Adobe Logo

Adobe Systems is a computer software company that was founded in 1982 by John Warnock and Charles Geschke.  It is headquartered in San Jose, CA.  The Adobe logo that is currently used is an “A” in white with a red background, with “Adobe” spelled out below.  It is classic, timeless, and simple.  It has all the design elements that make a memorable logo.  Adobe is brilliantly branded and is known all throughout the world for their software programs.

The Adobe logo was designed by founder John Warnock’s wife, Marva Warnock, who is a graphic designer.  Adobe is no longer using the original Adobe logo that was designed in 1982.  The original Adobe logo included “systems Incorporated” underneath “Adobe”, all in white writing on a slate blue background.

Below is a picture of John and Marva Warnock.  John is one of the cofounders of Adobe.  His wife Marva, who designed the Adobe logo, is a graphic designer that graduated from the University of Utah.  John and Marva are strong supporters of education and have generously donated to the University of Utah in the Math, Computer Science and Fine Arts programs, as well as to medical research at Stanford University.

The Adobe logo is seen all throughout the web and is used as an icon to represent the company as well as a link for many websites.  The Adobe logo can be seen on any of their many products, including Photoshop, Acrobat, Creative Suite, Flashplayer, and many more.  Adobe has operations all over the United States and several other countries all over the world.  Adobe is iconic in the Computer Software industry and has been a leader in the market for decades.

Parsons The New School for Design

Parsons the New School of Design is an accredited design and art school located in Greenwich Village in New York City.  It has some of the most notable alumni of any art school, including Marc Jacobs, Norman Rockwell, Tom Ford and Jane Frank.

Parsons School of Design Programs

Parsons The New School for Design, or commonly known as “Parsons” enrolls approximately 5,000 students, including graduate and undergraduate programs.  Parsons offers a wide variety of degrees and programs in the arts.  Some of the programs include, but are not limited to:

• Architectural design
• Design and Management
• Environmental Studies
• Fashion Design
• Fine Arts
• Illustration
• Photography
• Interior Design
• Art and Design History
• Foundation

Freshmen at Parsons the New School for Design may choose to begin in the foundation program which introduces students into a wide array of tools that may help in any creative path they choose to take.  The following year, many students have chosen a more pointed path and want to study in a field that is more applicable to their skills set and interests.  The foundation program is a great place to start when you begin at Parsons School of Design.

Parsons School of Design Tuition

Parsons School of Design tuition for the 2011-2012 academic year is approximately $20,000 per term, or $1310 per credit.  Addition fees, including University Services Fee of $130 and a $5 fee for Student Senate Fees per term are also applied.  Student Health Insurance Fees are also applied if you do not sign a waiver for the student health care plan.

What Previous Students are saying about Parsons School of Design

Most previous students have nothing but good to say about attending Parsons.  The programs are robust and comprehensive, the faculty and professors are knowledgeable, and in most cases, working artists in the city that teach part time.  The location is hard to beat.  But, as we all know, you can’t please everyone.  Some students complain about the administration, and for the money spent, are disappointed with the experience.  There are quite a few complaints in the way the school is administered.

As with any big decision concerning higher education, be sure to be diligent in researching many programs to be sure that you have found the right fit for you.  Visiting campuses and researching programs will be a great benefit as you choose which design school you wish to attend.  Parsons School of Design is an excellent choice for those that live in New York City, or want to, and in which money is not a large contributing factor in your choice.

Rhode Island School of Design (RISD)

The Rhode Island School of Design (or RISD) is the number one fine arts college in the United States.  Rhode Island School of Design is a private fine arts and design school that was founded in 1877.  It is located in Providence, Rhode Island.  Art students that apply with RISD are required to take a “home test” that the school is known for.  This is a 3 drawing test, including the infamous bicycle drawing that it is known for.

RISD Programs

Rhode Island School of Design offers 16 undergraduate programs and 17 graduate degrees.  RISD requires a commitment of full-time study and does not offer students a part time schedule.  The Rhode Island School of Design offers study abroad programs in Rome for juniors and seniors for half year, or 22 different countries in their International Exchange Student Program.

RISD and Brown University have adjacent campuses; therefore students at either institution may register for classes at the other college for no additional cost.  Because of RISD’s extensive liberal arts department, many students at Brown choose to take classes at RISD to fulfill their requirements at Brown.

Job Placement after Attending RISD

According to RISD’s website, within a year of graduation, 96% of students have employment.  70% of those are employed in a field directly related to their degree.

Cost of the Rhode Island School of Design

For the 2011-2012 school year, the cost of tuition at RISD is $39,482.  Room and Board are in addition to that.  The Student Activities Fee is $295.  Don’t expect this to be the last set of “fees” that will be assessed.  Health fees, library fees, ID card fees, lab fees, extra course credit fees, and more may be charged to you if applicable.  Yes, art school is expensive and the number one Fine Arts school in the nation is no exception.

California College of the Arts (CCA) Review

The California College of the Arts has two campuses in California.  One campus is in Oakland and the other is in San Francisco.  CCA, or California College of the Arts was founded in 1907 and is one of the leading art and design institutes, not only in the United States, but worldwide.

California College of Arts Programs

The California College of Arts has a wide array of programs and degrees in all things art and design.  There are over 20 undergraduate programs including, but not limited to:

• Animation
• Architecture
• Ceramics
• Fashion Design
• Film
• Furniture
• Graphic Design
• Illustration
• Industrial Design
• Interior Design
• Painting
• Metal Arts
• Painting
• Drawing
• Photography
• Sculpture
• Writing and Literature

… And many more!

CCA also has an extensive graduate program in Architecture, Curatorial Practice, Design, Fine Arts, Design Strategy, Visual and Critical Studies and Writing.  CCA is a robust institution and offers extra classes and special programs including study abroad courses, the Young Artist Studio Program, and more.  See their website for more details on the programs and classes that California College of the Arts offers.

CCA Cost

The tuition cost of attending the California College of the Arts is approximately $36,960 per year for undergraduate students.  For graduate students, the cost is between $23,000 and $39,000, depending on the program you are in.  Additional fees for housing are applicable, depending on your current living situation.  Books and supplies are another $1500 per year for undergraduates and $2200 for graduate students.  All students are also charged $230 registration fee per year, and another $120 per year for a student activity fee.

Previous Students of the California College of the Arts

The reviews for the California College of the Arts are quite mixed from previous students.  Some students are very happy with their experience, while others feel it was expensive and pretentious and did not help them gain employment after graduating.  As most colleges, the program you choose to study will be better at some colleges and not as good at others.  Be sure to research your particular discipline to be sure that CCA has the right program for you.  Previous students agree that it is expensive.  They will also agree that the courses and faculty are top rate.  Some complaints from students include traffic, pretentious and unhelpful staff, money and employment after graduation.

As in any case, be sure to research all of your art school options to be sure that you are choosing a program that fits your scholastic needs, as well as financial needs.

The California Institute of the Arts (CalArts)

The California Institute of the Arts, or CalArts, is an accredited art school in Valencia, California.  CalArts was founded by Walt Disney in the 1960s.  It was the first higher education institution that grants degrees in both visual and performing arts.  It is accredited to offer Bachelor of Fine Arts and Master of Fine Arts in visual, performing and literary arts.  CalArts also offers a Doctor of Music Arts degree.

Programs at Cal Arts

Cal Arts, or the California Institute of the Arts, offers many different art programs.  Some of those programs include:

• Writing
• Dance
• Aesthetics and Politics
• Graphic Design
• Photography and Media
• Art and Technology
• Film and Video
• Experimental Animation
• Character Animation
• Film Directing Program
• African Music and Dance
• Guitar
• Percussion
• Strings
• Composition
• Music Arts
• Acting
• Directing
• Puppetry
• Costume Design
• Lighting Design

….And many other disciplines

CalArts Cost

The application fee varies from $50 to $85, depending on whether you are a domestic or international applicant.  It also varies depending on the deadline in which you apply.  Tuition is approximately $38,000/year for full time enrollment.  Tuition usually increases each year, but for the 2011-2012 school year, $37,684 is the current price of tuition as advertised on calarts.edu.  Other fees include student activity fee of $76, Health Insurance fee (which is waived if you already have insurance), energy fee of $100 and technology fee of $400.  Additional lab fees vary depending on major and class schedule.  As most schools do, Cal Arts offers financial aid as well as a payment plan.

The California Institute of the Arts

The California Institute of the Arts (or commonly called Cal Arts, Cal Art or CalArts) has a 28% acceptance rate.  The student to faculty ratio is 7:1.  There are 7 students to every 1 teacher at Cal Art Institute.  The average class size is 14 students and 12% of the students are international students.

Cal Art is a terrific art school with raving reviews from previous students.  While it is expensive, most art schools are expensive and many do not deliver on the high expectations that come with notable schools as CalArts delivers in education, faculty, curriculum and overall experience.