Graphic designers need every advantage they can get in our competitive field. When choosing a graphic design school, do your homework and choose the best match for your unique situation. Get the most from your graphic design degree. Here are some qualities to look for in a design school:

• Find a design school that is career oriented. They offer a graphic design program that prepares you well for the workforce. They have professors that have worked in the field of graphic design and have been working in the field recently. As you know, the field of graphic design changes continuously!
• Find a design school that has a great reputation. Many schools have specialties. They may be stronger technically than creatively. Choose your graphic design school based on their strengths.
• Choose a school that offers hands on learning. Confirm that their projects are assignments that will actually happen in the real world. You want to gain experience as a student working on projects and having to please a client (teacher).
• Make sure the design school you choose is a state of the art facility. Confirm that they are working with the latest software and have work computers that can get the job done. Do some research to see what software packages graphic designers are using in the field. Confirm that the school offers training on the software.
• Take a tour of the design school. Schedule a tour of the school. Touring a school through orientation or a scheduled appointment is a great way to feel out the student life and schedule. Are you stimulated in the setting? Are the students excited about what they are doing? Do you like the projects they are working on and the work they are producing?
• Ask successful graphic designers where they went to school. Talk with professionals in the field and ask for their recommendations. If they are successful, chances are that they went to a school which prepared them well for the graphic design field.
• Choose a school that is convenient for you and works with your schedule. Do they offer online classes? Are the convenient? You will spend countless hours working on class assignments, you do not want inconvenience to drain away the hours in a day.
• Choose a design school that will line up internships. The internship is a valuable part of your education. Good design schools have internship programs set up with local design firms and advertising agencies. Talk with them about their internship programs before it’s time to start your internship. You don’t want to be caught at the last moment without an internship placement that fits your skills.

A good design school will put you on a successful career path. Choose them wisely and you will be rewarded with a successful graphic design career.