honestly they made it seem like the foundation year is part of the graphic design program, but it's just drawing, painting, and photoshop... i did fundamentals at georgian college and it was kind of a waste of my time and money.
plus--you need a 3.5 to bypass the portfolio process, and they stressed that the #1 reason people don't get accepted to graphic design is because they didn't follow instructions. you need 70/100 to get accepted, and if you don't submit a sketchbook you lose 30 points. if you don't label your work you lose points. if your work is loose, you're screwed. if your sketches are loose, same thing. if it's not in a case... etc.
Honestly? Unless you had a terrible art education in high school, don't waste your time and money. You will learn everything you need in the graphic design program.
One of my classmates kept bragging in first year how he went through fundamentals and I couldn't believe it. I certainly didn't feel like I was at a disadvantage because I didn't even consider fundamentals. To be fair, I went to Denison in Newmarket for three years and they have an excellent visual arts program for a regular high school.
Make sure you're honest, confident, and present your work cleanly and according to their requirements. You'll probably do fine. I still remember one of my interviewers reminding me to smile, saying it goes a long way.
If you're really worried, go to the open portfolio review day at OCAD. I'm not sure when they hold it (it was around Thanksgiving back in 2000, when I was starting to get my stuff ready). You'll find that more helpful than anything if you're concerned about the quality of your work. And it's free :)
btw -- they don't do interviews at george brown any more because they get too many applicants. you just drop off your portfolio and do an english test.
I haven't done an internship, but as I did look into it before, hopefully this will help. I'm in York Region.
Career Edge does internship placements even for new grads (as long as you've yet to have a job in your field). I don't know if they'll be able to find you something creative, but it can't hurt.
Contact an employment assistance centre funded by Employment Ontario. An employment advisor can introduce you to a job developer; and both can help you look. It's free assistance, so use it. There are no guarantees, but it's always good to have help. Ask for information about practice firms, as they sound very similar to unpaid internships. Job Skills has a short list here of practice firms.
You'll rarely find an internship listing on one of the larger job sites, but it can't hurt to set up e-mail alerts just in case. Try Workopolis Campus and the Service Canada Job BankAlternatively, there are
( ... )
No problem. I know how difficult it can be to start a search like this.
By the way, GBC has a program for alumni called Career Wise which is in place to offer limited job assistance for a few months after graduation. It's all right for getting more eyes to look over your résumé, but I never got any leads from it.
If you are a student at GBC, look into the mentoring program (ask about it at the alumni office on campus). They'll match you with a GBC grad in your field who can give you advice and answer questions.
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plus--you need a 3.5 to bypass the portfolio process, and they stressed that the #1 reason people don't get accepted to graphic design is because they didn't follow instructions. you need 70/100 to get accepted, and if you don't submit a sketchbook you lose 30 points. if you don't label your work you lose points. if your work is loose, you're screwed. if your sketches are loose, same thing. if it's not in a case... etc.
and thank you! :)
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One of my classmates kept bragging in first year how he went through fundamentals and I couldn't believe it. I certainly didn't feel like I was at a disadvantage because I didn't even consider fundamentals. To be fair, I went to Denison in Newmarket for three years and they have an excellent visual arts program for a regular high school.
Make sure you're honest, confident, and present your work cleanly and according to their requirements. You'll probably do fine. I still remember one of my interviewers reminding me to smile, saying it goes a long way.
If you're really worried, go to the open portfolio review day at OCAD. I'm not sure when they hold it (it was around Thanksgiving back in 2000, when I was starting to get my stuff ready). You'll find that more helpful than anything if you're concerned about the quality of your work. And it's free :)
Reply
Reply
Career Edge does internship placements even for new grads (as long as you've yet to have a job in your field). I don't know if they'll be able to find you something creative, but it can't hurt.
Contact an employment assistance centre funded by Employment Ontario. An employment advisor can introduce you to a job developer; and both can help you look. It's free assistance, so use it. There are no guarantees, but it's always good to have help. Ask for information about practice firms, as they sound very similar to unpaid internships. Job Skills has a short list here of practice firms.
There's one in Richmond Hill (affiliated with YRDSB) and one in Mississauga (affiliated with TDSB) too, I think. Sorry, I lost the link.
You'll rarely find an internship listing on one of the larger job sites, but it can't hurt to set up e-mail alerts just in case. Try Workopolis Campus and the Service Canada Job BankAlternatively, there are ( ... )
Reply
Reply
By the way, GBC has a program for alumni called Career Wise which is in place to offer limited job assistance for a few months after graduation. It's all right for getting more eyes to look over your résumé, but I never got any leads from it.
If you are a student at GBC, look into the mentoring program (ask about it at the alumni office on campus). They'll match you with a GBC grad in your field who can give you advice and answer questions.
Best of luck!
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