Before I begin to write about my experience, I’d like to first inform you the reader, that I will try and be as neutral as possible throughout my take on the academic experience at the Ontario College of Arts & Design (OCAD).
So why did I choose OCAD over other colleges in the area? Or even over other colleges across the country? I think my decision was partially based on the level of comfort as an individual. Having moved a fair amount throughout my life between North America and Asia, I was looking to settle down in one spot closer to family. Aside from that, OCAD among peers had always had a good reputation throughout its history, even in the days when it was still only OCA. During my application process, it certainly had maintained its luster from the rich history it had within the city of Toronto.
The Portfolio Process
While preparing for design school application, I had to quickly muster up a presentable portfolio. Arts was something I had neglected in the previous 2 years of my life before I decided to dive back into the creative world. I was fortunate enough to encounter a woman who was at the time working with Allard Johnson Communications. I can only remember her as Auntie Cecilia and her role in helping me get into OCAD was rather crucial. She was an excellent advisor with respect to methods of presentation and criticism towards what work was good and what work was just plain garbage. It was a good crash course to prepare for life at OCAD.
My 2 years before OCAD were spent at U of T working towards a Computer Science degree. It wasn’t so much as relevant towards design school itself, but because of it, I learned that design was a passion I had and programming was definitely not.
The School & Program
To this day, I can not say that OCAD lived up to the expectations of me or any other of my classmates for that matter. In retrospect, the courses there were just like any other school or any other industry. Some were engaging, and some were not. Like most post secondary institutions, OCAD suffered from hit or miss professors who could/would actually teach a student and impart useful knowledge, while most would be just doing their “jobs”.
As far as preparation for the real industry, it fails to deliver any of the hype that people seem to constantly believe in.
Strictly speaking from an academic experience, I think OCAD delivers as a school. As far as preparation for the real industry, it fails to deliver any of the hype that people seem to constantly believe in. Perhaps that’s where it fails to meet any sort of expectation.
With the growth and speed of technology within the creative industry in the early 2000’s, I feel that OCAD definitely failed to deliver programs that prepared it’s students to become front runners of the interactive/multimedia environment that is so desirable at this moment. We were all still learning about trapping, bleeds, picas and how to create editorial layouts, but we completely missed the boat in learning about how Flash integrates with the web, or how UI design will drive the next generation of consumers in their habits of consumption. It prepared us well for the world of print but it left most of us behind in the dust compared to other technical colleges like Humber and George Brown.
The real world was particularly difficult to approach after graduation. Academically it left a hole as far as technical knowledge. With a market as small as Toronto and a nation as conservative as Canada, the flood of “design students” rushing out to all get that one design job was even more impossible. It was “congratulations on your graduation, good luck!”. This was exactly how I felt and there were no post graduate programs to help students find work or even leads. Now I wasn’t expecting to be spoon fed, but in reality, the majority of professors teaching at the time were running their own small studios on a very lean team, so where were these magical positions for the graduate designer?
The more successful students were mostly in the advertising program.
The more successful students were mostly in the advertising program and kudos to them for being where they are now, but as far as I understand, a large body of graduate students in the graphic communications program ended up doing something else entirely, became production artists, or are currently unemployed and have been so for the past year in these even tougher economic times.
So what do I know about the school now? I know the school underwent huge amounts of technology upgrades with respect to equipment and funding, but it would certainly be wise to double check the relevant roster of professors and whom they work for or whether or not they would ever have placement within their business for you to intern or even work for. The type of programs being taught should also be noted for sure as you don’t want to be stuck in a digital world with the knowledge of only being analog.
With consideration to all that, I can’t say I wouldn’t recommend the school.
The Verdict
With consideration to all that, I can’t say I wouldn’t recommend the school. It is a good school in the area, but if OCAD is exactly like how they were back in 2005, when I graduated from the diploma program, I would tell prospective students to look at other alternatives like George Brown and Humber for more technically driven programs that will better equip them in the real world. One thing I should mention about OCAD, that I’m knowledgeable about with regards to other schools in the vicinity, is that OCAD does an excellent job in driving home the idea that concept is king across all design work and that is something worth striving for. Is that enough to sell OCAD as a good school? I couldn’t say, but like I said, research the programs at the school and the teaching staff for the years to come; it might just give you a better picture of it all.
I currently work full time in Hong Kong as a teaching assistant, but consistently take on freelance work. Prior to moving to Hong Kong in July, I was a full time freelancer in Toronto with a healthy list of clients that paid the bills and kept me happy as a creative individual, something very little companies in Toronto could do for me prior to going full time freelance.
So I’m a little off the mark now, but immediately after graduation, it was probably worse. In fact, I was one of those individuals who became a production artist in the industry right off the bat. I quickly closed that door and refused to look back.
Future plans? My stint in fulltime freelance gave me the courage and knowledge to partake in a different types of work and careers. My plans are to start my own business in a creative field not necessarily limited to graphic design, but something towards a lifestyle company.
Would I have done anything different you might ask? I tend to stray away from similar thoughts about doing things differently, because thinking about it for me is useless as long as I know not to make the same mistake twice. Hopefully in reading this, I’ve given you some pointers about how to better prepare for school and life after graduation.
(4 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5)
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John
chris laxton
Jonathan
Krystal
Jay
Max
ECUAD
tweetybird
Anon
Jenny Park
ocad is a complete waste of time and money. Outdated equipment, I was using a film camera from the 40′s. blackout curtains that didn’t fit the windows so light streamed in, white mould that grew on the wall for over 2 years with no one fixing it. water leaking through the electrical lights above your head. wasp nests inside the ceiling.. oh yes, what a great experience, oh by the way, no cafeteria, only pop and candy machines and 1 coffee station that sold out of food by 11 a.m. no where to sit, no lounges, no quiet work areas, the library was a social gathering place, because there is no social gathering place. My experience there was to say the least, an eye opener in where NOT to go… high school had better facilities and programs. OCAD is not an art school, it is a place that rents out rooms to make money, the president is as clueless as her fashion sense. DON”T GO THERE!