<p>hey, I just realized that I'd asked you all about schools that I already had in mind, but not for general suggestions. So suggest some schools for me! </p>
<p>My stats:
*B.Arch from the University of Southern California, 2005
*3.3 UG GPA - got some A's in design, brought down by things like structures
*won the award for best thesis presentation in my year,
*was included in my classes 'honors' exhibit, which basically features the top 10% of the class, based on studio only, not on grades
*Active in Alpha Rho Chi professional fraternity: held all kinds of positions, including President, Rush Chair (for which I got to make tshirts and posters and such)
*Have worked for 4 different architecture offices, mid-quality which get published in smaller mags but not Arch. Record or anything, and one contractor.
*Have been doing the graphics for my parents' business, which by the end of the summer will include: website, brochure, postcards, room signage (it's a hotel)
*Will also have one non-profit website and my own website (again, coming soon) in the portfolio, as well as of course my architectural work, and some random drawings plucked from my sketchbooks for my portfolio. I'm reading all I can about typography, print processes, learning flash, even bookbinding. Basically learning everything I can to catch up to people with BFA's.
*will have some great recommendations, but from architects, not artists</p>
<p>I'm looking for a school with a great Graphic Design program that is:
*preferably in the east
*offers a good variety of electives, which must include publication design. Bonus points if their offer environmental design, too.
*is not too hung up on candidates having a BFA</p>
<p>So suggest schools that would be reaches for me, good matches, safeties, whatever! I've got some ideas already, but am eager to hear about more programs that I may not have thought of yet!</p>
<p>oops, also:
*GRE: 750M, 590V, 6W
*should write a pretty good essay since I've always gotten good grades in writing, and actually know what I want to talk about this time.</p>
<p>//*Will also have one non-profit website and my own website (again, coming soon) in the portfolio, as well as of course my architectural work, and some random drawings plucked from my sketchbooks for my portfolio. I'm reading all I can about typography, print processes, learning flash, even bookbinding. Basically learning everything I can to catch up to people with BFA's.//</p>
<p>Have you been studying "design" ? The above are simply tools and skills. </p>
<p>Design is the process of fabricating aestheticaly pleasing and useful form based upon function, and embedding meaning through semiotic values. Knowing the language and practicing the tools will certainly help you, but Flash does not design, nor does typography design; only the designer designs.</p>
<p>As stated above: I have a B.Arch. Architecture is design too. I feel perfectly comfortable with my design skills. I am trying to make sure that my basic production skills will be on par with those who have done a BFA in Graphic Design, and my designs will not be limited by any inability to produce. Not worried about my design skills or talent in the least.</p>
<p>Design transforms society. It has an impact upon our values. It can initiate change and raise the standard of living through information and education. Many design students mistake technology for design. Many students mistake the use of media for design. Many design students think only about the commercial value of design. Design enhances the quality of information to make it meaningful, useful, and memorable. Design serves society, and fosters a bridge between man and his brothers (univerally speaking), as well as man and his environment (as an architect, I suspect you have been introduced to this concept). Understanding the nature and practice of communication, and how meaning is embedded and constructed/codefied with visual devices is the challenge that most design students do not understand should be their focus. Most like using the software, few understand it has nothing to do with the software. It has everything to do with the idea, and the connection. I am simply offering you a cautionary thought, and provide you as to an insight per the G.D. dept. philosophy at SCAD as it has been articulated to me - an to which I agree and subscribe. Production is secondary to concept and effective transference regardless of technology or media.</p>
<p>But yes, it will be very helpful to become accomplished tecnically speaking so that technology becomes invisible and not a hinderance to the outcome, but please develop your mind and an understanding on how design relates to people and community. And I do not mean to say it should be politically charged.</p>
<p>Look, if you don't want to suggest any schools for me, fine. But frankly, I find this insulting. Maybe you don't intend it that way, but to focus on one tiny part of what I said and somehow determine that you don't think that I understand design is uncalled for. I mentioned that I was studying those things because I've been told in other forums that I should go back for another undergrad degree because I have not taken the basic skills classes offered in the bachelor's program. I was trying to ward off similar views here.</p>
<p>Apparently I can't win though, because it made me look to you like I was focused only on skills and technology and OBVIOUSLY clueless about what design is and what it can do. Why on earth would an architectural designer (unlicensed, can't call myself an 'architect') know the first thing about design? Are you so print-centric that you don't think I learned anything about design in five years of study for a design degree? Or think that graphic design is such a superior and difficult form of design that my five years of design study have been completely wasted? Any of those assumptions would be ridiculous. You had been very cordial and helpful to me in the past, so I'm really floored as to why I'm getting this attitude now.</p>
<p>larationalist, if you are addressing me, I apologize if I gave information that was inappropriate. I thought you wanted schools with great graphic design programs.</p>
<p>Oh, no! I certainly was not responding to you there, but to the tirade on design. But maybe she didn't even mean to come off that way, as sometimes happens on the internet.</p>
<p>I should have thanked you earlier taxguy, those are definitely all great schools. Do you know of any that are good as 'safeties'? Because while Pratt and possibly Cranbrook (I'm waiting on their catelogue as their website is uninformative) look like good matches for me, the rest are either reaches, or wrong for me for one reason or another. I don't want to put all my eggs in one basket by applying to schools that are <em>all</em> at the very highest level, but a few top schools and a few mid-range schools. Does anyone know of programs that are still very good, but just one tier down from those 'top 8'?</p>
<p>You may be taking my words differently than what I intend. There is no tirade. I'm not certain why you are reading it that way. My thoughts are calm and meant to provide you with a perspective to which I do not know if you have been exposed. Some "communicator" I am huh! </p>
<p>I am offering a perspective on design, in that it transcends technology. This is a mistake many students make. They see design as a product of technology. If you are past this misconception, then you are in good shape, and my thoughts may well serve others that read these forums. Still, my thoughts may help you discern which school to choose. You should interview these schools - their faculty for their perspectives on design, and see which one you like best. IMO, this is how you should choose a school. Software training can be accomplished online or with books. </p>
<p>I can see that you may have taken this phrase as sarcastic perhaps, </p>
<p>"as an architect, I suspect you have been introduced to this concept"</p>
<p>I am saying that it would in all likelyhood been part of your studies. There is no sarcasm or disrespect.</p>
<p>RIT, SVA, VCU and maybe Pratt are not that hard to get into if you have a decent portfolio. I don't know of ANY graduate program that doesn't require a portfolio.</p>
<p>Raining- I'm glad to hear it. I really had no clue why I was getting such a response. Just goes to show the huge disconnect there is between what we think we're saying and what others end up hearing/seeing. Maybe I'm touchy- I've had people on other boards tell me that I shouldn't even be looking at master's programs, what I should do is go back for a second bachelor's! Yeah, right!</p>
<p>I guess it's my perspective that found it insulting- anyone coming out of the program I went through has an extremely clear distinction between design and technology. Actually in architecture, even things like presentation layouts were considered almost on par with technology, so a lot of people will be thinking I'm taking a step down when I switch fields.</p>
<p>taxguy- I'm definitely not looking for one that doesn't require a portfolio! I'm just uncertain about what reactions I'll get to there being so much architecture in mine. For instance, RISD seems to want to shove anyone without a BFA into a 3-year program. I'm looking at RIT more, for some reason I had thought they were in Jersey!</p>
<p>update for all- I may be putting off grad school. I don't know. There's an opening for a graphic designer at a good local architecture office that I might jump on, and I wouldn't want to leave them after only a year if I got it. So I'll keep you updated, but even if I do this now, all your information will be used at some point in the future.</p>
<p>//update for all- I may be putting off grad school. I don't know. There's an opening for a graphic designer at a good local architecture office that I might jump on, and I wouldn't want to leave them after only a year if I got it. So I'll keep you updated, but even if I do this now, all your information will be used at some point in the future.//</p>
<p>SCAD offers online degrees in Graphic Design. I don't know how the courses rate compared to being in class however.</p>
<p>Thanks for the suggestion, but I'm really looking forward to the complete grad school experience. I probably won't get the job anyway, but it's worth a shot.</p>
<p>update: the job turned out not to be open after all. The firm is just going through the formal process of searching for a candidate with no intent to hire any of them, so that they can get their Chinese intern a permanant visa by saying that she was the most qualified candidate their search turned up. Boo. I may submit anyway, in case the visa doesn't work out, but I don't really have any hope.</p>
<p>So..... back to college suggestions!!! Any hidden gems out there? I got my Portfolio Center and SCAD packets in the mail yesterday, several weeks after eliminating Portfolio Center from consideration due to the degree status.</p>
<p>I promise you you will be happy with SCAD. If you have any questions, send me a PM and I will hook you up with the right people who can give you the right answers.</p>
<p>I'll look at SAIC. I've eliminated RISD because they seem very hung up on having a BFA, like they would put me in their three year program, which I would not want to do (my B.Arch was a five year degree already).</p>
<p>I'm enrolling today in continuing education courses at Otis. I'm doing Fundamentals of Graphic Design over the summer, and then either Drawing & Composition or TypographyI during the fall. That way I can be sure to have a kick-ass portfolio that won't be too architecture-heavy, and be 100% sure about the choice of field. I'm excited, it makes me feel like I'm doing more to achieve my goals.</p>
<p>hey, taxguy- you mentioned VCU not being hard to get into, but their website says they only admit 8 people per year!!! Do that few people apply?</p>
<p>The current list and how I see my chances is:
MICA (reach)
UMass (slight reach?)
Pratt (match)
RIT (match)
SCAD (safe match)
UBaltimore (safety)</p>
<p>VCU is on the bubble, still not sure whether to apply there or not</p>
<p>larationalist, i'm not necessarily sure how the drawing & comp class would be taught in continuing education courses at otis, but if it's the same for what foundation students have to go through(like I did this past year at Otis) I would recommend you take typography just because the drawing & comp class is very structured to do still life projects that can honestly be done at home and which usually are done at home besides the ones done in class.</p>
<p>you might learn more with the typography class, or maybe a digital media class.</p>
