Here are some tips for selecting schools, based on an analysis comparing each school to all others across dozens of factors:
Schools Concentrating On Graphic Designers
- Focus: For schools with a focus on this career area, look at Oakland Community College, Schoolcraft College, Kalamazoo Valley Community College, and University of Michigan.
Fastest Response From Schools
- Request Info: For the fastest information for prospective students, look at the Spotlight schools on this page.
Student Body
- Part-Time: For schools emphasizing part-time studies, consider University of Michigan-Flint, College for Creative Studies, Madonna, and Ferris State.
- Diverse: For a diverse student body, consider Andrews, Mott Community College, University of Michigan, and Lansing Community College.
- Adult Learners: For lots of adult learners, consider Spring Arbor University, Andrews, Kirtland Community College, and Kellogg Community College.
School Setting
- Out of State: For geographic diversity, take note of Andrews, University of Michigan, Gogebic Community College, and College for Creative Studies.
- Dorms: For a residential campus environment, take note of Cranbrook, Andrews, Ferris State, and College for Creative Studies.
Excellence
- SAT: For students with high SAT scores, look at University of Michigan and Madonna.
- % Accepted: For selective institutions, look at College for Creative Studies, University of Michigan, Ferris State, and Andrews.
- Class Size: For small class sizes, look at Andrews, University of Michigan, Cranbrook, and Ferris State.
Student/Alumnus Reviews of Schools for This Career and State
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Central Michigan University • Mount Pleasant, MI
Studying Bachelor Of Fine Arts (completion in 2006)
• 7/9/2011
"I was satisfied with the education I received and the social experiences I had while attending Central. It was an experience that created many lasting memories, friendships, and opportunities. I even met my wife at Central!"
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | maybe | I would recommend Central Michigan to people looking for the traditional college experience. If they are trying to save money, they might also try a vocational type school. |
| Program Reputation | 5 | My school was not necessarily recognized as a specialized "art school." It was a good school with a reputation of solid academic performance. As a student I was still expected to complete core curriculum classes such as math, science, and language arts. Our program was not as highly regarded as schools that focused solely on teaching art. |
| Program Quality | 5 | My program focused on the practical applications of graphic design. The beginning classes still taught a lot of the basic art theories. Later on, the classes became more centered on how to use graphic design in potential careers. |
| Instruction | 8 | The classes were taught by many graphic design professionals that currently work in the field or had relevant experience as graphic designers in the past. Many of my instructors were also well recognized in the graphic design community through awards and other recognition. |
| How Difficult | 4 | The classes were often critical of your work and challenged you to think outside the box and push your levels of creativity. However, the instructors often gave you ample time to explore different ideas and present something of quality. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | A vast majority of the school work was performed on computers or in studios. The curriculum was very much a "learn by doing" type of approach. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 3 | Many of my classes were only offered at a specific time. I specifically remember an art history class that was only offered early Friday mornings. Most of the other people I went to school with, that had different majors, had NO classes on Friday at all. |
| Academic Facilities | 10 | The facilities provided to me were excellent. At the time, we were working on cutting edge G5 Mac workstations. We also had access to mobile labs that featured Mac laptops. The instructors were pretty flexible in their office hours as well. |
| Social Life | 10 | The school had many social activities during the school year. Each dorm had planned activities and it was not a problem to find parties every weekend. |
| Placement Services | 1 | I was not provided any assistance in finding employment once I graduated. I was not made aware of any programs that would help me. I tried to find employment on my own. |
| Alumni Network | 3 | During the first few years after graduation, I would still get e-mails from some of my instructors asking how we were getting along in our careers. In the last few years, the only communication I have received from my school are requests for money. I am still able to keep up with some of the people in my program through social media. |
Lansing Community College • Lansing, MI
Studying Graphic Design (completion in 2008)
• 7/9/2011
"It got me to where I am now so I guess I can't complain that much. I learned enough to start my own freelance graphic design consultation services with a number of clients, so I'm pretty happy I went there."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | yes | I would because even if you have to learn graphic design elements on old computers and old techniques, it's still good to learn because that old stuff was what all the modern software is based on. It helped me to learn the basics. |
| Program Reputation | 5 | I haven't heard anything bad about my school's Graphic Design program, though I haven't heard anything good either. |
| Program Quality | Great instructors with real life experience. Small class size enabled me to focus on the course work with help from the teacher. The downside was that the equipment we had to use was outdated and not really beneficial in today's work environment. | |
| Instruction | 8 | Like I said earlier, the instructors were great, very experienced, and helped me along with my own career. |
| How Difficult | 3 | As long as you are creative and have no fears of using Macintosh computers, then you'll have no problems learning graphic design, especially not from this school. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | Very hands on, as the school couldn't afford the latest technology. We used old tech which requires a lot more hand-eye coordination than modern computers. Think dark room as opposed to Photoshop, that's about how archaic the technology was. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 10 | The good thing about attending a community college is the flexibility of the schedule. The one I attended was no different. |
| Academic Facilities | 3 | The school was outdated when it came to computers and the latest software. Now the school only offers Graphic Design Certificates, when just a few years back they offered an Associate's Degree in Graphic Design. |
| Social Life | 3 | It was a community college. Think of the sitcom 'Community' which parodies the fact that community colleges have no spirit or parties or notable events. |
| Placement Services | 3 | It was non existent. Pretty much do-it-yourself. Be nice to the teaching staff and ask them how they made it, etc. |
| Alumni Network | 3 | I don't know very many alumni's and every once in a while I'll get a letter from the alumni association telling me of something. It's not very helpful, though. |
Specs Howard School Of Media Arts • Southfield, MI
Studying Graphic Design (completion in 2004)
• 7/20/2011
"I really got a lot out of attending the school. The classes are small and it was really hands on. It helped me pick things up quickly."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | yes | It is very reasonably priced and flexible with your schedule. The instructors are knowledgeable and always there to help. |
| Program Reputation | 9 | This particular program is fairly new. The school's reputation was built quickly through word of mouth. |
| Program Quality | 8 | They were very hands on. They had most of the latest software and technology. |
| Instruction | 8 | The instructors were very knowledgeable. Many instructors came had real world experience. |
| How Difficult | 6 | They start off really slow to make sure you understand the software and its tools. The learning curve picks up towards the end. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | Most of the classes have literature. But from the beginning you are working on a computer and learning the software. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 9 | The school is open all year. They offer classes in the morning, afternoon, and evening. |
| Academic Facilities | 6 | There isn't a lot of space. They do not have enough room for library facilities. But they had many computers with the proper graphic software installed on them. |
| Social Life | 4 | It's a small school and everyone attends class at different times. However, they do throw an excellent graduation ceremony. |
| Placement Services | 9 | I got a job before I graduated. The placement department works very hard to place you. |
| Alumni Network | 9 | We have access to alumni. All alumni information is on a secure site. |
Tuscola Technology Center, College For Creative Studies • Caro, MI
Studying Advertising Design (completion in 2014)
• 7/27/2011
"My school is perfect for me. It's everything I wanted."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | yes | Any graphic design student should be interested in this school. I recommend it based on my personal experience. |
| Program Reputation | 10 | This is an obviously prestigious school. The name and the reputation, as well as the students, deserve respect. |
| Program Quality | 10 | This field of study requires a lot of practice. My school provided the tools to practice with. |
| Instruction | 10 | Every instructor at this school is here for a reason. They are working on what they are passionate about. |
| How Difficult | 5 | No program of study should not challenge students. It just takes hard work. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | This field has to use a mix. It is done well at the school. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 5 | College is a lifestyle. It is as flexible as it needs to be. |
| Academic Facilities | 10 | The school is well funded. The facilities are impressive. |
| Social Life | 10 | Being at college is a social experience. Being around others that share your passion upgrades the experience. |
| Placement Services | 10 | Most study programs lead students to careers. A lot of assistance is provided. |
| Alumni Network | 5 | People who attended school together naturally keep in touch. There is a massive alumni network to connect with. |
Henry Ford Community College • Dearborn, MI
Studying Graphic Design & Advertising Minor (completion in 2010)
• 8/15/2011
"I enjoyed completing both online and in-person classes at Henry Ford. I would have liked the graphic design courses to be a bit more modern and up to date."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | maybe | I believe the school provides a great opportunity to see if one enjoys design while also getting to know all of the aspects of design, including the history. I would recommend someone to get their Associate's degree from here and to pursue an art-specific school for further degrees. |
| Program Reputation | 5 | It is not a formal art school, but it also has a large student body currently. I think it's a good start to test the waters of design and to receive an Associate's degree. |
| Program Quality | 3 | I went to school for the credentials, though I felt I sat through many courses bored and unchallenged. I passed with excellent grades, but I felt the program was not up to par with today's standards of design (in both the graphic and web world). |
| Instruction | 5 | It varied with the teachers. Some teachers were very objective with design and art, whereas others accepted a variety of techniques and visions--so it varied along with each professor for me. |
| How Difficult | 1 | I enjoyed the classes I took. It felt extremely easy only because I was so interested in design so I didn't mind additional projects. However, nothing was extremely difficult within the courses. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | Most all of my classes required hands on learning, whether we used computers or made art in front of the classroom. The art history classes were really the only courses that required strictly from the book learning. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 8 | I thoroughly enjoyed taking classes at the times that were offered--it helped with going to school and working, although the time gaps between classes were sometimes a bit frustrating. |
| Academic Facilities | 7 | They had updated Mac computers, which made the computer rooms more enjoyable rather than working on outdated ones. For other classes including drawing and sketching, the facilities were average. |
| Social Life | 1 | I only took classes that I needed to complete my degree rather than taking full days and living near campus. I lived in another city so I rarely stayed for anything more than my work. |
| Placement Services | 7 | Although the school offers many meetings and job placement conferences, I was not interested in this from them. I had never attended the meetings, though I do know there are many programs available from the school. |
| Alumni Network | 5 | I had never been too involved with the school's network or support, though I did take courses online and all of my counselors and advisers were extremely helpful and informative. |
Kendall College Of Art And Design • Grand Rapids, MI
Studying Graphic Design/Illustration (completion in 1995)
• 8/27/2011
"I'm glad I attended Kendall College of Art. The teachers, staff, and fellow students all combined to form a perfect learning environment. I've been back to the school since that time to attend supplementary courses, and it has only gotten better! They have grown since 1995, but they still have many of the same wonderful, dedicated instructors. Also, some of the most talented students have joined the staff as adjuncts and formed new and relevant classes for today's student. Kendall is a very exciting college."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | yes | Kendall College of Art and Design was and is a great experience for any dedicated Design student. Kendall has demonstrated to me that they are very dedicated to providing a rich learning atmosphere for their students both during their college years and beyond. Kendall prepared me to enter the design world well equipped to secure a career position and they provided the necessary career services to find that job! |
| Program Reputation | 9 | Kendall College of Design has a VERY good reputation nationally for Graphic Design and Illustration. Other than CCS (Center for Creative Studies) in Eastern Michigan, it is the best Art College in the state. I would say KCAD and CCS are about on par nationally. |
| Program Quality | 8 | Kendall College of Design is an excellent college that stays current with all the emerging techniques and media that comprise the skill set necessary for today's Graphic Artist. Class size allows for personal interaction and individual attention from instructors. Great casual camaraderie among students and plenty of opportunities to form student groups and events. |
| Instruction | 9 | Instructors, throughout my four year attendance, fostered artistic development through hands on assignments and projects, too numerous to mention, which taught the necessary skills to help become proficient and comfortable creating artwork that catches employers' eyes and lends itself well to its intended application. It was a very rigorous program that honed my skills in drawing, painting, and computer application. In 1995, Kendall had a very good computer art program. I have since taken Flash courses and I see that today their computer art program has grown considerably since that time. |
| How Difficult | 10 | The workload was pretty strenuous at times. Often I would try to take an Art History course to offset the time needed for artwork completion in studio courses. Some Instructors assigned much more work than others. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | Most everything we learned to do was by example and by actually working with the media (paints, pastels, etc.) or software. Books were not required for most studio classes EXCEPT for the introductory courses during the first year. Perspective had a book and the art history courses required books. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 7 | Scheduling was usually pretty flexible. I was usually able to get all the classes I wished to attend. Often I was able to get all the classes I needed to attend for that semester and still set aside a day or a half day with one class or no classes so I would have uninterrupted time to complete assignments. |
| Academic Facilities | 9 | We have an excellent library, and I still make use of it. The computer lab is wonderful with plenty of workstations, all of which are loaded with the entire Adobe Suite for web and print. Also, there are multimedia and 3D programs loaded onto many of the workstations. Instructors keep on top of the need for new software purchases, and it shows! |
| Social Life | 9 | When I attended students were always sharing their knowledge and skills with each other. Also, there were always student posted events, seminars, parties, stuff like that. I made close friendships that I still have today. Two of my closest friends are fellow students, one of which I helped to get a job at the corporation where I work. |
| Placement Services | 8 | Career assistance through career services at Kendall is very good. Kendall beats the bushes for employers to post jobs and visit the college grounds. During one career day I was able to secure an internship at American Greetings during the Summer of 1995. Also, it was through career services that I found and acquired all but one of the four professional design positions I have held since graduation. |
| Alumni Network | 7 | Pretty good overall. I was involved with the Alumni for a few years, and we put out a yearbook on CD utilizing Flash rather than print. Students are encouraged to stay in touch and most of my friends still check the website's job bulletin. It was from the job bulletin that I found a small freelance job with the corporation I now work for full time. That worked out very well for me! |
University Of Michigan • Ann Arbor, MI
Studying Clinical Psychology (completion in 1982)
• 9/6/2011
"I received a stellar education there. My degree opens doors, even though it's not my current profession."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | yes | I would recommend it for budding psychologists. I don't know what it offers to budding designers. |
| Program Reputation | 10 | It is one the country's best. It is also one of the most difficult programs to get accepted into. |
| Program Quality | 9 | U of M is the best school in the country for clinical psych. The professors are first-rate and the curriculum is challenging. |
| Instruction | 9 | Classes are taught by full professors, not assistants - most of the time. I use the information I learned to this day in everything I do, every single day, even though my degree is not related to my current career. |
| How Difficult | 9 | Clinical psych is technical, abstract and difficult. I took 15 credits each semester, but there were no fluff classes. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | It was equally split. I had practicums, internships, and labs, plus a ton of reading and writing assignments. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 5 | I didn't investigate these options as I didn't need them, and at the time, there were no online options. I know today they offer more night and weekend courses. |
| Academic Facilities | 9 | There are several very large libraries on campus. I don't know about other facilities as I haven't been to class there in many years. |
| Social Life | 5 | I am not a social person and did not attend such events, but there is an active frat/sorority community and Student Union. The school spirit is huge there, especially for the sports teams. |
| Alumni Network | 10 | U of M alumni are a very active group. My college's alumni assoc. support is something I don't know about because I don't avail myself of it. |
Siena Heights University • Grand Blanc, MI
Studying Computer Information Systems (completion in 2010)
• 9/15/2011
"I loved it and would recommend anyone going there for any major."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | maybe | There are probably better schools out there for Graphic Design/CIS but still a great experience overall. |
| Program Reputation | 3 | It is a private Catholic school known mostly for drama and theatre majors. |
| Program Quality | 10 | A good school which provided a good education, though still not enough with specific graphic design. |
| Instruction | 6 | Teachers were OK and knowledgeable but didn't seem to have a real passion for the art. |
| How Difficult | 5 | Computer technology comes naturally to me so most of the workload wasn't real difficult. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | Teachers were there to help but not particularly passionate. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 6 | They let you work on your own time a lot and make assignments up regularly. |
| Academic Facilities | 8 | There were lots of computer labs and tech support, though it could have been better. |
| Social Life | 8 | I loved it but I may have chosen another school if I could have. |
| Placement Services | 7 | I worked right out of school and make pretty decent money. |
| Alumni Network | 4 | They have a good alumni association but not a lot from my field. |
Delta College • University Center, MI
Studying Graphic Arts Technology (completion in 1996)
• 9/29/2011
"I loved my time at Delta! The entire experience was diverse and rewarding."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | yes | I would and I have, and I will continue to. My college is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year and I will attend the festivities that they have planned. I continue to enjoy the facilities, like the library and pool and fitness facilities. It is a great resource in our community! |
| Program Reputation | 10 | Delta is very highly accredited and has been consistently throughout its 50 year history. The art and design department has always been one of the highest rated in the country for colleges of this size. |
| Program Quality | 9 | Delta was a great place to study graphics because the program was new at the time that I was attending and they always kept up with the technology. They had great professors and the classes were smaller and more intimate because it was a community college rather than a large university. Also, because so many of the students were adults, the class scheduling was diverse in terms of times and locations throughout the region. |
| Instruction | 9 | Delta College is a community college, and because of this everything is always career focused. They work very closely with local companies to provide the types of skilled workers needed in this area. |
| How Difficult | 8 | I felt academically challenged throughout my time at Delta, more so in some classes than others, as you would expect. If ever my work load became too intense, there were always resources and plenty of options for help. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | I thought that my class experiences were a great mix of both. Great attention was paid to having the proper equipment and supplies, as well as the right texts and visual materials to convey the material. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 10 | There are many locations for classes and on-line opportunities also. Classes are offered days, nights and weekends, and there are many opportunities for other flexible options. |
| Academic Facilities | 10 | Delta is constantly upgrading their facilities and curriculum. Like I said previously in this survey, they are very focused on the local job market and work very hard to stay on top of the needed technology to employ people locally. |
| Social Life | 7 | I was an adult student at Delta so many of the extra-curricular activities did not interest me, but they were available. I met and socialized with many people that I met while at Delta, and continue to see many of the friends that I made while I was there. |
| Placement Services | 7 | The resources are always there for help in finding a job, no matter how long you've been a graduate. Alumni are always invited to participate in job fairs and career placement services. |
| Alumni Network | 8 | It has always been what you make of it, which I guess would apply to almost anything in life. I was more involved with alumni projects earlier, but opportunities are always available for support and networking if the individual wants it. I have been back a few times for more classes and many events. |
Andrews University • Berrien Springs, MI
Studying Visual Communications-Graphic Design (completion in 2014)
• 2/23/2012
"It is a good school. Just wished it was kinder on price, but that's private school for you."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | yes | If your family is part of the Conference, it's a no brainer, but other than that, it's still a good school, with a pretty good reputation. I would go here again. |
| Program Reputation | 7 | Within the tri-state area, Andrews has a great reputation. Also, within the Adventist world, it is very respected. However, outside the three states, its not very well known. |
| Program Quality | 5 | It is a good school, but for this program, and the money involved, there may be a better choice. If your family works for the Conference, it is a great option. |
| Instruction | 8 | Like all schools, teachers are a range of good to bad. I really appreciate the fine arts teachers as they are very willing and helpful in learning and understanding. |
| How Difficult | 7 | It is not so hard as it is time-consuming. For me, the brainstorming and ideas are quite easy, but the execution of those proves to be harder. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | Again, this is teacher specific. I tend to like the teachers that incorporate as much hands on as possible. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 6 | They have had some issues with scheduling. There seems to be some dissension across certain groups, and some generals don't get done like they need to. This is quite frustrating, considering the bill for the semesters. |
| Academic Facilities | 8 | The woodshop, galleries, and studios are all quite nice, but somewhat dated. The teachers can usually find what you need, but some newer tech you have to go off campus to find. There are two printing centers which are very nice and helpful to students. |
| Social Life | 8 | I have found many good friends that I will have for the rest of my life. I met my future wife, and am receiving a good education, so I am pleased. A bit hefty on price, but a good school. |
| Placement Services | 7 | They try to encourage you to go out, and give you some basic tools to do so, but actually scheduling is on the student, which can be a good or bad thing, depending on how one looks at it. |
| Alumni Network | 8 | They have big events for the alumni, but major specific events are pretty much at the hands of the individuals. There are many students that stay in contact, thus creating a network that proves helpful later in one's career. |
ITT Tech • Dearborn, MI
Studying Arts (completion in 2014)
• 2/26/2012
"It's a very nice school. They want you to succeed."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | yes | This school will help you every step of the way. They do not judge. |
| Program Reputation | 10 | It's a place that gives second chances. They also have broadcasted commercials. |
| Program Quality | 10 | I am very satisfied, due to the quality of the classrooms. The cost to attend was very affordable for me. I love my major. |
| Instruction | 10 | Nice professors. Small classroom environments. |
| How Difficult | 1 | I am not sure how it is for others, but it is easy for me, since it interests me. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | It's more hands on, which allows you to learn things faster. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 9 | The schedules work on your time. They work well for me while taking care of two children. |
| Academic Facilities | 9 | There is always someone to talk to. The school may get a little crowded, but overall, they have a great support system. |
| Social Life | 10 | I am a very outgoing person. Everyone is friendly here. |
| Placement Services | I'm not too sure. I have not looked into the career services yet. | |
| Alumni Network | 5 | I do not know much about it. I never hear anything bad about it. |
Finlandia University • Hancock, MI
Studying Graphic Design And Digital Art (completion in 2006)
• 2/27/2012
"For a small school with limited resources, it does a good job. As long as you put effort into your work, you will come out with great portfolio pieces and knowledge of how to handle clients."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | maybe | I would only recommend it to students who want to stay in the Houghton/Hancock area. The only other competition is Michigan Tech, which doesn't offer a focused graphic design program. |
| Program Reputation | 4 | I'm not sure Finlandia has a reputation for graphic design. Its art and design programs are well-regarded in the community, but I don't think the school is recognized on a larger scale. |
| Program Quality | 8 | Finlandia University is very small, which means that I had immediate access to faculty members. The curriculum focuses heavily on technical aspects of graphic design, and I got a very strong base in Adobe Creative Suite that has served me well during my career. |
| Instruction | 9 | Finlandia's instructors are mostly industry professionals who have transitioned into teaching; as a result, they have direct practical experience. I learned about real-world situations, ways to handle clients, and practical uses for technology tools. |
| How Difficult | 7 | The workload was as difficult or easy as you wanted to make it. Many of my classmates chose to work on simple projects, but I took it a step farther with design internships for local businesses. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | I was impressed with the hands-on focus. I worked on real client projects, spent hours learning tools in Photoshop and Illustrator, and wasn't forced to listen to much lecture. It's great for practical design experience. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 5 | Unfortunately, many of Finlandia's classes are offered at only one time slot, probably due to the small size. Some are offered online, but the graphic design courses are difficult to teach in an impersonal setting. |
| Academic Facilities | 7 | For the lack of funding and small campus, Finlandia provides what they can. The Jutila Center, a new addition, is a beautiful facility that has plenty of space for all art majors. |
| Social Life | 8 | The small community provides plenty of social opportunities. The dorm was a great place to get to know people, and the student body tends to show up to support all of the activities. |
| Placement Services | 4 | Finlandia doesn't provide much in the way of job placement services. They do, however, do a good job of placing graphic design students with local businesses for internships; that's how I got my current job. |
| Alumni Network | 5 | I haven't gained any benefit from the Finlandia alumni network. I think many graduates tend to fall off the radar or move on from the university completely, making them inaccessible. I only know of one other graphic design major that is gainfully employed. |
WCCCD (Wayne County Community College) • Taylor, MI
Studying Graphic Design (completion in 2013)
• 3/19/2012
"WCCCD was an excellent school with great facilities and great teachers. I would recommend it to all my friends."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | yes | I absolutely would. They gave me the tools and knowledge to get ahead in what I wanted to be doing in the field. Now I work at home doing what I love to do - who wouldn't want that? |
| Program Reputation | 7 | It's a pretty well known program. I know of a lot of people who decided to join after I did! |
| Program Quality | 7 | I felt left out because of how big the class sizes were. There was not a great deal of one-on-one with this course. |
| Instruction | 8 | I learned a great deal about Adobe photoshop, Indesign & Illustrator, all programs I use daily. |
| How Difficult | 3 | It came very naturally to me. I was pregnant when I attended and they made it very easy for me. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | This course was very hands-on, and you can tell they want you out there doing it. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 10 | I went at night even while I was pregnant! I was also able to work at home if I could not make it in due to my pregnancy. |
| Academic Facilities | 10 | Everything you needed for research was either in the library or provided to you. The materials were mostly provided. |
| Social Life | 2 | I was pregnant when I attended so there were no parties for me! However, the attitude was always upbeat and happy. |
| Placement Services | 6 | Since I wanted to work at home, I ended up working on my own, so I am not sure about the job help part of this school. |
| Alumni Network | 9 | They made it very easy to find everything I needed. The counselors were very helpful in providing more info if needed. |
Northern Michigan University • Marquette, MI
Studying Graphic Design (completion in 2013)
• 3/17/2012
"I am very satisfied with my school. I feel it will help me pursue my dreams of becoming a graphic designer."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | yes | The school will help you get a job. The location of the school is great also. |
| Program Reputation | 10 | NMU is 1 of the best art schools. The professors are really good. |
| Program Quality | 7 | My program has great teachers. The campus is really nice. |
| Instruction | 7 | I am prepared to be a graphic designer. I have learned a lot. |
| How Difficult | 7 | I have a lot of homework. Some of the content is difficult. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | Some classes are hands on. Some classes are based on book learning. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 8 | My class schedule is flexible. If needed, I can take extra classes during evenings or weekends. |
| Academic Facilities | 8 | The library is very nice and has a huge selection. The school offers all students Mac laptops. |
| Social Life | 8 | The athletic programs are great. There are lots of social events to keep the students close together. |
| Placement Services | 8 | The school helps students get jobs. I already have an internship. |
| Alumni Network | 6 | The school has a great alumni network. Everyone is really great. |
Grand Valley State University • Allendale, MI
Studying BFA Illustration (completion in 2008)
• 3/30/2012
"I was extremely satisfied with the attitude of the whole program, which was to work very, very hard, but not be afraid of making mistakes. The faculty was a priceless resource. However, I wish the job placement programs respected my field more."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | yes | Grand Valley offers an excellent classic art education, which makes a good base for any concentration. They offer their seniors studio space, which not all art schools do. They also limit the amount of spots available in each concentration field, so that classes are small and intimate. |
| Program Reputation | 8 | I think GVSU is pretty well known, at least in Michigan, to be a good art school; it's one of the three I toured in high school as part of an art-specific college preview. Also, we're highly respected because of the reviews and trials we take, and the state-of-the-art equipment and technology we have. |
| Program Quality | 9 | GVSU has a great program for fine art. Students first have to attend a year of classic studio arts, and then they undergo a Foundation Review, where 3-4 professors view their work as a unit. Then, students choose a concentration and have two more reviews, Junior Review and Senior Show, where they get to curate their own show. |
| Instruction | 7 | It's hard to tell how much actual career preparation we learned in class. Mostly, I learned this from talking with my professors outside of class or attending gallery shows and discussions. One thing I know for sure is that I have a far better understanding of necessary computer programs, like CS4, that I'd never have if I tried to learn it on my own. Most of the curriculum seemed less relevant at the time, but as I go on, I can see how it all relates. |
| How Difficult | 10 | The GVSU art program is very challenging, because even if you get good letter grades in your Foundation classes, you can still 'fail' if you don't do well enough in review. It's actually in place to weed out people who don't want to dedicate their college career to art. The workload is also pretty massive when it comes to studio classes; they are three hours long, twice a week, and carry about 8-10 hours per week of out-of-class work. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | Most of the art program can only be learned by doing. I would say 80% of the classes took place in a studio, rather than a lecture environment. We did do a lot of art history that was mainly books and presentations, but even that included museum visits. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 7 | Grand Valley has many classes available online, although I have never taken any. There is the main campus in Allendale, the downtown campus in Grand Rapids, and satellite campuses in Holland and Muskegon. For the art program, all classes take place at Calder Art Center in Allendale. There are summer and spring courses available, but not many in the art program. |
| Academic Facilities | 8 | The professors who taught me ranged from being fresh out of school themselves to being 40-year veterans of the field, and they all had something to offer. The professors were the best resource. Also, we had a full woodshop, metal pouring/casting area, clay-making room, full ceramics studio, plentiful computer labs with up-to-date software, and individual studios for seniors. |
| Social Life | 6 | I was not very social in school, because the art program is very intense. However, GVSU is famous for student organizations, and I did attend the Renaissance Club, which puts on the largest free Ren Fair in the country. |
| Placement Services | 5 | The career services program has been little help to me, but I think it's just because of my field. Career services tends to think of all art as the same, whereas I am looking for specific positions for my skills and interests. |
| Alumni Network | 3 | I've not tried to look into our alumni support program, but there is little offered through the school. I have been supported by my professors, who continue to be available to me when I ask questions. |
International Academy Of Design And Merchandising • Troy, MI
Studying Graphic Design (completion in 2010)
• 3/27/2012
"It is very expensive at this school. The teacher class size is definitely a benefit."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | yes | I think that it is a fantastic trade school, but it is very expensive. Make sure that it is your ideal career path before entering. |
| Program Reputation | 5 | I think that the school could advertise for my program more. I feel other forms of study are more reputable. |
| Program Quality | 10 | The school is specifically for the degree. You do not have to take other courses that would not pertain to what you are going to school for. |
| Instruction | 7 | The class sizes are small. You really get to know your instructor and school staff. |
| How Difficult | 6 | I think that your instructor is really there to help you. You make friends easily with other students and you can study together. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | You do group activities with other students. The school focuses on group interaction. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 4 | If you work full-time, you will not be able to attend here. They would like you to balance your schedule. |
| Academic Facilities | 9 | They have updated electronics and computers. You learn on the best equipment out there. |
| Social Life | 1 | This is definitely a trade school; do not go here if you want sports or other school activities. They mainly focus on studies. |
| Placement Services | 5 | I feel that they help you once you graduate. They do not continue to stay in contact with you after your graduation. |
| Alumni Network | I am not really sure about their alumni network. I have not been contacted for anything. |
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