As with any freelance art field, portfolios outweigh education in many ways. So I was wondering how an artistic youngster such as myself who doesn’t know a lick of Photoshop or any vector program or truly anything outside of a pencil and paper, learn the graphic arts?
Okay, so how I do become a graphic designer without going to college?
15
Jun
sassyvampiresingr16
June 16, 2010 at 12:49 am
You can’t. YOU MUST HAVE A DEGREE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
klo
June 16, 2010 at 12:55 am
Do as much freelance work as you can. Go to the library and start with the basics. Learn about grids, color, and basic design principles. Draw every day in a sketchbook and make concept logos for business you see around you that might need a little help. Go to message boards like craigslist.org and put out an ad looking for work to build up a portfolio. Then get some good pieces and finalize them on the computer. Get a good computer, download the 30day free trials from adobe for Photoshop and Illustrator and InDesign, do the tutorials, and teach yourself. It’s hard but its pretty much what they tell you to do at college. Nobody really teaches you, colleges just tell you to do the same thing I just did and then charge you 40,000. Books do just as well teaching you. Your portfolio is all that matters, experience is nothing if you are not talented. Companies are looking for talent not degrees. Trust me!
Batty
June 16, 2010 at 1:46 am
There is a lot you can do to learn this on your own. I did. But you need to understand that it will probably take you a lot longer to learn the basics and be ready to earn money than if you go to college. It took me many years to learn as much as I could have been taught in 2 years. College courses will also teach you things in a sensible order, in terms and with materials that are up to date (this field changes quickly and constantly), and you will touch on things that you won’t bother to learn on your own until confronted with them.
A degree is not necessary, but it is a very valuable tool when looking for employment. Education is never a waste of time. An employer wants to know that you have been taught the things they need for you to know. I have 20+ years in graphic design, but I had no formal training. I was turned down for some jobs that I was later told I should have gotten; I had the talent and the experience, but the other guy had a degree! And a degtree makes it more certain that you will be paid well.
captsnuf
June 16, 2010 at 2:00 am
you don’t become a graphic designer without going to college.
accreditation means everything these days, talent means nothing.
it is all about who’s butt your willing to kiss, child…not at all what you can do.