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Graphic Designers, Come In
Are there any graphic designers on this board? I have a few questions if there are!
I've been wanting to go back to school for graphic design for awhile now, but with DH in school it hasn't been in the cards. I already have a (non-related) bachelor's degree and some experience with graphic design (all self taught, but used for work daily). I've taken a class in InDesign and use PhotoShop on a daily basis. I've also played around in Illustrator. Right now, I can't see myself going back for another four year degree, but I would love to get an associates degree in graphic design. I'm not looking for a piece of paper, but more knowledge and info that I can use to start a career in this field. There is one school about an hour away that offers and associate's degree or my other option is an online school. My questions are: For those of you who have gone to school for graphic design do you think it's necessary to go to a brick and mortar school or possible to learn online? Is there anyone who has gone to an online school in this field? If so, what was your experience?
In addition to your opinions on classes, any other tips or advice would be greatly appreciated. TIA!
Re: Graphic Designers, Come In
I have a bachelor's degree in communication studies and have almost completed a master's in public affairs. However, my field is design heavy and I worked as a freelance designer and writer for several years. In the end, however, I realized I was lagging behind my peers in the design field. I ended up going back to school for design, but instead of going to a four-year school or an associate's program, I went to a nine-month certification program at a branch of Boston University in DC. It was grueling -- 40 hour weeks in a classroom, Monday through Friday, with some of the best designers in the business critiquing and teaching. But I will tell you, the critique sessions were absolutely invaluable in helping to fully develop my skillset.
Anyone can learn Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign, but not everyone can be a great designer/artist. And I'll be honest, some of my classroom peers came in with WAY more talent and left with even more talent. In the end, if you have an eye for design, you can succeed with or without the education. Some of the best designers out there are self-taught, just like some of the best artists are self-taught.
However, if you are going to go to school for something like design, I would never, ever, ever go online. I just don't think you can get the true critique (that only knowing you in person will give) at an online school. And I am a real advocate for online learning for the right fields...just not something like this.
Graphic design is absolutely one of the most oversaturated fields right now. Honestly, don't bother. The pay scales have been decimated and there are barely any open jobs. The jobs I see open up are trying to hire people at $10 or $12 an hour, AND they want you to have your own computer! With the growing popularity of crowdsourcing "design contest" websites, freelancing isn't even very lucrative. It's a bad time for design.
If you must, I would go to school for web/interactive design rather than graphic design. It's much more more marketable and still growing. You don't have to have a degree per se, but you have to have very strong knowledge of several programs and an excellent portfolio.
And like PP said, anyone can learn the programs, but are you actually a GOOD designer? I've seen a loooooot of people who know the programs well and are AWFUL at design.
Like the previous poster said, the market is really saturated.
But that's where we're going to diverge.
There's plenty of work out there, and at a living wage or much more, if you're willing to put in some legwork and constantly be learning. The mistake is thinking you can compete with things like 99designs - you can't. The clients who want to pay $99 for 20 logos or something crazy and people who would *never* have paid decent rates in the first place. They've commoditized design and it's become something they pick off a shelf rather than integrate into a larger strategy. Designers trying to compete and lowering their prices just make it harder for themselves and everyone else, because you're saying the value of the work you produce isn't as high as it once was.
Instead, you have to realize there are two markets for design - the bargain-bin hunters, and people who value the *process* of design as much as the deliverables. Skills like project management, brand development, social media strategy, etc. add value that you can't outsource to a message board easily. Anyone can learn how to make a radial gradient in Photoshop; that's not design, it's production, and unless you're *really* good at it, you're not going to differentiate yourself to a point where you can command three-figure hourly rates. But design thinking and strategy are certainly still valued.
I'm in what's usually considered "flyover country," and I'm not hurting for work. In fact, I'm turning down work, and so are many friends. I'm also not the cheapest in the market, so it's not like I'm charging bargain rates and making it up in volume. But I pay attention to trends. I see what skills employers are looking for and am constantly teaching myself new things. Mobile design, for example - this is an AMAZING time to learn how to design mobile websites and applications (and you don't necessarily need to code them, either - developers have that covered, but there's a dearth of good app designers). If you're designing brochures and annual reports, that market is finite and shrinking. But many opportunities still exist, and being savvy about what you learn goes a long way. Networking also plays a huge role; I haven't advertised in six years. Instead, people seek me out, and I do my best to find long-term clients who will have multiple ongoing projects on a recurring basis rather than "one-and-done" clients who just need this or that and are never heard from again.
I have a degree in journalism. Other than a publication design class in my junior year, all my design training has been either on the job or on my own. So, no - I don't think you need to go back to school. Certainly seek out continuing ed possibilities - workshops, AIGA and ADC events, conferences, etc. - but your money would be better spent on things like a lynda.com membership, magazine subscriptions, and so on, and there are so many free resources available online to teach you not only the nuts and bolts of using software but the strategy and philosophical issues behind design that can make you a creative and thoughtful designer rather than one who's just proficient in using a tool. Look at job boards like authenticjobs.com, or even your local Craigslist. See what people are hiring for and look at the job requirements - and then make that your skillset. Find a mentor, or several. Invite local designers you admire or the creative directors at companies you follow out to lunch - not to beg for a job, but just to pick their brain and get their input. Anticipate the market; if you're reacting to it, it's too late. Be your own client as well - make products you can market and sell (preferably products you can create once and sell multiple times) to have a source of revenue while client work ebbs and flows. Hopefully, you get the idea.
The Out-Of-Date Bio | The Blog I've Started Updating Again
Thanks for all of the input. I should have mentioned that I have done research on job prospects and even though the market is saturated it's not enough to deter me. I enjoy designing and if nothing else new skills will help me perform better at my current job. Web design is something that I'm also considering, but the issue of not having a university that offers what I'm looking for still applies.
Julia JJ- thank you for the positive spin and all of the information. I've never used lynda.com and I cannot wait to check it out. It looks like there's a ton of useful tutorials there.