starting as a graphic designer

[matty_c]

Hi,

I just happened to read about the graphic designing on the Google search engine. It seems to to have a stirred a kind of curiosity in me. I would want to know how to get started as a graphic designer? Can any person from a non-technical background having the least working knowledge of computers become a graphic designer? Would appreciate the maximum amount of information on this.

[cmont]

It all depends on what you want to put into it. In my personal opinion anyone can become a graphic designer a lot of it is just learning the craft like many have said in this forum before. However, in order to be succesful at it, you need to put your heart into it and truley understand and create design. In other words, anyone can put words to paper, but not everyone can tell an effective and interresting story.

In my opinion, look into local community colleges, they tend to be cheap, taught by industry proffesionals and for the most part have up to date computers with the latest software. This way you can try it before you buy it sort of thing. Often you can audit classes and basically you get taught, you just don't have the added stress of worrying about grades it might also be cheaper.

There are also tons of universities oline that have classes available. My only reservation would be that you might not necessarily want to buy the program until you are completely sure you want to pursue a career in graphic design; as many of the programs carry a hefty price tag.

[defjoe]

search the forum. you will find many topics on this

[PrintDriver]

Another one.
Joy.
At least some artistic skill is required. How far you go will depend on how much you have.

[cjoe]

you could check out the sticky at the top of the thread list called "A good idea for all you noobs to the industry"

[LittleBlu]

There is no harm in curiosity. But yeah, I agree too that it is something that you need to put your heart into. This is a sink-or-swim industry (...if you are driving the yaught, you will make it, but getting there takes heaps of dedication... in my opinion, this is a strong mix between heart, mind, and creativity).

In my design program, there were approx. 22 students and only about 3 are successfully working in the industry at this moment.

There are those who spend a couple of hours learning FrontPage in their home office and call themselves Graphic Designers. --Although they make the rest of us look good... you can guess the rest.

Looking into training institutions and talking to other graphic designers in your general geographic area might be a good idea. (It is a flattering thing, mostly, to get a call from someone who seriously wants to enter the industry. There are so many facets of design from programming, to web, to prepress/print, to animation & 3D....)

Good luck to you. -Blu

[morea]

check out our frequently discussed topics thread, here:
http://www.graphicdesignforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=7892