I am curious what everyone’s thoughts are about going to an ad school like the Chicago Portfolio School over a tradition design education? I currently work at a “search agency” (google, fb, etc.) as a UX strategiest. Whenever I work on a design or on a wireframe I get lost in what I’m doing (in a good way). I basically want to elevate my skills and go full force in design. This school seems to combine 1 year of intense training in design with the option to also take in depth classes on various programs (.psd, .ai, CSS, etc.)
There seems to be a few of these: Brainco, Miami Ad School, VCU, etc. but they all appear to be 2 years. From a financial perspective, I can probably suck it up for 1 year. Chicago Portfolio School does seem to have excellent teachers from around the industry and it is connected with a nice professional training center that teaches all the programs. Any have opinions about this school or the others?
Portfolio schools are hit and miss, I know an art director who did one and it worked great for her, she’s an art director at a pretty prominent firm up here, but she said she also taught there later and wouldn’t recommend that route. Someone else I know teaches at one, and she believes in it’s potential, but I think recognizes that those types of schools can amplify the types for problems that design schools have. Like they are for profit, rather than a university, so they will take your money and let you do what you want, and before anyone jumps on that with the standard uni’s will do the same bs, let’s just leave that debate for another thread, yeah?
If you’re trying to do advertising yeah, totally, that’s definitely the way to go. If you want to do graphic or interaction design, like me, I don’t know, you definitely need to be the type that pours yourself into it, but I don’t buy that line about school being what you put into it anymore, having moved from a d3 to a big 10 school, there are just more opportunities to match up with your drive.
If you’re just learning to pick up some software packages, I would actually recommend a community or technical college, I’ve taken some classes at a few different ones at various times in my academic career and if you want to just learn to do something quick, you can’t beat them. The benefit of a university is the breadth, opportunities and the theory, what good is knowing how to do something if you don’t know what to do with the skill?
Join AIGA or IXDA (or both) and talk to some people to figure out what the good ones are. AIGA isn’t like IDSA, it’s a legit organization that has a lot of real resources and opportunities for it’s members, sorry IDSA guys.
I could probably work for a larger agency for a couple years but it’s definitely not my mission in life to work for a large agency. I’m not in awe by the Leos, Ogilvy’s or DDBs of the world. I have an engineering degree in my undergrad and a lot digital design under my belt. (Just not skilled enough to get me a full time job doing it).
I like smaller intimate shops but more importantly, I enjoy the design process and simply creating usable beautiful things. It’s the way my mind works. Since I’m in my 30s, I figured it might be better to suck it up for 1 intense year instead of spreading this out at night over multiple years. This seems to combine theory classes with a bootcamp classes in software packages.
Carton,
The strange thing that I’m finding is just about everyone at these programs are there for Art Direction and Copywriting. I always thought Art Director was simply the step after Sr. Designer but apparently this is not the case in the non-digital design world. It’s interesting you say that there are more opportunities coming from your Big 10 education and you don’t buy the line that “you get in what you put in.” My thought is if I can dedicate a year and master all these programs and work with some top minds in the industry I would be in pretty good shape. What are your thoughts.
I could probably work for a larger agency for a couple years but it’s definitely not my mission in life to work for a large agency. I’m not in awe by the Leos, Ogilvy’s or DDBs of the world. I have an engineering degree in my undergrad and a lot digital design under my belt. (Just not skilled enough to get me a full time job doing it).
I like smaller intimate shops but more importantly, I enjoy the design process and simply creating usable beautiful things. It’s the way my mind works. Since I’m in my 30s, I figured it might be better to suck it up for 1 intense year instead of spreading this out at night over multiple years. This seems to combine theory classes with a bootcamp classes in software packages.
Carton,
The strange thing that I’m finding is just about everyone at these programs are there for Art Direction and Copywriting. I always thought Art Director was simply the step after Sr. Designer but apparently this is not the case in the non-digital design world. It’s interesting you say that there are more opportunities coming from your Big 10 education and you don’t buy the line that “you get in what you put in.” My thought is if I can dedicate a year and master all these programs and work with some top minds in the industry I would be in pretty good shape. What are your thoughts.
Portfolio schools are extremely valuable. Some kids are able to work hard and put together a book without the need for one, but most kids out of college are unprepared. VCU Brandcenter, Miami Ad School and Chicago Portfolio School are all excellent and reputable schools. You really can’t go wrong with any of them, it’s just a matter of picking one that works for you. Chicago Portfolio School, unlike the others, is only a one year program with an intensive workload. All instructors are working professionals in the advertising and design community. Currently they have instructors from Leo Burnett, Cramer-Krasselt, Y&R, Sappient Nitro, Razorfish, Firebelly Design and many more. They also pair up with agencies each quarter to produce awesome work with real clients. DDB was the most recent.
As for computer training, they partner with Digital Bootcamp who provides all the tech and digital classes. Students learn software like Photoshop and Dreamweaver to things like web development and video editing. It’s all at your disposal.
Most alumni out of Chicago Portfolio School find jobs soon after graduation. It isn’t a promise, but anyone who works hard day in and day out won’t have to worry. Nearly all alumni from the last two quarters were able to quickly find full-time or promising internships after completing their program. And if you need a few extra weeks to perfect your book, they offer a fifth quarter, on the house, to take additional classes like Marketing Your Book.
Best thing you can do is stop by the school, tour the space and sit in on a class. You’ll know if the school is right for you. Also be sure to take a look at their Facebook page and Twitter stream.
@Michael. Working at a Razorfish is one option I’m thinking or possible working in-house at a company. I’m not sold on working for a big agency although I do like the idea of continuing to learn from a lot of smart, talented folks. I can just as easily do a small quaint shop or a smaller tech company working more on interface /interactive design. I just like turning the complex into something simple and beautiful.
@carton I’m considering both interface design and more traditional design. Ultimately, I’d like to come out with a mastery of the programs, CSS and the process of getting to a great idea. I believe the process of creative design can be used in so many ways so this is just as important to me. The big decision is whether a) do I ditch my job for 1 year to pick all this up and b) is this something I can pick up through these types of schools. I recognize that a Big 10 school has more resources but it would probably take 2-3 years which means more $$ in tuition and lost income.
I would strongly recommend a non-traditional design program such as Computer Graphics Design. Our industry is moving away from traditional graphic design and focusing heavily on digital media and interactive communication. CGD focuses on interaction design, motion graphics, 3D modeling, game art and design, web and mobile UI design and visualization.
You might want to check out Rochester Institute of Technology (http://computergraphics.rit.edu/), they have a BFA and MFA program in Computer Graphics Design. Their curriculum combines knowledge of design theory, methodology and aesthetics with skills in 2D and 3D computer graphics, interactive techniques and interfaces.
Most Master of Fine Art programs in design are two years. An MFA is the terminal degree for the field which means you would have the ability to teach design at the college level. This would open up additional employment opportunities in an otherwise tight job market.
