Here are some tips from what I have experienced as a student of Advertising at Art Center. Since I’m still in school this page will change, so check back after each term to see if it’s been updated. I’ve broken down the summaries term by term. This Survival Guide is to give you a heads up on what to expect and not intended to scare you. But if you’re scared, that’s okay; we’re only human! Hope this helps enrich your experience at Art Center.

Orientation Week
So you visited the school, applied, sent in your portfolio, got accepted, checked your financial status, got a loan, and now finally taking the plunge into what will be the most glorifying time in your educational career. Congratulations! You’ve made it to the Art Center College of Design. You have the potential to become part of Art Center’s ongoing legacy, and you wouldn’t be here if someone didn’t believe in your potential.

Orientation is all familiarity–lectures on policies and programs day in and day out, you’re grouped in with the same students in your majors, you have mentors to show you around, everyone is dressed really nice, you get to peep out the chicks/dudes in your entering term, etc. The sole purpose of this whole week is to show you where the bathroom is so you know where to throw up when you stay up for 36 hours and cry at night, and ask a lot of quiestions. This is nicey-nice time, because the admin KNOWS you will be going through self-inflicted hell for the time that you will be here. But don’t worry, everyone will be going through it with you so at least you have that in common. This week is a time to introduce yourself to others, make some new friends, and say good-bye to whatever life you had in the past. This is the time to reflect on how you got here and who will be here for you throughout, so take the time to say a proper goodbye to the past, and if God willing get totally WASTED on Friday with whatever smoke, booze, or controlled substances you can manage to get your hands on.

BECAUSE YOU ARE SAYING GOODBYE TO ALL OF THIS.

This is a clearing out and cleaning up time, just like the military, so it’s okay to go home and out that last night after orientation week and get a little hammered and a little sentimental. Think about why you’re doing this, because that is ultimately the motivation your going to need when the going gets tough. Remember, Art Center is NOT LIKE EVERY OTHER SCHOOL. Make some phone calls, write some emails, go on FB, but most importantly–reach out. You may not be gone too long, but believe me, it will begin to seem like an eternity after the 3rd Term. So go ahead and have one last “whore-ah”!

First Term:
Three simple rules for this term: Shut up. Listen. Learn. You’re training has now begun. Don’t start bitching now. THIS IS BY FAR YOUR EASIEST TERM. Or at least it should be. So if you can’t hack this term, then you should seriously think about doing something else, seriously.

So welcome to “scrubdom.” Congratulations! You’ve just paid an ungodly amount of tuition to be reduced to dog piss. Are you happy yet? Well you betta get happy, because this is what you will be doing for the next 3 months bitch! This term will test your work ethic and if you can take instruction like the moron you are. Because you ARE a moron. Don’t think; don’t speak unless spoken to; don’t even go to the bathroom without asking permission first. JUST DO. Do whatever you are told. Do whatever they say. DO NOT talk back. DO NOT get defensive at crits. Assume that your work will be ripped off the wall, and if you even had a breath of pride in your work, get offended. But even with that you will not say one word, because you are not there to succeed yet, you are there to fail. So just like W+K says, “FAIL HARDER.” FAIL so you know how to SUCCEED. So instead of bitching you will say, “Thank you sir. I’ll try more next time.” And you will take it like the little bitch you are despite your experience, despite your expertise, and despite who you are in the real fucking world.

I know this sounds harsh, but this the the reality. The instructors are there to break you, because the real world is tougher. This is the beginning of your instruction of self-discipline and greater understanding of your craft. It’s okay to get broken down, because your instructors are also there to build you back up again. But like I said before, forget all the drama going on around your life (because there will be), just do the work and get it done. I cannot stress enough how the foundation classes you will take this term will be invaluable in the next terms ahead, so soak it all in, and smile! The world isn’t coming to an end just yet.

Second Term:
Congratulations! The world has NOW officially ended for you, because unlike the last term, this term is when the real work begins.

Now that the instructors know you’ve survived boot camp, you’re ready for the real work. So don’t be surprised when you gotta do 40-50 ideas/sketches in a week, times three, on top of all your other assignments. This is when you’ll start to branch out and start to discover the Art Director you are. You’ll start to understand the style you like, and the Art Directors you take after. READ EVERYTHING. Soak it all it. Ask questions. Get ready for scholarship and 2nd Term review, so keep your book updated. Start posting up your schedule, and by all means, start documenting your process in your journals if you haven’t already done that by now. Milk as much knowledge from the instructors as you can. Get in close around the crits to take a serious look at your classmate’s work. Do not be afraid to crit and take crit. Don’t be too competitive; learn from one another. Turn your cell phone off. Close your computers.