Full Sail University

Date: Oct 16 2008
Major: Design Arts - Industrial Design/Graphic Design/etc (This Major's Salary over time)
I'm a female, I graduated from Full Sail in August of 2003 in the (former) Digital Media program, now referred to as Digital Arts & Design. I am only going to speak to that program.

Look, it's pretty simple. You're either already an intelligent person who has passion and a fighting desire to succeed or you're not.

The people who succeed in Full Sail's program are the former. The people who fail don't understand how to find and keep decent jobs - whether they moved to the wrong market, their skills are mediocre, they lack a certain type of personality, or they have trouble with their speaking and presentation skills.

When I got out of school, I learned how to market myself (partially thanks to my degree, partially thanks to common sense.)

I went after ad agencies and interactive firms. I made an excel spreadsheet with their phone numbers, addresses, and contact information. I called and asked for interviews, even if they weren't hiring.

I've taken every opportunity to hone my craft and improve my skill. I read design blogs, post my work on portfolio sites like coroflot, network at every turn, and I really enjoy what I do.

I'm not trying to sounds arrogant, but I'm a good designer. I have a good visual sense to begin with, before I ever started Full Sail. I saw many of my fellow classmates really struggle with design - my key gripe with Full Sail is that there was no admission process. Anyone with a dream can sign up for a price, which means, people with little to no talent can get a degree in any subject matter.

That's a problem. That means a lot of graduates try and find jobs with a poor-looking portfolio. Guess what? They're not going to get hired, and they're going to blame it on Full Sail. This is going to dishearten a lot of students after graduation, and it's very serious reason the school cannot break its often clouded reputation.

The contacts from my class that I have kept have gone on to become exceptional web developers, designers, and multimedia producers. I know a lot of them are "multiple" threats - music producers, motion graphics editors, JavaScript gurus, etc.

My advice for those interested in the Digital Arts and Design program? Take a couple visual arts courses at your local community college. Ask the instructors if they see potential in your work, and ask them for the straight answer. There's a reason Simon Cowell on American Idol gets so much attention - he tells the truth. If you find yourself hearing that you're work isn't amazing, I suggest you find yourself another career path.

It takes a lot to be a great designer today - you have to have a deep understanding of not only design, but good typographic principles, a number of different software applications, advertising mediums, marketing techniques, and a fervent desire to constantly keep learning and improving. Being a good Digital Designer is about loving what you do first, but being damn good at it second. Marketing and branding are as much about it as what color scheme you pick from Kuler.

Bottom line, FS is what you put into it. Reap what you sow. Take advantage of extra-curricular activities and clubs. All of them. Soak it all in. Stay up all night perfecting your project instead of hitting the bong with your roomies. Nitpick your work and get second and third opinions. Ask questions after class, every day. Yes, I'm telling you to annoy the crap out of your instructors.

I will never forget that amazing feeling after I'd completed a project and showed it to my class, and they would give me really positive feedback. That "glow" is still something I strive for today, but instead of pleasing my teachers, I'm pleasing my boss and my clients.

If you love the digital world, technology, and art alike - I highly recommend FS. Buckle your seatbelt. You're in for an amazing ride.