Got myself into MBA&MIT, But totally interested in Graphics Designing

[keepitcrazzzy]

Hey Guys, This is my first post on this forum and the main reason for me posting is total worry about my career and my future.

I am in Australia at the Moment, Brisbane. I am doing MBA and MIT in a dual degree. I am very good at my MIT courses because i just love working on a computer and good enough on the MBAs too.

Here is the thing, I want to be a Graphics Designer. I know I am motivated enough and I love designing enough to take this path and succeed on it. But right now I am not on the path that I need to be.

I have done 6 subjects, still 10 to go and it will take another year. I came to Australia 6 months back from India. When I passed School I had no idea what I wanted to be. I was free for 4 months after School and did nothing but got myself Adobe Photoshop from the internet and started learning it.

And at the moment I am almost Perfect at Photoshop. But have not created a portfolio which i believe I cannot with Photoshop Only. Have not learned any other softwares yet but thinking of starting soon.

Now, can anyone of you help me and tell me where should I go from now. I do not want to quit my MBA as no matter what career you choose, Management Skills will be useful.

From last 10 days all i have been doing is thinking about my career and looking all over the internet about Graphics Designers.
How to Be a Graphics Designer, What is Required to be a Graphics Designer, Life of a Graohics Designer and stuff like this.

And i have been doing this all night without sleep because I am very serious about it now and I REALLY wanna GO for it.

I can devote time to practice design softwares. I can learn them very fast, I grasp such things quickly.

If someone can please give me a slight idea on how to go about. What courses can i start with after my MBA and how long will they be for.

Mostly I am looking for starting mostly as a freelancer along with a small job. Being realistic, wont get a dream designer job to to start my career.

So Help please...


Thanks in advance

[mojoprime]

it's really not just about learning the software. you're going to need to get into an art program at a school. anybody can learn the software. plan on -- with work study, apprenticeships or internships, and so on -- about 5-7 years worth of school and entry-level work. anything else would be selling yourself short.

to use a rough analogy, a lot of people go to medical school and never become patient-care doctors. they know the anatomy, they know how to suture, they even know diagnosis -- but it's not enough just to know how to fill in all the blanks.

another analogy is the venerable mechanic analogy: i've got a set of tools in my toolbox. i know what each onen is named, and i scan perform minor repairs. but i can't build a car, or design one from scratch.

[Riefnu]

While photoshop doesnt have EVERYTHING thta adobe has to offer it can do a lot of things. I know a web comic where the guy paints the whole thing in photoshop. http://blastwavecomic.com/ But it takes an agonizing amount of time for the next update showing just how much effort that takes.

Usually photoshop is used for its namesake, and that is working on photos and images instead of making them from scratch. Since you might qualify as a studen I would look into educational software which is discounted a lot from regular price. Sites like http://www.Journeyed.com and the like. You will have to make sure they ship to Australia though, and make sure that you're qualified as a student under their terms and conditions. If you qualify and they ship to Australia you can probably get Adobe creative suite 3 for a few hundred American dollars.

Also investing in a design theory or art theory class will really start putting an edge on your craft. There is a list of great design books somewhere on the forum that might help. Mojo had the good examples of what its good to go beyond just the craft side of anything.

[keepitcrazzzy]

Well, I know very well that learning Photoshop or wit it some other softwares too is not going to help. I know I will need to join art courses. I am already reading books using tutorials but that is not enough.

And that is exactly what I am worried about. This is why I am here seeking for some guidance. Being in India, in a kind of Backward city, I had no idea about these things until I was mid way into my bachelors. But then I did BBA and thought of doing an MBA to finish what I had started and with it i took MIT because of my interest in computers.

I would like to have an idea about how long will it be before I can put a step in the industry after I finish this degree. I will join a base art and craft course. What else courses will I have to take to be a GRAPHICS DESIGNER and how long will they be for approximately.

[WannaBrie]

I don't know how the uni system works over there, but it took me 4 years to earn my bachelor's degree in Visual Comm./Graphic Design. I would imagine you have quite a few courses that would transfer and you'd have to take all the design/art, etc. courses. Does the school you are attending offer a design degree? If not, look into some other Art/Design schools and see what you'll need. good luck! :)

[mojoprime]

^^right.

as far as how long before you can step into the industry, it usually take some experience, even to begin as an "entry-level designer." you could try to pick up some experience working for a local printer.

[salsa]

Hey Keepit, I did kinda what you did (except I just have a BBA, not an MBA; I realized business wasn't for me before I got to that point).

After earning my BBA, I took about two years of graphic design courses at a community college and then it took me about another year after that before I was officially hired as a graphic designer. I say "officially" because I did a lot of freelance work in the meantime to gain experience and also worked some design tasks into my previous jobs. So I've been an in-house designer for about two years now. I still consider myself "entry-level" (but of course I've listed myself as "experienced" on job search boards--never sell yourself short! I think it's helped me get a better job too). Anyhow, I'm gaining lots of experience everyday and I keep building a better portfolio. The nice thing about having a BBA is that it may be a good asset for becoming an art director someday, which I hope to do, and I think it also makes it easier for me to work with managers because I understand that they look at everything from a business perspective, not an art perspective. That's definitely one of the selling points I used when I was interviewing against more experienced designers.

Good luck!

[white]

I totally know what you're going through!! I've done so many things before, Business studies, was even a beauty therapist. My parents never allowed to do GD, they're afraid I might not have a good future (parents!). I have to say that Business and IT will be like a plus for you, I know alot of designers who take business and IT courses too, because it comes in very very handy. I would say finish what you're doing, then go for a TAFE course, which people do get hired after that, and that would be sufficient (but to me it isn't cus I always need to know more or make sure I got most covered). But even then, to get a Advanced Dip, it's just another year on top of Diploma, and 2 more years for a Bach. But at the meantime, whenever you have time, pick up some books. Like me!! XD

Hope it helps..