Is Graphic Design Right For Me?

[digitalvampire]

Hi,

I have been in the field of Networking for almost 8 years now, I hold a A.S. in Information Systems, and I have about a year and half left in my B.S in Computer Science.

Recently, I came to terms with the fact - I really don't enjoy networking and have done it more out of necessity as that is what I had the most experience in. When I first started out, I wanted to go into computer programming, and both of my degree's focused on that. In many ways I still feel like I do but I'm conflicted.

Since I am now getting ready to change careers, I have been exploring other fields that interest me. Graphic Design, has interested me for about 2 years now.. but I fear I may have a more "fantasized" view of it.

I have been reading tons of online articles, and I see that many are extremely passionate about this field when they work in it, they see art everywhere and love to sketch and come up with new designs all the time.

For me, my extent on this has been to just create graphics for friends or websites, however if I have spare time I'm usually doing something else. I rarely draw, and as before only use photoshop if I want to create a graphic for a website (which honestly is not that often). I do enjoy it, but I think I may just enjoy it on a "casual basis" and not a professional basis.

To get into the field, I would want to get a degree in Visual Communications (which means changing from my current degree which won't be transferable) at a college nearby, and the classes look interesting and fun - but once again, I think I have this false visualization that I get to draw posters in a class. I don't mean any offense either, I think that Graphic Designers are amazing in what they do.. I just haven't met any before so I don't know the process.

Can anyone shed some light into my confusion?
Any help would much be appreciated!

Thanks.

DV

[gentlepurespace]

Well, it is a job and even in school most projects aren't going to be the "fun" ones. "Fun" jobs are going to be even rarer in the real world. Of course I would love it if I could just go around doing designs that I like to do, but it doesn't work that way.

But passion for graphic design is kind of like a fever. Most people start off like you, doing a few random things on photoshop for themselves or friends.

The "fever" slowly develops over time until it gets to the point where you can't sleep at night because you are trying to create the perfect menu structure for your website in your head. To the point where you can never remember directions or street names because you were too busy staring at all the business logos at the side of the road.

The only way to tell if it's for you is to dive deeper into it.

Some things that got me rolling:

1) Learn about vector graphics and learn how to us Adobe Illustrator. If you are graphic design minded, eventually you will love this program way more that Photoshop.

2) DRAW MORE. It gets you into that state of mind where you look at things more intimately. A designer should always be aware of everything around him visually. The whole world is an art gallery to a designer.

3) Notice and critique design constantly. Mostly do this in your head, but feel free to point things out to friends. If you see a poster that you don't like, try to firgue out exactly what it is that makes the poster ugly to you.

4) Do a variety of projects. If you are comfortable with web graphics, try making a logo. If you are good at posters, try a brochure. If anything, the struggle will leave you with a greater appreciation for good design. It will help you develop a habit of looking at good design and noticing details that would have only entered your subconcious before.

If you can't get into any of these things, graphic design will probably only frustrate you.

[digitalvampire]

Thanks for the answer,

I see, how there is a lot of passion in what you're doing. I have to admit, I rarely critique signs or posters... other then to say wow.. that Resident Evil poster looked awesome.. etc. Like any field, I can see there are tons of subjects to learn, as you mentioned vector graphics. I will definitely have to try these items you have suggested, as I feel they will be a way to decide if it right for me.

Thanks Again!

And if anyone else has any additional advice please feel free to let me know :)

DV

[Broacher]

I think that there should be a special award for the best and quickest response example between the newest of members.

Well done GPS.

[graphicsmama]

I think if you are very analytically minded (which I'm guessing you lean more that way w/your interest in programming) you may find you get frustrated with design. For instance, there is a constant "battle" if you will going on between web designers and developers. And the crux of it, I believe, (because I am a designer amongst developers in my family) goes back to the differences in the way artistic people and analytical people are GENERALLY wired (not saying totally because there are a few who are both enough to be successful...) Hard-core good web developers and coders and back end database developers are not generally good with design...and it's simply because that isn't how they are wired. Likewise, artists and those that are great at design could not sit down with a Ruby for Rails book or a C++ book and just "get it". It's just totally diametrically opposed to that person's natural ability to learn. Not that they CAN'T learn the other, but that it may be a lot harder and take a lot more time for them to grasp the concepts.

So...my opinion is figure out what you are naturally good at and where you naturally lean and go that way. If you aren't sure about the design, take a class and see if you have a desire and talent for it. If you have a programming background, perhaps you could find a way to work in the design world...I've got a client I'm always thinking of cool things to do to his website but I am not a person who can develop Flex apps and whatnot...but someone who can is great value in the design world.

[digitalvampire]

I see what you mean graphicsmama, I have always leaned toward that analytical/logical type of thinking. Programming I will admit comes easier to me, with graphics I would have to start from the beginning. I see after researching there is so much to learn (as there is in Programming).

From your answers, I see a huge difference in the way of thinking...

In example:

I like to draw doodles, and sketches .. but generally when I'm bored and can't do something else.. i.e at a meeting (and hopefully no one is looking :D)

When walking about, I like most people I'm sure, with think that a sign is Ugly.. or Pretty, but I really never thought of any underlying reasons, unless it is blatantly obvious.

I think I understand what you are saying by having a mind of an "artist" in regards to the mind of a person who is "analytical and logic based". As you said, it's not that, the person couldn't do the job, but it would be much more difficult and more likely a lot less interesting.

From all of your posts, I see you all have a lot of passion about your field, and I imagine that developed over a period of time.

Thanks for the feedback -

I hope to see more, as it is truly helping :)

DV

[Yossarian]

This is pretty much in the same vein as some previous advice, but depending on what your web and coding experience is you may already have somewhat of an "in" to the design world, or at least enough to get you a little exposure to it. The world is full of designers that can plan the design for a site, but don't know where to begin when it comes to actually BUILDING a functioning website. You wouldn't necessarily have the creative input but you could be working in collaboration with designers. Plus there will be the situations where you'll have to find a creative way to fill the inevitable gaps between the original visualization and realworld implementation.

If you could couple that knowledge with solid design theory you'd be in good shape.

So I'd say a good place to start is building on the skills you have and find ways to relate them to the design field. Take a few graphics classes and quiz your instructors about working in the field. And by all means keep talking to the knowledgeable folks here at GDF. Not necessarily me, I'm just some chump that lurks around periodically, but there are others...:D

Graphic design attracts its fair share of interest from the "Ooh, that looks like fun!" crowd, (no offense, just sayin' ;) ) but many of them wind up discouraged when they find out more about the day-to-day realities. Sometimes I absolutely hate my job, but at the end of the day I can't imagine enjoying myself half as much in any other (realistic) profession.

[digitalvampire]

Thanks Yossarian,

I have thought about mixing my interest in Graphics Design with Programming, and being a Web Developer. I am familiar with many web languages and I have done a lot of server side programming.

Also, your right... I think I am one of those, who belongs in the "it looks like fun" crowd.

I think I will finish my degree in Computer Science, and take some graphic courses along the way. Then in the future, I could end up doing web development - or find, that I really am just a hard-core programmer at heart :)

Thanks!

[budafist]

Well, are you any good at Graphic Design? Or visual communication?

That will affect how much you enjoy doing it. If you have a natural talent, it is something to build and work with. If you are not naturally good at something you will need a lot more drive because it is an uphill battle. Just because you enjoy looking at it, doesn't mean that you will be good at doing it. Still, if you have a lot of passion but no skill to begin with, it is still doable if you put in the hard work.