Pros and Cons of Graphic Design field

[Miaow]

Hello,

I'm hoping to go back to school to get my Graphic Design degree next year. When I was in school the first time, I was torn between GD and computer programming, and somehow wound up a technical writer, and that's where I've been for 8 years. I have decided (finally) that Graphic Design is the path I'd like to take, but I have some questions for the Graphic Designers out there....

What specific type of graphic designer are you? (Print design, web design.... etc.)

What aspects of GD do you like best?

What aspects do you like least?

What is a typical day like?

What amount of creativity is available in an entry-level position?

Do you consider web designers Graphic Designers?

What other advice would you give a career-changing technical writer?

Thanks a bunch!

:)

[Klavzz]

Hello,

What specific type of graphic designer are you? (Print design, web design.... etc.)

What aspects of GD do you like best?

What aspects do you like least?

What is a typical day like?

What amount of creativity is available in an entry-level position?

Do you consider web designers Graphic Designers?

What other advice would you give a career-changing technical writer?

Thanks a bunch!

:)


Firstly welcome to the forum. I am a Print Designer - I work at an agency and we design work for various clients for Press(Newspaper) Magazine - billboards, Bus, Flyers Poster logos biz cards etc etc etc

I love the creative process - Idea to execution the euphoria that comes with seeing an idea come to life. Its' pretty cool I love what I do.

When you have that great idea and the account executive says "I'm not feeling it" or the cient says "It's too upscale for my market" And make you do it 5 or more times

Well a good day is:- Getting your Design Brief(an explanation of what to do) having an awesome idea then you start working out your idea by sketches or sourcing images - then the execution part starts - you might use photoshop or illustrator or you may go out of office to direct a photo shoot or scout a location to see what kind of signage they require(like I did today) A bad day is Client X want you to change the prices in their old old brochure for the summer sale - not creative

Well........I'm not sure what its like now my entry level consisted of pasting up Black & white artwork when our newspapers use to use that to print from ('97/'98) - however I did get to dabble on the computer by making text changes and fixing pics - however I was the resident scanning girl and I really became good at it.

Yes if they started out in Graphics (no offense programmers :) )

Go for it your writing skill may come in handy - I think Graphics is an awesome field creativity at its best - I think if everyone saw the world how we see it we would have 'world peace' :p (I watched Ms Congeniality 2 the other day)-But seriously though you really do get an appreciation for everything that is designed -everything! It's been the best 8 years of my life(professionally that is I have been doing this for about 14 yrs oops I'm giving out my age :D
Welcome to our world

[CG Man]

The thing I hate is the sales idiots phoning me 9am till 9 pm trying to sell me water, air, a telephone, footprints, light from the sun, rain anything that is useless or I've already got.

The other thing I hate is the 80% of designers that have got £2000 worth of graphic software and are charging 20p per hour for their services forcing most businesses to only opt for that price range. That forces us serious designers to only eat KFC and drink booze and fall over only once a week.

The thing to wotch out for is companies asking you and 10 other designers to spend hours maybe days designing their frontcover or logo only to find out that only the winner gets paid.

Once you get some work for your portfolio get a website and learn SEO to get it up in the search rankings have a fulltime job at the same time it will take ages to get constant work in, hope I ain't scared you off.

[SurfPark]

What specific type of graphic designer are you? (Print design, web design.... etc.)

I do both. I love web, but I find those jobs to be more rare than print ones. For some reason, old school companies place print ad work on a much higher level than web development. When you get involved in a newer company, you'll realize that web is where its at! More money, faster paced, lots more involvement.

What aspects of GD do you like best?

The ability to really control the information and put in it a manner that makes sense. I'm all about usibility and like making information intutive. I have a personal belief that if information is not easily accessible to the majority of the population, that it is useless.

What aspects do you like least?

The business side. Having a boss. Answering to clients. Being hindered on cool things because of money concerns.

What is a typical day like?

Currently I'm developing my own company so basically I work on the side while doing my day job. I did an internship which I didn't really vibe with. It was a small department in a big company. I noticed that the bigger the company the less understanding there is among the multitude of other departments. They come to you with total ignorance of the design field and ask you to create amazing things without a concept of time of effort. "Just do it" they ask. Likewise, you get some departments that are very giving and understanding. Its corporate culture. It wasn't for me, but I know some people thrive and excel in that enviroment.

What amount of creativity is available in an entry-level position?

I have found very little. Occasionally they'll have one project that you can go crazy with but many positions I interviewed for basically wanted me to do the un-fun work. Catagloues, ads, and other print work that were stable clients and simply wanted to re-tweak exisiting stuff. The projects I was able to get creative with ultimately led me to go through a democatic process of fine tuning it with the creative director.

Do you consider web designers Graphic Designers?

Industry-wide, these terms are not interchangable at this point in time. We still use terms like "web designer" and "graphic designer". If you learn web design, stick with HTML, CSS, and AJAX. Those are going to get you a job! I will warn you that these involve computer knowledge which is above and beyond what most colleges offer. If you have a chance to take electives, take web design, video production, Flash, and any other tech-related class. The more you expand your knowledge of tools, the more ways you'll be able to apply your design know-how to new medias.

You don't need to learn web stuff, but it can help. Many print-only companies might hire you because they actually lack a web site or need someone to upgrade an exisiting one. Plus you'll be able to get the hybrid jobs that need to exist in print and web manifestitations.

What other advice would you give a career-changing technical writer?

Oh man, hype up your last job! Designers always need good writing skills. We're proofreading all the time. Graphic design is as much about type and formatting as we are about art. You could actually use some of your writing and design the pages they'd exist on, as if you have a book. Obviously the strong skills you have as a technical writer (organization, researcher, editor) will serve as assets as a designer.

[stevie boy]

What specific type of graphic designer are you? (Print design, web design.... etc.)

Mainly print, learning web stuff as we speak but 99% of what I have to do is print.

What aspects of GD do you like best?

The parts when I can be really creative, go to town on a concept and try out new ideas without too many constraints. Also once that is done it's even better when the client goes with it!

What aspects do you like least?

When there are too many constraints, or if people don't quite get what you are trying to do. Also when client's don't go with something decent you've done, and prefer something from MS word!

What is a typical day like?

I work in a small company who have various products that need designing. Brochures and business card are the staple items. I design these, though technically they are advertising so there are some ads to design as well. This can be (depending on work load) all of one at a time or a variation of all 3.

What amount of creativity is available in an entry-level position?

It all depends what you make of it. With design you can always find a way to get your creative input into things, however in an entry position the problem you may find is time is not on your side ad you will be expected to produce a fairly high quantity of work. That said when you do get a project that goes well it is very rewarding indeed.

Do you consider web designers Graphic Designers?

It depends really, if they could just as easily produce a web site as a magazine articleI guess the principles of layout still apply.

What other advice would you give a career-changing technical writer?

Do it!

[Miaow]

Thank you so much to everyone who replied. (I apologize for my late reply.)

I'm wondering now how to go about selecting schools. what should I look for an in a good art program, and what questions should I ask?

Thanks!

Jennifer

[DesignVHL]

Your in Romeoville.....thats kinda near me! :) Look into Columbia College in Chi...or are you looking to get out of IL? I went to Bradley...it didn't have the greatest curriculum - I had to teach myself a lot of things - the industry was changing quickly and so were the majors while I was in college...however I did get a great education! :) It may also help to really look at a bunch of schools different programs and see what types of classes they offer. I have a friend at UIC right now taking an art curriculum - could be GD or photo not sure - I can ask and see what she thinks if you like. This is a really wonderful and rewarding career, but it can be tough and stressful too!

[Miaow]

Your in Romeoville.....thats kinda near me! :) Look into Columbia College in Chi...or are you looking to get out of IL? I went to Bradley...it didn't have the greatest curriculum - I had to teach myself a lot of things - the industry was changing quickly and so were the majors while I was in college...however I did get a great education! :) It may also help to really look at a bunch of schools different programs and see what types of classes they offer. I have a friend at UIC right now taking an art curriculum - could be GD or photo not sure - I can ask and see what she thinks if you like. This is a really wonderful and rewarding career, but it can be tough and stressful too!

Thanks for your reply! I'm looking to stay in the Chicago area - I still have a job (I work remotely, but still....) If you could ask your friend about UIC, that would be really helpful, as it is one of the schools I was considering. My younger sister is going there, majoring in Education.

Though, I recently looked at their class listing for the last couplke of semesters, and they weren't offering studio art classes - and I believe Painting and Daawing are a part of the GD core curriculum - weird they aren't listing any studio art classes. Maybe they just weren't on the website?

UIC is one of the few schools in IL that have the accreditation of the National Association of Schools ofArt and Design, and it's a state school so it's more affordable, which is attractive.

Lewis is really attractive as well, as it is just down the street!

Do you know anyone who went to Robert Morris College, I've seen mixed reviews.

Other schools I'm considering is Columbia and Loyola. I read mixed reviews on Columbia though. Loyola seems to have a good reputation, but I have not yet found any reviews on its Visual Communications program.

I'm certain now that GD is what I want to do. When I was last in college, I was really undecided between Computer Programming and Art - so I took a bunch of classes in both and now 10 years later, I find myself with years of Tech Writing experience! But I've been wanting to get out of Tech Writing for that long :)

I'm wondering if my general education and art credits will transfer after 10 years. I hope so! Though I wouldn't mind a refresher on the art classes, but general ed - I don't want to have to take those again!

Thanks!

Jennifer

[DesignVHL]

Definitely make sure you go with a school that offers a lot of studio art classes....and has a strong design program....I'll find out about UIC for ya....I'm not 100% sure where Columbia is these days....but I don't think it is THAT bad! Not sure about Loyola...but if you are going to look into them, see if DePaul and Northwestern have good programs too...best thing you can do is visit each colleges websites, get a curriculum brochure (if they have one) and just compare! I don't know much about Robert Morris College but I hate their TV commercials, lol so I'd stay away just because they HAVE a commercial!

Definitely check into credit transfering...not sure how much of it would be applied...I'm sure the GenEd stuff will....art credits not sure they may have you take some extra classes anyways....who cares, they're fun! :)

ok get back at ya on UIC!

[PrintDriver]

don't just check out online and brochure. GO THERE and visit the campus. Get a tour. Ask for an Art student guide so you get the dirt. Check out the studio area. Ask questions.

I would very much like to see what 'standards' the National Association of Schools of Art and Design holds a college to in order to be accredited. If only 248 schools out of all the colleges that teach GD are accredited by this association, maybe that explains why so few teach students how to print the stuff they design. (edit: Found them I think. Some light reading for the weekend.) http://nasad.arts-accredit.org/index.jsp?page=Books if anyone else is interested.

Check out our sticky somewhere about what to look for in a college GD program. Morea may be able to hook you up. Or check out the Common Topics thread.

[DesignVHL]

Great advice PD - agreed, definitely go and visit the schools!

[double A-ron]

I'm sure some of what I'm about to say has already been touched upon, but sometimes, things can't be said enough...

What specific type of graphic designer are you? (Print design, web design.... etc.)
I'm a print Designer that wished he new web design as it's a question that almost always comes up during the job interview process.

What aspects of GD do you like best?
Working in a field that I love and having fun doing what I do.

What aspects do you like least?
I hate that GD jobs in my area are very hard to come buy and they generally don't pay as well as I'd like.

What is a typical day like?
I design ads and also do the layout for 3 monthly newspapers. I actually have more down time than I'd like. The fourth week of a month that I dont' have a paper, I could literally do nothing all day long. I actually bring in DVDs from home and watch movies all day for the entire week sometimes and sometimes I work on freelance work and/or surf the web.

What amount of creativity is available in an entry-level position?
I would say that mostly depends on the company you're working for. I'm by no means an entry-level designer and I really don't have much in way of creative freedom at all and that a big reason, why I've been searching for a new job ever since I landed this one.

Do you consider web designers Graphic Designers?
Of course.

What other advice would you give a career-changing technical writer?
Be very prepared for the fact, that you may not find a design job right away and even if you do, chances are it won't be your dream job, but if you work hard and keep up the search, I'd like to think that dream job is out there waiting.

[DesignVHL]

Just be sure you learn A LOT - cram your brain - and DO A TON of creative work on your own....really work hard at those projects - that is your first portfolio! Try to beef up as much work as you can - your FOLIO will land you your first job....and there are opportunities out there - its a competitive market but not a total loss - there's always something - tho it just may not be creative or what your looking for! My first job out of college was a 3 month freelance gig doing production/layout on BORING tax newsletters - I couldn't wait to get out of there! One opp will sometimes lead you to the next...hitting this board was a good start - i have faith in you! :)

[Miaow]

....I'll find out about UIC for ya....
Were you able to talk to your friend about UIC?

I did find out that their Art and Design department is having an open house on November 30th, so I'll be going to that. As for Robert Morris College, some people I've talked to say they think it's more of an "edu-business" than a college.

I'll be checking out Lewis, too.

Thanks!

--Jennifer

[budafist]

What's an edu-business?

Is that when they take your money and don't much about your education?

[DesignVHL]

UIC is supposed to be really good. My friend is still enrolled there and enjoying her classes. I think she wants to move towards photography more than design right now though...I kind of wish I had stuck around Chicago and went there myself. I would not even consider Robert Morris, or similar schools...I know nothing about Lewis.

I'd stick to the good 4 yr schools like UIC or Northwestern. Best to just set some time to visit each school and take a tour. Talk to other creatively enrolled students, and see if you like their art and design facilities! Check their curriculums also....some classes you may want to take just might jump out at you...

Best of luck, let me know what you end up doing!

[Riefnu]

I'm writing this in my class at Lewis in Romeoville.


Lewis is good if you're lookng for the non-technical aspect of learning art and design.

Small department, the CGD teacher is VERY hands off. (patrolls the class and answers questions no direction.)


Requires a lot of general art classes for the design majors.

I kinda like it since it's so rounded out, but I'm really really missing the ability to perfect what I learn into actually finished projects. Everything produced is subjected to a strange view rarely focusing on the craft, and instead focusing on the idea and the theory. Just because that makes it easy to get a grade doesn't make it very fullfilling.