The Academy of Art University

Is it easier to complain than to commend? Absolutely not. I will commend the Academy on its ability to run a corporation and to stilfle creativity and to create designer "clones" rather than to encourage a creative and unique vision.

There are always "Favorites" among the teachers and the administration only likes to put the "favorites" work in the SPring Show. My work was in the Spring Show and I was embarassed - not by my work but by the fact that the administration thought my work was worth something - the problem is I have no respect for their opinion and therefore my work being in their "show" is worthless to me.

I have been going to AAU for almost 4 years and I still do not feel like I have been able to express my own creativity. Every class I have had I have been pressured to conform rather than to innovate. Also, they only like one style of design whether it be traditional or contemporary or whatever there's only one style that they "revere".

Overall, this school has been a massive let down. I have learned a lot from my OWN supplemental studying but in terms of learning from the school I would say that it has been a huge waste of money.Go to a REAL design school like Parsons or the New School in New York or even some other great schools in California as well. If you are going to spend 4 years of your life studying and spending all of your money then you might as well get a decent education from it.

The building I spend most of my academic time in (2300 Stockton St. Interior Architecture and Design) is DISGUSTING. There is black mold growing on the ceilings and walls of my department's building, and many of the classrooms are above 85 degrees during the day. Everyone in the building is constantly sick, and the administration does nothing. We consider this to be ironic considering we're in the INTERIOR ARCHITECTURE DEPARTMENT, supposedly learning how to create safe and inspiring environments.

I've had a few good, semi-dedicated instructors, and several who are only teaching because they can't find other work within their industry. Unfortunately the few good ones don't make up for the awful ones.