School — Typophile archive

izacchemical26 June 2008 · 01:08

Hey I am about to become a senior in high school and i am looking for digital art schools to apply to. I am from UT and i keep a decent GPA and etc. my passion is for photoshop and vector design so i am having problems in choosing what school to goto to become a graphic designer hopefully at an amazing design studio. I am looking for any school anywhere i dont plan to stay in state by any means for the tech schools here are just barely par. If anyone has anything about some amazing school please tell i am very determined and want to go some where that i am able to learn as much as possible. costs dont matter though like everyone else i’d prefer an amazing school for an amazing price but if i am forced to take out a student loan or two i am willing.

cslem126 June 2008 · 03:57

Ah, I remember those days. I’m actually graduating college this coming semester. As for looking for schools, it’s not as easy to say “if you want to be a great designer...go here” that’s sort of on you. Although, here are a few schools that tend to have good reputations.

Tyler School of Art
(Paula Scher went there and possibly still teaches there? not sure)

Kansas City Institute of Art
(Some famous people roll through there quite often, so it gets a good name)

Maryland Institute College of Art
(Mostly fine arts, but has a really good design program and a great reputation)

If you happen to make it out of the states, I recommend the Basel School of Design in Switzerland. Wolfgang Weingart still teaches there as far as I am aware...and if you get in a class with him, I’m sure you won’t regret it.

Personally, I’d stay away from the art institutes or any school you see advertising you can become a designer in less than 2 years...they have bad reps and unless your portfolio is AMAZING after graduating, you risk being laughed at. This also stands for the Bradley Academy, which only gives you a 2 year degree anyway. (Even though I had one teacher from there at my school and he was amazing typographer)

In the end though pick a place where you feel like you fit in. You have to spend YEARS there, so mine as well have fun! I don’t want to act like I KNOW what I’m talking about, I’ve never went to any of these schools. I’m just basing my opinion on the schools I have heard over and over since I started college. Good LUCK!