At Strate, nearly a third of second-year students do not come from the initial cycle but join the school after a different path. Contrary to popular belief, direct access to the second year requires a solid application, an interview, and sometimes targeted preparatory work depending on the previous curriculum.
The enrollment calendar opens in the spring and extends until mid-September, at least as long as there are places available. For each application, the selection goes well beyond grades: it prioritizes the richness of experiences and the strength of motivations. Alumni often remind us: collaborative workshops and institutional events play a crucial role in the integration and success of everyone.
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What the 2nd year at Strate offers: programs, curriculum, and campus life
The second year at Strate is a pivotal moment. Here, everyone asserts their graphic choices while discovering new territories. Students engage in various projects: creating visual identities, exploring multiple graphic universes, reflecting on imagery, and getting a concrete introduction to the history of design. The alternation between workshops, analysis seminars, and theoretical modules encourages experimentation: forms, writing, new tools, each subject becomes a testing ground.
Daily life is shared among several spaces in the school. Some prefer the workshop to realize their models, while others favor the computer rooms or gather in common areas to discuss their theses, confront their approaches, debate a color choice, or the coherence of a project. Student life in a graphic design school takes on its full meaning in these informal exchanges and passionate discussions.
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The organization of the curriculum encourages everyone to gain autonomy and work in teams. Students learn to navigate the constraints of a real project, respond to the demands of external stakeholders, and adjust their methods throughout collaborations. The campus, designed to foster the flow of ideas, functions as a living laboratory: individual aspirations intersect with collective requirements.
Year after year, the relationship with creation, writing, and imagery evolves. Experimenting, doubting, starting over: student life in a graphic design school shapes a professional identity, sharpens the perspective on the world, and affirms the place of the graphic designer in France.
Enrollment procedures and admission criteria: how to join the graphic design program
Entering a graphic design school is never just a simple administrative formality. The admission process relies on a careful examination of the background, motivation, and ability to carry out a coherent creative approach. Several steps structure the selection: submission of the application, presentation of a personal portfolio, individual interview. The jury is interested in the logic of the background, the ability to reflect on imagery, composition, colors, and the degree of understanding of the issues in graphic design, particularly on the French scene.
To prepare for this key transition, it is essential to create a revealing portfolio: include your research, experiments, sketches, digital or paper creations, and be ready to discuss them. The jury expects a reflection on the evolution of the work, justification of choices, and the link between the approach and the intention. The interview, often decisive, aims to gauge curiosity, open-mindedness, and the desire to engage in a demanding curriculum.
Here are the elements to anticipate for a solid application:
- Required documents: academic record, cover letter, portfolio, and sometimes a specially prepared artistic project.
- Criteria observed: originality of the approach, mastery of graphic tools, maturity and perspective in reflection, knowledge of current graphic design trends in France.
Access to the program is based on rigor and authenticity. Selected candidates stand out for their ability to connect technique, meaning, and contemporaneity in the field of graphic design.
Alumni paths and upcoming events: inspire and engage in the Strate community
Living your student life in a graphic design school at Strate means joining a community where sharing and transmission hold a central place. Alumni, whether they have started their own agency, chosen the digital path, or held artistic director positions in major studios, embody the plurality of possible paths. Each of their testimonies nourishes reflection and serves as a support point for newcomers.
The Strate community is organized around lively social networks, forums, and frequent conferences. Everyone can present their work, seek opinions, exchange ideas on industry trends, and draw inspiration from shared experiences. Feedback highlights the diversity of paths after graduation and reminds us of the importance of forging one’s visual identity while being open to collaboration in all its forms.
Several events structure the year and promote student engagement:
- Monthly meetings with alumni
- Public exhibitions of student projects
- Collaborative workshops led by design professionals
Throughout the year, the campus resonates with unifying events: thematic workshops, round tables on visual writing, open days, and evenings focused on new trends. These highlights energize collective life and strengthen the sense of belonging. Getting involved in the Strate community means participating in an ecosystem where every exchange, every initiative, nurtures creativity and gives meaning to the student journey. A trajectory that, for many, only begins once the diploma is obtained.