SVA Transfer(BFA) Or Pratt Communication Design(MS)

[joylindudu]

Hi,

I'm an international student, and I graduated from business University. To be a graphic designer is always my dream. Now I am happy to get admissions and I am confused about that. I have two admissions, one is SVA graphic design as transfer student for BFA; another is Pratt communication design for MS. Which one will you suggest me to attend? I know SVA has good reputation in graphic design than pratt, but it's a BFA degree. But many of my friends think that I should go Pratt for master. Please give me more idea about two of these programs and schools! I really need your advice. Thanks~

 

[mgsarch]

Hi,

I'm an international student, and I graduated from business University. To be a graphic designer is always my dream. Now I am happy to get admissions and I am confused about that. I have two admissions, one is SVA graphic design as transfer student for BFA; another is Pratt communication design for MS. Which one will you suggest me to attend? I know SVA has good reputation in graphic design than pratt, but it's a BFA degree. But many of my friends think that I should go Pratt for master. Please give me more idea about two of these programs and schools! I really need your advice. Thanks~

Pratt has an excellent reputation. They produce a lot of fantastic work. I just visited and will be deciding between grad programs there and a few other places (not graphic design, but I am a graphic designer ... haha).

It's in New York (brooklyn, but actually closer to downtown than you would be if you lived uptown) so, get ready to have a blast if you go there. That is, when you're not pulling consecutive all nighters in studio! ; ) We sadistically enjoy that part too though, right?

Best luck!

btw, never heard of SVA, the only programs I really know much about are Pratt, IVREA, MIT, and then european programs. MIT is amazing, John Maeda has created a beast.

 

[IgnatiusTheKing]

Hi,

I'm an international student, and I graduated from business University. To be a graphic designer is always my dream. Now I am happy to get admissions and I am confused about that. I have two admissions, one is SVA graphic design as transfer student for BFA; another is Pratt communication design for MS. Which one will you suggest me to attend? I know SVA has good reputation in graphic design than pratt, but it's a BFA degree. But many of my friends think that I should go Pratt for master. Please give me more idea about two of these programs and schools! I really need your advice. Thanks~

I don't know anything about either school, but it seems to me a Masters will take you farther than a BFA. One thing to look at would be any classes you would be required to take as part of the BFA that don't really apply to what you want to be doing; the kind of requirements they might have for everyone, regardless of major. If those exist and don't appeal to you, that might be another reason to lean towards the MS.

 

[mgsarch]

I don't know anything about either school, but it seems to me a Masters will take you farther than a BFA. One thing to look at would be any classes you would be required to take as part of the BFA that don't really apply to what you want to be doing; the kind of requirements they might have for everyone, regardless of major. If those exist and don't appeal to you, that might be another reason to lean towards the MS.

I have a bit more time so I wanted to try and offer a little more to the OP.

No offense Ignatius, but I don't know that that's such great advice. As I'm sure you know, design programs can really vary tremendously as far as the design philosophy they cultivate. It's totally different from business or law schooling so if you don't have experience with design schools it may seem confusing. There's no certain curriculum everyone must study as there would be in Law school or Medical school when you must pass rigid examinations at the end. Pratt has their own approach and I'm sure SVA does as well. It's important to know the direction of the institution to become clear on whether or not it meets your own preferences and expectations as a designer.

One thing about Pratt is that it's a large art institute with a great reputation. You'll be surrounded by terrific designers and artists as well as the rest of new york city.

A design degree doesn't "take you farther" on it's own merit, meaning BFA vs. MS is really quite meaningless. Especially when (her?) bachelor's is in a different vocation completely. Designers are judged on merit and not on what school they went to or how advanced the degrees they hold are. Pratt is a very competitive program (for the degrees I looked at) and your portfolio obvious showed potential for strong design sensibility. Congrats!

Go where you'll learn the most and you'll learn most in a program that is really most tailored to your interests.

 

[ezkimo]

Having just visited the Pratt grad comm d program, I would suggest SVA.

 

[brooklyndave1]

degree less significant than work.

The Pratt MS program is more specifically designed for people who do not have the previous undergraduate training in design. Unfortunately we are getting many international students with previous degrees in design (that makes it a less interesting and less diversified program). People with different educational backgrounds should be pursued so that Pratt can have broader more interesting critiques that look at design through many perspective. Crits are less than adequate when it comes to student participation. Too much talk and chaulk with some professors. People enriching their design work with previous, and diverse educational knowledge or expertise in certain fields. If you want a more mature and or older student population; I would recommend the masters at pratt. Many people are working in addition to doing their degrees, or returning to do the degree years after work experience The Master degree is not in brooklyn- but Manhattan (14th street). Check out the show which opens this week at the Hammerstein Ballroom to see the quality of the work. Pratt will work you like a dog if you have the stamina...and your portfolio will reflect how much work you put into the program. BS or MS is less significant. If you find one or two professors that encourage you in your growth and development...than you are getting more out of the program than most. If you don't make those connections, then I think you leave the program feeling like you didn't get as much out of it. Take fewer classes and give 110% to those classes- those that rush through the program...end up doing mediocre work and feeling mediocre about the program.

 

[switters00]

Pratt - Grad. Comm. D.

I just graduated the MS program at Pratt, Graduate Communication Design Program. Like the previous poster mentioned, the program is in NYC, 14 street and 7 avenue in a beautiful building.

Overall, the professors are pretty good. The student body is primarily foreign, which I like.

You have 3 concentrations, digital design, packaging design, or communication design.

Concerning SVA and getting a BFA instead, I suggest an MS. The work load will be more challenging.


Good Luck