Will Someone Help A 16 Year OLD!!

[Welsh_Babe]

Hi, im 16 and iv always been interested in graphic design. The only problem is that im waiting for my GCSE results too come back before i can look into a job with GD.Im hoping someone can tell me how you can get a job with it and how many GCSE's do you need. I studied ICT as a GCSE aswell as Graphics so im wondring what other GCSE's you need. Another question that i also need answered is.. Do you have to go too college to get a job in GD? im totally against the idea of me going too college, so i desperatley need HELP. Sorry if this S.A doesn't make sense, but i hope someone can answer it. Could you please email me at Leahovcwm@hotmail.co.uk (Leahovcwm@hotmail.co.uk) if anyone wants too answer my Q. Thanks in advance. :p

[defjoe]

no you don't have to go to college.. .you just have to be good and dedicated. you have to be able to do the crap work for a bit to cut your chops and learn along the way. Work on yuor portfolio and knowing all the necessary apps. that is how you get a job and KEEP one.

[CHRISGEE]

Please explain what a GCSE is. While you're at it, what's an ICT?

I'm not sure how many employers will hire a 16 year old to a graphic design position. Not to say it can't happen but I've never seen a 16 year old except as an intern.

As for whether or not you need a college degree. You certainly don't need a degree. There are many practicing graphic designers who don't have them. But as in most professions, a degree certainly helps your employment prospects and GD is no different.

But if you're "totally against" the idea of going to college, then I guess it doesn't matter. However, it would probably benefit you to at least finish high school. I'm not sure that you'll be starting your GD career at 16 anyway.

[LancasterJohn]

Glad to hear you're interested in graphic design. I did have a 16 year old intern working for me a few years ago (in an advertising agency) and the kid actually did everything he was told. He was mature beyond his years and a fast learner... and the most important reason he got the job: he was the son of one of our major clients. Despite all of his positive attributes, without his father having gotten him in the door, we would have never brought him in.

That's not to say you couldn't get a job as a helper/apprentice at a local screenprinting shop or similar.

My advice to you is keep up your enthusiasm for the industry, get your GD (High School?) and go to a four year accredited college or art school. I don't care what people say on this site, but without a degree you're not going to be considered for any design position and it will hinder your career. Having a degree is and should always be the standard for a professional graphic designer. It's a worthy investment in yourself and you will make more $$$ in the long run.

[CHRISGEE]

Oh boy. Just when I thought it was quiet around here..... LOL!

[LancasterJohn]

You never know...

[CHRISGEE]

To me it's hard to really get into the college degree discussion because the author of this thread -- unless he is on a fastrack -- is not even done with high school yet.

I remember what it was like to be a teen and not wanting to wait until I could be a grown-up, but I think the best advice is to delay starting a GD career until school is finished. At least high school and if college is an option then it will only help.

But I'm not sure that starting a career in GD at 16 is entirely feasible in most circumstances, nor would it be something I'd advise.

I know it sounds like a cliche but stay in school.

[LancasterJohn]

yeah, and don't do drugs.

[Ghastly]

I'm a brit..so I can tell you all that G.C.S.E stands for: General Certificate of Secondary Education

Your GCSE's will do very little (nothing) to improve your immediate employment prospects (in almost every discipline), but they will be of more help if you choose a college route.

[CHRISGEE]

Thanks Ghastly. So then perhaps it's along the lines of the American G.E.D.?

Either way, I can't speak to employment norms in the UK but I'd say that it'd be pretty tough to get hired here in the U.S. as a designer under 18 years old. Maybe there are places that would do it but I can't honestly recall seeing anyone under 18 working in any agency, corporation or design firm I'd ever worked for unless it was as an intern.

Maybe the UK is different but I honestly don't know that I would advise a 16 year-old to try and enter the workforce as a designer. I know the person who wrote this thread said that any thought of further study was out of the question but if I were advising a 16 year-old nephew/niece, I would seriously advise them to at least take some continuing education courses in GD. Typography for sure. It can't help and realistically, I can't see most places hiring them for a couple of years at least.

[Ghastly]

not really sure how the american education system works but if pre university is grade 12...then GCSE is about Grade 10.

The UK isn't really much different as far as employment goes...with only GCSE's to your name the best you can hope for is to leave school and get paid minimum wage working for a complete a-hole of a boss as an office junior. said boss will try and mould you into the creative professional that he is by teaching you the finer points of Microsoft Word and the accepted useage of Wordart and Clip-art...you will be making him/her brews on your lunch break and will be the errand person. Your *experience* of graphic design a few years down the line will count for jack-sh*t

You must take your education further. GCSE's are worthless if you don't.

[CHRISGEE]

Then I guess it IS pretty much the same as a GED here, with the exception that the job you described might even be out of reach of a GED holder here in the U.S.

Hopefully the author of this thread is listening and will take their education further. We all remember what it's like to be chomping at the bit and not being able to wait until you can go out and conquer the "real world".

[Ghastly]

the job you described might even be out of reach of a GED holder here in the U.S.


hehe...you are quite correct Chris :D I said best they could hope for...in reality they will end up on a production line...or in a warehouse somewhere

I left college (the one straight after school) in my second year because I thought I was awesome...and would kick ass as an artist (as young people do)...the warehouses and shoe factories I found employment in after that didn't really share that sentiment...nor did they give a damn either way...If I could only turn back the clock :cool:

[PrintDriver]

In some companies in the US you aren't considered old enough to operate 'machinery' such as a screen press or a laminator unless you are 18. We don't let under 18's operate anything much more than a binder punch or a screwgun.

While there are many designers who have never gone the college route, I believe someday in the not too distant future, a degree will do nothing but help. Sorry folks. I'm changing my stance on this. Even though I do know many very excellent non-schooled designers, there is such an over abundance of GDs these days that unless you already have a very established work history and portfolio in design, it's going to get tougher to move into jobs (unless you freelance, and then you just have to be GOOD). Schools don't teach everything (certainly not printing), and not all students learn, but there is a definite advantage to having the ground level basics.

[CHRISGEE]

No need to apologize for merely observing what's happening in the marketplace.

The ever growing abundance of designers entering the U.S. market alone every year, coupled with the availability of overseas designers from cheap, emerging markets, would seem to suggest that a designer starting out their career today will need EVERY advantage they can get and maybe a few others!

[Welsh_Babe]

Hey, thanx guys i read all your comments and they were a great help 2 me. I am actually considering going on 2 college, but don't really know what to take. Im not brilliant but i am quite good at art, but do u really have 2 be good at it. I didn't fink that a 16 year old could actually go straight in2 GD, i just thought that there might be a possability. I know that graphic designers have got too have more than just coursework to get into the whole thing. I appreciate all the help that you have all given me it was a real great help. I just need 2 seriusly think about college and what lessons there could help me. thanx again.

[CHRISGEE]

Hey, thanx guys i read all your comments and they were a great help 2 me. I am actually considering going on 2 college, but don't really know what to take. Im not brilliant but i am quite good at art, but do u really have 2 be good at it. I didn't fink that a 16 year old could actually go straight in2 GD, i just thought that there might be a possability. I know that graphic designers have got too have more than just coursework to get into the whole thing. I appreciate all the help that you have all given me it was a real great help. I just need 2 seriusly think about college and what lessons there could help me. thanx again.

Well since you're 16 and already have expressed an interest and desire to work as a graphic designer, if you admit that you're good but "not REALLY good" artistically, why not take some courses to help your development? While it's not necessary to be a great artist in order to be a great designer, having a good and well-rounded portfolio will help you if you wish to attend design school at some point.

I would also suggest immersing yourself into art and design. Not just graphic design. Study architecture books, product design books, fine arts books and even poetry and plays.

Keep your mind totally open at this point and be willing to do whatever you have to do in order to learn and perpare yourself for a career in this industry.

Good luck and good luck with your studies.

[idaho]

...Im not brilliant but i am quite good at art, but do u really have 2 be good at it...

Pursue the college education you'll go much farther in your career.

On another note... when did it become acceptable to to substitute "2" for the word "to" and the letter "u" for "you"??? That's just lazy. It's one or two extra keystrokes. Type it out for crying out loud!

Sorry for the rant. I haven't had my coffee yet.

[Mynock]

it was bothering me too, but I'm glad you're that meanie and not me :P

[idaho]

I certainly wasn't trying to be a meanie. I appologize if I came off that way.

This abbreviated typing that has carried over from IRC, AIM and other chats has just gotten out of hand. I don't have a problem with bad spelling and typos but lazy bothers me.

[CHRISGEE]

Pursue the college education you'll go much farther in your career.

Maybe someone in the UK can mention some good schools and educational resources on that side of "the pond"?

[LeftBrain Artist]

A college degree doesn't neccessarily translate to good skills in graphic design - that's what your portfolio is for. College (or technical school) will give you an opportunity to develop your portfolio though. And a college degree shows you can take on a large project and finish it - demonstrates a level of committment. Equally as important as talent to a potential employer. They don't want to take on someone who'll be around for a while, then possibly tire of the job and try something new - especially after spending the money to train you. I think the general feeling is - if you're serious about becoming a designer, prove it. Go to technical school/college. No one with half a brain will hire you if you don't. If you are lucky enough to find someone who is, they're not serious about running a business - keep that in mind.

By the way, the college lifestyle aint too bad - from what I can remember. Not sure why anyone wouldn't want to at least try it. If its a money thing, and you're grades aren't the best, try for loans, work and go to school. Explore whatever options you need to to get the education, but get it.

[idaho]

If its a money thing, and you're grades aren't the best, try for loans, work and go to school. Explore whatever options you need to to get the education, but get it.

The term "starving artist" definately applies to GD college students.

[Broacher]

>>when did it become acceptable to to substitute "2" for the word "to" and the letter "u" for "you"???<<

It's also known as 'Irritable Vowel Disorder', and as a parent of a teen, I can tell it's a common affliction of youth.

[CHRISGEE]

The term "starving artist" definately applies to GD college students.

Do college students need more than ramen noodles and beer? If so, I did something WRONG!!! LOL!

An interesting thing along the topic of benefits of college is the connections you make. Just this spring we got a call and had the opportunity to submit an RFP for a major area museum interaction design project due to a connection between the museum and a college buddy of mine. Many of us quietly follow each others' careers in the Alumni pages and from time to time, opportunities from that network present themselves.

You know what they say, "it ain't what you know....." LOL!

[EC]

Do college students need more than ramen noodles and beer? If so, I did something WRONG!!! LOL!

This is probably the most important lesson I learned in college. You indeed CAN live on ramen noodles and beer. This comes in handy if you're a freelance graphic designer from time to time.

[CHRISGEE]

This is probably the most important lesson I learned in college. You indeed CAN live on ramen noodles and beer. This comes in handy if you're a freelance graphic designer from time to time.

It comes in handy every time my wife goes to visit her family in Germany for a few weeks! LOL!

[Welsh_Babe]

I am so sorry to you both its just its a habit as i text and email so much and being a teenager, this is perfectly normal.lol. i will try and use the full words next time and not 'abbreviate' them. Also thanks for the advice you all just gave me its a help as i dont know what to do with my career and im starting to panic.lol. and maybe i can pluck up enough courage to go to college. Also do i sound really stupid talking about GD at this age because i feel really embarassed.

[morea]

It's definitely not stupid to be planning your career from a young age, but it's not the wisest idea to consider stopping your education early to join the work force.

Consider getting a part time job (internship or something) working with a design firm or print shop - outside your normal school hours. You might end up running around fetching coffee for people, but you're certain to learn some invaluable things about the industry, too.

I have always believed in the importance of a good (read: thorough) education. The thought of a career in design appeals to many people because they believe that it is an easy way to make a lot of money. In reality, it's a very competitive market, and it's not just something anybody can sit down and "do." Whether you decide to pursue your education through traditional means, via college or university, or to study on your own you will need a solid understanding of the principles of design including color and shape theory, typography, balance, composition, layout, contrast, and so on.

[Mynock]

my college life involved:

pizza rolls
bomp pops
easy mac
turkey burgers
pizza
to name a few

[CHRISGEE]

Also do i sound really stupid talking about GD at this age because i feel really embarassed.

Don't be embarassed. There's no reason to start thinking about a career at 16. But keep your options and your mind open.

Most people end up doing something different, career-wise, than they imagined at age 16. At age 16, I wanted to be an illustrator. Then when I got to college, I discovered graphic design and decided that it was what I wanted to do for a career. I was also intrigued by industrial design and put that down as my second choice for a major. So you never know.

Try and be like a sponge, get as many influences and expose yourself to as much as possible.

[Welsh_Babe]

Hey thanks for all your advice,I had my GCSE results back and done pretty good i passed 5 which includes ICT (A) and Graphics (B). After getting these results back i have decided to continue with school and go to college, which i enrolled for yesterday. I have taken ICT and Graphic Design in AS level. I hope this is a good choice. Could anyone please tell me a good software program that maybe i could download or buy so i could practise on and for me too be able to use for my coursework. :) I hope no one thinks that i am a nagging 16 year old. :( p.s I hope that my english is better this time and does not offend anyone who complained about it last time.lol.