) the same situation as you. My college apps are coming up, and I’m almost positive I want to go into fashion design. I really want to go to FIT, but then I wonder about missing the true University aspect. So then I want to go to a University that has a fashion design major; even if it’s not a great program. If I do get into FIT, I honestly don’t know if I’ll go there with a choice between that and somewhere like Wash U. I think that what you’re experiencing is the classic “grass is greener on the other side” feeling. Once you choose somewhere, you know that other places will look just as good, if not better, then where you are today. Remember, though, that Brown is a great school, and there is time to still go to Art school. My advice would be to stay where you are for a little longer and just figure it out. If you truly believe art school’s where you should be at – then chase down those dreams! I hope I helped a little!</p>
<p>Brown has an excellent art department and no distribution requirements. You can pretty much tailor your own program. I’d suggest that you talk to an art professor or instructor that you feel comfortable with and ask for some advice on your direction.</p>
<p>Also, just a thought, since you were accepted to both schools you might ask if you could transfer into the joint program.</p>
<p>As for what you do when you graduate . . . deciding to BE an artist, period, is like jumping into the abyss. It’s frightening and unknown, but it’s done all the time. You have several years between now and then. Again, talk to your educators, talk to the career counselors. What is vague and unstructured now will begin to take shape as you get more exposure to what others have done with studio art degrees, especially ones from presigious universities.</p>
<p>My personal opinion: “all the literature, history, and language classes” will make you a better artist. Art is not created in a vacuum. Learn all you can, travel, take advantage of the great minds that you are exposed to – the path will emerge.</p>
<p>Wow!
@ Slin12: no actually that was pretty helpful. I mean you have until senior to really decide. I suggest you do a summer program in fashion before senior year to see what it really is like. I wish i had done that at RISD last summer so i could get a clearer picture. </p>
<p>@poetgrl and momrath: yeah…i think i need to breath too and just appreciate my first semester here. I just couldn’t help but feel all this pressure at this time. I did in fact speak to a couple of art teachers in the Brown art department and they told me that i would basically have to use the class as an independent study (i am in a class with people who have never drawn before in their lives) and work on my own like many artists have done in the past in order to improve my technique. After reading these replies and recently having just spoken to a girl who also picked Brown over RISD i feel more confident with staying at Brown (hopefully i will not change my mind again). I am just going to take classes that peak my interest in addition to art to see what else is out there. I am actually going to set up an appointment with career services to see what internships and opportunities there are leaving Brown with a major in art and “something else”. </p>
<p>This was really helpful! Thank you so so so much</p>
<p>Slin, Fashion design really is an industry, not an art for art’s sake endeavor. I work in the fashion industry and have over the years interacted a with several designers with liberal arts degrees and I think the academic exposure made them better business people. But, the overwhelming majority of successful designers come out of real design schools like FIT, RISD, Parsons. The industry exposure is tantamount. </p>
<p>Having said that I’m in favor of the liberal arts education as a foundation for a career in business as so much of what we do – even in design – involves communication and analysis.</p>
<p>So my advice would be to pick one or the other: either go for a fashion design program at a fashion design school with industry connections OR pick a liberal arts program at a college that appeals to you because of it’s ambience and environment. Study whatever you like, work in retail over the summers and plan on getting a supplemental design degree post-graduation.</p>
<p>[EDIT: I’d just like to add that WUSTL is an excellent school, just maybe not the best choice for fashion.]</p>
<p>fruban,pretend you are like over 50 % of college freshman who aren’t sure what they want to do so start on one path then change their major the following year. </p>
<p>Enjoy your first year at Brown taking all those classes they don’t offer at RISD and at the end of the year decide whether you want to change schools but let the year play out. Investigate various art major options on your own or through a summer program next summer so you start next year with your possible new direction.</p>