The department is relatively new and expanding rapidly. They have a rolling admission policy, so new students are coming on every semester, not just in September. As of January 2001, there were 152 students in the product design department. In addition to product, there are also programs in furniture, jewelry, and architecture rounding out the design disciplines.

They're still putting the finishing touches on the drywall of the brand new product design building. Discouragingly, the building itself lacks any real inspiration, looking more like a post office than a center for design. They have a well-equipped shop but a small number of machines; two Bridgeport milling machines, only one with a digital x-y readout, a single poorly equipped lathe, and several woodworking tools. But the shop is clean, brightly lit, and has room to grow. Students also have access to rapid prototyping equipment and CNC tooling located in a separate building.

The program is highly focused on developing practical skills in product development. Victor employs long-term design projects to emphasize this. A cross-disciplinary team of about 40 students pooled their talents during the nine months it took to design and build the EXO Spyder Concept Car. Each year a new project will be brought on that the students will take from conception to final working vehicle. This year they are doing a speedboat / recreational boat hybrid, with a retractable deck.

Some critique this approach, such as the person who posted on the Core 77 discussion group, "Don't, whatever you do, go to Savannah College of Art and Design. I taught there for a while and left after one term. It is totally profit based and just about took on any student with a cheque book! As for the car they designed...well, I personally would hate to spend a year on a group project that every student is going to have in their folio...how would you possibly stand out from the crowd?" I asked Victor Ermoli, the department chair for product design, about this. "Our school is non-profit", he explained. "That means we have to reinvest all the money from tuition each year."

In stark contrast to the ugly new-industrial feel of the product design building, the SCAD library is gorgeous. Located on Broughton, the main shopping street, the library boasts a good collection of art and design specific books, iMacs and PCs with free Internet access, and comfortable study areas. Private group study rooms are windowed, and have the same attractive large worktables as in other parts of the library surrounded by framed black and white photographs. Serene. The library also boasts the best bathrooms in the city.

Savannah itself is a charming city. You don't exactly forget that you are in the American south, but the abundance of shops, restaurants, and bars bring an unexpected warmth and charm to the city. Dirtier than Charlestown, the other darling of the South, the gentrification of Savannah is still in process. That means that you can actually afford an apartment. One student I visited with has about 700 square feet, lives by herself, hardwood floors, washing machine, dryer, dishwasher, 12 foot ceilings, and was paying less than $600 / month. It's quite possible to find a place for under $300 if you're interested in sharing, and if you don't mind living in some of the scummier parts of town, you can get your own place for that much as well. Just don't expect to walk around at night too much.

Downtown streets are dominated by several squares, generally decorated with monuments to past civil war heroes or city founders. Driving around the squares can be a bit of a hassle when trying to zip from one end of the city to the next, but walking through them is enjoyable. The old trees and the Spanish moss provide ample shade during the hot and steamy summer months.

Nightlife is good; there are several bars downtown serving the club scene, as well as an assortment of bars with pool tables, oyster bars, and local dives for the brave.

Pros: Excellent library, charming city with a well funded practical product design department. Staff dedicated to promoting the reputation of the school. Good selection of restaurants, coffee shops, art supply and book stores. Cheap rent. Close to the ocean.

Cons: Pulp and paper mill nearby sometimes makes it smell like sewage throughout the city. Lots of tourists. Gentrification of the downtown core is raising the housing prices. Crumbling buildings can seem decrepit at times. Some neighborhoods a bit dangerous at night.

Not to miss: bathrooms in the library, Mellow Mushroom on Liberty, $0.25 oysters on River Street.

Summary:

If you can handle living in the sweltering heat, it seems to be a great program, and draws people from all over the world. Great program for a practically-minded ID student, perhaps not the best choice for those more into an arts-oriented degree in ID.

• The Savannah College of Art and Design
  
  Admission Department
  P.O. Box 2072
  Savannah, Georgia 31402-2072
  Tel: 800.869.7223
  Fax: 912.525.5983
  

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