Expert: Sean Trapani - 7/16/2008

Question
Hi Sean,
I'm a graduate of UCLA in mass communications and took a few program classes to put a portfolio together for art direction and got into Art Center College of Design. I've been there for one year now and I'm having second thoughts. The school is going through a rough patch and their senior exhibition work is not that impressive.
I also got into the Academy of Art University but I don't think their work is very strong either, and also Miami Ad School in San Francisco. I like Miami Ad school's conceptual work but I think it lacks a refinement and finish that Art Center's students put out, however, I don't think Art Center teaches their student's to push themselves creatively and ideas are old and recycled.
I've looked into VCU as well and their Masters Degree and their list of faculty is impressive but I think their student work lacks polish yet their alumni work is awesome.
Art Center is going to throw me into years and years of debt , I do like their program but it will be another bachlor's program and I am afraid I won't be pushed creatively, but that I will learn production value. Miami Ad school work is fun and creative but it looks like "student work"

Are there other schools I should consider? I have been asking recruiters in the industry about Art Center's work and I have only heard their portfolios are met with mild acclaim, nothing impressive, but I have not heard anyone come out of Miami Ad School.

I feel like I've been grappling with this problem for too long, any feedback or advice would be greatly appreciated!

Thank you!

Answer
Hi, MJ

I giggle a bit when reading this question because its point of view hits close to home.

You see, when I started teaching, I was shocked by the lack of professional-level work I was seeing from my students. They either showed good technical skills, conceptual ability or strategic insights - but never 2 or 3 at the same time. But then it hit me.

They were students.

I was looking at them through the eyes of someone fresh out of the profession - someone who had been surrounded by other people who had survived, and flourished, in the business. I thought back to the garbage I produced during my first few years on the job, and realized that - barring rare exception - a student's portfolio is not going to look like a One Show annual.

It sounds like you've already developed a critical eye toward the work, which - believe it or not - is one of the toughest things to do. When you apply that eye upon your own work, what do you see? What would a CD say about your book? What are its weak points?

Once you identify your weak points, choose the school that addresses that area best, and you've found your personal match.


Best of luck,


Sean Trapani