I’m a RISD grad and it always kind of confuses me when I hear this about RISD being such hard work… well, it’s art? If art is hard work then… yes? But if you love your art and you want to create as much as possible and the idea of having the freedom to create and a forum of other artists to bounce ideas off turns you on, then RISD is the place for you. RISD assumes you will work hard at your art because you care about the quality of your work. I came out of a very competitive high school and RISD was no sweat for me (I took classes at Brown too and did well). But I suppose if one is coming from a more laid-back town and/or high school than RISD might be more stressful. I didn’t really find it stressful at all, but then I wanted to do art and that’s what I was there for. I did see a few freshman flounder but those were mostly students who didn’t have a great passion for art to begin with or had other personal issues. I guess what I’m saying is that RISD is for serious artists and if you consider yourself a serious artist than RISD is for you. I hope this helps, and good luck with your choice!
Thank you for your insight. It seems the negative views come from parents of students or students who did not get accepted at RISD so it’s nice hearing about the actual experiences of someone who went there!
Excellent post, Bookmouse. My D2 is currently a freshman at RISD. She too heard the ‘horror’ stories about a hellish Foundation Year, constant overnighters, and super-hard professors. But just as you describe, her passion for art, working and perfecting her skills, makes it not seem ‘hard’ at all and she is doing exactly what she wants to be doing. In fact, it is the devoted art students who make it tougher on themselves. So often, working on a particular assignment, my D2 and her peers at RISD will scrap a first or even a second or third piece, starting from scratch to create the ‘perfect’ piece. There is also a strong industrious thread that runs through the most devoted art students. There are times when parties, hanging out in the dorm or just sleeping late are put to the side. In my D2’s experience, most of the all-nighters are pulled by students who are more lax during the day, not as proactive in getting to assignments. D2 was very nervous about starting RISD. What she has found is that her devotion to her art and to improving and learning constantly keeps her ahead of the curve without suffering all she feared particularly in a Foundation Year. Thank you for validating!
Waving “Hi” to @BrooklynRye since we both have freshman at RISD…
My D1 is having a very similar experience. She’s really excited about the work she’s doing and isn’t begrudging the fact that she’s working on her art pretty much non-stop (in addition to being off campus two nights a week for a work study job she loves).
And completely agree about ‘the devoted art students who make it tougher on themselves’ - in a recent phone convo she worried that she WASN’T pulling all nighters (yet?) and we had a good talk about how she’s actually managing her time well and really focused on her art (much more so than socializing, but she’s also an introvert so it works for her and she’s happy hanging with people all weekend in the studio working). My mom lecture was basically: you’ve got a good balance of school, sleep and some fun so don’t mess up what’s healthy & working fine grade-wise just becuz you may feel like a ‘slacker’ not doing all nighters.
D1 noted like your daughter has too, that the kids who are getting burnt out are either doing a lot of extra curricular activities and/or haven’t yet learned good study/art time management skills so are getting further and further behind on projects.
Hi @ArtAngst! So happy for your daughter (and for you!). Continued good fortune and blissful creativity!
Thanks & you too @BrooklynRye ! And here’s hoping they both have a nice long rest come Thanksgiving break! Did yours figure out Winter Session yet? That was the latest call home & I pep talked her into trying one that’s her side/dream passion outside of her intended major (and me and her little brother are not-so-secretly jealous about!)
This is not unique. For example , at VCUARTS foundation year students(ie freshman) have to first apply to their respective majors during the spring semester. Acceptance is based on the quality/effort of that foundation year. So their is a real competition for spots and no students are gtd acceptance to the major of their choice. Having said that, the dedicated student shouldn’t have any issues but for the others it is a weeding out process. As it pertains to our D , she was prepared for the foundation year having attended classes at Cooper Union for the year prior(an institution with its own set of issues). So she is doing so well and is very encouraged . In fact she has been approached about doing some grant/research work next year.!
@ArtAngst - Mine was torn between trying something she had never done, e.g., glassblowing, versus exploring potential majors. While she came in as a Painting major, she really doesn’t see this as long-term career-viable. Believe she will be doing Graphic Design for Winter Session. Yours?
Oh mine thought about glassblowing too! Apparently it’s a popular one to take.
Mine’s set on an illustration major, but she also loves 3d work, building stage sets, costuming etc and was really excited about, but a bit intimidated, to take “Creature Creation” (even tho she’s addicted to shows like “Face Off” & “Jim Henson’s Creature Shop Challenge”) & it was a little higher cost than “regular” studio classes.
But she’s got $ in savings and I pep talked her figuring that’s basically why she’s at RISD - to get all this amazing exposure to creative people and be challenged. Plus she said freshman get first dibs so I figured she should go for it now rather than lose the chance later on.
Btw, @ArtAngst, nearly all of the dedicated undergraduate art schools with which I am familiar, potentially limit the number of students who are ultimately granted their first choice major. This is more of a practical matter than one of quality in that most art schools have limited physical space, equipment, and staff. The filtering of “applicants” may ultimately come down to superior art students, but the initial limitation is in place for more pragmatic reasons. Research grants are also offered by most if not all top dedicated art schools. These are relatively nominal in terms of sheer funds, but can afford students the opportunity to work more intensively in their major, explore other potential subject areas, and to make stronger professor contacts for future references.
Envy your daughter’s certitude! Knowing your major must make it easier to use Wintersession to explore…
oh understood re the majors - she knows what she wants to do but isn’t necessarily an official illustration major yet (fingers crossed) - but it certainly made the college search and eventually wintersession and easier path to navigate
It may be nothing , but we are proud and she is certainly exuding tremendous confidence having been approached for grant work. Glad to hear all doing so well. Certainly had my own reservations about “design school” but I always say if you excel at it and enjoy it , why not.