How do you know if Graphic Design is right for you?

Mar 24, 2008 00:01

i wrote pretty much an essay and it go deleted so i'm going to shorten it up this time ( Read more... )

beginners, school

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Comments 30

the_fragile07 March 24 2008, 07:52:33 UTC
how do you know if you can be successful being a graphic designer?
you won't. I'm 18, attending a Cal State school, working on my gen ed. I love graphic design, but all ready after my first year, I'm questioning my major [graphic design]. I've been Photoshopping since I was a sophomore in high school, teaching myself and being inspired by a few Photoshop tutorials. I'm still nowhere near the professional level, and I probably won't get there until I take many many more art classes. that's the fun - you grow and learn from experience.

I don't know what art schools are looking for, but they're there to help you learn. I'd say talk to some students there, or even the administrators. hope this helped :]

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yourelame3 March 25 2008, 04:37:09 UTC
thanks for the input! i'm looking into the academy of art sf and I went there today and had a chat with some people = )

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the_fragile07 March 25 2008, 07:10:41 UTC
I wanted to go to the Academy of Art, but I heard it's not as great as it used to be, the accreditation isn't great, and it costs a TON of money. if your heart is really into it, I say go for it. but if you're not sure, I would spend a few years at a state school. if you're from the bay area, I'd check out San Jose State University. they have a great graphics program.

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vanraf March 24 2008, 08:36:45 UTC
I can't say one way or the other on knowing if you'll be successful, but I can give you my experience so far ( ... )

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linderooni March 24 2008, 15:02:49 UTC
Yeah, ASU is supposed to be a lot like my BS program (UC-DAAP). Actually... I was wondering about the College of Design's MS in Design. Do you know any grad students there or have any idea of how good the program is?

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vanraf March 24 2008, 19:01:02 UTC
I haven't, sorry.

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yourelame3 March 25 2008, 04:38:25 UTC
ah that is something after you mention it that I am thinking of doing, not going to an art school so if i do decided to change I won't be stuck (and its cheaper)

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____nightingale March 24 2008, 09:53:56 UTC
I'm at university in the UK where the system's a little different, but nonetheless, I started my graphic design degree without having any previous artistic qualifications. I first got into graphic design through personal experimentation in Photoshop in my spare time; making my own layouts and websites etc (with which I compiled a portfolio to take to interviews), but starting uni was pretty much starting from scratch, and this was the same across the board. While I had quite a lot of previous experience in Photoshop and a fair amount using DTP programs like Quark, quite a few people had never touched the software at all ( ... )

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yourelame3 March 25 2008, 04:39:09 UTC
thanks for the help! and I actually looked at some colleges in the uk but didnt really know what i was looking for at the time so didnt find anything

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mikado_tee March 24 2008, 11:05:00 UTC
Hello there

I can relate to your problem, when I started out, I knew nothing about computers, logo's or design - I just loved to draw and where told that I had talent. But I myself was very much in doubt about my future, if I have any chance of all of becoming good as an computer artist.

So I went to different schools, and as I became older I leaned the trick of the trade, I studied hard, spend hours by the computer and most important - I asked my co-workers, my fellow studens and everybody who had any kind of experience. Think Sponge!.

Now I am past my 30 year b-day, and I am working with all the things I knew nothing about when I was your age.
You are 17, a wee baby :)
Even De Vinci attended art school, these things takes time, my point is, if you loved it, and you want to try it out as professional, then do what feels right for you.

Hope that helps a bit.

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yourelame3 March 25 2008, 04:41:22 UTC
ha ha wee baby = ) thanks for the comment!

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(The comment has been removed)

evilsherbear March 24 2008, 15:02:34 UTC
Right on both points!

I just graduated with a degree in Graphic Design about a year ago, and finally got a full time job about 4 months ago. It's at a commercial screenprinting shop, an area I knew NOTHING about. I hit the ground running, doing both promo design for the company AND preparing art for screenprinting. It was definitely a tough learning process . . . but I loved it!

To make a point, graphic design is a large field. You can work for a huge department, a small agency, a specialized company or on your own, doing just about anything art related! College is a time for learning, and the last time you can seriously goof around and explore. Take advantage of it!

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