I’m looking for a Graphic Design School that doesn’t require fine art courses, any suggestions?
December 28, 2009 by
Filed under graphic design courses
I’ve already taken some Graphic Design classes and some Fine Art classes. I hated the Fine Art classes and I want to avoid them as I continue my education. My goal is a Bachelor’s Degree. I’ll also consider similar fields like “Multimedia Design” or “New Media.” Somewhere warm would be nice too, but not required.
Honestly, I don’t think you’ll be able to avoid fine art classes. If your fine art classes count as college credits, you can always transfer them over to your school of choice. I know the Art Institutes allow you do to that.
Every strong graphic design program that I know of requires some fine arts courses. You do need a basic foundation in drawing, color theory, three-dimensional experiences. Drawing especially.
But if you already have a group of these courses, you may not need additional fine arts studios because you’ll generally focus more on your specific design studios as an advanced student.
Or perhaps you can fulfill any additional “non-design” studios with photography, video, illustration, media arts. That is usually easy to do. They are a little more “cross-over” depending on the instructor, and often design majors enjoy these courses more than painting or ceramics, etc.
Fine arts and design are two different beasts, but that doesn’t mean one is better than the other. If you prefer design, work with your faculty advisor to select outside courses that are more meaningful to you. Keep the drawing skills up to speed though (and keep your distaste for the fine arts quiet because it’ll simply make people mad and it won’t do you any good!
Schools you might consider are
VCU – Virginia
NC State – N.Carolina
RIngling – Florida
MICA – Maryland
All would be at least in the southern half of the USA and all have well-respected graphic design programs. Good luck!