The first departments that I visited were Fashion Merchandising, my first choice major, and Fashion Design, my third choice, which were both located on the fourth floor of the Pollack building. I spent a good bit of time observing my surroundings and slyly peaking into classrooms filled with busy fashion students, draping and sewing. I was inspired by the beautiful clothing creations and more than ever want to attend a VCU student fashion show. (It's a good start before I go to NYC, Paris, and Milan Fashion Week. Har, har.) Finally, I went to an office on that floor and was welcomed by a man and woman who work in the Fashion Merchandising and Design Departments. The woman gave me a book and some papers about the program and the duo answered all of my questions. The Fashion Design program is just stellar and students have grown to be great successes coming out of the program. One fashion design student had an internship with Alexander McQueen (R.I.P.) during her years at VCU, which greatly strengthened her resume. However, the Fashion Merchandising program still stood out to me and this visit only strengthened my interest in it. There are 280 students in the entire Fashion Merchandising program and they bust their asses for success. One former fashion merch. student is now the stylist for the Jonas Brothers, who I'm not particularly fond of, but that former student is now making bank doing what she loves. Another fashion merch. student is an editor for Elle in NYC. There are also successful stylists and buyers who work for Marc Jacobs, Macy's, J. Crew, Armani Exchange, etc. I love it. I feel like success is definitely in my future if I work hard in this program. I'm more thrilled than ever. Furthermore, Fashion Merchandising students also get to design a line of clothes. This means I'll still get to do art-related things in this business-stressed major. Just my thing.
Next, I visited the Graphic Design department which was on the floor below in the Pollack building. I was welcomed by the department chair, John DeMao, who has been working for the school for well over ten years. He showed me a bit around and gave me a packet of information goodies in a chrome envelope. Some of the things that were in the envelope are pictured above. The Graphic Design program is by far one of the finest in the country. Students are extremely hard workers, which is really true for just about all of the art majors, but anyway . . . I was greatly impressed by a lot of the work that I saw hanging in the building. There was both BFA and MFA student work, which was interesting to see. I love that the Graphic Design department has an old-fashioned printing press. Those are hard to come by and it really brings you back to the roots of the art of graphic design. So much can be done with a graphic design major: typography work, web design, package design, magazine layouts, album art, poster art, the next cover of a great novel or blockbuster film. I love seeing the work. It's very unique and inspirational. I love seeing totally new images that come out of the minds of fresh, young artists.
All in all, visiting these three departments was an excellent journey for me. I'm still into Fashion Merchandising for my first choice, but Graphic Design and Fashion Design are still up there for me if I have a change of heart.
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