[Termite]

Well I've decided that I want to learn to become a graphics Designer. Here are a few of my questions:

Do you need to have art skills to go into this type of major? What I mean by this is that I am no professional at drawing and I was under the impression that to draw on computers I'd need to have the knowledge of how to draw good. Then again I see a few courses offered in the Graphics Design major at my college that in their description state that they teach you basic things such as the groundwork necessary for all studio courses, using basic materials and techniques, the study of line, value, color, shape and texture. Introduction to basic concepts or drawing (This is Drawing 1). There's also a Drawing2 (which does not fall under the requirements that has the following under the description: "Continued study of various drawing media. The figure model is used to explore traditional and experimental drawing techniques." Would this also be worth taking even though it's not required?

Here's the rundown of the classes required (besides the requirements of some electives (which I already took)):
Business Law
(Met one of the requirements by taking Modern Art History).
Design1, Drawing1, Illustration 1+2,Publications layout and design, designing with type 1 and 2, computer as a design tool, basic desktop publishing, photodigital illustration, introduction to graphic design & advertising.

Those are the required classes by the art department. What should I be and not be expecting from these courses? What kind of software should I be expecting to use (if any (I am interested in Photoshop and Illustrator...others if required...)) in the later on courses? Any other advice you can give me?

[iamsimon]

i have a lot of friends that are graphic designers or going to school to get a degree in it(thats me). primarily, you do not necessarily need good "hand skills," drawing, painting, etc. but if you do, that is an advantage you have over other designers. You should focus on learning the most you can about type, layout, and concept. Computers are important, but not the only way to do things. Try to learn to do thumbnails and sketch ideas for your layouts before you go to the computer. Its very difficult to get satisfactory results by purely doing design work on the computer. Quark Xpress is the primary tool of most graphics people doing print work(books, magazines, etc), but there also is adobe pagemaker and indesign. If you're interested in motion graphics, you probably will be expected to learn shockwave, flash, premier, etc.

hope this helps you somewhat. if you have more questions, i'll try to answer them to the best of ability.

simon

[ November 10, 2001: Message edited by: iamsimon ]

[Termite]

Well that did not fully answer the question...

Could this type of career land me into a job such as video game art...magazine art....working with photoshop....flash....illustrator etc?

[Gort]

No - grooming yourself as a graphic designer will not land you a job as a production illustrator; they are two very different fields of concentration thus requiring a relative and unique focus. If you do not have the ability of an artist, ie illustrator, matte painter, etc. but really want to get into industry, then perhaps another concentration would work - project management, business development, etc.

The real thing here is focus. Don't try to be too many things at once; you'll end up spreading yourself too thin and losing speed. Find what and where you're going, and practice, practice, practice - even away from the academic environment.

And one other thing: pratice.

practice practice practice

and when you think you can't practice anymore, practice.

[dr . bang]

quote:

---

Originally posted by Termite:
Well that did not fully answer the question...

Could this type of career land me into a job such as video game art...magazine art....working with photoshop....flash....illustrator etc?

---

NO. It will land you into the webdesign, advertising field. It takes YEARS to train in order get you into a job of video game art.

[strata]

and *sigh* the web design/advertising field is not that much fun to be in... y'see you make your great portfolio of really 'out-there' stuff... stunning motion graphics, amazing images etc... but you will - more than likely - never get to apply those skills, or do THAT job...

unless you get into a place like kioken or one of the really big new york/san fransisco studios, you're pretty much stuck doing 'conservative' corporate mumbo jumbo crap. It's not fun, it's not challenging, it's barely creative and it's not what you have in mind when you get into the business... but it pays the bills (best thing you can do in my experience is to hop on a big financial corp as their on-site graphic designer... they have basically no clue what to pay a designer and figure since they're saving BIG money, they'll give you anything you ask for - sweet)... so if you want to do FUN graphics/animtion, go for the games, but as previously stated this takes time and a LOT of skill... and if you don't feel proficient drawing stuff... try going for 3d...

but graphic designer does not fall under the FUN graphic category... imoho.

good luck horse

[Termite]

Strata, so what major offers the type of stuff that you've described?

[dr . bang]

Animation, but it require a fine art degree, without it, you're gonna draw stick man for the rest of your life.

So fine art degree is the way to go, graphic designer is not where any one should aim to.

[toast!]

hi there

i agree strata, sometimes it can be really boring when dealing with those conservative clients who live in the idea of a blue web with photos of handshakes and animated gifs everywhere , text typed on comic font in 25 px size .

Thought, don't get discouraged , if you really like graphics design it can be really fun when clients are searching for something different and let you express your qualities. By all manners, like in other fields if you are good you will do what you really like someday (you have to pass from this boring period ..)

Also, i guess being a good graphics designer is having solid ideas, imagination, and originality . 80% of the work is creativity and sense of communication, not technique. There is tons of clich�s on the web and advertissement that are really well executed but give the appearance of being seen thousands of times ...

Concerning the other 20%, you can add strong sense of composition and a good understanding of colours; you ll have to be curious and aware of the new technologies too, I mean, all software editors are releasing a new version every year, you ll have to follow the movement and use a lot of software wich you'll have to learn very fast. If you draw well it is a plus ; you can involve illustration in your works if you want ; there is so many ways and different styles to get the job done ..

To finish, Do not plain to become a graphics designer because you can't do something else (like pure illustration for example), you will get disappointed very fast with those damn clients :/ Do it only if it's your passion (i hope you're in this case)

hope it does make sense and that my english was understandable

see you
Toasty

[Termite]

Ok, I guess I am at some sort of a misunderstanding.

Here's something to note:

I like to draw. I enjoyed drawing since I was about 8. I only had about a half a year of art when I was in highschool and I enjoyed it. I like drawing portraits, cartoon characters, logos etc, though I have never done anything professional because I have never went to any special art classes other then those that were required in high school. I want to go into an art major at my college because I have decided that computer science was not for me after taking it for around a year. I would also like to be able to draw on computers as well as many of the people here. Maybe this would help you understand where I'm coming from. Now the part that I am confused about: What should I major in.

[edible snowman]

it sounds like you should figure out exactly what type of work you want to do before you can think of something to major in.

[strata]

if you want to draw on computers as well as the people here you first have to understand that the people you are more then likely referring to are somewhat accomplished traditional painters... so if that's what you want to do, then I suppose fine arts? Not sure...

[Ian Jones]

I'm irritated that all you guys are being so negative about Graphic Design. You have to take into account your bias towards illustration and fine art. Let me now say that I have a bias towards Graphic Design . Although Graphic Design is generally considered 'commercial art'.. its 'fine art' potential is often underestimated. I am currently studying Graphic Design. I am really enjoying it, I don't know where it will lead me exactly, all I know is that it has vast potential for me in many different art fields.

Some ppl say (usually 'fine artists', or illustrators) that being a graphic designer is where all the ppl who cant draw will end up. Now keep in mind what I just said is a bit exaggerated, but I am merely highlighting a point.

So far you have been told that a graphic designer will end up in either print, web design, or advertising. This is simply not true. For me there were no preconceptions about where I would end up after studying graphic design. I still don have a pre-conception that I am goind to be a run of the mill graphic designer. Graphic Design is really a vast field, and is re-defining itself all the time. You could well end up being involved in illustration after the course, or a involved in video-games, or fine art. I am saying this from experience because the course I am studying has involved me in all different types of work such as... print work, web design, advertising, motion graphics, photo-manipulation, fine art, life drawing, painting, sculpture, multi-media, interactive media, multi-media.. etc.

You sound just like a guy in my class, he also used to draw a lot as a kid, he did cartoons, drew portraits and logos.. he is now really enjoying himself in graphic design.

BUT before you rush off into any of the fields... try and discover what you really want to do.

I found out that I wanted to do graphic design, by seeing all the cool imagery on the imternet.. like stuff at endeffect.com, onyro.com, chapter3.net, cemgul.com... etc.

I spose thats why you are here, asking questions... make sure you ask a lot more.. and all over the web too!

good luck.

[bld]

No, fine art skill is not required in Graphic Design, but it will help a helluvalot.

Understanding basic idea such as Gestalt, Proximity, Contrast, Alignment, Repetition, and basic color theory are important.

You will also be doing alot of typographic work, which if your not fond of type is a real drag, and even if you do like working with type can be a bit tedious and dull at times.

Graphic Design is not fun super creative work, but yet it is at the same time. Think of graphic design as "visual communications problem solving." Your goal is to produce a product that will appeal to client and the audience, while trying to maintain creativity.

Many graphic designers lack "fine art" skill, and often times all you really need to be able to do is put out a good final project on computer.

Things to be aware of:
1.) You will learn more than you ever wanted to know about printing, how to print, and what to do before printing, what bleed is ect.
2.) Typography is just as important as the images, and often times more.
3.) You must be very creative, using inspiration from others isn't always the best way to get attention.
4.) You will usually lack complete freedom in what you want to do.
5.) Be prepared to do alot of measuring and memorizing of differents units of measuring. Inches, mm, points, picas, and ems are the most common.
6.) Illustrator and Quark are your main tools, photoshop is about 3rd in line, this may very with type of work and images being done.
7.) Pay isn't the best, but it brings food to the table and keeps a roof over your head.
8.) Don't plan go go freelance for a fews years after you land a job, and donating work can spread your name around more quickly than pay jobs usually do.

I now step off my soap box. I myself am going to school for graphic design, with a larger fine art background than most, and I have done some graphic design odd-jobs here and there for a few bucks. It can be a fun or frustrating field, avoid newspaper work too!

[Roh]

Hmm...I've bin doing freelance Graphic Design as a second job for a few years now. I personally find it rather fun. I like the fact that people want you to make a rather rigid corporate layout or such and you have to oportunity to step in and make that design as fresh and interesting as possable.

I personally like to do a lot of Logo design, CD covers, Multimedia Add Layouts etc... Keeps things interesting!

I wish you luck in your decission to become a GD Just Remember, if you can't see yourself doing in in a few years...probably not worth the time to start.