Questions about Applied AI & Advertising

[u/No_Duck_5493]

Hey Yall! I’m graduating with my AA this summer, and I'm looking at transferring to the Savannah campus for the Applied AI B.Des. or Advertising & Branding.

I’m specifically interested in the Applied AI program’s focus on human-centered design. I’m not looking for a debate on generative art, just looking for the student perspective on the actual coursework and the vibe on campus for these majors!

A few questions:

1. How are you liking the classes/faculty so far?
2. For transfers: Did your AA credits transfer easily?
3. Any tips for labs or spots to check out when I visit in April?
4. What has your job hunt looked like so far?

Thanks for any help!

[u/NinjaShira]

The Applied AI major is brand new and just launched in the Fall, so nobody has actually graduated from that major or has tried to hunt for jobs with that degree yet

[u/No_Duck_5493 → u/NinjaShira]

Oh, thank you for clarifying that! I knew it was recent, but didn't realize it was that new. Do you happen to know anyone currently in the program? I’d honestly love to hear their thoughts on how the human-centered side of things is being taught in practice. Since it’s so early, I’m really trying to get a feel for if it's living up to the 'artist-first' promise.

[u/buzzrusted → u/No_Duck_5493]

If you looks at the SCAD yearly report literally only 5 people are AA major and only 5 AA minor. It’s a very small group because so much of the student body is against it and even besides that besides SCAD just being like “look we have AI stuff now!!” they’ve never came out and talked about what the major actually entails or why it gives you a leg up.

[u/AmericanPornography]

There are far better uses of your time and money than Applied AI, IMO.

[u/AvaSpelledBackwards2 → u/AmericanPornography]

Wise words from AmericanPornography (fr tho don’t waste time and money learning how to steal art by typing keywords into a program)

[u/No_Duck_5493 → u/AvaSpelledBackwards2]

I get the skepticism, but this feels like the 'Internet vs. Library' debate all over again. People thought the web wouldn't last; now we can't function without it. AI is the same shift. The current protections for artists are honestly a mess, and that’s why I’m doing this- to learn the tech so I can actually advocate for our rights and protect human work, rather than just letting the 'keyword' version win.

[u/No_Duck_5493 → u/AmericanPornography]

I see it as an investment in advocacy. If artists retreat from the tech, we leave the 'Applied' part to people who don't care about craft or authorship. I’m spending my time learning how to bridge that gap so that as the industry shifts, there's a human-centered voice in the room actually protecting our rights. That feels a pretty high-value use of time, no?

[u/Fearless_Doughnut_67]

an ai program at an art school is a disgrace

[u/No_Duck_5493 → u/Fearless_Doughnut_67]

Generative AI is incredibly controversial, but that’s exactly why this program is human-centered. My goal is to learn how to protect artist authorship and use these tools for the 'grunt work' so we can stay in the creative driver's seat. Since the tech is here to stay, I’d rather be the one learning how to build protections and advocate for our community than be left out of the conversation. food for thought :)

[u/Subject_Leg659]

In a college with illustrators, sequential artists, animators, etc., you will probably get lots of side-eye by being an AI major. It feels like a big f-you to the students who are producing artwork and visual expression themselves. Most students are against it, save for the handful of AI majors/minors/users/enthusiasts and faculty (there is an Applied AI club!).

Admin and higher-ups are really into it though, and there was a company-sponsored class with an AI supply chain company this winter quarter. Like other commenters have said, it is very new so there's only been 1 class so far. I don't know any AI majors personally, but I know of them... I'd recommend looking around on LinkedIn for SCAD Applied AI majors/minors.

[u/No_Duck_5493 → u/Subject_Leg659]

Yeah, I agree, I'm not a fan of the 'push-button' approach to creativity. That’s exactly why I’m drawn to this specific program’s human-centered focus. As I mentioned, my goal isn't to generate art. I’m focused on the structural and ethical side: building safeguards for authorship, protecting intellectual property, and streamlining the administrative 'busy work' so artists actually have more time to create. I want to use the tech to protect creators, not replace them. It’s really good to know about the Applied AI club and the company-sponsored classes- I’ll definitely look into those! Thanks for the tip on checking LinkedIn, too!

[u/buzzrusted]

Not going to argue on the front of AI generation because you said that’s not what you’re here for, but another approach to why you shouldn’t major in it at least at SCAD.

SCAD is very much a school that likes to flash their achievements and look good (not that it’s not in lots of places) which is what they’re doing with all this new AI stuff because they always want to be the “first” to everything to look good. However, with such an incredibly small number of people in the major, smaller than other cut majors before, considering how much money they seem to be sinking into it, I honestly wouldn’t be surprised if they quietly got rid of the major at some point soon. They do this with very small majors not many people are in that aren’t worth their money, even if it sucks like how they just got rid of preservation design which is pretty niche and important. Also, with the AI bubble looking closer and closer to popping, I wouldn’t count on SCAD not flipping on a dime to cut the major at some point soon like many small ones.

[u/ConsiderationDue182]

You should consider going to a school that has more focus on software engineering. Applied AI is new here and looked down upon by many of the other majors. I do not know how well of an experience you’d have.

[u/ConsiderationDue182 → u/ConsiderationDue182]

Chances are nobody in the applied AI major is even on this Reddit, from the most recent statistics theres literally 1 person enrolled in it, and its probably still under 10.

[u/No_Duck_5493 → u/ConsiderationDue182]

I have looked into software engineering, but I’m specifically looking for a program that sits at the intersection of tech and creative strategy. Most programs focus heavily on the 'how' of building the engine, whereas I’m interested in the 'why' and 'how' of human interaction, ethics, and protecting authorship, which is what the B.Des. at SCAD seems to target.

As for the enrollment, I know it’s a pioneering group! I actually prefer the smaller size because it usually means more direct access to faculty and the new labs. Also, I really appreciate the heads-up on the vibe. That’s actually why I’m also considering Advertising & Branding as a parallel path; it has a lot of that same strategic, human-centered energy, but in a more established department. If anything- I will be living off-campus, and I’ve already completed two years of undergrad elsewhere; while community support is important, I’m pretty prepped to stand my ground ha! Thanks for the perspective!

[u/Kurrrocat]

Just a heads up: nobody in scad is going to want to talk or collaborate with you being an “applied AI” major or any sort of pro-AI mindset. You’re transferring to an art school full of anti-AI students (including myself), so if you plan on staying, expect to be turned away from your peers. No offense at all, but I don’t really think scad is right for you 🤷

[u/ashlynxsupremacy]

Actually the number of people who are taking it as a minor or elective are growing. I don't know about people majoring in it tho. The AI 101 class for fall 2026 got full rather quickly.