becoming a graphic designer?
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- RobotGunslinger
I am really interested in Graphic Design, but I am not a designer and I haven't done anything in a long long time.
I need a few bucks though to get through university so I thought I could maybe finally start learning a bit and maybe freelance a little.
So the question is how did you become a graphic designer? any tips?
- neue75_bold0
don't do it for the money, not due to moral qualms, but more for the fact that, well, there isn't really any significant amount involved...
- RobotGunslinger0
you are of course welcomed to call me a n00b and tell me to leave the real work to se pros.
- Momentum20
well for me i was an acounting major which I hated and I failed calculus so I decided to go to design school.. and from there I got here... being a full-time designer...
i recommend going to school cause it'll motivate you and you'll get a chance to network... but if you think you can just start from where you at then by all means go at it! Start off with building a portfolio and post it on here but get ready for some bashing ;)
- neue75_bold0
If substance abuse, agonizing bouts of depression, constant self-loathing and getting kicked in the sack frequently are some things you're already familiar with, then you're half way there mate...
- RobotGunslinger0
I'd totally do it for the money!
If I would do personal thing, it would be very rather minimalistic and not something I could earn money with, I just have a quality meter build in and I really don't want to do this kind of thing unless I am really comfortable with it.
But //good designers often end up doing websites for shitty shops, so I might as well go right there and earn a few euros to buy beer.
- seed0
The books are closed.
- RobotGunslinger0
"i recommend going to school"
That's not really an option, there is only one way to study graphic design in Vienna and that is at the "Akademie für angewandte Kunst".
I tried this once 2 years ago and got in the final round with 19 other people, but they only take about 5-10 people every year and about 300 people want to get in.
Also didn't really like the 4 day test, the whole thing might be a tad to hardcore for me.
- nocomply0
Unless you go to a specialty school, you probably will not learn the tools you need to know to become a successful designer. Definitely start learning on your own by getting books, practicing, and looking at good examples online. You are your own best teacher. A lot of the best designers/coders I know did not go to school for it.
That being said...I am still a major advocate for education so yes go to school if you can. Just remember that school won't make you a good designer, YOU will make yourself a good designer through your own hard work and dedication. good luck.
- PonyBoy0
Enter response:
going back to school is a great idea... if for anything else...but to experience the 'different' facets of design today- ie: multimedia, video graphics etc....
... there's so many areas to go in our field now that if you've got a bit of ability... all you need to do is tack on a useful 'skill' (programming, technical ability in PS, Illy etc)... then you can start making some money...
... gotta have a marketable 'skill' associated w/yourself.
- Soler0
the best way to get good / successfull at something is to be passionate about it, and then follow what the obvious routes to your goal are... not to say you can't seek help along the way.. but the major steps should be clear
- _salisae_0
when i first started i took jobs not knowing what i was doing but figured it out along the way. granted .. i studied like mad before taking this risk.
i read a book on illustrator, photoshop and dreamweaver .. then quark.
lynda.com has a program .. you pay something like 25 dollars per month and you have access to all the resources on her site. she makes fantastic tutorials.
although, only knowing the programs doesn't make you a designer. you should also look at books on color, layout and typography.
- Rand0
in this state, ideally, one can absorb any number of blows to the face
- nosaj0
I think people can learn on their own, the hard part is to keep motivated. 4 years of school, churning out projects left and right, would be pretty tough to do without being surrounded by people going through the same thing.
- coco_ono0
When I was starting out as a amateur graphic designer, I was using a program equivalent to MS Paint - it was AWESOME!
I did everything the hard way and taught myself the basic principles of color theory and design composition. I had a heart for design, so it didn't really matter to me that i was using some shit program.
Then one day i discovered Illy, PS, and layout programs...i was so so much happier!
**but yes...absorb yourself in as many design books as possible. Not just design books, but anything that will give you a greater outlook on life. While you're at it, become more aware of your surroundings.
One day you'll recognize the difference between Helvetica and Arial on the streets.
- visualplane0
NOOB!!!
Sorry, what's your current major in college now?
I went to art school because my original intention was to make comic books. After taking a class with Daryl Banks on Comic Books, I lost total interest in it. So I ended up majoring in Visual Communications, and got my degree. As time went on, I wanted to learn flash because it was hot, and was referred to online forums like flashkit, then ultrashock, then dreamless, and now newstoday. I learned print and web from a mixture of school, books, online forums, and work experience.
I got most of my inspiration from works by eneri.net, yugop, praystation, wddg, egomedia, and dustin lindell. I think you'll learn a lot from art school, but then again you can't teach talent. I know a girl with a Masters in Parsons, and her designs are terrible.
- wckd0
Got myself a slightly similar problem here..
Did BA Graphic Design 1st year (2005/06) in the London Metropolitan Univ. just to come back to Estonia for the summer break and land on a pretty much perfect job in a design studio... the problem is - if I go back to London in autumn, I'm gonna have to give up the job.. and go back to the sh*tty life joggling between temp warehouse jobs and my studies..
If I wanna keep the job - no BA..Life's a b*tch.
- quality_ctrl0
"That's not really an option, there is only one way to study graphic design in Vienna and that is at the "Akademie für angry Kunts"."
:)
- pascii0
buy a large bucket of vaseline. you'll need that. for clients.
- kev_charlton0
I've never had any sort of formal training in graphic design, but I still make a fair bit on the side doing freelance. Mostly web stuff to be honest. Everything I have learnt has been through the internet as well. Hardly read a book.
If i had to give one recommendation it would be to try and perfect your typography. Design styles come and go, so it's important to learn the basics.
This link might help.
http://www.thinkingwithtype.com/…
- vilca0
In my opinion if you want to become a web designer, there is no need to go to school/uni. Just buy books, learn dreamweaver and flash and you're done.
If you want to be a graphic designer then you need to have the design study behind you, the experience of working with other people, basic knowledge of art, typography, drawing, business and professional study. Uni for me was a great opportunity to learn the basics and to have briefs to work on and to collaborate with other students/tutors.
I started study at 27. Come to the UK, there are plenty of courses, not too expensive that could get you started.
It's never too late.