best age to begin graphic designing

[whensensesfail]

I just wanted to know whats the best age to start graphic designing :confused:
Im only in highschool and i still have no idea what i want to do for a living but graphic designing is definately up there if i can get good enough in time. but right now im completely new to photoshop and designing stuff... is it too late?

[cj2a]

Too late? You kids these days...growing up so fast... :)

Seriously...I didn't even know graphic design existed as a career till I was third-year college. I was casting around thinking I would get a business degree and work in some kind of office. But when I found design, it was like a lightbulb going on. From there I did every freelance job and freebie and internship I could in the field to build a portfolio...that was 20 years ago. By all means, look into it...work at it...practice it and learn about it. You are definitely not too late.

Good luck.

[ecsyle]

5 years old is when you should begin your training.

Train under a master until you are ready to kill them to take their place. That is the only way, and has been the only way since before time.

[EC]

do not listen to ecsyle grasshopper, for he is from the designing dark side.

[ecsyle]

There is no dark and light, only enlightenment. Why deny yourself the full ability of designer?

http://img66.imageshack.us/img66/5903/palpatineso4.jpg (http://imageshack.us)


ULTIMATE POWER!



*seriously though, the sooner the better I suppose.

[tZ]

Most people wait till college… that is what its for right?

Otherwise… keep on drawing.

Develop a good portfolio of drawings in additon to a good gpa and sat/act.

Thats normally how these type of things work.

If you want to be a rebel then find books on design and typography. Think small at first starting with the most basic principles then progressing to graphic design.

However, if you plan on going to college administrators care about drawing as you are attending college to learn to design not becasue you know how to allready. So they are concerned with the basic of basic. So get those skills solid. So step away from the software and work on your drawing skills.

Thats my advice.

[Rocketpig]

IMO the best age for graphic design is... late college.

Learn art in your teens. Learn how to draw. Learn how to paint. Learn color theory.

Then design.

[Jeff Fisher LogoMotives]

I don't think it's ever to early to begin your self-studies in art and graphic design. I was doing a great deal of art work in grade school. I had pieces in art exhibits in junior high and high school, and one-man-shows of my work in high school and college (over 30 years ago). In high school I was placed on independent studies in art and had the opportunity to dabble in everything - including graphic design (I was designing the high school newspapers and the programs/posters for school plays). I began my serious graphic design studies my first year in college and was doing contract work for clients, as well as exhibit design for the local art museum and advertising design for the university newspaper throughout my college schooling.

These days some high schools have excellent graphic/communication design courses. Be a sponge and soak up everything you can about art, design, advertising and marketing from school, books, the Internet and those already in the profession.

Good luck!

- J.

[PrintDriver]

What Jeff said.

Alot of technical high schools have excellent graphics programs that not only focus on design but also on output. Some even have open-to-the-public print shops too. There's nothing that says you can't go to college after going to a tech school either.

You should really have some idea of what you want to do in life before spending the cash on college. Do some job shadowing while in high school to see if it really is something you want to be doing. GD isn't an all glamor and glitz job.
But the better you are at it, the farther you will go.

[Emmanize]

Depends on the person – I don’t think there is a right age. I started when I was about 12/13 but didn't really get into it until I was about 14/15...I am now 25. Although I wouldn’t recommend getting into anything to seriously to young....have a childhood ;)

[JPnyc]

82 yrs and 6 months. That way you don't suffer so long. ;)

[PrintDriver]

The kid is in High School. Childhood, sadly, is coming to an end. It's time to start making decisions. Trade? Career? College? McDonalds? At least he's asking questions now. That's good. I'd suggest getting out there and doing some informational interviews. Make the Guidance Conselors earn their keep by suggesting schools to check into.

If only a High School Freshman, get into some art classes (if you can). Don't worry so much about the computer programs. Learn the basics of form, function and color.

If a Junior, start getting serious. If GD is only one path you might take, best to explore it a bit before taking it.

This all doesn't mean don't have a childhood or don't have fun, and nobody is saying you have to 'grow up' (I never did, LOL!) but it is time to give life out of school some serious thought.

[Emmanize]

I wasn’t talking about him; I was talking about people in general, lol.