How and why did you get into the Graphic?

[benjo]

How and why did you get into the Graphic Arts Field.



I guess this will serve as a co post with the original [What do you guys do at your job post].



Let the board visitors know:

o Why you chose this field of work

o What inspired you to study the Graphic Arts

o What your expectations where (Before you worked in the field)

o What goals you have in mind for your future in the field (don't go posting how many house you want and what now, self control people)



In the words of a Hip-Hop fan

"Lets Get this poping son!"



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[defjoe]

ok i'll be the first!



Why you chose this field of work



I loved drawing since I was in the 2nd grade and I am the only artist in my family tree (on both sides). It was foreign for me (cause no one knew anything about art in my family) and I just stuck with it. When I got out of Highschool I didn't really want to do anything else.



What inspired you to study the Graphic Arts



i actually wanted to be a illustrator and still do. but I did alot of research and talked to alot of people and they told me it was EXTREMELY hard to break into. so I need a fall back and tried the graphic arts end. I never touch a computer till my Junior year in college. that's when I took MACs 101. i caught on quick and it went from there.



What your expectations where (Before you worked in the field)



That it would be fun (as well as work) and that it was a fairly new field. I was wrong about the fun. I found out it was cut troat very quick and that no one wanted to hire you right out of college.



What goals you have in mind for your future in the field



To keep a job for more then a year! My second job in the industry lasted 5 years and then I got on a bad streak (all layoffs). but honestly i want to work as a comic book artist. that is my dream. I'm working toward it and closer then ever. I like graphic design but the people suck! It's way to nasty and your not appreciated for the most part. People are interested in what you do (cause the general public has no idea what we actually do) but the people IN the industry can be just evil (i'm talking more like publishers, ad agency presidents, etc not your peers).



Hope this didn't offend anyone.



Joe

[benjo]

Good answers I have a feeling most poeple come from an art background lets wait it out and see.



I'll post my answer once we get a few more responces.

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[tallmikeG]

o Why you chose this field of work?
Ientered college (in NYC) as a computer science major and switched to my (now) 2nd love, Philosophy &amp; Eastern Religions. It didn't take long for me to realize that you can't do anything w/ a degree in philosophy, so i transferred to a school near boston (because of a girl...horrible) that had a good Fine Arts/Graphic Design Program.


o What inspired you to study the Graphic Arts?
I've always been very artistic, and have always had an interest in computers...what's a better mix of computers and art than graphic design? ...and in 1996, Design was toted to become the "next big thing". where my millions are, i don't know. :)


o What your expectations were?
I can sure tell you that I didn't expect this much text formatting andproofreading! It's pretty much what I expected otherwise...yourability to grow as a designer is totally dependant on how much time and money you're willing to sacrifice. it can either be a job or a lifestyle.


o What goals you have in mind for your future in the field?
I'm hoping to start my own freelance studio very soon. I'm pretty much a Sr. Designer right now, so my goal is to become an Art Director within the next few years. I'll be satisfied as long as I continue to have fun.


...and this is post #666 <img border="0" src= "smileys/smiley15.gif">

PixelBlender ("]<img border="0" src= " http://www.tallmike.com/images/banner.jpg">[/url]

...or visit my [url=") design blog!

[benjo]

[b]Quote: o What inspired you to study the Graphic Arts?
I've always been very artistic, and have always had an interest in computers...what's a better mix of computers and art than graphic design?* ...and in 1996, Design was toted to become the "next big thing".* where my millions are, i don't know.* :)

</blockquote>

Funny they told me the same thing in 1996. I finished school and started collage in 1997. I still don't know where my millions are. They shore know how to get a naive young kid right out of high school, "the next big thing!"



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[defjoe]

Tall Mike,



What college did you go to in Boston? i'm from boston. I lived there the first 27 years of my life. i went to UMASS-lowell. Horrible art program. but I was young and stupid. i was the first college graduate in my ENTIRE family. So i really didn't have anyone pushing me other then my wife (who was my fiance then). what i'm trying to say is, if i could do it all over again i would have gone to a much better school.



True story, my computer graphics professor was an idiot. In my senior year i brought him in a handful of newspaper ads i had taken from the Boston Globe and asked him why we weren't being taught these programs (the big three; Quark, Illustrator, PS). His answer... this is a quote... "Cause they are too technical". I lost it on him. so instead i got myself some Quickstart books and spent hours in the lab teaching myself (and others).



if i didn't do that! so basically i'm self taught..but have a degree for show.



as soon as I get my millions, I'll share it with you.

[tallmikeG]

Hi defjoe... i went to Northeastern Univ. It's a great program, and will become better after they finish the switch from a quarter system to a semester system. i'm originally from central MA and RAN from there to go to Columbia Univ...didn't like NYC as much as Boston (and Columbia didn't have a design program) so i transfered to NU.

PixelBlender ("]<img border="0" src= " http://www.tallmike.com/images/banner.jpg">[/url]

...or visit my [url=") design blog!

[defjoe]

Had a friend that graduated from NEU..he's a lawyer in CA now. i just checked out your site...pretty nice you have a great eye for web design. alot better then I. My wife is from Townsend so I know right were you grew up (Gardner...right?). I had a girlfriend that went to Fitchburg State so I'm very familiar with the area. I grew up in Lowell myself. worked in Boston for 5 years (Copley Sq) and then moved to Orlando, FL and have been here since. Now I work for University of Central Florida.



nice to talk to a fellow Bostonian. Still have family up there (actually all of our family is up there). coming up in July for a visit.

[benjo]

Okay here goes for me:



• Why you chose this field of work</font></font>

Well that simple. When I found out I can draw on a computer I went for it. I grew up in between PR and Long Island (NY) so I was exposed to a lot of graffiti. I started drawing and became pretty good at it. Then I found out about a creative carreer named Graphic Design and said thats what I want to do.



• What inspired you to study the Graphic Arts</font></font>

I was taking GED classes and decided to go to a work shop for drawing on the computer. I saw an anoucement and thought, are they serious you get paid to do this and went to the work shop. The instructor had us create circles and squares (I know you remember these classes from school). Then we went on to tracing a truck. I received an award for the best truck trace. This made me certain that as soon as I received my GED I was off to collage.



• What your expectations where (Before you worked in the field)</font></font>

Well I though I would come out of school with a degree and get a job for certain after all I had the schooling to back me up. I though for shore I would make big bucks after all Computer Graphic Design was in high demand and I was banking on a shore thing here, "the next big thing". (Thats what they told me).



• What goals you have in mind for your future in the field (don't go posting how many house you want and what now, self control people)

</font></font>

Well I'm trying to gain that valuable thing called experience. While this happens I plan on further developing my skills as a designer. I see it like this I want to be the best darn designer I can be. Not the best period just the best I can be. I also recently started a freelance company that in the next 6 months I want to grow into a profitable business. I would rather do freelance full time and get to the point of where I have a building with a few designer working for me. Another thing I want to do is draw animation characters. I know of a small newspaper that I can post a comic strip in I just have to practice my drawing and get back up to speed. But one thing is for shore I am going to succeed in this field.





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[tallmikeG]

lol! thanks for the compliments...and for bringing back some memories of growing up! :) give a hollar in july...we've got beer on tap! always willing to talk shop over a few beers with a fellow designer!

PixelBlender ("]<img border="0" src= " http://www.tallmike.com/images/banner.jpg">[/url]

...or visit my [url=") design blog!

[defjoe]

I guess I'll have to bring a real designer with me when I come up.



<img border="0" src= "smileys/smiley2.gif">



Benjo,



I wish you the best of luck man. I hope it works out for you with the freelance stuff. I have heard great stories and horror stories about full time freelance. i've done some on the side but never enough to get me to quit. I would like that but not in this market as it is.

[benjo]

Yea the markets bad but oppotunity has to be made because if you sit around waiting for it you'll never get it.



Hey if all else fails I can alway buy a couple of Target franchises.



Thanks!

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[elle]

I just want to add what a tough question that is to ask...


I was always involved in art, and it just seemed that graphic design was the next logical step for me to make. Sure I put out some good stuff every now and then, butsometimes I have to try and convince myself that this is what I'm supposed to do. Does anyone else ever feel this way?

elle...

[tallmikeG]

i guess it's human nature to question yourself at times. do you have fun designing? you obviously have more of an interest in design than just a 9:00 - 5:00 thing, or you wouldn't be a member here. go with what interests you...there are going to be times that you're unhappy w/ a project, but stick with it.

PixelBlender ("]<img border="0" src= " http://www.tallmike.com/images/banner.jpg">[/url]

...or visit my [url=") design blog!

[casedsgn]

Why you chose this field of work

I didn't mean to, I was supposed to be an illustrator. During my last year at KCAI, I started taking an interest in what the designers were doing. Dropped the illustration stuff and crammed all the design knowledge I could into my last year. The best decision I've ever made..I'm having a blast now!

What inspired you to study the Graphic Arts

I've always loved drawing, and when I saw what could be accomplished by incorporating typography, and layout, I was sold. Conveying an idea or a concept through visuals is such a gratifying process, I can't imaging doing anything else.

What your expectations where

I was expecting to hit the ground running, and amaze my art directors with brilliant ideas. This isn't how it goes...You start from the bottom and work your way up. Which sucked at the time, but "real-world" design was nothing like college. I needed the time to learn the MANDITORY professional side of design.

What goals you have in mind for your future in the field

Well, I drop everything and begin my freelance career in 2 weeks. I'm venturing out on my own so my goals would be to run this one-man shop with a good amount of success. Maybe expand someday and take on a couple more people, move out of the house into a studio space.... we'll see!

<img border="0" src= " http://www.casedsgn.com/sig_reg.jpg"> ("")

[Kool]

Damn I hate it when being totally swamped at work cuts into my GDF time. Well here I am a day late and a dolor short as usual.



o Why you chose this field of work



Unlike most of you I entered the field through the back door. After spending 6 years in the US Navy as a Sonar Technician I got out and discovered that unless a Soviet sub surfaces here in the Great Salt Lake I had no real marketable skills other than basic electronics knowledge. So I took an entry level job as a printing press operator. After doing that for 3 years a job opened up in the pre-press department. Desk top publishing was still pretty new at that time and most of the work was done on art boards with hot wax. We had a PC with Corel Draw and that got me hooked.



o What inspired you to study the Graphic Arts



I never studied the Graphic arts. I'm completely self taught, as a result I have a lot of holes in my abilities. I consider myself an expert in page layout programs like Quark and I can accomplish anything I wish in vector programs like Illustrator but I lack the basic art fundamentals.



o What your expectations where (Before you worked in the field)



I didn't have any I just thought it was really cool and it beat getting ink all over my hands.



o What goals you have in mind for your future in the field



I figure another 2 years working for the man and I will have enough money to open my own design business. I will hire a hotshot young designer with a BFA to do most of the actual design work while I run the business side of things and teach him/her the proper way to design. I have a business degree and a business plan and 6 years of managerial experience but I lack the money to do it right.

<img border="0" src= "http://home.comcast.net/~rnick9/sig.jpg">

"I used to be with it. But then they changed what it was. Now what I'm with isn't it, and what's it seems weird and scary to me." Abraham Simpson

[thal]

o Why you chose this field of work
Basiclly Design was my "fall back on thing"if I didn't make it as an illustrator. I did a lot of illustrating for a while, but the more I learned about freelance illustration the less I liked it. Eventually I decided that I really didn't have the stomache to see crappy illustrators getting work simply because they bought the AD a better xmas present than I did :P


What inspired you to study the Graphic Arts
My uncle who went to Chicago AI recommeded graphic design over a painting/drawing degree. As I learned more, the more I liked it.


What your expectations where (Before you worked in the field)
Like case I was gonna set the world on fire with my designs. But you soon learn, most of what "pays the bills" at a studio doesn't even have enough "creative spark" to light a match :(


What goals you have in mind for your future in the field
Get my MFA and teach full time...then somedaywrite about design and design theory. Also, I would like to spend more time exploring the "creative" side of design...without the constrants of the clients (i.e. budgets, bad taste, etc.)


To all of you starting your own firms I have a friend that started one about 2 years ago and is doing very well... so you can do it. One book he recommends is that helped him A LOT was:


http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/039373093X/qid=1052413269/sr=1-1/ref=sr_1_1/104-9737649-9166366?v=glance&amp;s=books ("")

[tallmikeG]

thanks thal! just ordered that book. :-)

PixelBlender ("]<img border="0" src= " http://www.tallmike.com/images/banner.jpg">[/url]

...or visit my [url=") design blog!

[benjo]

Thanks for the recomendation thal.



I like your goals. You seem like the writter type.



I'll definetly be looking forward to your books.



Good Luck!

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[casedsgn]

Thanks Thal!! I bought the book about 20 minutes ago and even the table of contents is informative! :) I too, am looking forward to your writings.

<img border="0" src= " http://www.casedsgn.com/sig_reg.jpg"> ("")

[Magnus]

My turn...


o Why you chose this field of work


Well, working in a print shop....I actually got chosen. My boss's parent's have known me since I was a wee lad, and they also live across the street from MY parents. He needed a designer, and I needed a job.... Before all of that, I toyed around with going regular force army, or a cop. Then a psychologist....yikes!


o What inspired you to study the Graphic Arts


Well, my ex-girlfriend (damn her to hell), suggested I do this when I was floundering around after highschool, and bouncing between college and unniversity in programs I had no real interest in. I was an avid drawer as a youngster, and did models (all types), and funky stuff like building the Predator mask out of chicken wire and liquid fibre glass. So I figured I had better use the skills I had to make me some money..."SHOW ME THE MONEY!!!!"



o What your expectations where (Before you worked in the field)


I thought it would be different...school perceptions of the industry are a lot different, IMHO. Not sure HOW it would be different, but this isn't quite what I expected. I am happily surprised though. Again, I also thought being a graphic designer was the next "in" thing, and getting a job wouldn't be so damn hard. (I was job searching for 5 months before I landed this lucky break).



o What goals you have in mind for your future in the field (don't go posting how many house you want and what now, self control people)


Well, long term, I would like to become an RGD. (That's registered graphic designer), which is a body that is legislated by the government of Canada...let's you put RGD after your name...opens a few doors. It's more of an elitist thing...but I need another 3 years of experience, and 1 more year of school somewhere....and that's just the pre-requisites to apply.


I was also considering teaching at the college I graduated from, or even taking over the print shop I work for now. But who knows...I am relatively knew to the industry, and haven't scratched the surface yet.





- Win or lose, it doesn't matter...but I guarantee, you will respect me tommorow morning.

[Councilcreative]

Why you chose this field of work


I started off as an engineering draughtsman butfound myself more interested in the neatness of my layouts, nib sizes and sticky Pantone hatching than all the calculating of loadbearing beams and such like. So the world of graphics beckoned.



What inspired you to study the Graphic Arts


Seeing simple design work so effectively was a big inspiration. Harry Beck's Underground map and the London Underground branding and signageare good examples of how a lot of potentially confusing information can be displayed so effectively.



What your expectations where (Before you worked in the field)


I assumed you needed to be brilliant at drawing but I was wrong! Imoved into it gradually. The department didn't have any designers but found themselves needing basic leaflets and exhibition panels preparing. Computers were gradually happening but I started off without one. The joys of Letraset and sticky backed plastic! It was just like being at school, very easy really.


What goals you have in mind for your future in the field


I'd like to have a strong influence on the council's overall branding and continue getting the council's message across as a result of good design. To win a design award for a campaign would be pretty good!<img border="0" src= "smileys/smiley10.gif">

[benjo]

Don't want to loose this thread.



Lets keep it alive fellas.

<img border="0" src= "http://www.cbcamerica.com/images/webshots/benjobanner.jpg">

[Wicked-Elf]

o Why you chose this field of work


Well, I was in this art class in Grade 12, and my teacher was a nut about art, telling me I was good and such... so He hooked up my work experiance at this "award winning" graphic design company. I did my 30 hours, and got hired... been here for 3.5 years now


o What inspired you to study the Graphic Arts


I love art... I love Computers... Graphics is the next logical step



o What your expectations where (Before you worked in the field)


I figured, hmmm this is gonna be REALLY hard to do. Everything has to be perfect, and I've never used a computer for art before...



o What goals you have in mind for your future in the field (don't go posting how many house you want and what now, self control people)


I was thinking of starting a small time business while i goto school for medicine... but thats prolly not gonna happen ;)


(as for the above colours... back to basic cmyk)

I was once told I sing like an Angel...Banished from Heaven

[silverchick]

o Why you chose this field of work

- i chose this field of work because...i find creating new new things and working with images and text is just plan fun. its as easy as that ..haha



o What inspired you to study the Graphic Arts

- Nothing really inspired me really, i always catching myself (in high school) doodling and creating funky text and what not, i also was a big on photography as well. And putting images with funky text...and when it came to decided what i'll be doing with my life, i researched come career choices, and i stumbled upon the graphic arts. Never heard of it before to tell you the truth, read about it and thought i'd enjoy it. that was pretty much it.


o What goals you have in mind for your future in the field (don't go posting how many house you want and what now, self control people)

- The one big goal i have is to be a cd label designer, i love working with images and text that reflexs the music. Trying to create something that will express what type of music it is and also it shows what kind of style the artist (music) likes and is into. But also, i wouldnt mind getting into the photography part of design as well, i enjoy that as much as anything really, so being a photographer for a magazine of some sorts would be cool as well.. so who knows..hehe
-sara /emoticons/yeah.gif

'Minds are like parachutes: they only function when they are opened'.
-Thomas Dewar

[Vikia]

o Why you chose this field of work
I too have been interested in drawing since childhood. I took every class possible that I could get into. But my first job placement test put me in an accounting office because I had an aptitude for math. Yech!

It took me 5 1/2 years to convince my company (our local phone company) that I should really be in the public relations or marketing dept working on creative.

o What inspired you to study the Graphic Arts
Watching my Uncle Bob who is an incredible artist. His oil paintings/illustrations and graphics are really wonderful, but his life is tragic (he drinks) and makes me think of many truly great artists who have tragic lives. He doesn't do art to just make a living, he creates because it is like breathing for him. He is my inspiration.

o What your expectations where (Before you worked in the field)
I KNEW it would be more fun than doing daily receivables for 5 states in our accounting office. Beyond that, I just went where it took me: 2 direct mail wholesale/retail catalog depts, 1 mid-sized offset printing company, 1 desktop film output service bureau, 1 direct mail insurance company marketing dept, and 2 fortune 500 corporate in-house publish relations/marketing depts,

I am now semi retired and home-based freelancer and love it still. I just keep morphing with the new technologies as it comes my way.

o What goals you have in mind for your future in the field (don't go posting how many house you want and what now, self control people)
I don't intend to EVER completely retire. I love what I do...my situation makes it easier to be real choosy about the jobs I take on and I will not undercut my colleagues for the sake of just getting any job. It is important that artists support each others pricing standards so that the customer base does not simply bargain hunt for the cheapest hungry designer.

http://www.vikianderson.com/graphics/valogo.gif
www.vikianderson.com (http://www.vikianderson.com)
Corporate Communications, Graphics & Design

[Big Perm-dizzle]

i was a marketing major and I had an advertising class where a project was to design a bilboard and i designed 30 of themm and we only had to do 3.... my professor goes...ummm Mr. Branch I need to see you after class thats where he told me to look into GD

JUST LAUNCHED - www.hirethisdesigner.com (http://www.hirethisdesigner.com) - check it out

[Silence04]

ever since i was little i've been taking a paint brush or pencil over any kids toy....
so i guess i always knew that i was going to be involved with art... but i don't think i really knew what careers were out there that involved art other than comics and cartoons, until i enrolled in a graphic design class at a 2 year tech school while in high school. (if any of you guys went to the art institute of ft. lauderdale, the instrucor i had at my school's name is Orlando Saavedra)
he pretty much made me realize that graphic design was my future when he took me off to the side one day and told me i had more creativity in one pinky then the whole class put together, and that i could go land a great job in the field right now if i wanted.... so i did, and i still love GD!!!!


http://www.jdcgraphics.net/banner.gif

[Mynock]

http://img185.imageshack.us/img185/513/necromancerhistory2cz.jpg

o Why you chose this field of work
-Cuz, I get paid to make pretty pictures, and Computer Science was too boring.

o What inspired you to study the Graphic Arts
-Toy Story probably started me into 3D and from 3D I ended up in print.

o What your expectations were (Before you worked in the field)
-Make money doing what I enjoy, and would do in my freetime. Before graduation I'd thought I'd be at a design firm and not a "print shop."

o What goals you have in mind for your future in the field (don't go posting how many house you want and what now, self control people)
-In a few years to get that design/ad agency in central Minnesota and a house.

[morea]

How and why did you get into the Graphic Arts Field.

just stupid, I guess. :D

I kid, I kid.

[morea]

oh wait... I mean "I'm a masochist".

[seamas]

Why you chose this field of work
Most of my background is in Fine Arts (BFA Painting). I did end up doing commercial work around the US with murals and sculpture, and showed work in galleries, but while the work was lucrative at times, it was always sporatic.
Though I studied fine art exclusively, my early development in High School was directed in a more of an illustration/graphic direction.


What inspired you to study the Graphic Arts
I basically started studying graphic design after getting a computer and graphic programs. I had a fairly extensive education in art history, color theory and ideas of form and dynamics, so they are certainly applicable to graphic design, but I have been educating myself on Graphic Design History and typography to strengthen newly aquired skills.


What your expectations were (Before you worked in the field)
Steady work. I started looking for graphics work at just about the same time that design jobs started getting scarce. A few years earlier, a noob would have gotten work fairly easily, but around 2000 the NYT want ads really shrunk. I did luck out with a temp position that turned permanant. Lots of poster work where my particular background was a strength.

What goals you have in mind for your future in the field
I'm looking to get a new position, hopefully in a design studio, or an advertising or marketing agency, then Have my own business or a good partnership.
Something with graphic work, but also commercial painting / mural or sculpture work. Perhaps some stage design. A kind of full service studio. Maybe make some puppets and masks with my wife for a theater.

[Jeizzavelle]

Why I chose this line of work- I didn't it kinda chose me. I was working as a cashier in a gas station and looking for a differant job. I was asking people (small town) if they knew anyone that was hiring and someone told me here. I applied and here I am.
I honestly didn't know what to expect but I am happy I took on the challenge. I have learned alot by working here.
My ccareer goals are to either broaden the position here (get into printing and such, better software....) and get a big fat raise or maybe go somewhere wlse that I can expand on the knowledge I already have. My boss wants me to go back to school at some point and study Graphic Design. I am excited to do that. I got married and had babies instead of going to college.( I was on my own at 17 and it seemed like the only option at the time) I would love to have the chance to go to college. I feel like for me it is better now, I'm more mature and would be more serious about it, also.

[nyc_skater]

It's the only lie i'm any good at.

[Logo-Mechanix]

o Why you chose this field of work
I didn't really choose the filed I kind of worked into it gradually. I have always had artistic talent. When I was a kid and colored a picture in a coloring book it was far better than anyhting any of the other kids created. I mean I would spend hours using different colors and shading and blending. I eventually took graphic arts in high school and made business cards, did some silk screening from custom art I had created. When I saw a design I had created actually come to life on a t-shirt in one color with half tones I was hooked. As far as computer aided graphic design, well I may sound a little old to some but when I was doing art it was not done on a computer it was done on canvas or illustration board. But my dad was into computers from the begining and when I started fooling around with commodore 64 he brought home I loved it, and learned all I could.

o What inspired you to study the Graphic Arts

I think my inspiration to study graphics were my parents, not that either one are particularly artistic but thet saw I had talent even when I did not and pushed me to further my education. Not really being college material I went the Joe Kubert School and while they were not teaching computers for graphics at the time, only for animation which was a different course. So I leanred nothing about computer aided design there but I did really develop my illustration skills which definitely helped down the road. My mom said the only artist in our family that she knew of was her uncle Donald whom she was very close to. He passed away when my mom was only 13 or 14 years old from a brain tumor so I never knew him. My mom has always said she could see his talent in me, he could sit in front of the television watching cartoons and when the scene was over he could draw it almost better than it looked on the TV.

o What your expectations where (Before you worked in the field)

Like most everybody it seems I wanted to be an illustrator, but soon found out it would be difficult to make aliving at so I made it a point to learn graphic design and more importantly pre press. The knowledge has paid off more than once.

o What goals you have in mind for your future in the field (don't go posting how many house you want and what now, self control people)

Hopefully, also like most everyone else I would love to work for myself one day. I started a freelance business about 18 months ago and have been able to get it to the point where it is a viable part time gig but would be difficult at this point to make a living only doing that. But I will poor any free time I have into that in the hopes that one day it will be a reality. I have aslo had experience running an offset press doing prepress in the days of the waxer and the light table using oneof the first versions of Corel and setting up type in Pagemake (version 3 I think). I also have learned how to run and set up graphics engraving with lasers as well as mechanically.

[nyc_skater]

This reminds me of that scene in Full Metal Jacket.

I wanted to see exotic Vietnam, the jewel of Southeast Asia. I wanted to meet interesting and stimulating people of an ancient culture and...kill them. I wanted to be the first kid on my block to get a confirmed kill.

[DOZER]

Tallmike,

I just read that you are from Gardner. I spent alot time up there when I was younger in the Templeton and Garder area. I have a bunch of cousins up that way, know anyone with the last name Meunier?

Wasn't the police station above a laundry mat or something like that? I had to pick up a college roommate there one night.

I went to school over the MA/NH line - Frankin Pierce - majored in Graphics Communicatons.

[Ally]

Why did you chose this field of work?

Like almost everyone on here, I've always been artistic since a little, little girl. I remember being 5 yrs. old and saying I was gonna be an artist when I grew up. After high school, I realized that being an artist wasn't gonna get me a comfortable lifestyle, so I opted to get a degree in Psychology. Needless to say, I changed degree options after I found out that there was a profession where you could still create "pretty pictures" and make more money than if I were an artist.

What inspired you to study the Graphic Arts?

I stumbled upon the graphic art department once already enrolled in college...

What were your expectations? (Before you worked in the field)

I thought I'd be working in a design firm, right after college. I soon enough realized that this career is very competitive, and cut-throat. I now am realistic and know that the only way I'll be completely happy and make myself enough money would probably be to establish my own design co. I'm still only 22 and I'm putting that off until I'm at least 30. Right now I'm going for a master's in the creative side of Advertising, because that also captivates me...so we'll see what happens.

What goals you have in mind for your future in the field?

In two years, I'll have a masters in Advertising, Bachelor's in Graphic Design...so hopefully I'll have enough credentials and work experience by that time to get my foot in the door of a good ad agency. I'm aware that working in an ad agency is ALSO very competitive and draining, and that's why I only want to do it for about 7-10 years. After that, freelancing would be good. And after that.....way after....maybe teach. Whoah...i got some pretty outlined goals..i surprise myself!!

[distruktor]

o Why you chose this field of work

Didnt really choose it, it chose me... when i was at school never really knew what i wanted to do when i left, all i could do was draw and skate. I find skating/snowboarding and design are linked both are all about self expression and passion everyone has their own style. And art is a very strong part of skating so i guess it was kind of a natural progression for one or the other two turn into a career.

o What inspired you to study the Graphic Arts

i never studied i am completely self taught. im not totally sure of the value of going to college anyway, if youve got an eye for design and are good why bother going?

o What your expectations where (Before you worked in the field)

none, just thought being paid to do something i love would be brilliant... and it is.

o What goals you have in mind for your future in the field (don't go posting how many house you want and what now, self control people)

err... not sure really, i dont really like 'defining goals' almost puts presure on me to achieve stuff. Pressure means i cant think as clearly and am therefore not as creative as i want to be. I like spontinaety in my life and in my design, live for the day and all that jazz.

Creativity isnt a set process. You cant add x to y divide by 52 press this button and then subtract 12,3985 press print and an award winning brochure comes out of the other end. Some days are great and you can design others suck and you might as well right the day off, thats the creative temperament.

yeah id like to run my own design studio but im not going to plan for that... if it happens it happens, if it doesnt well then hey, it wasnt ever going to and something else will. Maybe i'll jack it all in and become a carpenter, how nice would that be? Crafting beautiful furniture that people will cherish...


now......... where did i put that chisel?