SVA vs Parsons? (MFA)

[akanarika]

I major in Computer Science and Technology and now I am a senior.

I applied for some MFA programs 2015 Fall and I'm admitted to  Computer Art@SVA and Design&Technology@Parsons the New School.

My career goal is to be a technologist in a game company or a film company after graduating, so which one is better for me?

 

Thx.

[DrF8]

This is a question right in my wheelhouse. I was accepted into Parsons DT for Fall 2015, too, and I applied to the Computer Art program at SVA many years ago and was rejected. I took a course in the DT program as a special elective while a student at The New School and I took a continuing ed course at SVA taught by a Computer Art professor 10 years ago, so I know a bit about both programs.

First off, what do you mean by "technologist?" There are many different technical jobs in the game and film industry. Computer Art@SVA is basically an Animation and Visual Effects program, whereas DT@Parsons is essentially computer science meets design. It is much more similar to ITP@NYU. It is a very technical program, but less so than ITP. 

However, SVA does have technical courses outside of Animation and Visual FX, like 3 courses on physical computing, and 2 programming for artists courses that cover Max/MSP/Jitter and Arduino. Parsons has those courses, too, of course, but there are many more offerings for courses that cover those topics. SVA and Parsons both have a general game design course, but Parsons has a couple more courses for those interested in game design. They also have a game club, which is a very cool club for those that are gaming enthusiasts (and its not just video games - its all types of games, including board games and card games). One thing that SVA doesn't have that Parsons does is courses that cover Unity 3D and VR. So if that's what you're looking for, then the answer is a no-brainer.

My suggestion is this: if you want to focus on building and animating 3D models in Maya all day, then go with SVA. If you're more of a tinkerer/maker type and your goal is to be either a creative technologist or game designer/programmer, go with Parsons.

Edited March 17, 2015 by DrF8

[akanarika]

This is a question right in my wheelhouse. I was accepted into Parsons DT for Fall 2015, too, and I applied to the Computer Art program at SVA many years ago and was rejected. I took a course in the DT program as a special elective while a student at The New School and I took a continuing ed course at SVA taught by a Computer Art professor 10 years ago, so I know a bit about both programs.

First off, what do you mean by "technologist?" There are many different technical jobs in the game and film industry. Computer Art@SVA is basically an Animation and Visual Effects program, whereas DT@Parsons is essentially computer science meets design. It is much more similar to ITP@NYU. It is a very technical program, but less so than ITP. 

However, SVA does have technical courses outside of Animation and Visual FX, like 3 courses on physical computing, and 2 programming for artists courses that cover Max/MSP/Jitter and Arduino. Parsons has those courses, too, of course, but there are many more offerings for courses that cover those topics. SVA and Parsons both have a general game design course, but Parsons has a couple more courses for those interested in game design. They also have a game club, which is a very cool club for those that are gaming enthusiasts (and its not just video games - its all types of games, including board games and card games). One thing that SVA doesn't have that Parsons does is courses that cover Unity 3D and VR. So if that's what you're looking for, then the answer is a no-brainer.

My suggestion is this: if you want to focus on building and animating 3D models in Maya all day, then go with SVA. If you're more of a tinkerer/maker type and your goal is to be either a creative technologist or game designer/programmer, go with Parsons.

 

Thank you so much for providing so many details. Today I luckily receive another two ads from NYU game center and CMU ETC.. So I'll think it over to choose one from these four programs.. According to what you've said, each program has its own feature and focus. It may take me several days to make my decision.. Thank you!!!

[DrF8]

Now that you bring up NYU and CMU game design programs, I should mention that graduate level game design courses at Parsons are limited. They used to have a lot more. NYU Game Center would be a better choice in my opinion.