How to be a creative director.

How to be a creative director is one of the questions and goals that many people have when they first get into a design position. Certainly the title of creative director is one of the top positions in most firms or organizations.

This position is very unique in that it encompasses both the ability to be creative and manage others. This is also possibly the biggest challenge; having to wear several different hats is indeed difficult.

What does a creative director do?

They oversee a team of designers and other creative types and help direct and develop the company’s products for their clients. They will be interacting with a number of different people to ensure that projects and goals are on track. This may include developing campaigns, conceptualizing ideas for clients, and assigning projects (and sections of projects) to their staff. They also must ensure that the client’s deadlines are being met.

The creative director is also a go-between. They stand between the entry and junior level designers and the senior management and owners. This is a position of high responsibility. When a campaign is successful, they usually get the glory. When the campaign is a failure, you can be sure they are the first to receive blame!

At least 75% of your time will be spent as a manager.

While a creative director definitely needs to understand the jobs of those they supervise, this is essentially a management position. At least 75% of your time will be spent as a manager. Your “creative” time will most likely only involve putting final touches on things, or correcting obvious mistakes before something is finalized.

You do not just walk into such a position. Typically, to even be considered you must have at least a bachelor degree in some kind of design area (an MBA to go along with this would be perfect). Also, you should have 5 or more years of experience, with progressive levels of responsibility.

Someone who reaches the creative director position will usually have held a variety of different positions. These may be with the same or different companies, and include:

• Graphic Designer: They may have begun work here, or been promoted from an assistant designer or production artist.

• Senior Designer: Depending on the company, there may have been a junior designer position in between.

• Junior Art Director: Here you begin to demonstrate more of the aptitude for a combination creative and managerial position. Although at this level there is still quite a bit of creative work involved.

• Assistant Creative Directive: When you reach this position, you will begin to see a shift in terms of duties. From here, the focus is much more on managing and less on the creative side of the business.

Obviously, the next step up is the goal: Creative Director.

It cannot be emphasized enough that this is a position which demands both education and experience. Most people who are promoted to this level have experience in several phases of the creative process, including design and copy (or writing). Many are promoted more for their skill than leadership ability. However, to succeed, you really need both.

Here is a snapshot of the Creative Director position:

 
Taking a look at this snapshot, we can see that there is quite a wide range of salaries. The type of environment you work in will influence this. For example, a creative director in a smaller corporate environment will probably have their salary closer to the lower end of this range. Someone working at a high-powered agency will likely make much more.

Geography can also be a big influencer of salary.

Working in a large metropolitan area such as New York or Los Angeles will certainly allow you to command a higher salary than a creative director in Topeka, Kansas (nothing against Topeka).

What is a creative director intended to do?

While it is true that they may be called upon to do some of the actual work themselves, at this level the main goal is team building. Develop a team that you can rely upon and who trusts you as well. Building a team to this degree involves true leadership skills. The creative director is intended to be such a leader.

Provide your employees with timely and well thought-out reviews and feedback. Recognize when they have done good work. Be a teacher and not just a boss. Try not to ever criticize someone out in the open, in front of their peers. Sometimes the creative director also must be a kind of mediator. When the bosses above him or her are very fickle, they need to almost shield their employees from these whims.

A creative director must shape the creative brain of the entire organization.

The ultimate goal of the creative director, however, is much more than just managing employees, or even ensuring that every project comes in on time, under budget and according to the clients’ wishes. The ultimate goal is to shape the creative brain of the entire organization. Cultivate an active debate about what makes for good work. Give people at every level the freedom to really express their true feelings and ideas. Only by doing all of this will the director truly unleash all of the creativity around them.

To be fair, not everyone is able to achieve this notable goal. In fact, probably very few managers of any type are able to do this, not only creative directors. Athletics can serve as a good example here. The people who played with superstars like Michael Jordan and Joe Montana all were inspired to become better. Those who played with average players stayed at their same level.

How to be a creative director is a simple process that will, nonetheless, require much effort, patience and persistence. You need to have the proper education and training. Then, you must start working along a path that has a reasonable chance to lead to the goal. Finally, you must be prepared to really work hard and diligently for at least 5-7 years.

Are courses in web design important to your long term success in the field?

Will degrees and courses help you to find work and build a career? If so, which types of courses are available? These are just some of the questions that people have before entering the field of web design.

As with most things in life, whether or not courses in web design will help your career really depends. Certainly, having some design education under your belt will not hurt. But it also depends on what type of business you want to work for. Many large corporations will actually be looking for verifiable qualifications, including degrees. Smaller businesses, on the other hand, are much more likely to focus on your skills and abilities rather than formal qualifications.

There are also a wide variety of courses available.

Some may focus strictly on teaching web design software. Others focus only on particular skills and may be best used for continuing education purposes. Of course, you may be able to teach yourself web design by picking the right courses from this bunch, in the right order. Finally, there are courses which lead to certifications and degrees.

The more thorough and lengthy the course, the more they will be respected by possible employers.

While taking a single course entitled comprehensive web design may seem like a good idea at the time, no employer will think that such a single course is adequate preparation or a true representation of your skill as a designer.

Individual courses focusing on just the software may include the following titles:

• Dream Weaver

• Macro Media Flash

• Photo Shop

• Macro Media Fireworks (which is like photo shop on steroids)

• Adobe Illustrator

• Access

• MySQL

There are a lot of other ‘stand-alone’ types of courses available.

In fact, there is a huge amount of variety in this category. For example, courses that focus on topics like writing for the web, web design accessibility, design concepts, web security and hundreds of other titles.

Additionally, there are a number of different courses which focus on coding, or programming for the web. Things like PHP, ASP, CSS, Javascript, Cold Fusion, Pearl and even HTML and XHTML.

While many of these courses are indeed important, and even necessary, taking them as stand-alone classes will probably not help you to get a job. Why? Because those who do the hiring and write the job descriptions are not interested in your ability to code or program. They are only interested in design ability. These courses are primarily beneficial as a way to round out your knowledge or continue your education, not in helping to find a job.

Another option is to design your own educational program.

The most effective way to do this is probably by modeling an existing program (either certificate or degree). However, think about the tuition involved in doing so. Not to mention the time you will invest just trying to find the best places to do each course independently.

Another big decision you need to make regarding these courses is exactly where you want to take them.

Today there are many options: online, offline (traditional schools), community colleges, a combination of online and offline or even accelerated courses. These are all solid options and each one should be considered on the basis of time involved, convenience, cost and whatever other factors are important to you.

The most respected types of web design courses are those which lead to a degree.

These could be either associate or bachelor programs and take anywhere from one to four years. Following is a listing of the classes offered in a typical associate program which lasts for 2 years. This particular course structure calls for three semesters per year.

First Year:

Second Year:

Looking at the above outline, the first year basically gives an overview and the basics of the field. Year two starts to delve a little deeper into the technical aspects of web design. Of course this is just an example.

In many programs you will also be able to pick a focus or specialization. This could be something like web production management or maybe digital video. Or possibly SEO (search engine optimization) or even one of the specific programming languages.

While taking courses and having a degree is a definite plus in finding work, you could also decide to work for yourself.

Being a freelance web designer, or running your own web design business, means that you will have to do everything from finding the clients to completing all the work. In this case, the most important thing to have is a great portfolio of work.

Prospective clients will probably not ask if you have a degree, but they will be VERY interested in seeing examples of your work.

To answer the original question, yes degrees and courses in web design are important to your long term success in the field.

In the past the majority of web designers were indeed self taught. However, this is no longer the case with the widespread availability of web and other design courses, certification and degree programs. Degrees will make you stand out from your competition when entering the job market.

What does a graphic designer do?

One of the most common questions we receive is related to the job description of a graphic designer.

Most people interested in this type of work are very curious not only about the actual job description but also the day to day activities that are commonly performed. Also, what types of skills are needed to successfully do the job?

In general, the graphic designer will work on creating a variety of visual presentations which involve designing art and copy layouts. This is a very broad and general definition of the job, which can include the creation of:

• Books
• Advertisements (magazine, newspapers, etc…)
• Logos
• Illustrations
• Web sites
• Any other visual presentations

Graphic designers are usually the most creative people in the office.

The job involves a tremendous amount of variety. You could very well start the day working on one project, then an important client shows up with a rush job. You immediately switch to this new project. Then, the last few hours may involve meetings or putting the finishing touches on another project whose deadline is very close.

Just as an example, let’s take a look at an excerpt from an actual employment ad.

Here is what the graphic designer duties might include:

• Prepares work by gathering information and materials; plans concept by studying the information and materials.

• Illustrates concept by designing the rough layout (arrangement, size, style and related aesthetic considerations).

• Submits the rough layout for approval of initial concept and design direction.

• Prepares finished copy and art by operating all required computer programs and other machinery; possibly buying printing and material from vendors.

• Prepares final layout (may involve pasting up finished copy and artwork).

• Completes projects by coordinating with other workers, outside agencies and vendors as needed.

• Maintains their technical knowledge by attending workshops, participating in professional societies and reviewing journals and other publications.

• Contributes to the team effort by accomplishing related results as needed and/or assigned by management.

This is quite a lot to accomplish from just one job.

Many people interested in the graphic design field think that they will just simply be sitting at their desk in a comfortable office and work alone until finishing a project or design. Nothing could be further from the truth. In fact every graphic designer is actually part of a team. Even if you are the only designer in your office, there will still be a boss who you must report to.

One should be prepared to interact with others on a continuous basis.

There is much more to this job than simply doing your creative work. In practice, the above job description means that you will need to wear many different hats. You will be called upon for brainstorming and mocking up the design ideas. You may even be asked to present your ideas in meetings with clients. Certainly, you will need to take ideas to supervisors in order to get approval.

Of course, no one’s ideas are ever universally accepted, so you will have to adjust your designs and ideas in order to meet the needs or desires of the client. This means that you will sometimes need to bite your tongue and recognize that ultimately the client is the one in charge.

Being a great communicator with your clients is important.

Depending on the type of firm you work for, there may be a need for projecting budgets and schedules (usually these functions fall to a supervisor, but not always). This will also involve a high level of teamwork. Meetings with other members involved in the project and even with clients may be required on occasion.

The work itself may also be highly technical at times. You must master multiple computer software programs. Of course, there still may be times when you will need an old-fashioned hand drawn design created. Mark up, paste and assemble final layouts. Determine the size, layout and arrangement of illustrative material and copy.

What skills will be needed to accomplish all of these tasks?

• Artistic Sensibility: Most people will be surprised to hear that it is not tremendously important to be a good artist. Certainly, it will help, but being creative and having a solid understanding of design elements (color, composition, space, aesthetics, etc…) is much more important.

• Technical Skill: You must have a good working knowledge of the main computer software programs as well as a general interest in computers. This field is always changing, so having the aptitude for learning new technical skills is critical.

• Communication Ability: Being able to present ideas effectively both verbally and visually is very important. You will need to sell your ideas to clients as well as other members on your team.

• Team Player: As the saying goes, play well with others. Clients, supervisors, other designers and even vendors.

• Organization: One of the most important skills is the ability to meet deadlines and stay within budget limitations. Good general business skills will be helpful in this area.

• Problem Solving: Good graphic designers love challenges. The biggest part of your job will involve making decisions. Picking just the right font, colors, sizes, layout, etc… And doing all of this while still conveying the desired meaning and effect and staying within budget and the technical requirements and desires of the client.

The job description might also ask for a number of qualifications. These include having a college degree (bachelor degree preferred), ability to meet tight deadlines and handle multiple projects at once. You should also be very detail oriented and may even be asked to submit a portfolio of work. To learn more about selecting a graphic design school visit our category section of schools.

The job description of a graphic designer is very involved.

The only constant in this line of work will be change. However, if you are adaptable and really enjoy figuring out challenges this might be the right career for you.

Having a good eye for color and composition, being interested in the elements of design, a love of technology, creativity and skill in communicating ideas are all needed qualities for success in the graphic design field.

Finding graphic arts scholarships can be a difficult and time consuming process. However, the reward is almost certainly worth the time and effort. Obtaining scholarships is exactly like finding free money, which is something that everyone is interested in.

Many students interested in pursuing a graphic arts education may be concerned about how to find such scholarships. Many are fearful about their prospects of qualifying for such financial help. After all, not everyone has a 4.0 GPA.

Rest assured that your grades, while certainly helpful in the process of obtaining graphic arts scholarships, are not the only factor involved. Many people with less than stellar academic performance qualify for and obtain excellent scholarships every year.

There are scholarships which look at what we call ‘non-academic’ areas. This could be anything from sports you are interested in playing (even if you have not played before, in some cases) to clubs you participate in. Awards and honors you have received may also qualify you for certain scholarships.

Some scholarships are awarded based on writing or other abilities. Essay-writing scholarships typically only require a well written essay or application. The same goes for talent based awards. If you can sing or draw, you may have a chance.

Other awards are granted based on demographics or employment.

Women and minorities are popular categories for scholarships. Maybe there are awards given to students who live in certain areas or regions of the country. Children of employees from some corporations may qualify. There are even awards given out on the basis of ethnicity or national heritage/origin.

One thing to understand even before getting started is to not fall for any type of scholarship scam. Please pay attention to these tips:

• Do not pay anyone to “help” you get a scholarship or award
• Do not consider any source which charges an application fee
• Watch out for offers claiming that you are a finalist in some scholarship contest
• Do not fall for anything that claims to be ‘guaranteed or your money back’
• Anyone that claims you cannot get this information anywhere else should be avoided
• Any service or company that claims they will do all the work for you (the “work” will probably just involve running off with your fee)

Just be careful, use your good judgment and do not pay anyone to help you find a scholarship.

There are many different sources available to help you find scholarships. Some of the best are close to home. Start by checking with your high school guidance department. You may also want to look at individual college or university art and design departments. Some other possible sources include:

• Professional organizations
• Charitable foundations
• Community and civic groups
• Employers (yours, parents or even other local or national businesses)
• Local businesses, especially those you know well and frequently deal with
• Art festivals and competitions
• Online and offline scholarship directories

There are a ton of great resources available on the internet. However, before you really start searching these resources, make sure that you fully complete the applications or requested information. You are essentially doing a database search, and it is important to use as many ‘key’ words as possible. Make sure to include all of your extra curricular activities including clubs, honors, awards, sports and even activities you are simply interested in. With all this in mind, here are some great online resources you might want to consider.

Once you have found some possible awards and scholarships, it is important to keep everything organized. Create a chart, table or even a spreadsheet with all of the important details. This includes the sponsor, name of award, contact person, amount of award, requirements and the deadline.

Look at the specific requirements of each award you are interested in. Decide upon a strategy to best position yourself to meet all of the qualifications. It is very helpful if you start this process early. Maybe you can even track down former winners or those who run the process. Ask for advice about what you need to do to win these awards. Many of these scholarships will have files that include summaries of the winning applications. Endeavor to obtain and review these.

All of this should give you enough information to tailor your specific application to give you an excellent chance. Another important suggestion is to try and impress the judges. One of the best ways to do this is by turning in your application at least one to two weeks early. If possible, deliver it in person.

When you are attempting to find graphic arts scholarships, it really helps to start early and to realize that this is a long process. You must remain patient and persistent. Use the resources listed above and then plan out an organized strategy. This is especially true if you need to do some work to better position yourself for meeting qualifications and requirements. Doing all of this will ensure that you have the best possible chance of finding quality graphic arts scholarships to help pay for your education.

Many different programs today offer degrees in graphic arts. In fact one of the most common questions asked by those interested in pursuing such careers is whether or not a degree is really even necessary.

Ultimately, the answer to that question depends on what specific area of design you wish to enter.

For example, someone who was interested in becoming a freelance graphic designer would probably do better to educate themselves and focus hard on learning the technology (software and computers).

Of course, they should also develop a really good portfolio of work, even if this means taking on clients for very little pay in the beginning.

If you are more interested in pursuing “traditional” work opportunities within the graphic arts field, then education can only help your cause.

According to US Government statistics, graphic arts jobs are expected to grow at an average rate. Also, job seekers are expected to face keen competition.

Having a college degree could help to set you apart from others without any degree. Of course, having a solid portfolio of work and actual work experience (even if it was unpaid) will also help. A good example might be an internship, which many college degree programs offer.

Now that you are convinced a degree can be a big help in finding a career, the next question is usually what types of degrees and programs are available?

Here are just a few of your options:

• Graphic Design Certificate (GDC): These programs are typically very short, sometimes they can be completed within just a few hours. These programs typically focus on the software, maybe even just a single element of a single popular program. You will receive a certificate, but this type of program is only recommended for a complete beginner. Even then, the main purpose of such a short program is to give you a taste of what graphic design is all about.

• Associate of Arts in Graphic Design and Multi Media (AA/GDM): These are usually 2 year, college level programs. You will learn the basics of the graphics field, including how to create effective designs that visually communicate a message in a variety of media environments. Additionally, there will be classes to help develop your skills in the areas of critical thinking, logic, communications and problem solving.

• Associate of Science in Graphic Design (AS/GD): The focus of this 2 year, college level program is to develop conceptual thinking in addition to graphic design technical and creative skills. You will also receive an introduction to the theory and practice of design production, electronic publishing and even sales promotion and marketing.

• Bachelor of Science in Graphic Design (BS/GD): This is a 4 year college level degree program. This one has a lot more marketability and credibility than any of the certificate or associate programs. You will develop an understanding of all the elements of design, including color, composition, layout and typography. Of course, you will also focus and build upon the skills taught at the associate level. Upon graduation, you will be qualified for almost every entry-level position in the industry.

• Master Degree in Graphic Design (MS/GD): With this program, you will continue your study of design and problem solving skills development. At this level, you will also learn how to build and manage a team of other designers. Upon graduation from this 2-3 years program (having already earned a BS or BA degree); you will be qualified for supervisory positions in the graphic arts field.

There may even be some requirements in order to be accepted into these programs. Many of the certificate programs do not require anything other paying the fees. However, to enroll in either an associate or bachelor program, you will usually need a high school diploma. In some of the better programs you may also be required to produce a portfolio of work or demonstrate some competence with design software.

It is really important to investigate each type of program that you may be interested in.

There are degree programs and courses available entirely online. There are also programs which occur in a traditional physical classroom. Finally, there are degree programs that include a combination of both online and on-the-ground classroom learning. The format of your specific learning program is entirely up to you.

You should also consider the tuition and costs involved in obtaining degrees in graphic arts. These expenses vary from cheap to affordable to extremely expensive. The best advice here, once again, is to really do your research. Of course, there are also a number of sources which can help to offset some of these costs, including scholarships, grants and loans.

Another thing to consider when deciding upon a degree program is what types of positions they will prepare you for. The list above is more of a general guideline; each degree program also includes specific concentrations and areas of specialization.

For example, you could pursue a BS/GD degree with a concentration in animation, or even web design.

Choose your specific concentration with an eye towards what you like, the probable career path, job growth and the income associated with that particular specialization.

Consider the statistics below:

This table clearly shows that certain areas of the graphic design field are experiencing growth and others are seeing decline. Anything related to the internet, online or digital media is in an up-trend right now, while areas like printing and physical publishing seem to be in decline.

Finding specific degrees in graphic arts will require some research and thought. To determine which program is right for you, first decide which area within the graphic arts field you would like to build a career in.

This should make it easy to determine a correct concentration or specialty.

From here, find a school which offers that particular focus and then simply choose the best one, based on factors such as tuition, financial aid, types of classes, etc…

Finding the right program will start you on the path to a fulfilling and financially rewarding career.

Graphic Designer Salary Range: $25,000 – $100,000

Graphic designer salary ranges are quite varied and depend upon a number of factors.

A brand new graphic designer, working at a small design shop in a small town may start out with a salary in the low to mid $20,000’s.

On the other side of the range, an owner of a large design agency in a big metropolitan area may bring in $100,000 per year, or even more.

If you were really lucky, and found a design position with a well-known firm like Pixar, this would most likely mean a salary much, much higher than average. In fact, it has been reported that a technical director at Pixar earns approximately $117,000 per year.

An animator will earn $109,000. Even a junior-level animator will pull in about $75-80,000 per year. The same is true with other well-recognized and desired employers, such as Disney.

From this, it should be obvious that the actual company you work for will greatly influence your graphic designer salary.

Given the salary range as falling within the $25,000 to $100,000 range, what are the averages that you can expect to find?

• The median salary in the US for graphic design positions is $47,399. The median represents a number that is in the exact middle; half of the data is below and the other half of the data is above this number.
• The lowest 10% of graphic designers earned less than $27,000 per year.
• The middle 50% earn between $40,000 and $56,000 per year.
• The highest 10% earn more than $74,600 per year.

While the employment outlook for the future is not terribly encouraging, there is some good news. Job growth for the entire graphic design field is expected to grow at about the national average.

Estimates show that these jobs will grow approximately 13% between 2008 and 2018.

While keen competition is expected for these jobs, those with animation and web design skills and experience will fare the best. It is expected that the continued expansion of digital media and the internet will spur most of this job growth.

Another factor which can greatly influence your graphic designer salary picture is the specific industry in which you are seeking employment. Although the statistics show that most industries median salaries tend to stay fairly close to the national average, some are still definitely better than others. For example:

• Computer systems design and related services offer a median salary of approximately $47,000, which is right at the national average for all design incomes.
• Specialized design services have a median salary of approximately $45,000.
• Advertising and public relations offer right around $43,000 per year.
• Newspaper, periodical and book publishing has an average of $37,000, which represents a significant drop-off from the national average.
• Printing and related support offers about the same, averaging $36,000 per year in salary.

From the above statistics we can see that those segments of the design world which are decreasing in size and importance are offering less pay.

For example, the newspaper industry is in trouble right now.

Less and less people are reading (and buying) physical newspapers than in the past. The internet is primarily responsible for this. Also, think of all the folks who prefer getting their books in digital format now (i.e. Kindle, Nook and tablets).

One of the best pieces of advice that you can take is to find a growing industry, or industry segment, and jump in. The employment data shows that most of the growth in the design industries will come from the digital and animation fields. These sections should feature rising salaries, especially if they do not have a corresponding increase in the number of people seeking employment.

Other factors also seem to influence graphic designer salary levels.

Your career level is probably the most important factor.

The next factor is your actual job title. In a way, these are both related, since you can not expect to go right from college into a creative director position (unless you know the owner or are very, very lucky!).

As you gain more experience, it is natural to expect your salary will increase. The statistics bear this out. The table below shows the expected median salary levels which can be expected at various career levels.

The next factor which needs to be considered is your job title. Generally speaking, the more important sounding your title, the more money you will probably make. This can be seen from looking at the table above. Anything which has the word director or manager in the title will probably be making more than someone with the words entry-level or associate.

You also should consider the area in which you work.

A major metropolitan area such as New York or Los Angeles will put you in contact with many more higher-paying firms. Of course, much of this is probably due to the increased cost-of-living. However, in such areas clients are used to paying more for services than in a small town. In fact, the states with the highest levels of employment in the graphic arts field are California, New York, Florida, Texas and Illinois.

Education is also a factor.

It has been estimated that 81% of all graphic designers hold a bachelor degree (or above). Of the remaining workers, 11% have an associate degree. However, this is probably more important as you start your career than as you advance from position to position. What is vital is that you begin to show demonstrable successes as your years of experience advance.

The bottom line.

Your graphic designer salary will be dependent upon a number of important factors. These include which specific company you work for as well as in which segment of the industry you are working. Are you focusing on skills that are in demand and growing in popularity (such as animation and web design)?

The specific job title and even the city in which you work can also influence the salary received. Finally, your education and career level are also influential factors.

The Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) has provided art and design programs since 1877. RISD offers 19 different disciplines for those seeking a bachelor’s or master’s degree in the arts. Popular programs offered at the school include: Graphic Design, Architecture, Painting and Illustration.

RISD’s Graphic Design program offers experienced instructors focused on a curriculum of theory, design history and developing students’ “design language.” To bring in expertise within the industry, expert speakers and guests such as Tommy Hilfiger offer advice to aspiring designers.

Here are some common questions about RISD:

- How hard is it to get into the Rhode Island School of Design?

It is competitive although not impossible to get accepted into the Rhode Island School of Design. RISD accepts 34% of freshman applicants; roughly 1 out of 3 gets selected for admission into the program.

- Is the school an open admission or limited admission?

RISD has limited admission and is very competitive. Applicants need to standardize test, preferably the SAT. In addition, RISD looks at transcripts as well as creative portfolios and student essays.

- What are the requirements to getting accepted?

Current students at Rhode Island School of Design scored average SAT scores of 639 in math, 628 in critical reading and 625 in writing. In addition, applicants need a competitive GPA and are required to submit two drawings, a portfolio, letters of recommendation and two writing samples.

- What kind of grades do I need to apply there?

Applicants should provide transcripts showing a Grade Point Average (GPA) of at least 3.1. However, RISD takes creativity and well-roundedness into consideration.

- How much is the tuition? How much does it cost to attend?

Tuition and fees for an undergraduate program is $39,482 per school year.

Tuition and fees for the Master’s program is $39,482 per school year.

The total cost of attending would include room and board which depends on individual needs.

- Is the college accredited or non-accredited?

 The Rhode Island School of Design is accredited by three separate organizations: The New England Association of Schools and Colleges, the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD) and the Association of Independent Colleges of Art and Design (AICAD).

- What are some other colleges nearby that I could consider besides this one?

• Johnson and Wales University
• New England Institute of Rhode Island
• Rhode Island College

- Do they offer work study?

Students can contact the Work-Study Office for school year and summer employment.

- What types of Financial Aid and Scholarships does RISD accept?

RISD accepts a variety of aid for students demonstrating talent or financial need. In addition to private scholarships, students can take advantage of Federal Grants, Loans or Work-Study.

- What does the job placement look like after graduation?

Students can visit the Career Services Office to find support in finding a job after graduation. The Career Services Office helps alumni and students write a resume, create a portfolio and interviewing skills.

The Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) has provided art and design programs since 1877. RISD offers 19 different disciplines for those seeking a bachelor’s or master’s degree in the arts. Popular programs offered at the school include: Graphic Design, Architecture, Painting and Illustration.

The Cranbrook Academy of Art is a graduate school that provides Master’s degrees in Architecture and Fine Arts.

The Graphic Design program at the Cranbrook Academy of Art is called 2D Design. The program is called 2D Design because the school does not want to limit the work produced by students; they don’t want students’ work to adhere to “Names” and “Forms.” The school’s philosophy is that students work will stand the test of time and is therefore difficult to classify.

Here are some common questions about Cranbrook Academy of Art:

- How hard is it to get into the Cranbrook Academy of Art?

Cranbrook considers itself to be highly selective, requiring students to be highly artistic. Acceptance into the graphic design school depends on the pool of students applying to the program. The Academy selects students who are open to growing as an artist, open to new ideas and who have the ability to analyze and critique the environment around them.

- What are the requirements to getting accepted?

Applicants need to submit several items in order to be considered for enrollment. These include:

• Completed and signed application found on the Academy’s website.
• Statement of Purpose – Applicants need to explain their goals and objectives.
• Autobiographical Statement.
• Official Transcripts from an accredited school.
• Portfolio with 20 to 25 images of recent work.
• At least 3 letters of recommendation.

- Is the school an open admission or limited admission?

Cranbrook has limited admission. Because Cranbrook offers Graduate programs, only students with a B.F.A., B.A. and B.S. from an accredited institution are considered for enrollment.

- What kind of grades do I need to apply there?

Although having a high GPA might help getting in, Cranbrook looks for a prospective student’s commitment to the program.

- How much is the tuition? How much does it cost to attend?

Tuition and fees for one year at Cranbrook is $28,545. The total estimated cost for one year at the Academy is approximately $42,400.

- What types of Financial Aid and Scholarships does Cranbrook accept?

Cranbrook provides financial aid to students based on merit and financial need. Types of financial aid provided include: Merit Scholarships, subsidized and unsubsidized loans and work-study.

- Do they offer work study?

Students eligible for financial aid may apply for work-study positions.

- Is the college accredited or non-accredited?

Cranbrook Academy of Art had been accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD) and by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. However, the Architecture program at Cranbrook is not accredited by any association.

- What are some other colleges nearby that I could consider besides this one?

• Walsh College – Troy Campus
• Oakland University
• Northwood University
• Rochester College

- How does Cranbrook help alumni find a job?

Cranbrook posts employment opportunities on their school website. In addition, they provide job guides and Art and Design Residencies on their website for alumni looking for opportunities.

Cranbrook Academy of Art – The Cranbrook Academy of Art is a graduate school that provides Master’s degrees in Architecture and Fine Arts.