The value of the visual communications program at SAIC?

College Majors Visual Arts and Film Majors
1

<p>Hello all, </p>

<p>I apologize if this has already been discussed. I did search and didn't find any threads that actually answered this question.</p>

<p>I was recently accepted as a transfer student to SAIC and would like to major in Visual Communications. My biggest concern is that the school seems to be more known for their fine arts and not so much the digital arts. My fear is that the program may focus more on conceptualization than the principles of design. </p>

<p>When finished with school ideally I would like to find work in the motion design industry. And to save some of you your time. I have done my homework. I understand that RISD has an amazing undergraduate program for graphic design and that SCAD and RCAD both have motion design programs. </p>

<p>I have felt a real connections with SAIC and Chicago as a whole. I feel that my wife and I would do well there, especially with our future careers. I just want to make the the investment will pay off with a strong foundation in design.</p>

<p>Thanks in advance and if any of you know anyone majoring in Visual Communications at SAIC please forward them the link.</p>

2

<p>When I visited, I thought SAIC was a very conceptual school, mostly fine arts. No grading system (pass/fail) and kind of a choose-your-own-classes deal. Good for someone who doesn’t need much structure. Dorms/city is the best (I’m from Chicago, so I’m biased!). Have you looked into Ringling in Sarasota, FL. ? I know they are well known for animation. Is this what you mean by “motion design”? Also stay far far away from Full Sail in Orlando, FL.</p>

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<p>I second redbug. SAIC seems to be more of a fine art oriented school with a very loosely structured curriculum. And if nothing else, conceptualism is their watchword. I have no grounds to say whether this makes a good or bad graphic design program but they will probably be lacking some of the preprofessional rigor that you might be looking for. Try SVA, RISD, CMU and Parsons in the east or CalArts, CCA and Art Center in the west.</p>