Anyone ever heard of...

[keith1]

Anyone ever heard of the International Academy of Design and Technology? They have schools all around the world and we have one here where I live now. I currently have an associates degree and want to go back and get a bachelors. Anyway I met with them today and the school is pretty sweet, very creative atmosphere and they offer more classes then just your regular run of the mill graphic design stuff in their communications design program. They have classes such as web design, multimedia, photography & video editing along with your desktop publishing, prepresss, typography & design color & theory stuff, the usual. Anyway just wanted to know if anyone has attended before or heard anything about it. I did some research and and they're an accredited school, they offer degrees, you have to take gen education classes. The class sizes are small like 20 & under and the instructors are all people that have worked or currently work in the field. Here's the link to the detroit area one http://www.iadtdetroit.com. Anyway any thoughts??

[Silence04]

everyone i know that went to the one around here said all the classes were over booked, didn't have that good of instructors and they didn't really help anyone get a job. but thats just what i've heard...

btw, have you seen thier TV commercials: "You don't need to have talent anymore to be a successful designer...work in a high class design firm, get money to do freelance, or work your way to upper management so you can make the big bucks!"

[keith1]

Well, I don't know, you kind of gave me a buzz kill with that one Silence. I already paid the $50 application fee. The market in michigan for all jobs sucks the big one especially graphic design. I have a lot of experience already but I realize I do not know everything and I'd like to go back to school not just for the "bachelor degree" title but for the education and the experience and now is the best time since I do not have kids. No school can really guarantee you a job anyway, it's what you do with the knowledge you have gained. My other option is http://www.ccscad.edu/ and this place is over $600 a credit hour. It's the best art school in Michigan and all around here until you get to Chicago or New York. Anymore advice please???

[Kool]

Man, I know how hard and frustrating trying to find a job is. I'm just finishing up my 14th month of "official" unemployment. But honestly I think the only difference between banging your head against the wall right now, and in two years with a BA instead of an AA is that you would be two years older and tens of thousands of dollars in debt.

[PersonasBinar]

IADT=Herzing for computer professionals. Over booked, very fast pace, no support and damned expensive, you might even find a class taught by a university student.

[keith1]

Thanks for all the negativity guys :D maybe you're right. Now I'm having second thoughts. I'd be spending over 30K on this in the end and I can't really justify it to be honest. I know what I need to improve on and I could just take classes to do that. Anyway a bachelor's degree may get you in the door but a great portfolio will keep you in the room. I'm confused. I want to better myself but you guys are right to be honest. In this profession it's all about what you can show and I feel like I'm lacking in some areas like web design. Maybe I should just take a few classes to better myself in the areas where I am lacking. Anyway anymore thoughts???

[cbscreative]

Keith, I agree that you could end up in debt, and since I am also in Michigan, I know how bad things suck for work. I get most of my work from outside the state. If you're looking at schooling, you need to look at what to realistically expect. I do well with graphics and web design as a self-employed person, so I am unaffected by the dismal job market (that is why I am self-employed).

I am currently attending Davenport University which has campuses in Detroit, and I am very happy. They have all the benefits you described, but they also deliver on the promise. Those clsasses are why I have been so absent from this forum since starting back up with the school year. I will also say that my degree is technology rather than graphic design. This is not for everyone, but I went this route because after so many years in graphic design, I was tired of all the skill required, but without the pay to match. I may not actually use my degree because I am doing well in business, but it provides options.

I will say this, knowing how to be a network administrator makes me be a much better web designer. I understand the workings of the Internet, not just the design aspect. I have found many cases where this knowledge has helped me outdo my competitors. Besides, if the web design becomes too cut-throat, I can always do a contract technical job for $100+ per hour (that's options).

One thing you said here may very well help, take the classes you need that can improve areas you need to become stronger. That seems like a good plan even if you don't actually pursue a degree.

There, someone needed to say something positive.

[jlknauff]

IAD is a churn shop...they don't really care about teaching you any real skills.

[Chris79]

Never heard of the place, but from the sounds of that commercial, I don't think I'd want to go there. My degree is actually in English / Creative Writing and I only really have a few design classes to my name. Been workin' for me so far. :)

Good luck whatever you choose.

[greyghost]

It's only every so often that I see an ad for a job that says "BA in Graphic Design required."

I didn't have trouble finding jobs even though my degree is in journalism ... with an emphasis on editing since I thought I'd be an editor. What a boring job that is!

Anyhow, I've known folks with only a HS diploma that did very well as graphic artists in the corporate world. Kool's got a good point.

[PersonasBinar]

Talent is Talent....if you don't have that then no degree can help you. If you find yourself lacking some technical skills vis-a-vis web design than take a course somewhere. In terms of web design there is a different component to the "design" that alot of designers unfortunately miss. Usability.... I myself am looking at getting some interface design course outta work in the next year. There's a whole science behind designing a good interface which is what you are doing when making a whole site.

You don'r really need a degree in design if your book is good. A piece of paper of some sort is cool, as it shows employers you can sit still for a period, read a book and write somewhat. I have a degree as a programmer/analyst. Now I'm a prepress expert. It will always be fluid and I'm STILL learning after 10 years in this industry.

Fattening up the skill set is always a good idea, but a dedicated web designer knows a gross amount. A disapline all on it's own, a very deep rabbit hole of knowledge indeed.

Don;t mean to burst any bubbles about the school but if they have schools in cities all over the place that says one thing only.....franchise...and for education that doesn't translate well. Try Rochester...there's a great tech Institute there apparently.

[keith1]

IAD is a churn shop...they don't really care about teaching you any real skills.

What would "real" skills be to you? From what I'v heard and saw it's 80% hands on and 20% lecture based.

[keith1]

Keith, I agree that you could end up in debt, and since I am also in Michigan, I know how bad things suck for work. I get most of my work from outside the state. If you're looking at schooling, you need to look at what to realistically expect. I do well with graphics and web design as a self-employed person, so I am unaffected by the dismal job market (that is why I am self-employed).

I am currently attending Davenport University which has campuses in Detroit, and I am very happy. They have all the benefits you described, but they also deliver on the promise. Those clsasses are why I have been so absent from this forum since starting back up with the school year. I will also say that my degree is technology rather than graphic design. This is not for everyone, but I went this route because after so many years in graphic design, I was tired of all the skill required, but without the pay to match. I may not actually use my degree because I am doing well in business, but it provides options.

I will say this, knowing how to be a network administrator makes me be a much better web designer. I understand the workings of the Internet, not just the design aspect. I have found many cases where this knowledge has helped me outdo my competitors. Besides, if the web design becomes too cut-throat, I can always do a contract technical job for $100+ per hour (that's options).

One thing you said here may very well help, take the classes you need that can improve areas you need to become stronger. That seems like a good plan even if you don't actually pursue a degree.

There, someone needed to say something positive.

Thanks cbscreative!

[TheBluePanda]

It all boils down to your portfolio, experience, and personality. If you walk into a company with an ungodly sweet portfolio and an AA degree, you'll get the job anyday over the guy with a horrific portfolio and a bachelors degree. Obviously having a bachlors degree is a wonderful thing, and can potentially give you the skills to have a sweet portfolio, but it's not the golden ticket to a wonderful job in graphic design.

[Satchel]

It all boils down to your portfolio, experience, and personality.

we know experience and portfolio are important but personality plays a big part in all of this too... good call Blue!

[keith1]

I have a great personality fortunately :D Probably the best personality ever invented!