Illustration or Package Design

[kehittyminen]

I mean how big of a difference is it? I mean I'm still a senior in high school, but I'm currently taking graphic design as a class. However, most of the people in there don't take it seriously like I do, so my teachers don't really explain the different career paths. Package Design seems fun to me, but Illustration seems more...freestyle I guess

Comments

i currently work in package design...

[moosemcfiend]

And I can tell you that often times it's pretty monotonous. But we're not just concept, we do all the production design as well. I would rather be doing freelance illustration, but working for a company has that whole instant gratification thing when it comes to money. I gots bills.

None of that helped. sorry.

Re: i currently work in package design...

[kehittyminen]

yeah it actually did in a way! thanks. :)

Re: i currently work in package design...

[skirtigo]

BUT one really fun thing about packaging is the mock-ups, if you like problem solving and working with your hands.. i did packaging for 2 years and that was definitely my favorite part - sitting in the back room on my butt cutting out something with an xacto knife lol. the satisfaction you get out of putting together a unique box with your own artwork on the outside is really the best feeling!

Re: i currently work in package design...

[moosemcfiend]

I couldn't disagree with you more. :)
but I like proofreading.

[foutu]

i think with illustration people tell you what to illustrate, just with (slightly) fewer restrictions than package design.

[mateem]

Anymore it seems that the name of the game is to be a Jack or Jill of all trades. According to several illustrators I've met who've been in the industry since the 80's, there has been an explosion of illustrators out there in the last ten years, mostly due to the internet. Hence, the market is saturated.

If you're looking for how lucrative different divisions of the graphic design industry are, you ought to check out AIGA's annual report on graphic design jobs. They even break it down by the city.

[kehittyminen]

ok thanks, i'll try that.

[hyojoon]

I would go with a company and then freelance on the side, if you can. Freelance, depending on your area, is really hard.

Illustration and package design is like apples to oranges.

Illustration, you're creating illustrations. Package design, you're designing packages. I'm not sure how to explain this more...

Illustration is hard--unless you're amazing and you have a uniqueness about it. Illustrators are in demand, with the right connections.

I graduated with a degree in graphic design, but I delve into a little bit of everything. A wine client for example, we have to think about what kind of bottle, the label, presentation, everything.

I guess the question really is what do you enjoy the most doing and what area would best fit that.

[kehittyminen]

ok thanks! :)

[hyojoon]

As another commentor said, try a little bit of everything. My graphic design program focused of course on graphic design, but we did a little bit of everything: web design, packaging, etc. You're bound to work on a little bit of both in everything!

[outterspaces]

I checked out your portfolio, you're really talented!!!!
Where did you go to school?

[amanda_now]

Illustration typically does have you "doing something someone else wants you to do" as well. If you want to get paid for it, anyway. I do both illustration and design and both are equally creative (or freestyle, etc) to me.

If you have a proclivity for drawing, you can take illustration to help define your personal style. If you have little to no experience, I would start with a beginning drawing class. You should learn the basics first.

Honestly, both sound fun, I would take both to round out your education if I were you. It helps to know a little bit of everything in design until you decide what you want to specialize in.

Personally I think its better to work for a company first to gain business experience and technical experience accompanied by a steady paycheck.