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Jewelry Design Program – How Do I Know Which School is Right For Me?

Are you considering starting a jewelry design program?

You have always loved making jewelry and have taken many different jewelry making workshops. However you still feel like you need more? It is probably time to enroll in a jewelry design school that offers a comprehensive jewelry design program.

Once you decide that this is what you want to do, then the serious research begins. You will be investing time, money and energy in a program. That is why it is important to carefully analyze different jewelry design program before you make a commitment to apply to any of them.

The following are some suggestions that can help you and guide you in making the right decision.

A qualified and accredited jewelry design program will support students in developing both an impressive portfolio and a strong understanding of the profession. Because jewelry design is viewed differently by different institutions, it is important that the school you select complement the style and goals you have already established in your creative work. Don't rush this decision, research and exhaust all resources before committing to a program.

Many schools will advertise and promise you a job at the end of the training. This is not the best reason to choose a program. Even though it is true that companies hire students right out of graduation from a particular jewelry design program, that should not be your main consideration when choosing a program. In the long run, getting a job or selling your jewelry comes down to the quality of your portfolio, the mentors you trained under and the strength of your jewelry design skills.

Comparing Jewelry Design Schools and Jewelry Design Programs

Here are a few key factors to consider when you're comparing jewelry design programs schools:

1. Where the Jewelry Design School is Located: Find a school in a location that allows you to involve yourself in the arts in general. Look at a place where you can have many opportunities for internships and exposure to a variety of metal arts Masters. So location is an important factor in your decision. Consider the possibilities of employment in jewelry design and manufacturing.

2. Accreditation: One of the most important factors that many people fail to consider is accreditation. Accreditation is a voluntary process by which an academic institution is reviewed and evaluated by an independent board of peers. The reviewing board or agency assesses how that institution measures against established educational objectives and standards. If an institution is granted accredited status, it signifies that they have met the qualifying standards and goals. To put it simply – it is a seal of approval. Before you give your money to any institution verify that they are accredited. The saddest thing I see is students who have completed many units of credit that are note recognized or accepted anywhere. The national Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD) is the organization the govern art school accreditation, as appointed by the United States Department of Education.
3. Curriculum:Will the required course of study take you to your final goal and is it comprehensive enough to give you the technical education you need. I have made the mistake of going to an institution that did not meet with my expectations. It did not offer a comprehensive curriculum that covered all the information required to be successful in the field.
4. Quality of the faculty:Look for programs that have faculty who have have spent several years working in the field. Theory is wonderful, but you also want to get the real life insight and experiences into the concepts they're teaching. Another benefit of faculty, who are actively involved in the jewelry field, is that they bring strong industry connections can benefit you immensely when it comes time to seek employment recommendations. Research each faculty in the program; review their employment record. It is also important to study under faculty members to have won industry awards and recognitions.
5. Length of the program: This factor will be influenced by how fast you want to graduate and how much money you want to spend in you education. Many jewelry design schools offer associate's degree and certificate programs that will give you the same core design skills as longer programs. Having said this, it is important to carefully consider all your options. Many times saving money can cost you more in the long run.
6. Tuition: Whether you choose to attend a relatively expensive private design school or a less costly program at a state-run institution, you should make sure that your tuition dollars will generate an acceptable return-on-investment. As part of your design school evaluation process, be sure to inquire about former graduates' job placement rates and career successes.
7. Job placement services:A good design school should be able to assist you with finding exciting internships and employment opportunities. A bustling career services office is a good sign that a design school is doing everything it can to help its students launch their dream careers.

Get to Know the Jewelry Design Program

Learn as much as you can about each jewelry design program and schools that looks promising. Request a brochure and information. Prepare a list of questions and concerns that can help you make the right decision. Take the time to have every question answered to your satisfaction. Remember they want you as much as you want them.

Pay the Jewelry Design Program a Visit:Once you have narrowed the list of potential schools, take the time to visit each of them. Talk to the administration, faculty and students. Many schools will let you audit a class for the day, this give you an insight view of their teaching philosophy. Another great way to “check out” as program is to attend a jewelry making workshop of jewelry making course.

This is a list of some possible jewelry design programs in the United States to get you started.

3D Jewelry Design Program - Calironia, USA

92nd Street Y Art Center New York, NY USA

Adornment Craft Center & Gallery - Baltimore, MD USA

American Jewelers Institute - Portland OR USA

American School of Jewelry - Fort Lauderdale (Sunrise), FL USA

Appalachian Center for Crafts Smithville, TN USA

Arcadia University - Glenside, PA USA

Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts Gatlinburg, TN USA

Art League School - Alexandria, VA USA

Austin Community College - Austin, TX USA

Bauer Studio, Inc. granulation and chainmaking workshops NY USA

Bianca Lopez Studio of Jewelry Art and Design, Inc. NY USA

Boise State University - Boise ID USA

Bowling Green State University - Bowling Green, OH USA

Brookfield Craft Center - Brookfield, CT USA

Brookline Arts Center

Buffalo State College - Design Programs - Jewelry/Metal Design - Buffalo NY USA

Cabrillo College - Aptos, CA USA

California College of the Arts - San Francisco, CA USA

California Institute of Jewelry Training CA USA

Central Washington University - Ellensburg, WA USA

Claflin Jewelry Studio - Dartmouth College - Hanover NH USA

Clarion University of PA - Clarion, PA USA

Cleveland Institute of Art CIA- Cleveland, OH USA

College for Creative Studies - Detroit, MI USA

Colorado State University - CO USA

Cranbrook Academy of Art - Bloomfield Hills, MI USA

Diablo Glass and Metal - Boston MA USA

East Tennessee State University Dept. of Art & Design - TN USA

Eastern Michigan University EMU - MI USA

Edinboro University Graduate Metals Program - PA USA

Fashion Institute of Technology New York, NY USA

Fred de Vos Wax Workshops - NY USA

Fredricka Kulicke- School of Jewelry Art NJ USA

Georgia State University - Atlanta, GA USA

Gemological Institute of America GIA - Carlsbad, CA USA & NY NY USA

The Glassell School of Art - Houston TX USA

Guildford Handcraft Center - Guildford, CT USA

Grand Valley State University GVSU - Allendale, MI USA

Haystack Mountain School of Crafts 207-348-2306 USA

Haywood Community College of Professional Crafts - Clyde NC USA

Herberger College of Fine Arts at Arizona State University ASU - Tempe, AZ USA

Hofstra University - Hempstead, NY USA

Illinois State University College of Fine Arts School of Art - IL USA

Indian Institute of Jewellery - IIJ - Mumbai India

Indiana University-Purdue University IPFU - Fort Wayne, Indiana USA

Jewelry Arts Institute NY NY USA

JCC in Manhattan - NY NY USA

Kansas University Art Department KSU ART - Manhattan KS USA

Kendall College of Art and Design KCAD - Grand Rapids MI USA

Maine College of Art - MECA- Portland ME USA

Mass College of Art Boston MA USA

Mendocino Art Center - Mendocino CA USA

Miami University Department of Art - Miami FL USA