Which graphic design schools are worth it?

Art Institute (brick and mortar) graduate here. I split my education between their Seattle and Orange County campuses, which were fairly different. I found that the Seattle campus stressed the fundamentals a bit too much. We did a lot of things that involved t-squares and x-acto knives and cutting and pasting. Some computer stuff as well, but that certainly didn't seem like the focus. The OC campus was a bit too "new" and focused too much on the computer side. Most of the teachers (but not all) were more of the new generation and weren't as focused on the fundamentals. I also took a few online courses, and I would only recommend them to those who absolutely can't attend physical classes for whatever reason. They're way too rushed to get much out of them unless you're looking for a quick degree. I find that people don't put very much effort into them either, and the whole experience isn't very fulfilling. Essentially, you will only get what you put into the education there. This is true of most schools but Art Institute in particular is set up as a business and have no problem keeping the coasters around, while other schools might be better at weeding that sort out. There is quite a bit of crap that gets talked about AI, and for good reason. However, I take pride in the fact that I milked my education there and have good skills as a result. Mister_A is right... it will mostly come down to your portfolio. On the FAQ section of their website, http://www.asterikstudio.com mentions that none of them have more than 2 years at community college (not saying that they're the top firm in the world or anything, but their work is certainly inspiring and this fact should be encouraging to you). Feel free to email me if you'd like to know any more about my experience.

This recent AskMeFi http://ask.metafilter.com/mefi/47093 may help you.

As a graduate of the Art Institute Online, I say don't even waste your time with it. It is expensive and I honestly could not apply myself well. The courses are crazy excellerated - 4 1/2 weeks for one class and the work is the same as a 9 week class. For example, all of my English classes required you to write 2-3 10 page papers a week. You will never leave your computer and it will seem like you aren't really learning anything. AIO is designed for 40 somethings with a million kids, a career and have NO IDEA about design at all. Go to a real school and get your money's worth. I am glad I got out when I did. I almost dropped out.

I'm a creative director at an interactive advertising firm - I have a BA in English. There are many, many people at all levels of the industry who don't have a design-related degree (I even know amazing designers without a college degree). Given your bio, I'd say a BFA or an MFA would make sense only if you want to teach (and even then wouldn't necessarily be required, depending on where you taught). I'd consider taking individual courses that will allow you to enhance your portfolio and/or hone specific software skills (if you like animating with Flash, for instance, having Action Script, XML, and database skills will increase your odds of landing a job). In Boston, I'd start looking at the http://www.artinstitutes.edu/boston/ and http://www.emerson.edu/media_arts/index.cfm I've worked with a number of very good designers who either graduated from or took classes at one or the other. In the design field, it's really the work that people will look at. If you can show me strong design skills and you come across as personable and enthusiastic, I really don't care what you went to school for.

I learned a lot from Massachusetts College of Art's http://www.massart.edu/at_massart/academic_prgms/continuing/certificates/graphicdesign/. I went in with web design and drawing skills, and I left with a design portfolio I'm proud of. I'm not currently working as a graphic designer but I still feel like the program gave me a great skills foundation and prepared me if I want to pursue that path. It also offered great connections for internships and networking (plus most of the instructors were working in the field as well). Just some notes, though - it was a lot of work (I took 2 classes per semester and also had a full-time job), and there was a heavy focus on print design (though that may have changed in the few years since I took the courses). Still one of the best decisions I've ever made, though.

It all comes down to what's in your book. If you have a great portfolio, someone will give you a shot, and then find out right quick if you've got the chops to do the job day in and day out. So no, I don't think you need a BFA and I know you don't need a master's to work as a designer. You need the chops is all!

If anyone has recommendations for those not specifically in the Boston area, feel free to contribute those, too ;) I'm in almost the exact same position as inatizzy and would love to speak to someone regarding career advice - where you pick up the 'chops' that Mister A speaks of (yes, probably on the job - the trick is getting one then...)

I went to RISD and it was a great experience. I knew several people like you who already had degrees -- some in their 30s -- but they decided art was their calling and they started from scratch on the BFA program. That is very expensive and it will take up all your time for four years of your life -- there are no shortcuts. If that doesn't sound like your thing, they have plenty of excellent Continuing Education classes and certificate programs in print and web design. Whatever you do, make sure you take classes that teach you the why of good design. You need a deep understanding of basic concepts like balance and rhythm. Learning the why will keep you fresh -- there are already a million people out there who just ape the Look of the Moment with no real understanding of what they're doing. You also want more than "Here's how you make a coffee cup in Illustrator!" It sounds like you are already capable of learning the technical stuff on your own. I would steer away from AI if reputation is important to you. It is not well-respected.

Thanks for the advice, everyone. It sounds like AI is something I should avoid, since I am looking for a place that will really teach me what I need to know, and not breeze right through it so quickly. It sounds like the best way to go would be to go for a real program at a real school, but I admit I'm hesitant to wait for 3 years to give this a shot. It gets back to the post I made before this one, where I'm still trying to determine if this is what I want to do with my life. It's the best idea I have at the moment and I am excited about it. I'm just worried that i will lose that excitement once I get through a program and start working; so you can understand why I'm hesitant to take on a very expensive graphic design program. But perhaps I just need to bite the bullet and go for it. I don't think I'll know until I try. And I really need to find a place that can teach me good art basics, too, like drawing and such, so a well-respected, well-taught degree program is probably what i need. Mass Art's looks the most appealing to me right now, since I can probably take it while still working during the day, even though I know that will make me crazy-busy. Do any of you have any advice for how to obtain financial aid for this type of thing? I'm not sure how it works for this, since it's not exactly right-out-of-high-school. Is there any sort of federal need-based aid? Thanks again. This is the best community ever.