Choosing the right Art and Design Program

Becoming a designer can be a very exciting prospect and your first step in choosing the right art and design program is the most important. The creative industries are huge with many different entry points and they can be very competitive, so choosing the right design program for you is crucial.

To succeed, you'll need to be very committed and have some abilities and a lot of passion for your art.  The real question is how do you go about selecting the right program from the many choices that exist?  Is a university course the right option or is an art and design program the best route to nurture your talent?  Do you even need qualifications to get ahead in today's design world?  From traditional university education to art and design colleges this article explores all of the different options into the design sector comparing the pros and cons of each.

Having a university degree is a great start to any creative career. But with soaring tuition, limited course options and no guarantee of a job afterwards, is it still worth it?  Attending an art and design school can offer more focused programs but will that limit your options to potential employers?  

If you're considering university or college as a first step in applying yourself to a career in the exciting creative industries, take a moment to weigh the pros and cons of each.  You really need to ensure you're taking the right route for the right reasons and the reasons should be yours.  Here's the things you'll need to know to make the most informed decision.

What's in it for me?

By attending either a university or art and design school, you'll gain a well rounded understanding of the subject in addition to gaining the relevant skills needed for the real world.  You'll also be exposed to many new experiences, which are crucial to the design world.  You'll also come in contact with many designers who have real world connections to the work place.  This can be extremely valuable after you graduate.  Many of the better programs will have placement or internships, which again will help develop your skill set and further expose you to the real creative community.

What can I expect at school?

Neither university nor art and design college is for everyone.  You'll need to balance the academic rigor of your program, alongside learning the actual design skills that employers will look for.  At a traditional university you may be expected to take more academic courses than practical how-to subjects at an art and design school.  At a university, you may be expected to attend more lectures than studio time as you would at an art and design school.  There are many benefits from both forms of learning and you will develop different skills from both approaches.  Understand that both are important but one method may be better suited to your desired form of learning.  The choice is yours.

Can I commit four years or am I missing something if I take a two-year program?

A four-year university program can seem very long and in many cases it can be the best choice for many students.  A two-year art and design course may seem too short in some cases to fully develop your art skills.  Both approaches can offer you a lot.  The university option may allow you more time to experiment with different forms of art before you commit to a certain direction, where an art school allows you to start developing a certain discipline of creative skills right from the start.

Which option can I afford?

University can be costly when you combine tuition, living expenses, books and supplies over a four year period.  Art school may ultimately be cheaper given many of the program are half the length.  In both cases student loans and part time jobs will help and in both cases you'll likely still leave both institutes in debt. 

Will be there pay back?

Entry into the creative fields will occur in both cases regardless of which education option you select. A university degree may offer you more options at the beginning, however art school graduates may be better prepared at the outset with specific and practical skills that many creative employers may be looking for in entry-level positions.

What else should I consider?

There is a lot to be said about experimentation with your art in the early stages of your development.  A university setting may afford you that opportunity.  However if you have a passion for some of creative fields niche areas like game art and design, game development, graphic design or fashion design then an art school that specializes in those fields may be the better fit for you.