I’m a 2017 graduate from UNC Chapel Hill and a native of North Carolina with a passion for graphic design and visual communication. My goal is to work in the advertising industry as an art director.
I need honest, real, cut-throat reviews of the following portfolio schools:
- Miami Ad School (Miami location, specifically, since there are barely any reviews; also, comparison of Miami, SF and Hamburg, Germany)
- Creative Circus
I realize that these programs are expensive, but due to their high reputation in the industry allow for more connections and opportunities to build a legit, impressive book.
Please comment! Anything helps! I want to find a right fit without wasting time and money.
THANK YOU!!!
Here’s my cut throat advice -
No portfolio school can give you everything by itself. Good students will succeed anywhere. That being said, use these schools to get the best network out there while graduating with a good book. The only school that seems like it knows what its doing is Miami Ad School. Some locations might be better than others, but go for the most progressive ones. Don’t settle down for what’s in your city. Travel alone and find yourself. Once you’re in advertising its not just about you and your portfolio anymore, take this time to fully submerge yourself in your creativity. From what I’ve heard - Hamburg, Toronto and NYC seem to be doing pretty good. Other schools like Creative Circus have only one location which makes their network smaller than others.
In today’s world just a degree isn’t enough. You’ve got to do some professional training and give yourself that extra edge.
Good luck!
@drummerindahouse Wow, thank you! I really appreciate your advice. Yeah, I agree with you - it’s really about what you make of it, so depending wholeheartedly on a portfolio school is silly.
But nevertheless, these programs help one to build a network and a good book in order to have a little leg up on the people trying to do this on their own.
Creative Circus is my top choice right now since it seems more organized, structured. MAS appears to be inconsistent and I just want to make sure I apply to a location where I won’t feel like I’m wasting time and money (ex. a few students have said that they’ve had to RETAKE classes because their location didn’t offer enough).
Again, many thanks!
You’ve got to focus on the positives vs the negatives. Sounds like you’re only comparing the negatives letting your fears over rule. MAS offers 4 internships and experience in agencies around the world, no other school can provide that. Creative Circus in my opinion doesn’t give you that exposure or the rigor you need to succeed. More structure isn’t going to do you any good! You’re going after the wrong things. I’m an MAS grad so maybe I’m biased. But if you search MAS grads on LinkedIn, that is your network when you enter such a huge cult. Its not always what you know, its also who you know. MAS instructors are all working professionals, specially in locations like NYC, Toronto, Hamburg where the ad industry is huge. Automatically locations like Miami suffer because there’s not enough agencies to support.
Awards are also subjective, but they help you get the job. Look at how many awards there are for MAS. In the end, its your money and time - choose wisely! What is structure going to do for you in a creative field? Also look at instructors for Creative Circus, are they out of business? Are they still relevant? Do they hire full time retired instructors? Lots of things you may not see right now, that might be bigger than just ‘retaking’ a class. Also - some students stay back for an extra quarter to work on their portfolios even after graduating, just to give it a finish touch - which is good because the bar has just been raised - its an industry that keeps changing, the same structure/curriculum is almost the wrong way of doing it. You realize these things once you’re in it.
Go for MAS, regardless of what imperfections one may have. They know their stuff, they’ve got the network that YOU need.
Over and out.