Expert: Sean Trapani - 1/31/2010

Question
I am from Minneapolis and graduated with a Bachelor of Individualized studies for Advertising, Art and Design. I am interested in becoming an Art Director but was wondering how necessary you believe it is to go to portfolio school.

Also, my boyfriend moved to Arizona (Phoenix) for law school and I would like to move there as well. Do you know of any reputable portfolio schools in that area? I would be willing to go somewhere in San Diego or L.A. if Arizona is not a possibility but I am not familiar with the schools in either area and most of my Internet searches seem to yield graphic design schools or general art schools and I am having a difficult time distinguishing those from specific portfolio schools.

Thank you for your time,
Mercedes

Answer
Hi, Mercedes

I have never come across the name of a portfolio school in Phoenix, so I can't make any specific suggestions. But I can comment on portfolio schools in general.

For the most part, they are a good thing. Their curriculum is very focused on helping you build a solid portfolio; and, if you already have a good business understanding of advertising, a portfolio school can help you add the polish to your book that gets you a job. Schools like the Chicago Portfolio school, Miami Ad School and Creative Circus in Atlanta are solid schools. (You could explore if any of them offer online programs.)

As to whether it's "necessary," that comes down to the level of work you have now. Agencies demand a much more finished-looking book for entry level hires today because there are so many advertising students looking for jobs. Minneapolis is a great advertising town, so you might call a shop like Carmichael Lynch and ask for a courtesy interview. Ask them if they think your book is ready. Or, if you'd like, you can send me a link to your online portfolio and I'll be glad to give you some feedback.


ST