You have a leg up on most 17 year olds, I think, just having an idea of what you want to pursue. Yes there are a lot of very talented, intimidating people out there (and its very good for you to look at their work and be inspired), but there are so many people your age who haven't a clue what they want to do. So congratulations for having an inkling!
I went to a university rather than an art school (university=graduated without any loans to pay off). I went in with no experience at all, never touched any of the software before and that seemed to be where everyone else was too. Keep in mind Photoshop is the least of it--maybe your classmates are great with PS tricks but that doesn't make them experienced designers. I was an artist but had no doubt I wanted to learn to design and I LOVED it.
Remember also that most of your education will actually come from your own independent exploring and experience. I learned so much more from my own curiosity, internship, and first year on the job than I would have learned in 10 years of school. Your schooling is there to nudge you along. Let your enthusiasm drive the rest of your education and you'll do great.
Also, my design work from school SUCKED. Don't judge yourself based on that. Its school work. Do a lot of your own projects aside from assignments--you'll have too much time to do those anyway and you'll get bored. Mimmic things you like. Draw inspiration from everything--design, art, architecture, nature, eating utensils, whatever strikes you. Do work that sucks. Do work thats good. Just make a LOT of stuff while you're in school. Don't assume that your teachers are always right. If it looks terrible to you, it probably is. Listen, absorb, respect your elders, but trust your own instincts as well.
And don't get too freaked out. I was totally freaked out, convinced I was a hack and would never get a job, but that humility made me work hard enough that everything turned out beautifully.
I went to a university rather than an art school (university=graduated without any loans to pay off). I went in with no experience at all, never touched any of the software before and that seemed to be where everyone else was too. Keep in mind Photoshop is the least of it--maybe your classmates are great with PS tricks but that doesn't make them experienced designers. I was an artist but had no doubt I wanted to learn to design and I LOVED it.
Remember also that most of your education will actually come from your own independent exploring and experience. I learned so much more from my own curiosity, internship, and first year on the job than I would have learned in 10 years of school. Your schooling is there to nudge you along. Let your enthusiasm drive the rest of your education and you'll do great.
Also, my design work from school SUCKED. Don't judge yourself based on that. Its school work. Do a lot of your own projects aside from assignments--you'll have too much time to do those anyway and you'll get bored. Mimmic things you like. Draw inspiration from everything--design, art, architecture, nature, eating utensils, whatever strikes you. Do work that sucks. Do work thats good. Just make a LOT of stuff while you're in school. Don't assume that your teachers are always right. If it looks terrible to you, it probably is. Listen, absorb, respect your elders, but trust your own instincts as well.
And don't get too freaked out. I was totally freaked out, convinced I was a hack and would never get a job, but that humility made me work hard enough that everything turned out beautifully.
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