Future Graphic Designer?

[pandoffg]

I am new here and would like to say hello. After 13 years in the USAF I was tossed out from being ran over (by the USAF). Needless to say it's time for a career change. With the introduction done I will get to the point.

I have enjoyed working with still graphic images (self taught from books) from cleaning up photos, creating false pictures for fun(LOL), advertisement graphics for print(computer hardware company), and scrapbook photo collages for clubs showing what they do... etc.

To be very specific, I like working with graphics on a computer for whatever purpose. I would like to do this as a career. In a nutshell, is that Graphic Design or at least one part of it?

So if this is Graphic Design, are there job opportunites?

What kind of schooling goes into this besides the obvious learning of say Photoshop or whatever program of choice? Am I going to be sitting in classes drawing bowls of fruit? I have NO talent there.

Is this a career you can make a reasonable living at?

Thank you all.

George

[FarOdyssey]

jeepguy, i really encourage you to research some junior/technical/community colleges. i'm currently attending a community college in texas. they have a program here, "Digital Imaging Technology"they basicly teach us a little of everything. web, graphics, video, audio, 3d.

some advantages would be that usually to get an associates degree of this type takes about two or three years at most depending on how fast you go. it's not as expensive as a real university. it really depends on the program, but most of them concentrate on the technical aspects. so i'm in front of computers all day. there's only one class in this program where we had to illustrate by hand. even then, i really think you shouldn't get discouraged. you CAN learn illustration skill even if you suck right now. trust me. it's not magic. i've been down this road myself.

anyway, people who leave here with a diploma can work as graphic designers at printing companies putting together brochures and such, or putting together websites or taking care of audio or video at radio or tv stations and such. even 3d modeling and animation for those with talent in that area.

anyway, this is a huge industry and there are a lot of job opportunities. it depends where you look for work, where you live too.

do some research online, look for schools, make some phone calls. i'm planning to get a bachelor's in fine art with an emphasis in graphic design at a university after i get out of here. look into that too. just do some research. i think you'll find something to suit your needs and interests.

[ashpurple]

I don't know how things work in the States but here in the UK, one has to have completed a Foundation Course in 'Art & Design' before a University will take you for a Degree. The Foundation Course which lasts a one year covers all aspects of Art in the first third of the course. TV, Audio visual, Photography, Fine Art, Anatomy Drawing and Drawing in general/Illustration, Printing (Print - Text, Silk Screen, Lithography), History of Art & Design and Psychology (the latter coving perception of colour, optical illusions etc). The next two thirds you tend to specialise more in the media area one hopes to develop. The last third is usually spent on course-work projects which contribute towards the final assessment and also visits and interviews with a portfolio to Universities for the Degree. Occasionally some Universities have the Foundation Course on-site and may favour existing students for their Diploma or Degree level students.

The Degree lasts three years and the last two course work projects contribute to the final assessment. There is still more Psychology, Media and sometimes less History of Art & Design. You utilise the experience of the Foundation Course to incorporate the Photography and Print. You also generally go on an average of six weeks work experience at a publisher or Television Studio or Computer Graphic Design Studio. Also there maybe a field trip away for three or four days - ( Mine was a trip to the Television Studios in Holland as well as Museums). There is a Thesis to be written on a subject related to Graphics or Art - (Mine was about the development of childrens art from pre-school to secondary and how they perceive perspective and colour etc.).

It may be worth your while investing in a professional Graphics package like Xara X, CorelDraw and Photoshop of which you have one already. There are many on TalkGraphics that can advise you on this and even looking at the topics will help and also cover many of your questions.

Good luck

Ashley