A Glimpse into Design School

by Exenia R

Design schools cater to creative types who enjoy exploration. Design school programs are diverse offering interdisciplinary programs incorporating both design courses and liberal arts curriculums.

Degree programs range from toy design to interior design. Aspiring graphic and fine artists might attend degree programs at design schools, alongside aspiring photographers, industrial equipment, automobile designers and interior designers.

Many schools offer two-year professional certificate or associate’s degree programs that train students in specialized skills and fields. There are also universities that offer design training in addition to liberal arts foundational courses within a four-year degree program. Courses at private design schools are often small, offering plenty of opportunity for one-on-one attention and professor-student interaction.

Statistics on the student bodies of various popular design schools have shown that ethnic diversity is usually high on design school campuses. Many international students come to the U.S. to pursue a creative education. Competition at larger, more well-known schools is also fierce; the best candidates are chosen from around the country and globe, from all races and backgrounds.

Also according to the College Majors Handbook, design students are usually “intellectually bright,” but “frequently express themselves not through academics but through a desire to be imaginative and independent.”

With such diverse backgrounds and interests in the different fields of design, students will often come to design school with ambition and am interest in taking in their environment with all five senses. For those who find design school to be a good match, it usually turns out to be a fun, exploratory two to four years, in which students will explore their talents, learn a wide range of skills and grow into competitive, talented graduates.