Graphic Design/Illustration for noob
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- dirtbikephil
Hey all, I'm a total newbie to Newstoday, so cut me some slack.
I need some suggestions/advice on how to break into the graphic design/illustration field. I graduated from college with a degree in information systems, but have always wanted to do design/illustration for a living.
I know, I know....I got the wrong degree. Now I realize it's difficult getting a design/illustration job without a degree in fine arts.
Anyways, if you have any relevent advice, I'd appreciate it. Thanks.
Here's my site: http://www.thrilhaus.com
- DubB0
Yeah, I'm in a similar situation... been drawing and designing all my life... went against my gut and attended a state school and majored in American Studies... trying to quench my artistic appetite on the side...but never enough.
So, I've taken a bunch of continuing education classes... met other artists... still not enough??
Been pondering a return to a design school to do it right. Is this necessary? I lose sleep answering that very question.
Might have to bite the bullet eventually... might have to rob a bank. Schools I wanna attend are $22K.
Best of luck.
- DubB0
Oh, by the way...you have some good work. And welcome to NT... enjoy your stay!
- shellie0
fine arts degree required is a total myth. when i worked at sony music, only the much older art directors had degrees. all the young art directors doing the cool record covers for the big A list bands were mostly self taught.
the only thing that matters in the end is portfolio. its true school helps you put together a nice student portfolio. But, usually even with that it ends up getting completely revamped a year or two after working.
so start drawing. look at illustration portfolios online and see what kind of art (andhow many peices) people are showing. you can do mock work that looks like it was done for an exhisting or fictional company.
nomatter what you'll probably have to do some time at the bottom.. but even graduates with a degree end up doing that too.
- shellie0
btw, i went to private art high school.. some college .. no degree. if anything.. i want to get a degree in something not art related and more business related to help me once im up for more management type jobs.
going back to school for a degree in visual arts are fine arts would be a huge waste of money and a lot of debt (its GREAT if you can afford the money to burn though)... although... a few classes to teach technique might be useful... and your local state college even.
- DubB0
Yeah, Shellie...I heard the same thing... but in the context of "doesn't matter where you went to school, your portoflio is all that matters". But some of my peers went to art school and now they run rings around my work. Is the benefit of going to school more the intense focus on design (which can be tough when you're balancing work and trying to develop art on the side), or do you really learn theory and such that helps you "think differently"?
Shellie, did you go to art school, or teach yourself?
- shellie0
that last question i just answered.. i learned all i use today in high school. it was a very intense program indeed.
it depends onwhat school you go to.. but i would say a couple of good classes and a lot of saved money at a state college or even city college would do you just as well.
i may take some 3d classes at art insitute of los angeles. i dont need to full game development degree.
- shellie0
i guess my point is, if you think a degree is going to help you get a job or more money as an artist youre going to be very dissapointed.
some people can put something together on their own and are naturally very talented. for this kind of person i would probably suggest goining a local artist group and meeting/talking to people.. maybe a class or two and then get going on a portfolio. if you are a create person im sure you could come up with some amazing peices on your own.
but i do understand some people require a whole lot of coaching. maybe in that sort of situation school would be a good idea. but spending a lot of money to go to a fansy school is stupid (in my opinion)
most of the great artists i know do NOT have a fine arts degre.. or a degree at all for that matter. most have seen at least some college though.
- DubB0
I was thinking Parsons in NYC... interdisciplinary degree... major in product design, minor in graphic design, etc.
Plus, living in NYC, learning through internships, networking, intense personal development.
Any thoughts? Thanks for your input thus far, Shellie.
- shellie0
my best friend goes to parsons. good school.. pricey though. i hope you have loaded parents or a really good pimp ;)
- xcissor0
yeah, you dont need a degree, you need talent or a shit load of dedication.
if your looking for a job on the creative side of the industry, all you need to do if work....a lot. spend time looking at current designs and design elements (typography, illustration, etc.) and just take in the theory behind it.
if you want a mote technical job then can pic up a coding book, or a book on photoshop and dreamweaver and learn the apps. if you know the apps, you can get a job just doing the chimp work (fixing colours, building sites from templates, etc.) and even then, being surrounded by the other creative types, learn a thing or two about 'design' from them.
i might be wrong on all this, but this is what i have experience thus far.
keep in mind, im only 17, i mean, i've had design jobs, one in a firm http://www.juxtinteractive.com with Newstoday's very own Paul Drohan of http://www.d5ive.com. this is just what i have know from my own experience and all the steps i have taken through out my short career
- ********0
a piece of paper will get your foot in the door, but your body of work is what will let you through
- DubB0
haha... by the way, I'm having this conversation whilst seated in a Dreamweaver continuing education class at my local Community College.
I've been doing fine working professionally with what I've taught myself... mostly video production, DVD authoring, graphic design... on top of my raw drawing talent.
I just yearn for that experience going to school for 3 years and just going all out on art/design... collaborations and class projects. Intensive focus. Perhaps I need to give up the fantasy.
Unless one of you has an extra full scholarship for me lying around?
P.S. Plus Product Design is a bit different from graphics.
- DubB0
By the way, what happened to the dude that started this thread? Dirtbikephil?
I seem to have taken his place as the lost soul.
- ********0
Unless you are really talented you don't need school. Which is unlikely. History and a basics art college degree is always helpful.
Most people call themselves designers because they have a computer and photoshop and surf design portals. So know your shit, you are better off in the long run.
- DubB0
ooh, thong presents an alternative!
This might get interesting.
- dirtbikephil0
Hey DubB, thanks for taking over my thread. Good thing we basically have the same questions to ask.
So I guess I should keep adding work to my portfolio even if it's not commissioned?
How should I go about promoting my portfolio then? Print out business cards?
Thanks to those who have given me and DubB advice about this situation and keep it coming.
- DubB0
Yeah, thanks again for everyone's advice. Class is over, and I'm heading home now... but I got a lot to think about (as always).
Dirtbike, good luck... I'm sure we'll talk again sometime soon.
Peace out.