Worth studying graphic design?
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- studderine0
it all depends, horrible answer. nothing wrong with goin' back to school...because being self-taught can only take you so far in my opinion...when will you know when you are doin' it 'wrong'.
- Concrete0
I'm self taught. I wish I had gone to University but providing you have a strong portfolio, a qualification shouldn't come into it.
- PromotionalUseOnly0
what do you code in?
- such0
Thanks for all the great recommendations. I'm not worried about my technical abilities, and I'm not planning to become an Art Director somewhere, but I find that I lack the graphic design experience. Hopefully, after reading some of these great books and with lots of practice I'll be able to create the works that I want to and combine it with web/interactive design.
- ukit0
- Llyod0
also don't forget the interactive design tenet"
AUTOKERN INIT
- dmolanphy0
I can tell you this, when looking to hire, I look for BFA/MFA and an incredible portfolio. If you have the portfolio, but not the degree - it better be DANG good.
- such0
I actually work a large company, that has an interactive/creative side. I'm looking at trying to move over there and gain some experience while continuing to learn as much as I can.
- ukit0
"Grid Systems" by Joseph Muller-Brockmann and "The Elements of Typographic Style" by Robert Bringhurst are two books that will explain the foundational principles of graphic design. However, they don't really translate those principles into the modern world of web and interactive. For that, the best thing is just to learn by immersing yourself in the design world by visiting sites like this one, and practicing and learning the skills yourself.
- elpaso0
but yes its tough getting just a GD job coming from a CIS background...
play to your strengths
- elpaso0
find a small studio that needs a developer - and tell them from the outset you want to learn how to design.
if you're passionate enough about it. you will, no doubt, have plenty of doodles & 10Gb worth of Untitled photoshop files with mock ups - which the guys at the studio can give direction on.
develop by day, play play play on your spare time - eventually your design skills will catch up with your dev skills. and then you're set.
but the best thing about uni is being surrounded by driven people.
if you join a talented small studio you are in the same boat (but being paid for it!)uni is basically taking three years of your life off to dick around and hone your craft and interests - i'd say fuck it - get in as a dev and learn on the job! :D
- Good advice. That's pretty much what I plan on doing during my evenings and spare time.such
- Llyod0
get the stack of books that are required reading for design students and read t hem.
- Llyod0
if you're passionate enough about it you can learn it on your own.
- robotron3k0
a good graphic design school will show you how to make a great porfolio. It will teach you some design language and some schticks, but like anything once you graduate, it's all up to you, your skill, your ambition and above all, your ability to blow smoke up someones ass when you are out there looking for a job. of course, the most important skill is the blowing smoke up ass skill, you don't really need a porfolio if your good at that...