What are the odds?

[a_muse]

I have been lurking here for a while, actually a little scared to post at all, but I have a question that I think you guys could help me with.
My background is fine arts, I took drawing and painting in college back in the day (yes, I was an art snob ;) ). In the past 7 or so years (since having kids and paints lying around was an accident waiting to happen) I have been slowing falling into graphic design. At this point I have taken some courses to upgrade my technical skills (primarily the Adobe Creative Suite programs) and I have done many, many projects, mostly for friends but recently I have been doing actual freelance stuff for actual money :) (yay me!). My plan, right now at least is to really push the freelance stuff (I have 4 kids-I am borderline crazy), but I wouldn't mind when they are all in school f/t (in about 3-4 years) getting a job as a graphic designer, for a company.
Considering the fact that I don't have a formal graphic design background, what are my odds? Assuming I'm good I mean ;) .

Thanks.

[Kool]

Hi muse, welcome to the forum.

A good portfolio will trump a sheepskin any day.

[budafist]

Kool is right. At this stage you should take jobs to boost your portfolio.

When a job has been signed off, there is no reason not to keep working on it until it is portfolio worthy. Remember just because a client likes it, doesn't mean that it is the best that it can be.

[a_muse]

Thank You.

That hadn't occurred to me, about continuing to work on things after it's "done". That's a great idea, I constantly look at older stuff wishing I did something different, why can't I? I can!
I just finished a logo design/brochure and the client loves it, I really like the logo, but the brochure bugs me, it feels wrong, I'll keep at it.

[Riefnu]

Welcome to the forum first of all!


If you are an art major then why not look into Digital arts, illustration, and photography, as well.

[garricks]

Welcome! I was a music major who did an apprenticeship in typesetting and GD, then stuck my foot in the door to the creative department in my company. They eventually hired me. :D

[mojoprime]

i really do think that as long as you're good at what you do, with a strong portfolio, a good foundation and strong comprehension of the software, you're set. go for it and good luck!

[Yossarian]

Welcome muse! I think you're headed in the right direction. Borderline crazy, eh? You should stick around.

[Drawing a Blank]

I was a fine arts major in college; painting, illustration, printmaking and sculpture but mostly printmaking. Now I am a designer and graphics product manager during the day and do freelance illustration work when the kids are asleep (two boys both under the age of three). Only borderline crazy? You may just need to leap over that line....we have cookies on this side.

[WannaBrie]

My story is very close to Drawing a Blank's...I was a fine arts major my first time in college: illustration, photography, painting, majored in printmaking. After several years of struggling to make a living, I went back and got my BA in communication/graphic design. I think it helps enormously to have a background in the fine arts before going into GD. Get up a good portfolio and you will do fine. hang around here and you'll learn a lot. Lots of great and knowledgeable people on here.

[a_muse]

Thanks!
That makes me feel better!
@Riefnu- I was an art major, it's been over 10 years since I've been in school full time, I'd love to go back but at this point it's just not possible.

I wish I had more skills though, typography especially I'm completely self taught, I'm always worried, what would the "real" designers think of my work :rolleyes:.
Once I get some balls I'll post something for feedback, I'm a bit of a wuss :o

Mmmm, I like cookies!

[Drawing a Blank]

....Mmmm, I like cookies!

Yes another one has joined us here in the land of crazy **atempts evil laugh and fails miserably Muahahahahahahahahaha**

[seamas]

I was from a fine art background as well -BFA Painting, a ton of Art History courses (plus a ton of independant study), Printmaking, Sculpture.

I wanted to take some GD classes in college, but they were only open to those who declared a GD major and accepted as a BFA candidate.

I was big into theory -color, form, dynamics, composition -
So I saw my background as a strength, and played on that.

I also had a good knowledge of a variety of "hands on" techniques and a wide variety of art materials and media.

I had not even touched a Computer until a few short months prior to 2000.
I took a few courses in Quark, Illy Photoshop, and relied on my brain to come up with the idea, and figure out the "how to" on my own.

Typography was the biggest learning curve.
A lot of my earliest GD work has decent layout, color and form, but lousy Typography. (It is still not excellent, but an enormous improvement)

Study type, learn to use type treatment in a minimal, yet dynamic way. Set limitations --and "internal logic" and learn the "rules" of good typography, and learn when to toss the rules in the garbage.


I am ashamed to admit I haven't toughed a "fine art" implement in months, and haven't painted in 5 years (after spending 15 years painting nearly every day).
I will get back into it. I plan on finding some decent drawing classes -(for life drawing) or model sessions, to get my chops back up to snuff.

[a_muse]

Ya, I haven't "really" painted since before I had my kids, you know when you are totally immersed in it and it's all you think about and you obsess about it....
I have painted, but not really
I went to a small gallery show a little while ago and I felt so depressed/inspired, I really love doing graphic design now, but I need to incorporate the art stuff too.
I should look into a life drawing class too, good idea.

I'm strong in the art related stuff too, love colour theory, balance, composition. I'm trying to be very minimalistic with my typography, but there are so many pretty fonts ;) , I have restraint, honest.

I was very anti-computer until about 2000.

[Riefnu]

Yes another one has joined us here in the land of crazy **atempts evil laugh and fails miserably Muahahahahahahahahaha**


http://www.findsounds.com/ISAPI/search.dll?keywords=evil+laugh:rolleyes:

[Tea]

Another BFA degree here, along with a B.A. in Ed and a MAEd. I majored in printmaking, took a job in education and teach graphic design as one of the classes to high school students. Do a few GD jobs on the side, a few web sites, teach film. Enter fine art shows, try to write...

....God I'm a mess.

[Drawing a Blank]

Nice link Riefnu thanks.
I definately have to bookmark that for further examination.