<p>So the whole art school thing can be pretty intimidating...and confusing.</p>
<p>So, I'm looking into a few art schools (next year will be my Senior year of high school). The portfolio requirements range from simple to somewhat hard to understand. I've contacted several colleges and such for more information, but I am still freaking out. I've played around with a few things. My experiences include being the designer editor and concept editor for our school yearbook and newspaper. I love graphic design and want very badly to go to art school but the portfolio scares me. Should I be nervous or just "do it to it"?</p>
<p>Also, when they ask to "demonstrate typography" they don't mean they want a body copy of a font I designed...do they? Or do they just want me to demonstrate, in some way, that I know how the hell to use fonts properly--like if it matches the message, etc. What fonts go well together and what not.</p>
<p>Sorry if I sound naive about it all, but I'd really like some help!</p>
<p>The vast number of art schools have specific portfolio requirements. Usually they want obervational drawings using various media. If you want to include some typography, fine. However, the vast majority of your portfolio should include observational drawings. Do NOT depart from what the art schools require! You might want to attend a national portfolio day in your area,which will have art school admission folks evaluating portfolios.</p>
<p>Also, the sooner you start working on your portfolio the better. Junior year is a bit late so you will need to work hard on it.</p>
<p>Typography is the use of type, type <em>design</em> is the creation of type. So no, they're not expecting you to be a type designer, but they're expecting you to stay away from the Comic Sans and show a good eye for type in general. Your yearbook experience could be a double edged sword here: you've got more experience with type than the average applicant, but "High School Yearbook" is a style commonly laughed at by graphic designers. I'm honestly not sure how admissions committees usually deal with yearbook experience, but I would <em>hope</em> that they could see a strong interest in publication design and that you'd learned something from it, and trust that your style could be refined later.</p>
<p>List the schools you're considering. That can give us a better indication of what kind of portfolio you need.
But in all honesty like others have said, most art schools will want to see observational drawings, because usually your first year at art school are foundation studies. you don't apply directly into your major when you apply to art school, unless their program is like that of art center.</p>
<p>Thanks guys, in terms of high school year book...I'm not saying it's AWESOME but let's just say it's not like your basic throw on some layouts and put together pictures and TAH-DAH! We like design at our school (except for our broadcasting ...I'm fairly certain that they use Powerpoint...).
As far as now being a little late to start a portfolio--well, I have pieces...just not ones I think are good. </p>
<p>Schools I am considering are:
CalArts
CCA
AAU
and the Art Institutes </p>
<p>I thought about East Coast schools but I'm not sure I'd do well on the East Coast. </p>
<p>TaxGuy--when you say observational drawing do you mean like body copy wise or just ideas. I have a book that I sketch ideas in for pages or graphics...is that what you mean?</p>
<p>Thanks for your help guys! It's really good advice...</p>
<p>naw, observational drawing is just what it sounds like. Look at something, draw it. Not design, just drawing. Schools know that you don't know how to design yet, and look at general artistic talent as an indicator of aptitude and visual literacy.</p>
<p>If I were you I'd nix the art institutes, and take a look at UCLA and CSU Long Beach as well for some cheaper options, and Art Center. If you're willing to venture north or slightly east, look at UW and ASU.</p>
<p>BTW, I literally put my portfolio together the summer before senior year. All it honestly consisted of is sitting down, and drawing what you see. Not just drawing but actually looking at something and showing that you understand what you're looking at and what you put down on paper. If you expect to do each drawing in 10 minutes or less, you're not putting effort. </p>
<p>they dont expect you to know everything about drawing and how to draw amazingly. if you did, what would be the point of going to art school in the first place. in my portfolio which i used to apply to pratt institute/parsons school of design/otis college of art & design, they specifically mentioned to avoid submitting a portfolio that showed your specific interest because like i said before, reputable art schools/programs make all students regardless of their major(be it fine art, industrial, fashion, or graphic design) enter the same curriculum the first year of art school. The first year of art school you learn all the basics of 2d design, 3d design, figure drawing etc... The first year of art school is not graphic design(or your interest). therefore you're essentially applying to the first year of art school which is the basics.</p>
<p>you may think that it's a hassle to go through foundation, when you obviously want to enter your major as soon as possible, but in all honesty, it is definitely necessary. i loathed the idea of entering "foundation" because i already wanted to enter my design discipline, but looking back, foundation is crucial. That's why going to a school like the art institutes is not a good idea. They're not necessarily thought of highly in the art school world.</p>
<p>if you're looking to stay in cali or west coast, then Otis College of Art & Design should be another school you should look at. But in all honesty, if you'd be relocating for a school, i think you might as well add east coast schools.</p>
<p>BTW I would definitely ad in some schools to your list that are in a regular college/university setting but have a strong graphic dept. You may think and know that you want to do graphic design at 16, 17 or 18, but not until you're actually majoring in it do you really know if it's what you want to do or not. being at an art school specifically will limit your possibilities of exploring other majors other than design fields. Cal Poly San Luis Obispo has a strong graphic department, same with Cal State Long Beach. If you have the stats, then look at schools like Carnegie Mellon.</p>
<p>Wow, all great advice!!!
Thanks, I've been looking at regular schools too, but unsure which ones have the good graphic departments. Any suggestions?</p>
<p>I don't know what your grades are, but if you have at least a 3.5 unweighted GPA and around 1200 or more on the SAT (M and Cr), you should consider University of Cincinnati. They have a very strong design school and have 1.5 years of paid coop experience,which can't be beat. Every kid in graphic design got a coop! I can't emphasize this enough. Graduating with 1.5 years of experience in your field will put you way ahead of other grads.</p>
<p>As an example of coops, two kids got to design special effects with David Copperfield, the magician. My daughter has a coop with a firm that does web sites for most movie studios and for upcomming movies;however, my daughter is in their digital design program. </p>
<p>In addition, being a state funded school,Cincinnati will be much less expensive than the schools that you noted above.</p>
<p>The onliy real drawback to Cincinnati is that because they don't require portfolios for design students, they are very academic for admissions. You would need at least an unweighted 3.5 ( and probably more) to get into their graphic design program.</p>
<p>Trust me: you won't go wrong at Cincinnati if you have the grades to get in!</p>
<p>Try to attend National Portfolio Day (NPD) in your area. You will get all kinds of useful feedback from schools, and they will be able to answer some of your specific questions. ALso, consider making an appointment or 2 for a portfolio review at a college that you may not be all that interested in, but just to get some feedback on the strengths and weaknesses of your portfolio. M y daughter had 2 reviews at schools she ended up not applying to, but by NPD, she had improved her portfolio significantly based on their comments, and got some great feedback including letters from some of the schools inviting her to apply based on what they saw (and she did apply and was accepted).</p>
<p>SHe also was interested in GD but not 100% sure. SHe actually had no graphic design related pieces in her portfolio. It was primarily drawings and paintings because those were the areas she studied most in high school (art courses were minimal at her HS).</p>
<p>I'm pretty sure you learn Graphic Design from scratch in college. For now, make observational drawings as much as you can, as everyone said. And yes, definitely go to National Portfolio Day. They'll tell you what they want, just be sure to get there BEFORE the starting time. The lines are horrendous.</p>