Reviews of Living Arts College (Interior Designer)

Katie Creel

As a recent Alumni from LAC I just HAD to write a review of my experience there. First I'd like to say that I had a wonderful time at LAC and in this review I will describe my experience from beginning to end. Applying was made very easy thanks to the capable Student Services and Financial Aid department. They helped us find the best way to fund my college experience and even helped us apply to FASFA. Student Services made themselves available if I had any questions or needed any help. They assist all of their students in finding housing and jobs! Once I was accepted I attended an orientation where I met all of my animation professors and the students that would be in my class. The classes are very small, especially for the animation department, but this allows for lots of one on one time with the professors. It is fairly easy to get into Living Arts, but it's not so easy to stay in and succeed. If you do not have a passion for what you do then you will not thrive at this school, but the same could be said for any place of learning. I started with around 12 people in my graduating class (just animation students) and only 3 of us made it through and graduated on time. The teachers may be tough, but it is their job to prepare their students for the real world. They give students the tools to succeed and it is our job to harness those tools and expand on them. During my time at LAC I learned the fundamentals of animation and everything that goes with it. I learned the basics of modeling, rigging, animation, game design, and visual effects. I learned how to work well with a group and produce a worthy product along with other aspects of the creative arts like photography and web design. The only thing I regret is not being more involved with my school. Now that I am trying to get my M.F.A those things would have made my application and resume look so much better. I recommend getting involved with extracurricular activities like the Game Developers Guild and Student Ambassadors. Make sure to participate in all the galleries and events the school has to offer and make your experience the best it can be. The Student Services Department offers many resources to help alumni find jobs, but they are mostly geared toward North Carolina so if you plan on traveling you cannot just rely on them. You need to network and LAC provides plenty of opportunities for this as well. Every year the animation department takes a group of students to the Game Developers Conference and SIGGRAPH. These trips made a huge impact on my career as an animator and I made a bunch of contacts. In short, LAC will be worth your while if you have passion and perseverance. Without these things you will not succeed, but if you love the world of animation then LAC is the perfect place for you!

Scott Parrish

I just spent the day in the studio recording a project. The students that were on site were very professional and helpful, led by an extraordinarily excellent instructor, Craig B. Great facilities and great people. They are doing good work in this studio and in this school. -SP

Grace B

You will get a degree here but don't expect to enjoy the atmosphere. The teacher/staff turnover is awful. Also, I learned only the basics when I was told from the beginning how much "New and exciting things I would learn in my field" I don't recommend going here and suggest finding a different school.

jayvon harris

I pay all this money for a dorm room that suck and internet don't work

Rhiannon Page

Living Arts College is an excellent resource for the creative community. The faculty and administration are very dedicated and always willing to help in any way they can. I have worked with several students over the past 3 years and have nothing but positive experiences. Their knowledge of their industry is comparable to those in Los Angeles and New York.

Jamie Mickle

Doesn't even deserve a star. This school is all about money. They care nothing about the students and their future. The staff is constantly changing. I DO NOT RECOMMEND that anyone goes to this school. The rules are bent to benefit them. VERY BAD EXPERIENCE WITH THIS SCHOOL!!!

Archerd Ross

*edited after I graduated* Dont do it this school is sadly not worth it and kinda sketchy. They really need to learn how to deal with students respectfully but i mean if you enjoy being treated as a child/not an equal then sure it might be the place for you. Also for the amount of money your gonna spend going here just use that to go to a better school. Like i didnt struggle with classes and never failed so it's not like I hold a grudge I just honestly think people deserve better this this school. I will say that if you dont think you'd be able to pass a normal college because of core class you'd be able to pass here ---------------------old review ------------ was so afraid to start college but they have made the experience great I feel very comfortable here even if my classes are a little hard I feel like I'm really learning what I need to.

Kevin Kolbe

A can't convey how totally cool this college is. It has a music studio, graphics room, production facilities, a theater and the list goes on. If you are interested in pursuing "the arts" this is a place to check out.

Kai Lotus

I graduated from Living Arts College recently. My experience was very good. I learned a lot more than I expected to and I got my foot in the door in my industry. The faculty and staff are very helpful and helped me network with other people in the industry as well as potential clients I did work for. When you're willing to learn and willing to work hard, most of the people at this school will do everything in their power to help you get where you're trying to go. In the creative industry, you have to be willing to work hard and network. A degree won't get you far if your portfolio looks bad, so take what you learn and make something happen!

DaRealKid lou

within the time that i have been a student here i can say that my experience was not a waste. I enjoyed the people that i encountered, and the things that i have learned will last for a long time both educational and physiological.

Anonymous Digirati

The professors here are excellent at what they do and really care about their students. Every school has things that could be improved and this one is no different but they work very hard to make the students ready for the real world. The students I met were interesting, offbeat, creative people who want to make their mark in the world. They all had to work very hard to make it through but when they did, they found jobs waiting for them.

Darby Crasher

Any positive review here is a work of fiction, penned by staff members. Want a qualified opinion of the school? I TAUGHT THERE. The owner and director are the shadiest, least ethical people I've ever been exposed to. So much so that when they attempted to get accreditation through UNC, the teacher feedback provided to UNC during the process caused them to fail! The teachers made critical comments about the school even though they themselves could be harmed professionally. Profit drives every decision the owners make, not student welfare. If you're a prospective student, please give consideration to going to a state college or university, or a community college. With some work on your part, at least then you'll have a valid degree.

Cindy Nguyen

Been studying at LAC for almost 3 years now, I would say that being able to work hard and get into the animation industry with in such short amount of time is freaking amazing. I get the opportunity work on my passion in life is a very fortunate thing that I get to experience so early. If you are really passionate about Animation and Game Design give LAC a visit.

Heather Arnette

Working for Living Arts College has been an amazing journey. I have been working with the school since 2009. I have seen the school grow in many ways. There have been some bad reviews from bitter ex-employees and some students, but I have had nothing more than a great experience. From my experience, the greatest part has been watching students achieve their goals step by step including working in their field. I have met with many students and heard many stories from students about how they want to change their lives. The best part is when they actually achieve that goal because they worked hard to get it. Living Arts College provides great opportunity for anyone who is willing and ready to achieve their working goals whether it is employees or students!

Not CImportantoins

Currently attending this school, not a good school at all, thank God that I was born with creativity. Since they taught me nothing about producing music, I taught myself how to produce music. I have a closed minded mom so Im being forced to go here, if I choose not to Ill be kicked out the house. xD God Bless America. The positive reviews are defiantly fake. Also, a teacher told me that I shouldn't be on my phone so much because its a distraction and I'm never on my phone, she jus wanted an excuse as to why I failed a boring class that has nothing to do with what I want to do in life. If you're willing to pay 86,000 dollars for this school, go ahead but its not a smart decision at all

Timothy Phillips

I recently graduated from LAC studying Audio Production. The foundation of knowledge imparted to me through the professors and even other like minded students during my term at LAC is invaluable to me now as I enter the workforce. The networking opportunities are abundant and very rewarding. The hands on experience and smaller class sizes are what really puts this school above others I was able to get the focused attention needed to truly absorb the material. Being able to run recording sessions in the studio/classroom allowed me to immediately put what I learned to the test in a professional setting, I always felt what I was being taught was applicable to my dream job of opening and running a professional studio. It's not just technical knowhow, business etiquette and legal considerations were also taught, so as I learned how to do the job, I also learned a great deal about running my own business and keeping it alive. The courses are thorough and the professors are currently active professionals in their related industries and it shows, The technical and professional knowledge they shared is impressive, they are passionate about what they do and they share their knowledge openly in and out of class. When you get ready to graduate you also get a full resume tune up and they have an awesome job bank that is kept regularly updated and current. They not only tune up your resume but they sit down and teach you everything you need to know and offer excellent advice on landing interviews. If you are willing to show up and put in the effort on your part I highly recommend living arts college to anyone looking to work in the arts.

Mick Winston

the only reason I made a different account is because once they see who you are at the school and they see that you're not on board with their own planned agenda, they will make it seem as if you are in the wrong. When I first arrived at this school, It seemed like something what fishy when I started seeing the best teachers leaving while the teachers that are corrupt are still here. Don't get me wrong, Not all the teachers are bad for instance, Ms. Thomas and Craig Brandwyne. Ms. Thomas is how I wish all the teachers were at this school, Professional and Motivated to help you. Debra Hooper, To her, STOP SPENDING OUR HARD EARNED MONEY ON YOUR TRIPS AND CAR NOTE. she literally bought a dog that sniffs out truffles not even here in this country, and can be drifting everywhere except inside the school. Im not trying to banish the school, I just know what I wanted to obtain from my college experience however, they failed horribly.. If the "owner" of the school responds back to me like you see in all the other reviews dissing the school then what does that say about their business here? I swear the business side of the school treats us like money instead of potential prospects of the next generation of entertainment professionals.

Celeste

I attended LAC for a year only to learn that this school is nothing but a giant scam. I wouldn’t recommend it to any aspiring creative minds unless you’d like to get screwed out of thousands upon thousands of dollars. Im still getting screwed for money to this day. I’ve met a small handful of genuine people and staff members during my time there, but that doesn’t change the fact that this school is run by money hungry deceitful monsters

William Henley

Look, this is a for profit school that isn't even accredited regionally, meaning that if you wanted to transfer to one of the universities here in the UNC school system, your credits will NOT transfer with you and you will have to start all over again from the ground up. Aside from that, you will be paying around $80k to $100k in all for an piece of paper that is worth less than a piece of toilet paper and employers will just laugh in your face for just having. The only place you may end up working for using that $80k to $100k piece of paper is at the very place you studied for to earn that $80k to $100k piece of paper, The Living Arts College. The education is sub par to the education you can get at a community college and at a university (in my case, after attending one semester here at the LAC, I went to Wake Tech and then transferred into UNC Wilmington's Graphics Design program) and way over priced! Lastly, the cherry on top of this all is that the job placement rate is super low and they have faulty teaching classes that they aren't even qualified to be teaching such as an instructor who leads a photography class teaching Microsoft Office with zero knowledge or prior skills. In all, I've been billed exactly 18k for an associates degree in arts and an almost complete bachelors degree in Graphic Design with a minor in accounting which I've had to pay zero dollars for since I've received pell grants, federal aid, and scholarships from the community college I attended and the university I am currently attending. Well in all, those are just my two cents coming from a former student of the Living Arts College that was able to stop digging his grave . With Best Regards, William Henley

Anonymous

I do not recommend this school. Most of the reviews around me seem to be fake to boost appearance. I graduated here with a high GPA, but felt trapped because my credits earned here were non-transferrable. This "school" gives you a grade on whether you show up to class or not, they constantly change their holiday schedule (every ten weeks) so you can never plan to do things on days off, I've had instructors (hired from a craigslist ad) yell at me for having too many questions about a project and tell me they wanted to "see if their students could even do it." 'Sub-par education and equipment' is the general attitude about the school from students. This is not a solo opinion. If you're thinking of going here, there are plenty of other schools in this state that would give you a better education. If you do go there, plan on being disappointed, bored, and $40k in debt!

Daunta Tyler

Soley driven by economical gain. They lack integrity and there is no surprise that there struggling financially. Go to FULL SAIL!!

Endia Lewis

Being an employee here at the Living Arts Institute has been a joy. I am a former student so it has been surreal to be able to come back and pass my knowledge on to future massage therapists.

WakeForest Minimalist

A friend of mine who is a PR director for a large medical group worked with a group of students from this school. He was impressed with their work ethic, professional presence, and ability to deliver quality design. I drive by this interesting campus often and am glad that there is a college in my town that offers this kind of real life instruction to it's students.

VENDOR SBTLCBSWNC

Professor Craig Brandwynne and his advanced Audio students restored 1997 and 1999 VHS recordings of live solo performances by a classically trained mezzo soprano vocalist and music educator. Specifically, they eliminated the low pitched hum as well as the high pitched crackle and hissing noise, which was due to improper recording. This enhanced my project tremendously as they were able to do so without changing the timbre of her voice. It was an awesome learning experience. The dedication that the Living Arts College has to its students (to provide top-tier education for the creative arts) as well as its willingness to engage the community, is stellar. Well done, phenomenal work! Thanks, Dr. Manns

Flopsea

i Graduated from here and i have had a good time. the teachers were always positive, and knew how to help when you needed it most.

Chuck noway

Two professors and a group of students worked on my business web site. They were very professional, and produced an excellent product. When I was present, the students were well coached by the professors. I believe it was an excellent, real world learning experience for the students. What better preparation could one receive than to work on a real world project.

Robin Werling

Screening of Bragg N East by Rob Underhill was awesome!

Kasey Garren

I am honored to be a student at The Living Arts College. Living Arts College provides the education and equipment that will enhance my skills to be work force ready upon completion of my chosen field of study. The faculty and staff go above and beyond to help each student to be confident in their ability to become successful. This school exemplifies the traits of being professional and having the determination to excel to every student that walks in the door, with a smile and an eagerness to help in any way possible.

vanessa page

Although I thought what I learned was interesting, the instructors didn't give us any advice on building a portfolio or networking or internships. The technical skills were great, but without having any help with a career, it didn't help in any way.

ellennicole photography

Don't EVER GO HERE!!! WHEN I SO CALLED GRADUATED, THEY GAVE US A SHEET OF PAPER THAT SAID DIPLOMA. NO CAP AND GOWN AND I HAD A CLASSMATE LEAVE BECAUSE IT WASN'T ACCREDITED. ME BEING YOUNG I HAD NO CLUE!!!! AND TO ADD THE PROFESSORS WE HAD WERE GARBAGE. HERE IS THE BIGGEST KICKER, I TRIED TO TRANSFER MY SO CALLED CREDITS TO USC AND THEY LAUGHED IN MY FACE GUYS! THEY SAID I WOULD START AS A FRESHMAN..SHEESH

Nick Phillips

My son attended LAC for two years studying Digital Audio Production & Design. He thoroughly enjoyed the courses and all of his professors and tutors. Highlights were gaining hands-on experience in the school's well equipped studios on a number of recording sessions with professional artists; working on the sets of movies being filmed in North Carolina, for which the school provided the video and sound recording services and attending lectures from visiting industry professionals and alumni. He graduated earlier this year with confidence in the expertise he had learned and ready to enter the real world of sound engineering. The school was also very helpful in helping him to find job opportunities before and after graduation. Overall it has been a very satisfactory experience.

Kim Cook

I worked at this school teaching Medical. Staff is underpaid, and the program is so fast paced the students had a hard time keeping up. Not to mention the owner is a weirdo, and listens to everything everyone else tells her. Dr. Shannon is awesome, nice and great guy but the school itself is not worth the money from a medical stand point. The so called degree you get is not from the AAMA which serves no value at Duke, UNC or any other major hospital. Good luck, and I would make sure if you are going to do any medical classes ensure they are accredited through the AAMA or its not worth the paper they write it on!

Breton Daymude

As a recent graduate, I can say that Living Arts College is definitely worth the investment. I was in the Interactive Media program and I'm glad it was much more than just your basic graphic design, logo making kind of course. Broadcast Design, Motion Graphics, Web Development, Packaging...there was so much more to the advertising and marketing field than I realized and I actually found myself enjoying classes I never would have thought of taking before going to the college. The staff are amazing and very wise in their craft. Mark Smith and Vince Gardner were fantastic professors and still remain close friends and mentors to me even after almost a year of leaving the school. I met a lot of great people through the networking and internships I attended through the school or from someone a professor had known. Overall it was an amazing experience at the school. Great professors, great networking opportunities, and a lot of great memories.

Ellana Music

This school is full of fakery. The teachers and staff portray themselves as nice people, but they don't even acknowledge some students on social media; while others they praise to the highest extent. They delete me on Facebook for no reason and won't even accept my friend request on a professional branding site. They won't accept my simple REQUEST!!! THAT'S ALL I ASK?!! BUT PRAISE OTHER STUDENTS TO THE FULLEST. THE TEACHERS ARE SO FAKE HERE!!

Michael Castro

I Graduated in Sept 2010 with a degree in Digital film. I did start off working for a company as an unpaid intern for about three months. Being the winner of a Telly Award, and now being the president/owner of a successful video production company. I would say I couldn't have done it without the education, experience, and connection with the teachers and staff in Living Arts College.

Gee Taylor

My experience at LAC has been pleasant. Everyone I asked for help or advice has always reached out and if they didn't have the answer I was always guided in the right direction.

Bryan Eagle

As a former student who was given the chance to come back and teach at the school I am overjoyed to be here. I love the fact that I can pass on what I learned as a student to other students now as it was done for me. It is rewarding to see students succeed in class, pass their certification tests, and obtain a job in their specific fields.

nathan wellman

I loved the professors and the classes taught through real working senarios.

Jared Macias

Great school for networking and creating great content.

Deanna Mcdonald

Got to watch my baby graduate from photographery school

Denise Copes

My son will start next year. And I'm impressed and he is excited.

Spitch Grizwald

So many fake positive reviews here. The for-profit college industry has numerous bad actors, and this is one of the worst. Trust me, a degree from a public college (even a community college), looks much better on a resume than having gone to this "school," no matter what name they're calling it now. Digital circus, indeed.

Wesley Reese

This is an amazing college. The faculty and staff are top notch. The management of the college have a student first mentality and will of out of their way to help the students succeed. I have seen it first hand.

Shane Greene

I'm a film major and so far so good. I have learned so much and I've only been here for a little more than a month. Great staff, and ample opportunity to get hands on experience. Also great collaborating with other art departments on our projects. I only wish I could've been involved with setting the schedules for my classes. Maybe we'll do it together next semester.