Honestly, I’m very unimpressive to look at as a student.
I just really want to incorporate creativity and art into technology and find a good job that lets me do my thing, which is unfortunately art and not computer science or coding. UX/UI design seems like a truly awesome job I think would keep me on my toes and help me find my limits and push them, but- I’m pretty much an airhead. Summer has been a huge hassle- with Chemistry in the morning and SAT prep in the afternoon, I have to work harder than during the school year. The reason I am taking Chemistry over this summer is because I was in Algebra 1B in 9th grade, and had to take Earth Science, leaving me with Biology in 10th grade because I chose to take Geometry during the summer last year. I understand my chances are very low and time is running out way too quickly, I still want to be able to mend my mistakes in the past and hope for a better outcome. Believe me, I know how much of a fake optimist I sound like right now, but I am on the verge of desperation. I was going to go to an art college and become an animator, but the entertainment industry is extremely competitive, calling for thousands of very gifted artists around the globe (and also the fact my dad is not very supportive in that choice, since taking on a solely art-based career is extremely tough). I was wondering what kind of GPA and SAT score would get me into a well ranked university that offers great UX/UI programs. Please give me a list of universities also, maybe some UC ones? Thank you so much.
Do you live in California?
What classes did you take in 9th grade? In the 10th grade?
What classes are you scheduled for in the 11th grade?
What’s your current unweighted GPA?
Why were you in Algebra1B? How did you do in that class?
Do you have an art portfolio? Have you tried animation with legos, etc? (If not, time to start!)
I wouldn’t recommend a solely art college, but there are lots of good art majors, animation, etc out there, not to mention design (graphic design, for example) at regular universities.
Here’s a good program that’s relatively accessible:
http://catalog.utah.edu/preview_program.php?catoid=5&poid=5045
There are some programs also at CSU’s. Not sure about UC’s.
UX/UI programs will require you to have a thorough math background, some experience programming, skills in abstract thinking.
Can you take AP CS Principles then AP CS A, and in the meanwhile start working on coding? See if you can stick to it, every day.
https://code.org/learn
Make sure you rest during this summer. Go swim, sleep 9 hours each night, see movies, read books just for fun. Those activities will indirectly benefit you during the year.
What math background is required for UI/UX? I haven’t seen a curriculum that requires one - can you link to one @MYOS1634 ?
Depends on what you mean by UI/UX. Do you mean the graphic design/art behind it? The web design? The software development? If the last one, then a degree in something like Computer Science may come into play (which has a good amount of math coursework attached).
Yeah, UX/UI is more design and psychology than anything else. But you may want to get solid design training first.
You’re far away from considering colleges. Develop your sense of aesthetics and work on an art portfolio.
UI/UX is not software development, at least in this case given what the OP wants, which is why I was confused. Having worked with UI/UX designers, it’s more a less a combo of graphic design and psychology.
Just saying “UI/UX” is rather confusing. UI = User Interface, UX = User Experience. Both are covered in software engineering and full stack web development (particularly front-end). UI/UX Design (which I am assuming you all are now referring to), is the graphic design/art/psychology.
Not sure if that’s what OP was referring to but I was thinking of…
http://www.nets.upenn.edu/
http://www.mccormick.northwestern.edu/news/articles/2016/06/northwestern-announces-plans-for-major-expansion-in-computer-science.html
http://infosci.cornell.edu/academics/undergraduate/undergraduate-concentrations/concentrations
http://design.northwestern.edu/programs/bs-manufacturing-design-engineering/
@yikesyikesyikes Sorry about that. In the software industry, UI/UX really only has one meaning when talked about in this context. If you mean front-end web developer, you say just that. Of course, there are companies that blur the line between designer and front-end developer, but UI/UX is being established more and more as its own role.
@MYOS1634 I don’t think that is what the OP is looking for, but more something like this:
http://engineering.nyu.edu/academics/programs/integrated-digital-media-bs
If anything, a bit more on the arts/psychology side of that. Few schools offer undergraduate degrees in the area, and you’ll find more graduate degrees and certificate programs. I think you’ll see a rise in undergraduate programs over the next 5 years or so.
Edit for more programs:
http://www.catalog.drexel.edu/undergraduate/collegeofmediaartsanddesign/webdevelopandinteractiondesign/#degreerequirementsbstext
http://ea.missouristate.edu/Interactive-New-Media.htm
https://www.qu.edu/schools/communications/programs/ba-graphic-interactive-design.html
RIT also has something: http://www.rit.edu/programs/new-media-design-bfa
I think most study graphic design or something similar in undergrad.
@MYOS1634 Yes, I do live in CA. I did well in Alg 1B, I took 1A in 8th grade, because I didnt complete most of my homework in 7th, and my middle school cut off like 70% of students and made them take Algebra 1 for 2 yrs. Courses I took in 9th grade include alg 1B, english, PE, earth science, speech and debate and french 1. I took Geometry over the summer before 10th grade. For 10th i just completed the courses of adv art, french 2, algebra 2, eng, biology, world history, and PE. As for this fall, I have pre-calc, ap us history, ap lang, graphic communications, EDT (engineering design tech), french 3, and PE (PE is required for at least 3 years at our school, it’s sort of inconvenient because I can technically add an extra class if it wasn’t). I have AP compsci among with many others planned for senior year. I am currently enrolled in chemistry over the summer right now, as well as SAT prep classes. At the moment, I have the unweighted GPA of 3.9 (my school goes on an unweighted scale). I am working on my art portfolio, with two different art teachers outside of school. No, I have not done any animations with lego, I will look into it and do as you’ve recommended, along with the coding.
Since you’re in California, put SJSU at or near the top of your list. http://www.sjsu.edu/design/
Agree on SJSU.