Degree in the Fine Arts

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, I used to teach graphic design on the college level. One thing everyone should know about graphic design today is that it is highly computer oriented. That is, at a computer all day long. So if you want to be a graphic designer, you need to LOVE your computer, and be able to pick up computer programs easily. The days of doing anything by hand in graphic design are long ago over.

I currently teach graphic design at the college level and echo this. It's all eye-strain, all day long. Can be creative, but it is mostly just very mind numbing and spec-heavy.

OP here. That is one reason that we decided to move away from looking at graphic design and look more into fashion design/merchandising. DD doesn't like the programming/coding part of GD. Thanks for your insight.

[Anonymous]

OP, I'm a MICA grad. I'm doing fine. Good luck to you and your daughter. Yes. I frothed some milk along the way, but my non-linear path to my current career has been wonderfully enriching, I'm a better person for it, and a much more able and creative employee for it, and not afraid of a struggle.

[Anonymous]

I have BFA and as many on this board know, you can change careers at any time...Steve Jobs perfect example..dropping out of college and taking typography which ended up setting Apple apart from other brands. Typography would fall under Graphic Design. She would take a range of Art courses in the first year and then determine her interest...I ended up leaving my major and ended up in Interior Design...that could easily Segway into real estate, events planning, home staging, even the hospitality industry...product design. Bottom line is it probably does not matter as long as she makes it worthwhile. Visual people are always in demand, it is a gift. Check out Pinterest... That coffee comment pissed me off, but don't you just love the hearts and Christmas trees they make in the foam...? Making an everyday occurrence Art! Sign me up!

[Anonymous]

OP here. I'm reviving this thread to give some updates and look for more info.

DD completed a 2 week Fashion Design program at Parsons this past summer. She didn't love it, but was more indifferent towards the designing, and totally did not care for NYC (sigh). She says she would rather do Fashion Merchandising/Marketing. She is going to SCAD this summer to take a few classes, then back to NYC to take classes at FIT and LIM (taking a college credit course) and based on those experiences, will prioritize her college choices. While, we both recognize that she doesn't like NYC, she also knows that as far as Fashion, that really is the place to be. She has also now added VCU, Drexel and Phila U to her list.

She is also kicking butt in her advanced Math class and college counselor is trying to sway her into considering Robotics and trying to get her to combine both fields. HUH?? I wasn't at the meeting so not sure what was told to DD. DD was also a bit confused about how they fit together. I will be meeting with College Counselor after the holidays to try and get everyone on the same page. I'm not sure if it is in DDs best interest to take AP Calc and AP Physics next year (what Counselor is suggesting). I know my child. She is not going to be an Engineer!

Any students accepted into any Art schools so far this year?

[Anonymous]

Hi OP, Just thought I'd take a peek here since DD is arty as are many in my family.

The counselor's recommendation is very interesting. Take a look at this article from today's WP: http://www.washingtonpost.com/sf/business/2014/12/17/the-great-start-up-slowdown/

It's about a physicist trying to start a custom (read using 3D printing) shoe business.

I'm guessing if you DD combines robotics with fashion - she could be VERY employable in 4 years.

Good luck to your DD and kudos to your parental support of her!

[Anonymous]

Virginia Tech - but tough to get into. Va Tech. also has 33 counselors dedicated to getting kids jobs after graduation: http://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/225341.page

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, I used to teach graphic design on the college level. One thing everyone should know about graphic design today is that it is highly computer oriented. That is, at a computer all day long. So if you want to be a graphic designer, you need to LOVE your computer, and be able to pick up computer programs easily. The days of doing anything by hand in graphic design are long ago over.

I currently teach graphic design at the college level and echo this. It's all eye-strain, all day long. Can be creative, but it is mostly just very mind numbing and spec-heavy.

Another point on graphic design and fashion design. DC may have to learn to code on computer. That does require math, usually calculus. Check the program carefully if DC is not math-oriented.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Does she know how to froth milk properly?

This will be an important skill for her after she graduates.

This reflects the proletarian mindset of one who would have told a young Bill Gates "what! leave Harvard to start a *soft ware* company???"

Follow your passion and you will find happiness - even if you end up frothing a cup of milk or two along the way.

BS. Just because you have passion about something, doesn't mean you have what it takes to be any good at it. You won't find happiness following a passion for which you have no talent. And that passion won't feed your kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Does she know how to froth milk properly?

This will be an important skill for her after she graduates.

If you have nothing constructive to add to this discussion then please stay away from this thread. OP is trying to help and support her DD to continue her education in a way that works for her and some of us are trying to offer her advice. Did you read my long post about what it takes to get into a design school? It's a hell of a process that is more than the simple common app which is, frankly, not that hard - my DD did both and the design school application was much harder and more involved.

OP - good luck with your search. As I said, design school is not for the faint of heart and shouldn't be taken lightly. It is not the easy way out - even if some clueless people try to lead you to believe. There are quite a few more traditional schools which have good design programs. Some may have portfolio requirements. Make sure to look at all of the information on the design school application requirements even at the more traditional schools.

Yes, I agree. Go someplace else if you need to release your insecurities and inner nastiness. Or get some help.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Does she know how to froth milk properly?

This will be an important skill for her after she graduates.

If you have nothing constructive to add to this discussion then please stay away from this thread. OP is trying to help and support her DD to continue her education in a way that works for her and some of us are trying to offer her advice. Did you read my long post about what it takes to get into a design school? It's a hell of a process that is more than the simple common app which is, frankly, not that hard - my DD did both and the design school application was much harder and more involved.

OP - good luck with your search. As I said, design school is not for the faint of heart and shouldn't be taken lightly. It is not the easy way out - even if some clueless people try to lead you to believe. There are quite a few more traditional schools which have good design programs. Some may have portfolio requirements. Make sure to look at all of the information on the design school application requirements even at the more traditional schools.

Yes, I agree. Go someplace else if you need to release your insecurities and inner nastiness. Or get some help.

+1

[Anonymous]

If she intends to go into fashion, she needs to start developing sewing skills NOW. When she gets there, she will find that most of the people in her program can sew really, REALLY well. She is going to be behind if she doesn't have good sewing skills. She needs to take all of the classes that she can find in this and she needs to start designing and sewing things NOW.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If she is really interested in working in fashion as a real career, she should go to FIT. I have several family members who went there and all are successful fashion executives or buyers or marketers. The school was founded by the industry and is all about training to work in industry- not to be a Project Runway star or "artist" in the traditional starving sense, but to get a job and work in one of the world's largest industries. There are absolutely solid career paths out there in fashion. I think VCU and SCAD also have good fashion industry programs, but really if she can get into FIT just go straight to the best.

OP here. I just looked at the FIT program and it looks perfect for her. They also offer sports and dance, both activities that she is enjoying now. We will definitely be making a trip there this summer. She's doing a program at Parsons this summer, so she will really see if this fashion design thing is for her. Thanks for all the great advice so far.

Just an FYI, my brother and child traveled from Los Angeles for the FIT portfolio presentation (a few years back so most portfolios, but not all, were still in large leather portfolio presentations. They sat in a room with 100s of kids and said each kid got no more than 3 min. of presentation time. They were very disappointed about the experience. I know most portfolios can now be done by email but do check out how rigorous the portfolio requirements are. My brother and niece were not prepared and blown away by the competition. It was an expensive, waste of time.

[Anonymous]

I would recomment the Va Tech program - but it is a difficult college to get into (you apply directly into the particular college of planned study. Engineer, architecture and this are the hardest to get into: http://www.ahrm.vt.edu/

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. I'm reviving this thread to give some updates and look for more info.

DD completed a 2 week Fashion Design program at Parsons this past summer. She didn't love it, but was more indifferent towards the designing, and totally did not care for NYC (sigh). She says she would rather do Fashion Merchandising/Marketing. She is going to SCAD this summer to take a few classes, then back to NYC to take classes at FIT and LIM (taking a college credit course) and based on those experiences, will prioritize her college choices. While, we both recognize that she doesn't like NYC, she also knows that as far as Fashion, that really is the place to be. She has also now added VCU, Drexel and Phila U to her list.

She is also kicking butt in her advanced Math class and college counselor is trying to sway her into considering Robotics and trying to get her to combine both fields. HUH?? I wasn't at the meeting so not sure what was told to DD. DD was also a bit confused about how they fit together. I will be meeting with College Counselor after the holidays to try and get everyone on the same page. I'm not sure if it is in DDs best interest to take AP Calc and AP Physics next year (what Counselor is suggesting). I know my child. She is not going to be an Engineer!

Any students accepted into any Art schools so far this year?

Friend DD got accepted to RISD.

[Anonymous]

For the PP mentioning daughter interested in Fashion and Math try Industrial Design at an art school. RISD has an ID department.