NCAD Vs. LSAD

morningpeasant

I've also posted this to the Art and Architecture form.


Hi, all,

I'm a nineteen year-old who is currently taking a year off from studies (for personal reasons) and will, most likely, being going to art college next year.
I applied and was accepted to both NCAD and LSAD last year, and would love to hear peoples' opinions of both.
From what I have heard (and this could be completely wrong) Limerick seems to focus on technical skills, accurate representation, etc. for your first year, while NCAD seems to be more concerned about ideas, thought-processes etc.
I was very taken by NCAD, but am worried that I might not be good enough to go there and get into the discipline I want. The support for students in Limerick seems to be very good, and there is a nice friendly atmosphere, which I like. While I think NCAD looks fascinating and like great fun, the classes seem really big, and I am a little worried about getting 'lost' in them as I'm not the most confident of people.
I am from Limerick, so obviously living at home would be more convenient, but I really love the idea of moving away. How do people find fending for themselves ontop of the heavy work-load of the college? What are costs like for renting accommodation relatively near the college? Living costs?
Any information and/or opinions are appreciated

Thanks,

Rebecca

spinandscribble

First of all don't even consider whether your ability is "good" enough to go somewhere, if you got in that means you meet their standards.

My portfolio course says LSAD is on par with NCAD, they believe the main difference is location, there's more galleries and such in dublin so that could be seen as a advantage. A few of the teachers believe the staff to be better in LSAD too. Of course none of this is concrete and i'd imagine you'll get a different answer with every different person you talk to. theres also a preconceived notion that NCAD is where the best go, but i can think of a few who got in and went to LSAD instead because they believed it to be better.

morningpeasant

Hi, Spinandscribble,
Thanks for the info. Are you on a portfolio course this year? Any idea where you think you'll be applying next year?
I'm surprised to hear that location would be considered the biggest factor, I was under the impression that the two institutions were majorly different. From what I've heard from friends who are in Limerick the first few months pay a lot of attention to your technical skills, and that the first six weeks consists of an observational drawing project based around line, tone, texture, colour, etc. and that they try to focus on improving your basic skills before dealing too much with concepts etc. and that scheduled observational-based drawing classes play a role in second and third year too.
It seems that people in Limerick get more one-on-one time with their tutors, or so I gather, and that there's a lot of support in place for students, which I would consider a plus considering that I'm not the most confident of artists.
I hear that the first few months in NCAD are about changing your way of thinking and trying to bring out your creativity, rather than focusing on your observational skills (they seem to expect that you're already at a high standard). My worry would be that, since a lot of people on the course will be coming from a portfolio-course year or will be mature students, and seeing as how I really have very little experience of the art world I might not be up for the fast-paced environement.
That being said, the NCAD campus sees very inspiring to me, there always seems to be things going on and the people there seem very individual, creative, fun, and inspired. The social life there also looks really good, and the location appeals to me.

spinandscribble

i'm applying to ncad, lsad and Edinburgh. I'm pretty sure Edinburgh is my preference but i'm not holding my breathe lets say. Yes, i'm in a portfolio course.

I can't comment on whether the two courses are the way you described but it sounds like you want to go to ncad, you just lack the confidence as you see it as a tougher place. Don't sweat it, there will be plenty of mature students and plcs wherever you go so just go with your gut and from your posts i think your guts telling you ncad.

morningpeasant

Wow, what's the portfolio for Edinburgh like? Does it include and interview? Good luck
I think you're right about it being the fear of NCAD holding me back. I see it as a really exciting place to be, but am not sure that I'm ready for it. Plus, I wonder if my work will suffer as a result of moving out and having to fend for myself, whereas if I stay in Limerick I have the convenience of living at home...

spinandscribble

yeah there's a mini portfolio due today, electronically, then if I get past that stage a full interview.
If you still have time to decide, i'd try to behaviour as though you don't live at home, as a test, ie. cook and shop for your own meals, do your own washing, basically don't let your family help you out. You have to move out at some stage and alot of people will be in the same boat as you. moving out should be something to look forward to, I wish when i was at college for the first time around i'd moved out in first year.

kanedaly60

Spinandscribble ECA have extended their deadline till Feb 5th. Happy days...

spinandscribble

yeah but this dummy submitted her's on the 28th like they said to. didnt know about the extension until after. what course at eca are you applying for?

kanedaly60

Fine Art and Art and Design. I went to the open day last October, it's just the most fantastic place. What course are you applying for?

spinandscribble

Intermedia fine art, direct 2nd year. I went to the open day too and was advised based on age/interest/previous education/samples of work that applying for that made the most sense. I'm really interested in the Intermedia course, just hope I can get a interview.

It's a really nice college, everyone was very friendly and I've always wanted to live in Edinburgh. Its very hard to get into but 3 people of the plc I'm in got accepted last year so it can't be impossible. Oh and here's something to make you feel better, 18.5% drop in applications based on last year. I think the mini portfolio put people off.

thymol

I am torn between both colleges and pretty much clueless as to which is better?I mean from the websites they come across both as good places to go. Does anyone go to either and would like to give me feedback? I read that LSAD has gotten like 42 in the top 50 top design schools, which I thought was impressive. But the location of NCAD seems like more of an advantage? Is there much of a difference? Thanks

wmpdd3

Well I'm biased! but why dont you call in to both of them. I did this when I was looking, I had no hope of affording the rent in Dublin so I just sat outside and talked to some of the students when they went on a smoke break. They brought me in and I had a good look around and got a feel for the place. I did the same in LSAD.

You've got a have a neck for fashion, so you might as well start now!

nomette

Hi,

I have studied in both colleges. LSAD will give you an excellent understanding of what the industry is like from both a design and technical aspect. The level of education you will recieve is very high. However NCAD has better facilities, library etc and you are closer to more suppliers in Dublin.

wmpdd3

I agree with the point about the facilities.

Legendredhead

I'm in a similar position too. I'm torn between the two as regards print.
LSAD seems to be very drawing based (Which I like) whereas NCAD seems to be much more centered around the ideas and pretty ''out there'' (Not a bad thing either).
The accommodation in LSAD is so much handier to sort out too. But I'd prefer Dublin as a city in general. And the guys I met in print were right craic in NCAD :P
It's wrecking my head trying to choose!

Gr8loolz

Hey, I'm a leaving cert student, I want to go to LSAD next year, Iv been there and visited many time and i love it, Was just wondering how did you find it? Also, Im looking at the Art and Design course in GMIT, does anyone have any opinions on that for me?

wmpdd3

I loved it, for fashion, you have your own machines etc so facilities are not really an issue. I felt supported and as if I got honest feedback on how I was doing. At the time I felt 1st year was a waste as you do everything and then branch off, but looking back many students went to LSAD for design etc but ended up going into fashion or vice versa. Then only down side is the cold! Old buildings!

Gr8loolz

So glad to hear that! Thanks a million! How did you find student accommodation? And seeing as the college is in the city, did you feel excluded from UL and LIT?

wmpdd3

I had no interest in UL or LIT, the art college is it's own state!

I stayed with relatives by the hospital and walked to college.

Gr8loolz

Ok, thanks a million for your help

wmpdd3

PM if you need to know anything else.

dutchygirl

I made my portfolio specifically for NCAD but also applied to LSAD and DIT. I've been accepted to all three with full marks in LSAD, but I'm stuck.
I love both NCAD and LSAD for different reasons but would like some feedback on the two colleges, the area around them and the students/staff.
Its a huge decision and would like some advice?

Tiriel

Threads merged

wmpdd3

dutchygirl wrote: »

I made my portfolio specifically for NCAD but also applied to LSAD and DIT. I've been accepted to all three with full marks in LSAD, but I'm stuck.
I love both NCAD and LSAD for different reasons but would like some feedback on the two colleges, the area around them and the students/staff.
Its a huge decision and would like some advice?

I think it really depends on what you want to specialise in. I knew the minute I saw the workspaces in the 2nd year fashion room, thats where I wanted to be.

Are you more design or fine art?

I would consider LSAD vastly different than DIT and NCAD somewhere in the middle in respect of ethos. Though I have no experience of DIT, I just looked into architecture there.

Gr8loolz

dutchygirl wrote: »

I made my portfolio specifically for NCAD but also applied to LSAD and DIT. I've been accepted to all three with full marks in LSAD, but I'm stuck.
I love both NCAD and LSAD for different reasons but would like some feedback on the two colleges, the area around them and the students/staff.
Its a huge decision and would like some advice?

Did you do a plc course for your portfolio?

dutchygirl

no I worked on it through fifth and sixth year, I'm doing my LC this year

wmpdd3

dutchygirl wrote: »

no I worked on it through fifth and sixth year, I'm doing my LC this year

Fair play to you, I worked on mine from 5th year till the end of my LC and then did a PLC too!

Gr8loolz

that's amazing, well done, wish i started mine in 5th year, i only started in leaving cert, time was scarce! i might see you around next year!

dutchygirl

Yeah I decided on NCAD, I got alot of feedback and I'm delighted I made a decision! Even got accommodation sorted!

Legendredhead

I'm still kinda stuck between LSAD and NCAD. I'm leaning towards NCAD but the only thing holding me back is the fact that 1st year will be really big because of the transition from a 4 year to a 3 year course! Could cause some sort of difficulties. That and I hear Limerick are into their drawing skill, whereas NCAD seems more out there!
I want to decide asap though and get accommodation sorted, i've a deposit for Limerick but have not done much for Dublin yet :S

Gr8loolz

I don't much about dublin because i didn't even consider going there, but i'v visited limericks loads of times and i'v talked to people and it's definatley not just about the drawing skill!