Archive for the ‘graphic designer’ Category
I am extremely interested in a career as a Graphic Designer. Is there such thing as a Freelance Graphic Designer? I am skillful in many aspects of Graphic Design, however, I would like to know how to take the first step into this career path. Any help/suggestions greatly appreciated.
I don’t have any specific qualifications. I would love to take part in a part time, evening course, but due to wormk commitments I haven’t had time to actually enroll for anything like this.
Yes.. it’s a very easy career to get into. You just need a computer and software and some artistic talent. (you sound like you already have those).
Just start by making your own website, and then approaching local businesses to offer your services. Do free work, posters, flyers and the like for local charities, churches etc and put your contact details at the bottom. Go to the local print shops and find out about what formats they need work in. Leave your own flyers there. Put your flyers through the mailboxes of every business in you city. market yourself. Make up some business cards and have them ready to hand to people you meet who might be interested in your services one day.
If you’re reasonably good, and don’t over-charge, you’ll get lots of work.
Qualifications don’t matter at all. It’s not like being a doctor where someone gets hurt if you mess up. If your work is good, that’s all that matters. Studying can be good, because you will learn, but the qualification doesn’t matter.
edit: as the others say.. don’t worry about chasing a "job" as a graphic designer. It’s the kind of thing you have to do yourself, self-employed.
I am trying to get a job as a Junior Graphic Designer. Beside knowing how to use the software and being able to draw and design, could you tell me what other skills and knowledge are needed to work in an office, for example procedures such as sending something to the printers, colour and finishing techniques.
If you could get pre-press and printer knowledge, you would be at a distinct advantage. It’s great if you can get a trip to a working printers and see the process for yourself. There are also some great books out there if you don’t have time to actually visit.
I’ve been told that I should try graphic design in college (I’m a junior in high school now) & as a career. But, what does a graphic designer do? What kinds of jobs would one who majors in graphic design in college have after graduating? What classes should I take now to prepare to major in it in college if it’s something I want to do?
Thanks in advance! =)
P.S. – If you think I’ll get better answers in another category (Y!A suggested this one and the Visual Arts category), please let me know. Thanks!
Go to www.aiga.org and look at their information on design education and design careers. AIGA is the professional organization for graphic design and so you know you are getting solid information there.
To prepare, pump up your basic drawing skills because you will need to submit a portfolio to be accepted into a reputable design program. Most of them look closely at drawing in entrance portfolios. Yes, graphic designers need reasonably good drawing skills because that’s how ideas are developed and refined before jumping onto the computer. They’ll look at computer work, advertising, photo, and other art areas too but the drawings are weighed most heavily.
Good luck! It is a great profession with lots of opportunity.
A fun little video featuring my son and hubby re-enacting a day in my life…. enjoy! Also 3rd place winner of www.moo.com short video contest!
Duration : 0:4:12
I intend on being both a graphic designer & graphic novelist after I finish college, and I wanted to know the salary of both careers, and some information on the salaries if possible.
55-65k a year
an exploration of the process behind graphic design
www.beckyshannon.com
Duration : 0:1:54
this question is that how can I learn the basics of Graphic Design, I am so interested in it. I love designing websites and pictures. I want to learn, Can I get advice about being a graphic designer from real people who are graphic designers ! I love art and I love designing.
Unfortunately, the basics of Graphic Design are probably the most boring set of basics EVER, because you’re not actually designing anything… you’re learning the tools and theories that come into play, eventually, way down the line.
I graduated from design school, and freshman year was filled with:
1) shade studies (painting swatches of gray colors, and making a 12 step gray-scale, and critiquing each others scales, saying things like "the jump between swatch 4 and 5 is too big a jump, while swatch 10 and 11 are too close in tone")
2) line studies (arranging parallel lines of varying thicknesses at various distances from each other, then critiquing each others studies, saying things like "the lines are so close together here that it looks like a mistake when compared to the rest of the lines")
3) color studies (choosing 5 colors, then applying them to the line studies from part 2, then critiquing each others studies saying things like "the colors are aesthetically pleasing, but they don’t fit with that particular study")
4) form studies (using only a circle and a triangle, make several compositions where the two shapes interact with each other on a square layout, then critiquing each others studies, saying things like "I like the tension between the circle and the triangle, how the triangle is pointed at the circle, and the circle is slightly off the page, as if it’s running away from the circle")
The foundation of being a designer is
1) understanding how to talk like a designer… like how to describe why you chose colors, for reasons other than "they looked nice together" and how to describe why you dislike someone else’s work.
2) understanding extremely basic concepts such as "horizontal lines are easy on the eyes, while vertical lines require more work for the eyes to take in and understand"
3) understanding how things interact with each other in compositions, and the underlying feelings and thoughts the interactions provoke.
The difference between a college-educated designer and a non-college educated designer is not that one can design prettier than the other, but that the college-educated designer often has deeper understanding of why the designs are effective and understands the underlying rules of the human brain as it relates to the visual world.
There are TONS of books on design, and if you’re looking to pursue a college-like education in design I’d encourage you to find one that’s all about the basics… don’t go for the ones that have complete designs in them, go for the ones that have black and white shapes with simple compositions, explaining the basics of composition and theory. It’s so boring, but it makes so much more sense when you’ve got a huge website to design and can make educated design decisions about it.
Books that I read in college:
http://www.amazon.com/Elements-Color-Johannes-Itten/dp/0471289299/ref=pd_sim_b_3
http://www.amazon.com/Design-Form-Course-Bauhaus-Revised/dp/0471289302/ref=pd_sim_b_2
http://www.amazon.com/Thinking-Type-Critical-Designers-Students/dp/1568984480/ref=pd_sim_b_5
http://www.amazon.com/Making-Breaking-Grid-Graphic-Workshop/dp/1592531253/ref=pd_sim_b_1
Graphic designer comedy adventures