Has anyone taken classes through the Art Institute Online?

Question

I'm seriously considering The Art Institute Online for a degree in graphic design. Can anyone who has taken classes, or is currently enrolled give me any information or opinions on the school?

Personally, I don't see what difference it makes whether I attend class in an actual classroom or at home, especially with a program like Graphic Design, where a lot of the work would be done on a computer. I'm getting the same education either way. There's just a little more flexibility with an online class that allows you to hold a full time job while you get your degree.

RoaringMice: I'm just curious... Have you actually taken classes through AI?

Thanks for the input.

Answer 1

I have heard pretty good things about the school, but have no personal experience to share.

Answer 2

What is your goal for when you graduate?

If you hope to work for a large design firm, then you should know that the Art Institutes, and especially online art schools, aren't well respected in the field. But in art, you can often overcome this problem by having an absolutely amazing portfolio once you graduate. If you have talent, and can prove it via your portfolio, this outweighs any bad vibes about the school you attended.

Also, if you plan to open your own design firm, where you went to school won't matter so much. People will hire you based on your portfolio, not on where you went to college.

But if you have other options available to you - if you can attend a reputable art program in person - then that will only help you as you seek to establish yourself in this highly competitive career. But if you really want to be a designer, and AI is your only real option, go. But go into it with your eyes open. And no matter what program you attend, make sure that you do the following:

- leave school with a very, very strong portfolio
- try to do internships, co-ops, volunteer work, or part time jobs in graphic design while you are studying

The work experience will make you a much more attractive candidate to potential employers. It will also strengthen your portfolio. And lastly, and importantly, it will allow you to establish a network of contacts in the field, which you can use to help you find your first job when coming out of school.

If an online art school is your only real option, also check out the Academy of Art College, in California. They are a respected design school whose graduates have strong portfolios and get good jobs in art-related fields. I know they have an online program, although I'm not too familiar with how that works with them. But I can recommend them as an art school. And I like them better than AI.

Answer 3

It does matter what school you go to. If you go to a school that has a reputation for poor quality, you're not going to get as good an education regardless of how much work you put into it and employers are going to question your judgement for choosing to go there. Going to a community college then transferring to a real university is a much better idea, it will also probably be cheaper. And have you looked at the statistics they publish for that program? The average student graduates with almost $50,000 in debt (double the national average), less than half graduate in 4 years, and only 2/3 of students found a job even related to the field.