You told someone that they would not need to take AFO if they are a transfer. THIS IS NOT TRUE! I came from Cornell College with 2.5 years of BArts and an Anthro degree under my belt.... And you know what? They still make you take AFO. The dean and advisor both told me that it is required (unless you went to a better art program before, but even then.... you'd probably have to take it).
Ah then I’m wrong. I met a few that didn’t have to take it but they might’ve had to submit a portfolio. Sorry about the false information.
Sorry that the blog hasn’t been updated
Hello there, so I am planning on transferring to VCU for graphic design. I have attended ASU graphic design for a year, but then dropped because I didn't like the program. So now I am in community college. I read on the requirements that I have to take AFO? What do you do in AFO?
Since you’re transferring into VCUarts you will not need to go through the program of AFO. With a community college you will cover all the basics and VCU will take your credits and you will go straight into graphic design. AFO is a program for the freshmen who are majoring in art. It is a year course in which you focus on for different areas of art- space(sculpture & 3D), surface (2d with different mediums), drawing (yeah), and time (video and time based art). In this program VCU hopes to make you more well-rounded and pushes you. Basically weeding out students who are not up to it. At the end of the courses you are to submit a portfolio to see if you got into your desired major.
Hello bored sophomore~ I was just wonderin what program you got into :) I was also wondering if it was the major you wanted to get into from the beginning or did it change over the course of AFO?
I’m a KI major. It was my first choice. Kinectic Imaging does animation, video, and sound. So it is somewhat of a jack-of-all-trades major like comarts but with more technology. Though I did have second thoughts at points throughout AFO. With AFO I had learned to love many mediums and became more experienced in art. For anyone who is on the fence for their major, don’t fret, you will find something out by the time portfolios come by. Also don’t hesitate to talk to your advisor about your desired major. They are your best friend and mentor throughout AFO.
AFO TIP #2- Start collecting now!
Chances are, in Space class, you will be doing a cardboard project. Ask friends and family if they have cardboard boxes laying around or tell them to save it for you. Although you can scavenge cardboard around campus, it is nicer to have your own [cleaner] supply. With the Christmas season coming up, there should be a surplus of boxes.
by sexy-dynamite
AFO TIP #1 - Lowe’s and their shitty cutting wood job
If you are getting wood at Lowe’s and need to wood cut down to a certain size, I would avoid using the workers who cut the wood there at all costs. The employees do a terrible job and most of the time they cut it to the wrong size. The woodshop in the AFO building is your best option! However, if you have no option but to get it cut down at Lowe’s bring a tape measure! Also know your dimensions and write them down for perfect measurements. When they cut it down measure all sides and pieces(also make sure the cut side is smooth afterwards) and that it is perfect to the millimeter. If they mess up tell them that they got it wrong and you want it done again(they have to). Don’t let them push you around or be rude to you because they will try their best to not work.
ART SUPPLIES AND OTHER STORES
Here is a list of some stores that are helpful to the AFO student. This is so far on my list and will soon have a post dedicated to each store with more details and pros/cons of the store. Hope this helps!
Plaza: Art Materials & Framing
Address: 927 West Grace Street, Richmond, VA 23220
Phone: (804) 359-5900
Website: http://www.plazaart.com/
E-mail: (N/A)
Hours:
Monday-Friday 8:30 am - 6:00 pm
Saturday 10:00am-5:00 pm
Sunday 12:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Main Art Supply
Address: 1537 W. Main St. (corner of Main and Lombardy) Richmond, VA 23220
Phone: (804) 355-6151
Website: http://www.mainartsupply.com/
E-mail: mainartsupply@earthlink.net
Hours:
Monday-Friday 9:00am-6:00pm
Saturday 10:00am-5:00pm
On their site they have directions how to get there from Bowe street:
“Directions from VCU’s AFO Building
(Bowe Street Parking Deck):
-Turn right onto West Broad
-Turn Left on Lombardy
-Cross over West Main
-We’re on the left corner (park behind the building)”
Barnes & Noble
Address:1111 West Broad Street, Richmond, VA 23284-9075
Phone:(804) 828-1678
Website: vcubooks.com
E-mail: (N/A)
Hours:
Monday- Thursday 8:00am-8:00pm
Friday 8:00 am- 6:00pm
Saturday 10:00 am- 6:00pm
Sunday 1:00pm-5:00pm
Retail Services Group Inc.
Address: 1200 West Marshall Street, Richmond, VA
Phone: (804) 355-0384
Website: (N/A)
E-mail: (N/A)
Hours: (N/A)
Lowe’s Home Improvement
Address: 1640 West Broad Street, Richmond, VA 23220
Phone: (804) 219-0640
Website: lowes.com
E-mail: (N/A)
Hours:
Monday-Saturday 6:00 am - 9:00 pm
Sunday 8:00 am - 7:00 pm
Pleasant’s Hardware Store
Address:2024 West Broad Street
Richmond, VA. 23220
Phone: (804) 359-9381
Website: www.pleasantshardware.com
E-mail: (N/A {I’ll put it in tonight})
Hours: (N/A {I’ll put this in tonight too})
AFO TIP #0- Buying Art Supplies
I will always stand by Main Art as being the better store, but Plaza’s closer, so when buying art supplies, I’d suggest going to Main Art unless you’re in a rush.
by sowhatelseisblue
*****
{surviveafo here: I also want to note that Plaza is always constantly running out of supplies. The employees can be rude at times(some are very nice and helpful), the place closes at 6pm (unfortunately), and some of the supplies there are overpriced. Main Art is a great place to go for lower priced items and you will have a greater selection. If you need an emergency art supply close by there is the small Barnes & Noble on Shafer Street that holds a good amount of supplies. Barnes & Noble has high pricing on stuff there but if it is an emergency you might as well. However, Barnes & Noble does close at 8 or 9 depending on the day)}
ALRIGHT! SURVIVEAFO HAS LAUNCHED!
As a bored sophomore of the art program, I can’t help but give advice to the AFO students of this fall/spring semester and to the future. At times I do wish I could have some advice on the hell put on my soul all of fall 2010 and spring 2011. These tips will consist of time management, money crunching, professor info, and art tips for AFO or any art program. Even though it was backbreaking and ego deflating I can’t but feel grateful for going through and surviving AFO.
So here we go:
-Anyone(including AFO and non-AFO students) can submit tips, ideas, or whatever. I’m open to a lot of ideas.
-You can share your personal stories of AFO/opinions on AFO or anything else.
-if you are in need of advice just ask away!
So yeah. That is all that I have right now. (I’m still trying to get a list together and stuff.)
