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Career in Graphic Design.

M

MmSuperMario

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Jan 28, 2008
12
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Currently I'm in a community college and I have no clue what the hell to do. I switched my major to Computer Graphics and followed the list of suggested and required classes they had listed.

Right now I want to go find another college to get a degree for Graphic design and I've searched around but most of the colleges I've found in California don't seem like good schools to me, like AI. So does anyone know of a good college here in California for Graphic design? And does it even matter what degree I get inorder for me to pursue a career in Graphic design.

Also, I'm considering moving to Japan for a college for a degree in game design. Huge video game fanatic (Nintendo Whore) and I made a small little game for Highschool project, titled "Legend of Zoloft." So I'm also wondering if its even smart to get a degree in grpahic design and then go off to another country for another degree.

And one more question, :eek: , I ordered This about a month ago and it still hasnt arrived. I'm growing impatient, so should I wait a few more days or just cancel and find it else where online?

Thanks. I think this topic is a little scattered.
 
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I was never interested in Devry. I was never fully convinced it was a good place for degree when representatives would come to my highschool.
 
MmSuperMario said:
Currently I'm in a community college and I have no clue what the hell to do. I switched my major to Computer Graphics and followed the list of suggested and required classes they had listed.

Right now I want to go find another college to get a degree for Graphic design and I've searched around but most of the colleges I've found in California don't seem like good schools to me, like AI. So does anyone know of a good college here in California for Graphic design? And does it even matter what degree I get inorder for me to pursue a career in Graphic design.

Also, I'm considering moving to Japan for a college for a degree in game design. Huge video game fanatic (Nintendo Whore) and I made a small little game for Highschool project, titled "Legend of Zoloft." So I'm also wondering if its even smart to get a degree in grpahic design and then go off to another country for another degree.

And one more question, :eek: , I ordered This about a month ago and it still hasnt arrived. I'm growing impatient, so should I wait a few more days or just cancel and find it else where online?

Thanks. I think this topic is a little scattered.
Click to expand...

Cal Arts would be what you're looking for, but it's pretty hard to get into and VERY expensive.
 
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You might like game design now, but will you feel the same when you're 50? Getting a degree is a good idea. It will give you foundation to be a better artist. Plus it will give you something to fall back on when you get older and are sick of deadlines and over-nighters; you should be able to make a decent income teaching.

Pretty much any of the state schools in California would give you a decent BA or BS in graphic design. Look at programs at Sacramento State or Chico. Chico is easier to get into, but the town is small and the social life is a party atmosphere. Sacramento is a larger city and has more to offer, but the program is impacted and requires that you take pre-major classes before you can submit a portfolio for acceptance. Last year, they accepted 40 students out of 100 that applied. If you don't get in, you have to wait one year to reapply. Anyway, both schools offer solid programs that are more affordable than the expensive diploma mill schools like ITT or Devry. Do a google and check out the school websites. Good luck.
 
Change Majors NOW!!!!!




:p

j/k, but I'd look into somewhere that offers a BFA. It makes it sound less of a technique and more like a passion.

And pretty much all design principles are the same, software can be learned on your own.

Plus: keep a sketchbook and practice daily. Something even I slack on.
 
THX1139 said:
You might like game design now, but will you feel the same when you're 50? Getting a degree is a good idea. It will give you foundation to be a better artist. Plus it will give you something to fall back on when you get older and are sick of deadlines and over-nighters; you should be able to make a decent income teaching.
Click to expand...
Its something I've dreamed of always getting. I spent a year in HS making a small little game and I;d spend my days thinking of what to add to it. I'd end up making small noted in my HW about what to add, I'd even end up including the code for it. I only used a program called Gamemaker for Windows, but it had the ability to use code and once you understood the coding well you could make really great things. And it is something I could see myself working my entire life in. Its the only thing I could ever really see myself doing forever in some little white room with just me a computer and a sketchbook.

And to the poster above me, may I ask what you mean to look elsewhere for a BFA? I know this will just sound really idiotic, but I have no clue what level of a degree I should be aiming for, I just know I should get one.

And just how expensive is Calarts? I've been looking into it and it seems to be just as expensive as other places and I know I should be able to Federal Financial aid, unless they don't give that out for places like CalArts.
 
MmSuperMario said:
And just how expensive is Calarts? I've been looking into it and it seems to be just as expensive as other places and I know I should be able to Federal Financial aid, unless they don't give that out for places like CalArts.
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From the Cal Arts website:

Tuition in 2007–2008 is $31,290 for full-time enrollment. It is anticipated that tuition will increase in successive years. New and prospective students will be notified when a change in the tuition rate occurs.

That doesn't include lab fees and whatever else they tack on, nor does it include living expenses. If you can afford that and you can get in, I'd say go for it. You work hard, learn a lot and graduate from there and you'll have your choice of jobs when you get out.
 
MmSuperMario said:
I was never interested in Devry. I was never fully convinced it was a good place for degree when representatives would come to my highschool.
Click to expand...

That's not something to base your decision in choosing a school from...

Many Major Universities...as well as 'po dunk' community colleges send representatives to local schools making sure that students know All their options. I went to a community college my first year...and got a bunch of my basic curriculum out of the way (So, please don't think that I am negative towards the idea, just making a general observation.)

Once you decide on your top 3 colleges...go and visit them.
Some Colleges/Universities may spout the fact that they have design programs...but go and talk to the faculty and students. You may find that the design program has taken a back burner within the school
...to say, the Marketing program (this happens a lot).
You want a school that is actively trying to stay current with the industry...one that is actively competing in local/state/etc. design competitions (and bringing home awards).
It is these schools that you will take home more of what you need to know to make the money you want to be making (of course doing what you love and want to do...graphic design)
 
Argh! Cost. Again it foils my college plans.

Cost was the only reason I never went to any college away from home. Even community college costs an arm and a leg when it comes to books. And I was really interested in Calarts. I probably should still check it out and se how they could help financially if I were to get in.

And what is basic curriculum?
 
basic curriculum...are the basic core classes that aren't necessarily just for your specific field.
Everyone has to have these classes in order to fully earn their degree though.

Essentially these are classes to make sure that everyone has had enough schooling to be on the same page before entering (or during) classes specifically for your major.

Eng. 101+
Statistics
(Sciences, Maths, English...)
etc...etc...

You can 'clep' out of certain classes (or earn the right to skip that class) if you score high enough on the class entrance test...and sometimes you can substitute certain classes for others (that might have more relevance to your field of choice).
 
There are always federal student loans...if you just can't seem to cut it paying for it all on your own. These loans don't start accruing interest until you start paying on them (gives you a nice break...and if you're smart, you can put back what you can afford to use toward the loan when you begin making payments on them.)

I would also suggest talking to a school counselor about scholarships...there is free money for just about everyone out there with the will to find it.

heck, there are scholarships for family of railroad workers and even for some being left handed. :\
 
Long Beach State has a great program for design/graphics, etc. Everyone I interview or who's book I see out of that program has been top-notch. I really don't think spending $$$ on schooling translates to a great job upon graduation. That's probably stating the obvious though.

If you have the chops you'll be fine and won't have that $50,000 student loan debt.
 
jecapaga said:
Long Beach State has a great program for design/graphics, etc. Everyone I interview or who's book I see out of that program has been top-notch. I really don't think spending $$$ on schooling translates to a great job upon graduation. That's probably stating the obvious though.

If you have the chops you'll be fine and won't have that $50,000 student loan debt.
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CSULB? Really? I went through there catalog when I went htere last week with a friend and could not find anything on Graphic design.

Can anyone give me more info on this? I;ve gone through the LB site once before but I never found anything on GD.
 
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