<p>I want to get a master's in graphic design, but am not doing my undergrad in anything art-related (I'm an English major). That said, I've worked for both my college papers (I transferred recently) in high-level production positions, and have designed and sold stationery and invitations for about a year.</p>
<p>Does anyone know what kind of things these programs look for in applicants? I've never done a portfolio and it kind of makes me nervous, since I have no real "professional" experience. Would it benefit me to take a year off and work for a design or advertising firm before applying?</p>
<p>Any kind of info you all have on this would be very helpful. Thanks!</p>
<p>Any info on similar programs would be nice, too. Visual comm. or advertising, etc.</p>
<p>Well, the thing about grad school in graphic design is that it is not really about skills, but about applying those skills at a very high level and looking at the context of design in the world. So they expect you to have skills already, although there are always people admitted who show considerable aptitude despite lacking significant formal study. Those people are expected to catch up very quickly. So, yes, it would definitely be beneficial if you worked for a design firm first if you can get a job in the field.</p>
<p>The next thing I would tell you is to figure out whether you want design, or you want advertising. While they apply many of the same formal principals, and are similar at the undergraduate level, they are quite divergent when you get to graduate study. Figuring this out will get you a long way towards narrowing down what schools to look at.</p>