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• feedback from current working professionals • recruiters know schools and that graduates are definitely capable to start work • the healthy competitive environment • feedback from classmates, and teachers that get you ready for the real world. So when someone says they don’t like an idea you don’t rush out crying • connections with classmates, which could help you get jobs later • connections with the teachers who also could get you jobs in the future I was hired by my teacher during my last week of school, she pulled me aside and said she loves my work and who I am as a human and offered me a position— even fought to get me the highest possible salary. Going to a portfolio school is the best things I did for myself and my career! I am a Freelancer now and connections I got from 2 years in portfolio school, as well as spec work I made during school still gets be jobs in NY without me even looking for them 5 years later.
It’s true, I formed many lifelong friendships there. Expensive ones, but nonetheless.
OP- yeah. I think so. Along with my Portfolio program, I took a night class (that was also offered online) and it was a good experience. There were just so many days / nights in portfolio school where I’d stay on site for 10-12 hours working on stuff, even if class was only 90 minutes. Those hours def made me better. As far as a privilege thing, yeah it definitely is. As ya know, a book is the number one thing you need to get even that first internship. My class of 80 had many LatinX creatives but only 1 BLPOC creative (and they actually ended up going into media). So if my experience is any test, no wonder there are so few BLPOC creatives in the ad world. All about the book. If an online portfolio school can produce the same results as a $60k student loan program can, then yes. It would be much appreciated. There are a few shops (W+K to name one) who recruit in more non-traditional ways but that’s def not the norm.
I agree this is pedantic. Good luck all around.
Wanna say working with different partners, handling criticism, tough deadlines and feedback, time management skills, presentation skills, creative competitiveness, evaluating and learning from others’ work...I’m probably missing something.
But portfolio schools are not a magic ticket into the industry. It’s one of the tools. It does help the ones that are brighter. But maybe it won’t help every single person.
Hey I’m a student right now in an online portfolio school program, dm if you want more insight, but, the number one thing is accountability. It’s a psychological thing, but I think you are more willing to work and learn in person since others are around you, which is like pressure. But, when no one is around you telling you want to do, then it’s easy to procrastinate. That’s why so many people dont finish online courses, it’s tough being productive at home and keeping yourself accountable.
Above is true + The biggest thing I think is in person presentation skills. Presenting online in your PJs with your dog in your lap is nice, but nothing’s like standing in front of people trying to sell a half baked idea to your CDs or internal team. I’d also (assume) the all-nighters wouldn’t happen / be the same. Leaned a lot from those, and tweaking ideas to get something perfected before critique.
I taught Miami Ad School in person before the pandemic and via streaming since it started. Honestly surprised and impressed by how well my streaming class went. As a student, I would have never been able to focus on an occasionally choppy group video call for 3 hours, but my class did just fine and their work wound up equal in quality to classes I taught pre-pandemic
Rising Star
They teach you how to take out loans and become a cog in the wheel.
Rising Star
Sticking 100 lines to the wall, standing in front of the room and getting shredded. It happens once and you never let it happen again.
The Mark Fenske experience.
His blog is fantastic
A network to get you a job. The actual most important thing.
A student discount
Definitely depends on the school! My Miami Ad School ID has been laughed at so many times (it doesn't even have anything printed on the back)
Debt
I find this so fascinating. Some people see portfolio school as the ultimate way in (not the only way in... but close). This industry has a serious privilege problem though. Portfolio schools are one of the main reasons for that. Regardless of the method, if an online program/school could promise the following, would it be enough?? -network/internship access -partners/collaboration -strong conceptual teaching -craft, design, production -presentation experience - < 5-10k (maybe even an income share agreement?)
Pro
Not sure it would be. I think we’ve learned the “culture” and process we lost from working at home compared to the in person experience at the agencies. Learning requires a lot of hand on technique.
All great points. “In-person” is impossible to replicate. I wonder if any these could be provided in a new way that still provides similar benefits.
We’re working on it for the fall semester, a mix of online and in-person with a reason.
Realizing that many people in the industry and/or trying to get in the industry are scum.
Internships
I guess also, every creative I knew in portfolio school who had the talent, drive, and perseverance to get a job in the ad world (even if it meant moving states) as a creative, did it. Sure many others gave up or pivoted into another area, but the good creatives got where they wanted to go. If an online program can get you there... that’s awesome
An unnecessarily high tuition rate