I haven't been up to the hill in awhile. But I know the school keeps exanding and revising its cirriculum to keep up with what is commercially viable - I think that is the one aspect of Art Center that is consistent. It is a very commercially minded school

From my memory, the environment is rather intense and the work load is extremely dense. The focus is on quality and professionalism in an academic environment that was very similar to a work situation - as part of 8-term (trimester format) undergraduate format, the first four terms consisted of one studio class each day, for 7 hours at at time, with some days including after dinner and/or late evening adademic lectures. Every quarter I had at least one 13 hour day of class.

The feedback was substantial as well - intense crits. Part of the cirriculum includes directed studies where a student can one-on-one for an entire semester with proposed projects.

Quite formal, I would say. Also, the school really didn't stress a social component as there was not true central congregational area except for the commons and the outdoor patio. There are no dorms or housing programs. It really is like relocating for a design job.

As terms 5-8 come up, the student recieved more room for specialization. There are always competitions for recognition, scholarships every term that are often juried by major firms/employers/publishers/etc...

I must admit, I still carry a work ethic 11 years later that was deeply shaped by ArtCenter. In retrospect, however, it may feel quite hostile for someone who wants to be more deeply personal and paced about his/her art. As a matter of personal opinion, I felt the Fine Art program proper (vs. graphics, illustration, id, etc...) were very dogmatic about what was most viable and so, at the same time, rather narrow in exposure or focus. I remember visiting 8 years after graduation and walking into the student gallery just in time to hear a fine art instructor take a very negative approach in critiquing a body of paintings because they were decidedly figurative.

The school has always put itself on the map for its industrial design (more specifically transportation design) and has also had some great illustrators and designers come out. Lately, I see the school has expanded its digital cirriculum to have an entire focus/major based on entertainment/production art/design. Back in 92, it had a very sophisticated and stand-up 3D/animation facility. I am sure it has kept that up.

MC

the exit meeting is awesome....its 30k+ a year x 3= small investment

art center is like no other