<p>So, here's the situation. I'm a self-taught artist who learned the ins and outs of Photoshop starting at 13. I've always loved graphic design (and web design/programming, but that's another story) but I never took any kind of art in high school and I can't draw to save my life. I started as a pre-med major but it's really not what I wanted, I would love nothing more to obtain a degree in graphic design/visual communication/whatever you want to call it.</p>
<p>My problem? The fact that I can't draw prevents me from having any type of viable portfolio, so I can't apply to a good chunk of the art programs out there. I've had my eye on AAU, as I like their no-portfolio, "those who want to learn can" approach and the fact that they offer those fundamental courses so people of any skill level can attend.</p>
<p>Basically I was hoping to find some other schools to look at that function in the similar fashion of AAU if they're out there? I am more than 100% willing to put in the effort to learn the basics, I had solid SAT scores and a lofty GPA so none of that should be an issue. Though I also know I can always go the community college route for a couple years to learn aforementioned basics and then transfer, I'd just like to see what my 4-year college options would be also.</p>
<p>TL;DR - Reputable graphic design programs besides AAU that don't require portfolios but can still teach you those important fundamentals. 1-2-3 go!</p>
<p>University of Cincinnati, one of the very top Graphic Design programs admits based on grades and test scores and no portfolio.
Also, there are several universities that admit students as predesign students with the approach that the students spend one or two semesters on foundation courses- we have visited Ohio State, VA Commonwealth, and VA Tech. All highly regarded programs none of which considers a portfolio for incoming freshman.</p>
<p>Copy this from a previous post in another thread>></p>
<p>I strongly recommend you take some pre-college classes. If you want to get in a decent art school you do need some basic drawing skills for foundations year and if you want a Merit Scholarship to help pay for tuition. </p>
<p>Some arts school can care less about your grades, they will be pick bad grades over Excellent art any day. If you want to get in a AICAD college which are the leading 40 art & design schools; then take the time and do some pre-college classes. All the school that don’t required art portfolio, are usually not good schools and you will have a really tough time transferring credits. </p>
<p>There are AICAD schools who don’t care about “Fine Arts” so you can very well put together all those design poster you have and have a Graphic Design portfolio. I once had a portfolio review and lady told me that they only wanted design work, I got that twice at portfolio day. </p>
<p>There is a AICAD Design schools in Washington DC and Michigan that wouldn’t mind a Design portfolio just as long as it’s “tasteful” Design…</p>
<p>I wouldn’t mind looking at some of your freelance work. I’m a Major in Communication Design & Double Minor in Advertising and Business.</p>
<p>Or you can just go to a University and Major in Graphic Design.</p>
<p>Go to a community college and learn the basics, it is a lot cheaper and you don’t need a large tuition to teach the basics. Once you’ve taken a few of the art classes there you can see about going to a nicer college.</p>
<p>Honestly no good reputable art school requires no portfolio. You need to take drawing classes. You just need to learn the skills and improve. Having no fine art skills in graphic design is very very bad. Go to a community school and learn the basics then maybe ably to a good design school.</p>
<p>First…I do not think there is ANY art school that REQUIRES no portfolio. I think you meant to say that no good, reputable art school would not require a portfolio. However, this is not true when you consider all of the disciplines that an art school might teach. As an example, I entered Rochester Institute of Technology as a photography student on the basis of my GPA and without a portfolio. </p>
<p>Certainly an aspiring painter, illustrator, etc, ought to have a portfolio if they apply to art school, however disciplines such as photography, industrial design, graphic design, can easily be learned to a degree that a graduate will acquire professional level skills regardless of their artistic ability. Also, art schools DO teach students without well-developed skills, the fundamentals of 2-D, 3-D design, drawing, figure drawing, color theory, etc, during the first year. You’d be surprised how many students with limited drawing skills suddenly discover they are quite good with just a little instruction. </p>
<p>What do you think are the most important numbers in higher education? Retention and graduation rates are the most important, and it has been proven that students who have demonstrated the ability to perform at higher levels of academic success in high school are more likely to start and finish a degree in higher education. The most talented artist in the world will not graduate if he/she has poor academic skills. </p>
<p>Your advice is still good however. Any aspiring student without appropriate training would do well to attend a state or community college to build skills before entering a much more competitive academic environment. And anyone working in a field such as graphic design will benefit by academic experience in the fine arts.</p>