[coryetzkorn]

Here's the issue:

I am 18 and will be attending college next fall. Most people go to college so they can decide what to do with their life, but I know exactly what I want to do, ... I just don't know what the best path is to get there. I want to be a graphic/ web designer. I am 100% sure about this because I have had every tool in photoshop and dreamweaver memorized since I was 8 years old. I have been doing design A LONG TIME and I feel that I have enough talent to get an internship tomorrow without any schooling. I am in no way trying to sound pretentious, I am only stating the thoughts I've been having.

Easy solution, right? Go to a school for design. Wrong.
Although I am confident that I can be an extremely successful designer, I am not quite ready to give up my academic past. This is my main conflict. I maintained a 3.8 GPA, was extremely involved in extracurriculars, spent the last two years in college instead of high school, and got a very decent 26 on the ACT. I am a pretty smart guy and I feel like going to an art school at this point would be like throwing away the last 4 years of hard work.

So, I did the only reasonable thing and applied to a mix of good liberal arts schools as well as some design schools in hopes that my acceptance and financial situation would eventually help me choose a college. However, with commitment deadlines approaching in less than a month, I still cannot decide. These are the schools I applied to (I live in MN):

University of Southern California: REJECTED
UCLA: REJECTED
University of Minnesota (graphic design program): ACCEPTED
Loyola Marymount University, CA: ACCEPTED
Stanford: REJECTED
Emerson College, MA: ACCEPTED
Brown University: REJECTED
Columbia College Chicago (Interactive Media program): ACCEPTED
University of Wisconsin - Stout: ACCEPTED
Rhode Island School of Design: AWAITING REPLY (maybe tomorrow )

I have no idea what to do now. Should I:
A) Go to a design school and give up my academics
B) Go to a liberal arts school to study design
C) Go to a liberal arts school for a Marketing major (which I'm also interested in) and hope to transition to design after my undergrad

What kind of qualifications are actually required or the best to have to get a job at a design firm or advertising agency? I figured marketing is a great skill and it would actually pair nicely with design if I ever start my own business.

From your experience as a designer, what degree will get me a design job?

Right now, I'm leaning towards Columbia College Chicago because I believe I have the skill and motivation to be successful regardless of an institution's prestige. My thinking is: get a simple interactive degree, get and internship, and start doing what I love to do - screw this traditional "liberal arts" BS. But the other side of me errs on the side of caution and makes me want to get a regular old degree. With the average entrance GPA at Columbia more than a whole grade point lower than mine, I am concerned to say the least.

ANY ADVICE WOULD BE INCREDIBLY HELPFUL.

Thanks So Much!
Cory

[hawken]

this is the internet dude. turn off your computer and ask a human being

[Coops]

Fucking hell. How long did it take to type that?

[luxbrand]

Originally Posted by hawken

this is the internet dude. turn off your computer and ask a human being

I'm guessing he will get more accurate answers here from people in the industry who perhaps went through the same thing at his age rather than some guidance councillor who knows fuck all about fuck all.

[albannach]

Hi coryetzkorn,
it's a good question (whoever you ask) and all I would ask you to consider is this:
At University/College level it's all Academic, whatever you are studying. You won't get through the course, even in design/art (at least not with some merit) if you don't treat it as an academic course. I don't think you would be 'giving up' the academic.

2 cents

[jamblo]

Do some research.

Speak to students currently at those institutions and see what the course is really like, don't just take the black and white of the course brochure as gospel.

Then give some design companies a call. See what sort of people they hire. I expect, more often than not, they will tell you they hire based on an applicants portfolio, not their grades or paperwork.

Perhaps consider which course is going to give the most diversity, which one will let you experiment and find your niche as a designer, rather than one that boots you out the door in 3 years with a certificate but no real experience in the reality of design.

Also, take every chance to make contact with practicing designers. Contacts lead to opportunities.

[JonoMarshall]

In the UK at least, marketing is often seen as financial and committee-led design.

You mention tools in different software packages, in my opinion this is one of the least important elements to being a good designer.

Design can be extremely intelligent and professionals with an acute understanding of communication, sociology, etc, seem to do very well.

My advice: find a great course (theory/ideas based) in a place your happy to spend a few years of you life and go from there.

[coryetzkorn]

Thanks to those of you who gave serious and helpful answers. I've talked with guidance officials, but they have no clue about the design world. I figured I may be able to learn something here from working professionals who have gone through this same thing.

I'm gonna try to contact some local firms to see what kind of people they hire. I definitely agree that an idea-based school would be best. I am more of an art producer than a conceptor, but there's a place for that too, right?

[Limbo]

Try not too look at design as just a serious of skills acquisitions. It can teach you a huge amount about life and yourself. You'll learn that good design takes intellect, wit and a huge amount of labour.

If you truly believe that you can be brilliant then go ahead and do it to the best of your ability. Your years and your passion are an advantage.

As for the questions about education - I'd go for nothing less than a Bachelor of Arts in Graphic Design - if you cannot get onto a good course find out why, improve your ammunition, and apply again. Marketing will not teach you how to produce great design.

[Kid A]

Chill out, catch some sun, tis start falling into place /|\

[d*d]

Originally Posted by Limbo

You'll learn that good design takes intellect, wit and a huge amount of labour.

That's me fucked

[jamblo]

And remember that technology is just a tool. Being competent with the Adobe suite is not the bread and butter of being a graphic designer; it's about creative reasoning and intellect.

[2Dfruit]

how about journalism. then you can type all day.

[Andy]

you shouldn't think of going to a design school as 'throwing away the last 4 years of your life', if you feel comfortable and happy being a graphic designer then go for it. otherwise do english or something.

[Do Gooder]

I threw away 7 years of my life.

But by George did I have a good time.

[Andy]

opposite for me, if i didn't have design i'd be working in Morrissons

[Jack000]

I would get a degree at a good school and do design on the side, that way you'll have a backup in case you decide that the design industry is not for you. I'm not sure how much experience you have, but I think you'll find that once you make a "fun" thing into a job, it eventually just becomes a job. Get an internship and try it out for 4 months. I did and discovered that it wasn't for me.

The other thing is - don't be cocky. I've seen a lot of "A" students cry over Cs in univ, and that seems to be quite a normal thing around here. It's a different environment from highschool/college and takes a lot of getting used to. Then again, I'm in the sciences.

last thing - as an engineering major, I'm obligated to inform you that liberal arts degrees are for pussies.

[coryetzkorn]

Thanks for all your help!

I've pretty much decided. Design is my passion and I'm going to follow it. I just cannot see myself in some corporate cube. I got accepted at my top choice art school, RISD. I love everything about the school and curriculum. Now I have to figure out how to pay for it. I got a decent amount of aid, but its still gonna cost a ton. Any suggestions?

[Megaton Cat]

Can we see some of your GD work samples? Just out of curiosity.

[bazzle]

I'm Having Trouble Planning My Life

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