M.F.A Programs
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- designasaurus
Are M.F.A programs work the time and money for a graphic designer? Anyone know of any good ones they would recommend or have any wise advice on the topic? Much obliged.
- ian000
Yale, SVA, RISD, CalArts would be my top 4
- madirish0
now that Maeda is at RISD, i would be more inclined to look there.
- designasaurus0
Any programs that are strong in the digital/interactive side?
- now that Maeda is at RISD, i would be more inclined to think there.
madirish
- now that Maeda is at RISD, i would be more inclined to think there.
- designasaurus0
I'm on the west coast, but RISD is attractive (minus the huge price tag). Thanks for the info.
- ian000
RISD is know for it Graphics (read print) but with Maeda there who knows
- designasaurus0
I've been working in interactive for 2.5 years, I like the field but not so much my job, I want to find a way to push my skill set. I'm not sure about how to make the money work doing an M.F.A but it sounds attractive to go back to school.
- marychain0
The truth is
NOT worth the effort UNLESS you want to teach.I'm doing an MFA program at Miami International University of Art & Design because I teach some classes at night and need the certification, but you will NOT make any more money BECAUSE you have an MFA in Graphic Design....it can and has actually hurt in some cases as you'll be labeled over qualified or somesuch.
I've talked to tons of people with an MFA before deciding to get my 34 year old ass back to school...and this seems to be the consensus.
- Jaline0
Okay, it is probably better for teaching, but I doubt that it could hurt you A LOT.
- adev0
You'll learn more on the job. From what I was told by many of my undergrad professors and read numerous times, do the MFA if you want to teach and write. The MFA is not about teaching skill sets. That's for on the job training/self experimentation. MFAs are about teaching you to think and be able to talk about design critically towards academic peers (and most likely students), in an effort to make you a better artist as well.... but mainly it's so you can critically analyze work better and convey your thoughts to a wider audience intelligently.
- +1
It also depends on what kind of a learner you are.Jaline
- +1
- Mimio0
I wouldn't rule out benefiting from a grad program in a professional practice. Particularly if you want to have your own design boutique with a connection to the academic world. It could be a good way to establish relationships.
- utopian0
Unless your going to teach at the college level, a MFA is worthless.
To put it in perspctive for you: "Those who can, do. Those who can't, teach."
- It's that simple eh?
Mimio - what Mimio said. You guys are very black and white about education around here...Jaline
- I know about 12 people with MFA in design: 1 teaches H.S., 11 unemployeed!utopian
- Sure, but you could say that for people who don't have MFAs either!Jaline
- Just because you have an MFA doesn't mean you can't have hands-on experience as well.Jaline
- They all have hands on experience, the people with BFA's overwhelming have more talent.utopian
- yeah.....most design instructrs I know work & teach at night like myself. We're not career teachersmarychain
- BFA's have more talent
LoL
what an ignorant thing to say..marychain
- It's that simple eh?
- Daro0
I made my own MFA and PhD diplomas.
in reallity though, I don't even have a BA
- utopian0
There are so many talented creatives out there with absolutely no degree at all, it will blow your mind.
- utopian0
In 15 years of practicing design, networking, speaking, reading, researching, etc... I have only ran into about 3-4 creatives with MFA's who I considered peers of mine. A vast majority of the MFA creatives that I either had to work with, mentored or just observed where very bright people, but lacked pure talent, imagination, innovation, etc...
Again, this is my own personal oberservation and experience.
Best of luck regardless what you choose to do.
- adev0
Also, I know it It depends on the university, but I know where I went the MFA program was more of the same from the undergrad. Just you added on a few grad-level courses that were independent study and research for your grad show/thesis. But otherwise it was more art history, more of the same "special study" classes your in area of emphasis you took as a undergrad senior and some extra fine art painting,sculpture, illustration classes. It was like 2 more years fulltime of undergrad, but a big gallery exhibit of your work/study/thesis at the end. The only real benefit is that you really have to interact with the professors more because of your research and bouncing ideas off them. But I wouldn't even think of doing the MFA to get interactive skills/experience.
That area of study is just lacking all together all over the world academically.
- designasaurus0
Thanks for the really helpful info. It does seem like the only/best way to become a great interactive designer is to teach yourself or learn through doing. It's an interesting challenge we are faced with today. This field really doesn't compare with the formal education system.