RISD vs. CalArts MFA
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- merritt
I am looking for feedback on pursuing a MFA in graphic design at these two schools. I live in Los Angeles County and would like the East Coast experience, but have 2 youngin boys and family support out here. Can anyone provide me some interesting points to consider while accepting candidacy.
Ultimate goals are to teach college level, or become sole proprietor.
Thanks
- modulate0
Speaking as an alumni of the CalArts MFA program, prepare to take on a lot of debt.
Grad/Art school is very expensive.
Also, forgot about having any type of family life, social time etc.
You go non-stop and it is a very taxing experience both physically and mentally.
If you want to go the east coast, I would also seriously consider Yale.
- ninjasavant0
I debated RISD, and now that I went straight into the field and have done reasonably well, I question the value of having an MFA as opposed to industry experience.
My 3 cents
lousy inflation.
- Because if you ever want to teach down the line...life experience won't cut it.marychain
- letters20
I'm a RISD grad, and I also have a Masters. One thing is to debate getting a Masters or not – which it sounds like you weren't questioning and had your mind made up, yes?
As for where to go... I assume you have an undergrad degree? Where did you study and what is the degree in? I ask as I think this helps to inform a sound Masters decision.
For example, a good friend of mine who studied in the undergrad program with me at RISD was trying to decide between Yale's program and CalArts. He ended up at CalArts after much discussion – as Yale was basically more of the same kind of teching (and people) as RISD. Not bad, just not that different in approcah to a conceptual school.
Hit me up with an email and I can answer more questions about RISD – and also can put you in touch with a friend at CalArts currently.
- smielke0
No offense to those who have gone thru either program but It's my humble experience that you an MFA isn't really going to help you all that much. But of course I'm a self taught designer. It kind of reminds me of the movie Good Will Hunting...
"you dropped a hundred and fifty grand on a fuckin education you coulda got for a dollah fifty in late chahges at the public library ".
- smielke0
Sorry just re-read the part about wanting to potentially be a college professor. Yeah you'll need an MFA for that. Sorry for sidtracking the thread, but you don't need one to own your own company. (you already knew that).
- letters20
No offense to those who have gone thru either program but It's my humble experience that you an MFA isn't really going to help you all that much. But of course I'm a self taught designer. It kind of reminds me of the movie Good Will Hunting...
"you dropped a hundred and fifty grand on a fuckin education you coulda got for a dollah fifty in late chahges at the public library ".
smielke
(Mar 19 07, 23:56)smielke, it seems unreasonable that you have an opinion on whether a Masters degree in design is useful or not – not having experienced it yourself. Especially unreasonable to make such a blanket statement.
Certainly a Masters will be of more value to some than to others – however there is absolutely value you there depending on where you go and what you are looking for.
. . .
That being said, Masters programs in design are very often like being a researcher where you have time and space to develop an idea/subject/body of work. Most programs expect you to be very independent and self-motivated and provide for you the place and support (peers, instructors, etc) to develop further.
- lvl_130
I also loked into both of these schools for graduate studies, adn from what i have seen/heard, neither of them would be a bad choice in the least bit.
it seems many in this thread missed the fact that you wanted to teach at college level, and therefore, would indeed need an mfa (c'mon people read all the info! ;)
the one thin that seems to really stick out is the fact that you have 2 kids, so i would think that to not only be going back to school full-time, but to also move to the other side of the country ight me more of a burden/taxation on family than you were bargaining for. maybe not though...
good luck with your decision though!
- merritt0
Thank you all for some good input. I currently have a B.A. in graphic design and have been accepted to these two schools. I understand the qualities of each school and am now in the position of deciding. The main decision factor really comes as what is going to benefit me and my career most fittingly as well as serving my family. As someone said they both are not bad choices. I agree, that is why I've applied to both. One thing I noticed is a rival in exposure to traditional artmaking versus contemporary, future thought. I love the fact that RISD has a solid foundation and has great facilities in letterpress, screenprinting and bookmaking. CalArts has these too, but at a different level. My one thought and concern is if I move to RISD and generate sound relationships and rapport with faculty and students, will those relationships deplete shall I move back to LA.
Thanks again.
- letters20
Merritt, your concern regarding relationships is a good one – however, you have no need to worry.
The design world these days is absolutely virtual in respect to working relationships and cultivating them.
I went to RISD as an undergrad. I built great working contacts and relationships that I am STILL working with today – and I live in Italy now!
As well, RISD in particular is in Providence which, while a great little city for colleges, has not much of a scene in terms of design and development (though it is growing). Everyone leaves the RISD area and works in other cities/regions.
As well, I can definitely say this for RISD: being the number 1 art school has great contact advantages. And in addition, Career Services there is a lifelong relationship and resource that you can utilize for jobs, contacts, fellowships, etc – for the rest of your life as an alumni.
Thats my 2 cents – as I went to RISD I have info in regards to its offerings – less so in regards to CalArts.
- nicnichols0
As someone who did his time at RISD as well, I would also suggest Yale's School of Arts to check out...
I loved Providence, and RISD's faculty and resources are top notch, but its a long move all the way from Cali, and if you have kids + wife in tow...
I guess it comes down to where you want to be, and what school has the specific teachers, classes and locale that you are looking for...
Where do you want to end up teaching?
- cram0
Just a little note to encourage you to go for the MFA. I have been teaching college for 8 years and love it. It provides a paycheck for a casual workload (usually casual anyway) and leaves enough time to either work on personal projects or client work. While some students are lazy, most are engaged and make up a great community to talk about and experiment with design.
If you already had your degree, I would encourage you to call me as my school is currently searching for a new digital professor.
- gramme0
One of these days I would like to go back for a masters. It would be nice to work @ studios for 3–6 more years, then go solo for 10 years, then slide into part-time solo practice and full-time teaching as my (God willing) kids grow up.
I lived in RI, and it is very expensive. But so is CA, so no real loss there. Almost everyone I met from RISD left Providence for good shortly after graduation; either NY, Boston or West Coast in many cases.
RISD seems to be very heavy on conceptual develpoment and a bit light on nuts & bolts practical application. I personally would prefer to go somewhere that has more balanced emphases on concept vs. practice. No real idea where that would be, though.
- 800/mo for a 2 bedroom apt on college hill is providence. 1200 for a 1 bedroom in the crappy part of SF.
RI is cheap.Countryman
- 800/mo for a 2 bedroom apt on college hill is providence. 1200 for a 1 bedroom in the crappy part of SF.
- DUKIE08220
hey go to providence! I have grown up in a number of different places(military brat); and in terms of favorite places to live providence is number 3, right behind austin and wash dc.
The city has really grown alot over the last couple of years. It is alot cleaner, and has alot of community building activities. Additionally, it is pretty close to NYC, Boston, and Philly.
The only negative- it doesn't have california weather...and as a Texas native I hate winter!
- merritt0
thanks again. Any Ideas on getting extra money...legally!
- letters20
There are literally hundreds of millions in grad grants out there.
I suggest you hit the bookshop and find a book for listings. If I recall, around this time of the year are application deadlines though – so you got to get on it quick.
- merritt0
HI Michelle!
- merritt0
Hi Devin. some good solid advice.
You can't bring a sandbox across the States though.
- merritt0
Thank you all, for I have decided upon CalArts.
- letters20
great to hear. Silas mentioned you were leaning that way. You'll enjoy it I'm sure – even though I am a RISD grad!
Go Nads!
- nicnichols0
Oh snap! GO NADS!
Good luck out in Cali.. (even though I am a RISD kid too....)