Kool
04-20-2005, 03:05 PM
Contributed by GDF Moderator, Morea
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:
(for information about how to use forum features like avatars, signatures, custom user titles, private messaging, etc... please check HERE (http://www.graphicdesignforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=28801))
Question: May I advertise or sell my business, services, dog, blog, baseball cards, software, pants, etc...?
Answer: NO! Posting advertisements is not allowed on this forum AT ALL - posts will be deleted and users will be suspended.
Question: May I add a personal link to my signature?
Answer: Yes, but the link must be discrete and it can not be an advertising link or a link to another forum/community.
Question: How much should I charge for...
Answer: It is against the rules of this forum to discuss pricing. For more information, please review this thread (http://www.graphicdesignforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=21482). We do have some tips on how to come up with your own pricing available. Please see our Frequently Discussed Topics (http://www.graphicdesignforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=33048) thread.
Question: What are the limitations as to subject matter I can post here?
Answer: It's pretty much wide open. The CNSFW (content not safe for work) is the place to post things that you wouldn't want the boss see over your shoulder. The Off Topic section is the place for pretty much any non-design conversation. We have had some pretty strange discussions in there.
Please bear in mind that we have a few members as young as 13 years old. We like think of our forum as a pretty classy place so anything really sleazy or hateful will get removed. The forum "censor thingy" will automatically replace most of the worst swearwords.
If you post anything (text, links, or designs) that include nudity, vulgar language, sexual themes, or otherwise potentially offensive material, please label it "NSFW" (which stands for "not safe for work".) This serves as a warning to others that if your images are not something you would want your boss to see over your shoulder - or in the case of someone working from home, they are not appropriate for small children. If the images are included directly in the post, you can list "NSFW" in the thread title.
Also, remember that anything you post can come up in a google search, so if you post your name or your company name, or your client's company name and then go on a full-blown rant or do something to embarass yourself, there's a good chance that your boss, your client, your significant other, or whoever else you DON'T want seeing it will stumble across it at some point.
Question: I posted a new thread but it isn't showing up on the board! What's going on?
Answer: In an effort to control spam postings - and we get lots of them - the first few posts of each member must be approved by a moderator before they appear on the board. Posts containing advertisements, requests for free work, or offensive materials will be deleted. If your thread meets the forum guidelines for acceptable postings but does not immediately appear on the boards, please be patient; moderators are volunteers and even we have to sleep. ;)
Question: Why can't I edit my post?
Answer: The forum software only allows post editing for about 10 to 15 minutes after you post. After that point, you can't go back and change what you wrote.
Question: What type of degree do I need to be successful in this field?
Answer: While a degree is certainly helpful in any line of work, it is not necessarily "required" for a job in graphic design. This does not mean that design is "easy" or that anyone with a computer can easily become a designer. While some designers are successfully self-taught, it is a lot easier to learn in a structured environment with mentors who can tell you that something is good or bad and why. Having real assignments with real deadlines and real grades makes it a lot more likely that you will follow through on projects and training than teaching yourself. You need to be very disciplined to teach yourself a trade. Also, a degree does open some doors that are otherwise closed.
While knowledge of design concepts like color theory, typography, and layout are essential, your experience and portfolio are often given more weight than your degree. Please see the related links in our Frequently Discussed Topics (http://www.graphicdesignforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=33048) thread.
Question: What is the best school to go to for graphic design?
Answer: This is a very subjective question. Any school that teaches the basics listed above should be sufficient.
We recommend that you read over this thread to help you make a decision:
What to look for when selecting a GD college program (http://www.graphicdesignforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=16612)
Question: How can I build my portfolio?
Answer: Portfolio pieces can include any work you have done, whether for school, freelance clients, a job, or even work done in your free time just to showcase your talents (you can use our Design Challenge projects (http://www.graphicdesignforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=17133), too). We would recommend that you avoid "spec work", which you can read about here: www.no-spec.com. Another option is to volunteer to provide design services for a charity that you support.
For more information about portfolios or about spec work, please see our Frequently Discussed Topics (http://www.graphicdesignforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=33048) thread.
Question: Which is better, mac or pc?
Answer: Both have their uses in graphic design. While Macs have traditionally been considered "THE" tool for graphic design, either system is acceptable in the industry these days. It’s not which system you use, so much as how you use it. The quality of our work is NOT defined by our hardware. Mac vs. PC debates have really been done to death and are not well received.
Question: What are these little smiley faces for?
Answer: The very nature of a forum is to communicate through writing, and bare words can sometimes be taken the wrong way. The emoticons (smilies) can help to express the thoughts we are trying to convey and to prevent any potential misunderstandings.
A simple example: if I were to post the comment "I love HTML." you could take it a few different ways. HOWEVER, the smilies allow me to make sure that everyone who reads my post knows exactly what I mean, like this:
I love HTML. :) <- here, I really DO love HTML.
I love HTML :rolleyes: <- here, I'm being sarcastic.
After all, you can't "read" someone's tone of voice, so it is wise to try to be clear about what you mean.
Question: What does "pancake" mean?
Answer: "Pancake" is the word that was automatically substituted by our old forum software in place of a certain versatile four-letter swearword. It is still used today (although it has to be typed in manually) to keep the tradition alive. Actually, there are lots of odd "inside jokes" that have developed here over the years... and most of them are explained in this thread: so, can someone explain... (http://www.graphicdesignforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=20842)
Question: What is the best website ever?
Answer: www.zombo.com (http://www.zombo.com). Anything is possible at zombo.
Question: Can somebody identify this font?
Answer: Before you post a font for identification, please check out www.identifont.com and www.whatthefont.com to see if you can find it by using their free resources.
Question: Who is in charge here?
Answer: Our administrator is JPnyc. You can view a list of moderators by scrolling to the bottom of the GDF home page and clicking on the link marked "View Forum Leaders".
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:
(for information about how to use forum features like avatars, signatures, custom user titles, private messaging, etc... please check HERE (http://www.graphicdesignforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=28801))
Question: May I advertise or sell my business, services, dog, blog, baseball cards, software, pants, etc...?
Answer: NO! Posting advertisements is not allowed on this forum AT ALL - posts will be deleted and users will be suspended.
Question: May I add a personal link to my signature?
Answer: Yes, but the link must be discrete and it can not be an advertising link or a link to another forum/community.
Question: How much should I charge for...
Answer: It is against the rules of this forum to discuss pricing. For more information, please review this thread (http://www.graphicdesignforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=21482). We do have some tips on how to come up with your own pricing available. Please see our Frequently Discussed Topics (http://www.graphicdesignforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=33048) thread.
Question: What are the limitations as to subject matter I can post here?
Answer: It's pretty much wide open. The CNSFW (content not safe for work) is the place to post things that you wouldn't want the boss see over your shoulder. The Off Topic section is the place for pretty much any non-design conversation. We have had some pretty strange discussions in there.
Please bear in mind that we have a few members as young as 13 years old. We like think of our forum as a pretty classy place so anything really sleazy or hateful will get removed. The forum "censor thingy" will automatically replace most of the worst swearwords.
If you post anything (text, links, or designs) that include nudity, vulgar language, sexual themes, or otherwise potentially offensive material, please label it "NSFW" (which stands for "not safe for work".) This serves as a warning to others that if your images are not something you would want your boss to see over your shoulder - or in the case of someone working from home, they are not appropriate for small children. If the images are included directly in the post, you can list "NSFW" in the thread title.
Also, remember that anything you post can come up in a google search, so if you post your name or your company name, or your client's company name and then go on a full-blown rant or do something to embarass yourself, there's a good chance that your boss, your client, your significant other, or whoever else you DON'T want seeing it will stumble across it at some point.
Question: I posted a new thread but it isn't showing up on the board! What's going on?
Answer: In an effort to control spam postings - and we get lots of them - the first few posts of each member must be approved by a moderator before they appear on the board. Posts containing advertisements, requests for free work, or offensive materials will be deleted. If your thread meets the forum guidelines for acceptable postings but does not immediately appear on the boards, please be patient; moderators are volunteers and even we have to sleep. ;)
Question: Why can't I edit my post?
Answer: The forum software only allows post editing for about 10 to 15 minutes after you post. After that point, you can't go back and change what you wrote.
Question: What type of degree do I need to be successful in this field?
Answer: While a degree is certainly helpful in any line of work, it is not necessarily "required" for a job in graphic design. This does not mean that design is "easy" or that anyone with a computer can easily become a designer. While some designers are successfully self-taught, it is a lot easier to learn in a structured environment with mentors who can tell you that something is good or bad and why. Having real assignments with real deadlines and real grades makes it a lot more likely that you will follow through on projects and training than teaching yourself. You need to be very disciplined to teach yourself a trade. Also, a degree does open some doors that are otherwise closed.
While knowledge of design concepts like color theory, typography, and layout are essential, your experience and portfolio are often given more weight than your degree. Please see the related links in our Frequently Discussed Topics (http://www.graphicdesignforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=33048) thread.
Question: What is the best school to go to for graphic design?
Answer: This is a very subjective question. Any school that teaches the basics listed above should be sufficient.
We recommend that you read over this thread to help you make a decision:
What to look for when selecting a GD college program (http://www.graphicdesignforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=16612)
Question: How can I build my portfolio?
Answer: Portfolio pieces can include any work you have done, whether for school, freelance clients, a job, or even work done in your free time just to showcase your talents (you can use our Design Challenge projects (http://www.graphicdesignforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=17133), too). We would recommend that you avoid "spec work", which you can read about here: www.no-spec.com. Another option is to volunteer to provide design services for a charity that you support.
For more information about portfolios or about spec work, please see our Frequently Discussed Topics (http://www.graphicdesignforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=33048) thread.
Question: Which is better, mac or pc?
Answer: Both have their uses in graphic design. While Macs have traditionally been considered "THE" tool for graphic design, either system is acceptable in the industry these days. It’s not which system you use, so much as how you use it. The quality of our work is NOT defined by our hardware. Mac vs. PC debates have really been done to death and are not well received.
Question: What are these little smiley faces for?
Answer: The very nature of a forum is to communicate through writing, and bare words can sometimes be taken the wrong way. The emoticons (smilies) can help to express the thoughts we are trying to convey and to prevent any potential misunderstandings.
A simple example: if I were to post the comment "I love HTML." you could take it a few different ways. HOWEVER, the smilies allow me to make sure that everyone who reads my post knows exactly what I mean, like this:
I love HTML. :) <- here, I really DO love HTML.
I love HTML :rolleyes: <- here, I'm being sarcastic.
After all, you can't "read" someone's tone of voice, so it is wise to try to be clear about what you mean.
Question: What does "pancake" mean?
Answer: "Pancake" is the word that was automatically substituted by our old forum software in place of a certain versatile four-letter swearword. It is still used today (although it has to be typed in manually) to keep the tradition alive. Actually, there are lots of odd "inside jokes" that have developed here over the years... and most of them are explained in this thread: so, can someone explain... (http://www.graphicdesignforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=20842)
Question: What is the best website ever?
Answer: www.zombo.com (http://www.zombo.com). Anything is possible at zombo.
Question: Can somebody identify this font?
Answer: Before you post a font for identification, please check out www.identifont.com and www.whatthefont.com to see if you can find it by using their free resources.
Question: Who is in charge here?
Answer: Our administrator is JPnyc. You can view a list of moderators by scrolling to the bottom of the GDF home page and clicking on the link marked "View Forum Leaders".