^WOW!! My friends want to work for EA cuz we're all studying Graphic Design. Good for you!! I'm still in my second year so I'm still with a part-time job (currently working at Blenz Coffee)..but I will be looking for a teaching mentor/assistant positions next year :) haha I considered AI when I grad from high school but the tuition is really expensive..

anything you'd recommend or suggest to us possible future EA employees? XD (or just those who are studying graphic design) and btw which department are u in for the interface design? Do you model, draw or...?? if u dont mind me asking, how much do you get paid? I'm just really curious...thanks!!! XDD

Well an Interface Designer is an Interface Designer. A 3D-modeler/animator is totally different. We design all the frontend stuff in the game (menus, icons, backgrounds, etc etc). When I got offered the job at EA, I had no idea that there was such position for a graphic designer. I also had web experience so I think that was a big factor too. All I can say is work hard on your portfolio and make it look GOOD! Plus when you start looking for jobs, you have to be proactive and go out and apply yourselves and make follow-up phone calls/emails instead of waiting for the employer to call you or find you.

Sorry I prefer to keep my income is private but all I can say is that it's salary and it's good (wayyy above what entry-graphic designers make). Hehe.

Oh and since you're studying graphic design, there are so many more specialized areas you can go into (advertising, typography, web, print, etc.) so you should find out which one you are most interested in/best at. If you like to do everything graphic design related, there are also jobs out there that gives you that experience as well. In school, I loved everything about it except for advertising which was my weakest area so I knew right away I didn't want to pursue that.

^Thank you!! ^^ you're quite talented. I'm into both design and media arts but I will decide once I finish my concentration courses.

hey kooty just wondering, what courses did you take and post secondary school did u goto.. because a year ago i was doing graphic design and webdesign ameteur kinda did a fansite for a celeb... and did well in all my computer courses however its been a year sinceive done that stuff and i want to get more experience and the actual education.. cause theres still lots of stuff i dont know like. c++ and i still suck at flash lmfao.

You mentioned that you would like to attend AI in the future, however.. I've heard the worse reviews about AI. First thing that usually comes up is that all AI wants is money. I am studying the SATs to study in the US, so I have done most of the research on art/design/media post secondary institutes. However, I have not gone through the AI program so if the rumors are true or not, I would not know. My teacher does not recommend her students attend AI. (Capliano, and ACAD (Alberta College of Art + Design) have great arts programs)

^no no...I'm already studying Interactive Arts..AI was just one of the schools I thought about when I was at high school because they've done the presentations many times there.

What are some other best schools for art/design/media? Is Emily Carr good? Any other in BC?

i work @ DQ - 50% off while working, 25% off when i walk in.

I went to AI and I don't regret it at all. The tuition is expensive but I got a good job with a high salary less than a month after I graduated (and I also freelance on the side) so it won't take me long paying off my loans. Some of the instructors there are beyond awesome and inspiring (and of course like any other schools, there are some who are just crap but you can just get them fired like we did).

I ONLY recommend AI if you are hardworking and is prepared to work your ass off for a year and a half. If you are just going to slack-off then just go elsewhere; if you work hard it's worth it. Plus AI helps you find a job after grad for about 6 months (although its been a year for me and I'm still getting emails from the student advisor for job openings, etc).

One school I DON'T recommend for graphic design is Emily Carr because EC is more of a fine arts school and I've seen some of their students' works compared to other schools (Cap, Kwantlen, AI, etc) and they often don't compare.

what school is AI?

art institute, i'm guessing?

Mhmm I agree with ko0ty, Emily Carr is a not a school you would want to go to if you want to focus/major in Graphic design, as it is not a highly known course of theirs. (I couldn't even find it in their viewbook -_-).

jazuresky: There aren't a vast amount of art schools in BC.. =\ I wouldn't recommend Langara as well.

However, though out of range, Ontario has some very very recognized schools. I know a guy that graduated from a school there that's working for Sony Pictures Animation, and created the big bear from Open Season hehe XD

"and of course like any other schools, there are some who are just crap but you can just get them fired like we did"
REALLY?? HOW? XDDD I really dislike lots of the crappy professors we had!!!!!! ARGH!

I don't think Emily Carr for GD is that bad. I have a friend who studies that there and her work is not bad at all..I've asked her for her portfolio and I will see when she shows it to me...

and hmm my school isn't even mentioned at all....:|