5 answers
Isabella
Student
Elk River, Minnesota
4
Questions
Asked
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How did you end up choosing the college/university you went to?
I'm interested in graphic design as a career and have been considering Dunwoody.
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5 answers
Paul Gullatte
Director, Advertising and Marketing Compliance
204
Answers
New York, New York
Updated
Paul’s Answer
Ok, so I'm going to give you 2 different answers. One for me and one for my daughter who is an illustration major.
I attended Morgan State University strictly for financial reasons. Compared to the other schools I looked at, the tuition was cheaper (I lived in state), and they provided me more financial aid (scholarships and grants) than the other schools I wanted to attend.
My daughter is in her senior year at Moore College of Art and Design in Philadelphia, PA. She also considered SCAD in Atlanta, GA and MICA in Baltimore, MD. In addition to Moore providing a better financial aid package, Moore was a 40-minute drive from home and my daughter wanted to be close enough in case of an emergency.
In the end, your decision will boil down to what's most important to you. For my family it was cost and proximity to home.
I attended Morgan State University strictly for financial reasons. Compared to the other schools I looked at, the tuition was cheaper (I lived in state), and they provided me more financial aid (scholarships and grants) than the other schools I wanted to attend.
My daughter is in her senior year at Moore College of Art and Design in Philadelphia, PA. She also considered SCAD in Atlanta, GA and MICA in Baltimore, MD. In addition to Moore providing a better financial aid package, Moore was a 40-minute drive from home and my daughter wanted to be close enough in case of an emergency.
In the end, your decision will boil down to what's most important to you. For my family it was cost and proximity to home.
Natalie Pitts
Learning Solutions Designer
5
Answers
Chattanooga, Tennessee
Updated
Natalie’s Answer
Isabella, it's great that you have an idea of what you want to do, and where you want to go!
I currently work as an instructional designer with a heavy emphasis on graphic design. I actually majored in English/Literature in college and graduate school, and I chose my college because of the city, not because of the school or program. In fact, I changed my major as soon as I got there!
Honestly, no matter where you go to school or what major you choose, you can forge your own path. Everything I learned about graphic design, I learned through free web resources later in life. I taught myself Adobe Illustrator, Adobe InDesign, and Adobe XD through a lot of trial and error, tutorials, and LinkedIn Learning courses. It all paid off later when I wanted to transition into a graphic design-related role from having a previous career as an English professor.
College is such an impactful experience. My advice would be to go somewhere that inspires you - no matter where that is. It doesn't have to have the top program in the country, region, or state. Make good connections while you're there and commit to exploring what's out there. THAT is what will serve you well in the future.
Best of luck to you, Isabella!
I currently work as an instructional designer with a heavy emphasis on graphic design. I actually majored in English/Literature in college and graduate school, and I chose my college because of the city, not because of the school or program. In fact, I changed my major as soon as I got there!
Honestly, no matter where you go to school or what major you choose, you can forge your own path. Everything I learned about graphic design, I learned through free web resources later in life. I taught myself Adobe Illustrator, Adobe InDesign, and Adobe XD through a lot of trial and error, tutorials, and LinkedIn Learning courses. It all paid off later when I wanted to transition into a graphic design-related role from having a previous career as an English professor.
College is such an impactful experience. My advice would be to go somewhere that inspires you - no matter where that is. It doesn't have to have the top program in the country, region, or state. Make good connections while you're there and commit to exploring what's out there. THAT is what will serve you well in the future.
Best of luck to you, Isabella!
Imani Crenshaw
Sales Assistant
2
Answers
La Quinta, California
Updated
Imani’s Answer
I embarked on an enlightening journey through the Black College Tour, exploring campuses across the South and East coast. This experience gave me a deep, personal insight into the essence of these institutions. Among the many schools we visited, Hampton University stood out, and I was thrilled to eventually become a part of this vibrant academic community.
Catherine McKenzie-Baeten
Instructional Design
3
Answers
Huntersville, North Carolina
Updated
Catherine’s Answer
Hello Isabella,
When it's time to pick a college or university, it's important to think beyond just your intended major. You see, a lot of students switch their majors and it often takes a few years before they start focusing on their major-specific classes. So, initially, it might be more beneficial to consider factors like the school's location, its size, the average class size, the variety of clubs and organizations, the vibrancy of student life, and the availability of extracurricular activities.
For instance, becoming a member of a graphic design club can offer you a sneak peek into the program before you even start your coursework. It's also worth looking into the tuition fees and financial aid options. Sometimes, smaller schools offer more tailored programs than larger universities, and at a more affordable cost too!
Don't forget to check out the school's reputation, the accreditation of its programs, and the qualifications of its faculty. You should also think about the campus housing policy and the different types of accommodation available, not to mention the safety measures in place on campus.
And last but not least, make sure you visit the campus in person. There's only so much you can learn from recruitment brochures, and a personal visit can reveal important features of a university campus that you might otherwise miss.
When it's time to pick a college or university, it's important to think beyond just your intended major. You see, a lot of students switch their majors and it often takes a few years before they start focusing on their major-specific classes. So, initially, it might be more beneficial to consider factors like the school's location, its size, the average class size, the variety of clubs and organizations, the vibrancy of student life, and the availability of extracurricular activities.
For instance, becoming a member of a graphic design club can offer you a sneak peek into the program before you even start your coursework. It's also worth looking into the tuition fees and financial aid options. Sometimes, smaller schools offer more tailored programs than larger universities, and at a more affordable cost too!
Don't forget to check out the school's reputation, the accreditation of its programs, and the qualifications of its faculty. You should also think about the campus housing policy and the different types of accommodation available, not to mention the safety measures in place on campus.
And last but not least, make sure you visit the campus in person. There's only so much you can learn from recruitment brochures, and a personal visit can reveal important features of a university campus that you might otherwise miss.
Laura Mills
Graphic Designer
41
Answers
Lenhartsville, PA
Updated
Laura’s Answer
Hello Isabella,
What a great question! I am really glad you have found your career path in graphic design to pursue a college degree in. To answer your question as to recommended colleges/universities to pursue a major in graphic design, I attended Southern New Hampshire University online and they are a great school that has professors who are professionals within their field with many years of experience. SNHU is a very supportive university whether you decide to attend in person and have the typical college experience or go the route I did by learning and earning your degree online. As for other colleges/universities, here's a list of them that are specifically for people wanting to pursue a major in graphic design: https://www.niche.com/colleges/search/best-colleges-with-graphic-design/.
If you are looking for a college/university that solely focuses on the arts, you can try looking into Full Sail University, Rocky Mountain College of Art & Design (RMCAD), The Savannah College of Art & Design, Rhode Island School of Design (RISD), etc. If you are interested in looking at more colleges/universities like this simply Google search, 'art and design colleges for graphic design majors'.
I hope this helps you get an idea of where to start on your graphic design school journey, and I hope you get in wherever you want to go!
-Laura M.
What a great question! I am really glad you have found your career path in graphic design to pursue a college degree in. To answer your question as to recommended colleges/universities to pursue a major in graphic design, I attended Southern New Hampshire University online and they are a great school that has professors who are professionals within their field with many years of experience. SNHU is a very supportive university whether you decide to attend in person and have the typical college experience or go the route I did by learning and earning your degree online. As for other colleges/universities, here's a list of them that are specifically for people wanting to pursue a major in graphic design: https://www.niche.com/colleges/search/best-colleges-with-graphic-design/.
If you are looking for a college/university that solely focuses on the arts, you can try looking into Full Sail University, Rocky Mountain College of Art & Design (RMCAD), The Savannah College of Art & Design, Rhode Island School of Design (RISD), etc. If you are interested in looking at more colleges/universities like this simply Google search, 'art and design colleges for graphic design majors'.
I hope this helps you get an idea of where to start on your graphic design school journey, and I hope you get in wherever you want to go!
-Laura M.
Thank you so much, Laura!
Isabella