fellow graphics designers

[glitch1501]

i was wondering if anyone in a graphics design job could help me out on a few things,
first, im going to be graduating in the future, and i was wondering, should i go to a "acredited college" or some type of art school

what do most companies look for when they hire a graphics designer?
do they look for a 4 year college degree, or some type of design school?

since i want to stay instate for college i have a few options,
st. pete college
usf (university of south florida)
the international academy of design and technology
and the ringling school of art and design

any help would be great, because im really confused, thanks

[Twilly Spree]

First, go to an acredited college, so important.

Second, employers look for skill. It doesn't matter where you go, but you have to have the skills.

Otherwise the choice between an art school and regular college. I'm at a private university right now, it's nice to have a variety of people to hang out with. You might get sick of "art people" after awhile. But then again an art school will give you more opportunity to be around inspiring people. Really it's up to you. Go where you feel most comfortable. I could have gone to Purdue, that's a nice degree to show to someone. But I didn't feel right there. So yeah...if that made any sense.

[madphilb]

since i want to stay instate for college i have a few options,
st. pete college
usf (university of south florida)
the international academy of design and technology
and the ringling school of art and design

any help would be great, because im really confused, thanks

well... I know where abouts you live now!

SPC is a good place, I think the courses there would be less expensive than USF, but USF is a bigger school.

Personally I'd stay away from the tech school, simply because it won't hold as much credibility as the college would.

Ringling might be a good way to go, too, but I still think the college route is best (this comming from a guy who wasn't ever going to go to college, and now is sorry I didn't).

[glitch1501]

wow, i didnt know we lived so close madphil

hmm thanks for the input guys, brought some points up i hadnt thought about

[glitch1501]

i found this on ringlings site,

Ringling School is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD), the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS), and by the First Professional Degree Level by the Foundation for Interior Design Education Research (FIDER.)

so ringling is accredited
so it would be better that IADT which isnt accredited

and SPC would be all around better cause its a regular college

[madphilb]

and SPC would be all around better cause its a regular college

Did 1 semester at SPC (was still SPJC back then, just before the change)... really liked the school overall. They're reasonable too.

I'm hoping to be able to start picking up courses again once I'm on top of my bills, but who knows.

Keep us up to date where you decide and whatnot.

[glitch1501]

alright i will, i know im probably planing this too early, im going to be taking SAT on march 27th, so pray for me please, thanks guys

[madphilb]

Never too early to start planning your future. Otherwise you wind up like me at 34 with a sorted employment career and wondering if it's worth the effort to try to follow my dreams or just settle for making rent and having a few toys to play with on the weekend. As it is I still have to keep in mind that in the next 30 years or so I have to put together my retirement package (that is like, sooo depressing).

Where did I put that stupid learning C book... I got some programs I need to write

[MyrrhLynn]

i found this on ringlings site,

Ringling School is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD), the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS), and by the First Professional Degree Level by the Foundation for Interior Design Education Research (FIDER.)

so ringling is accredited
so it would be better that IADT which isnt accredited

and SPC would be all around better cause its a regular college

Yes Ringling is good. I know that and I live in Wisconsin! You're lucky you're live close to it, I soooo wanted to go there, but my parents pretty much killed the idea of me going to into art at all.

Humm... I knew a guy that went to Ringling but I haven't talked to him in years. He did tell me though that they were a favorite hiring place for Pixar.