i'm in my 4th semester at school, and i'm really not sure if i want to pursue Graphic Design anymore... i've been asking people left and right about different careers just to learn more about them... I liked graphic design at first, but school is getting boring, i know school is supposed to be, but i'm afraid this is how the career might turn out... even if i get a boring job that pays good i wouldn't be dissapointed, but what scares me most is i really don't know what i'll be doing for a job as a graphic designer when i get out of school... one of my teachers told me this semester that (not direct quotes, but pretty close) "being a graphic designer is very hard and there aren't a lot of jobs out there for one, it's almost like being a fine artist"... he says it takes a lot of patience to find a job and you might just be doing a work here and there trying to pay the bills... furthermore i began an 'intro to comp. graphics' class this semester (learning basics in (Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop) and am discovering that i'm not very talented w/ these programs like some of the others in the class... i get the work done and it everyone's projects look the same in the end, but i struggle to get through it while other people fly right through... i never even used a MAC before i started this class

basically what i wanna find out is what do you guys do for a job as graphic designers? do you make signs, design magazine covers, billboards, etc...? how do you like it? any tips for me? the same teacher told me it doesn't really matter what school you went to, what grades you got, or even if you went to school, all that matters is your portfolio, and that's the only thing that they're really interested in when looking for someone for the job... is this true? i plan on changing my major, but i don't want throw out the time and $ i spent majoring in graphic desgin w/out asking the opinions of actual graphic designers...

i wish i could start a career doing something i love, but i don't think i'm gonna be a race car driver anytime soon i'm open to hear any and all opinions... the more the better (i posted the same thread on the Z forum)

 

Finish well in school, and then start worrying what you are gonna do. You likely won't get your dream job right out of school, and a college education is good for more than just your major. I think the average person spends close to five years after graduation working is a job other than their major. This could mean working at an ad agency doing pre-press, manipulating images for different media, etc., not working at Wendy's necessarily. I don't know how it is in Jersey, but around here, there is plenty of work for freelance artists, if you can't get in at an ad agency or as an in-house designer at a magazine or paper, or a manufacturing concern designing lables and box art.

If you emphasize the "arts" protion of graphic artist, you can supplement your income, and solicit work, by showing pieces in local galleries. That way, you can do what you want, in addition to "boring" work, and improve your skills to boot.

 

i should also mention i don't consider myself an artist...i can draw pretty good and come up w/ some creative ideas, but that's about it... i can definately see myself designing ad's/billboards/etc., but don't think i could ever sell paintings of landscapes or dogs playing poker(if that's what you were implying ) and yes it is good to have a college education no matter what you do, i will get a degree in something, i just want to make sure it's what i wanna do...thanks

 

Your teacher is correct in that your portfolio is very important.

The few designers that I know spent their first few years out of school working on their portfolio and continuing to learn -- looking back they all say that their work was not very good until they had a few years of real experience -- but then design is always evolving so I suspect in retrospect every good designer is always getting better.

This real world experience has another benefit, it tends to direct people towards what they are good at, be it print work, web work, project management etc.

In terms of money -- you will not make any for some time. While senior designers with a few awards and some name recognition can demand a decent wage, it takes some time to get to that level.

 

You could come work for my company. We are a college textbook publishing company. We have about 5 or 6 designers here. They have steady jobs and a VERY fun workplace. Not huge money, but decent , steady income. We are moving into a new (and bigger) facility in a month and will need new people...if you're interested.

 

good luck redlinez33

 

although i'm only doing it for fun, I'm building up a portfolio right now, I'm no expert just use this as a hobby and already got some requests! .. its a very fun hobby.. but as a job I dont know, I prefer to keep this as only a hobby

good luck on your decision

 

I recently graduated college this past December and am now working for a small record label. Your portfolio is very important, and so is who you know, I don't care what anybody says, you can be a mediocre designer and know the right people and find a decent job as long as you do decent work. Your best bet is to decide if this is really what you want to do. Don't expect rewarding pay, but only a rewarding job. Try to intern somewhere and get real world experience, that should help.

The upside of things is that the field is getting more open with jobs from what I'm reading. Always try to read and look at Design publications such as How, Print, or Communication Arts. Design is always evolving and had many different branches to go into from Web work to Print media to you name it.

I enjoy what I do, my salary isn't huge, but I am working my way up and have a foot in the door. You will not find a job where the people are more relaxed and cool than within an Art Dept. in my opinion. I am in no means a fine artist either. You better learn to love the Mac, it's your best friend with being a designer. Remember, the grass is always greener on the other side, so another major may be even worse than what your doing now. Good Luck and I hope this has helped and not discouraged you, if you have the will and the heart, put in the desire, you will find a job.

 

the graphic design field is a VERY competitive field of work. you can only prove yourself by showing your potential future clients your work. otherwise, they have nothing to go on...so YES, portfolio is VERY IMPORTANT.

i've always been told that there is always a need for graphic designers. especially in bigger cities. i don't know about your graphic design program at your school, but with our school...they do everything for you by using their connections and starting you off in a large company as their in-house designer. of course, to get into the graphic design school is VERY difficult as well to get this hook up. i think last year, one of the students got a chance to design one of lifetime's commercials.

you should worry about whether or not this is only a hobby for you, or an actual profession you want to pursue for the rest of your life. pay may not always be rewarding at first, but hey...we're artists, we never make money until we're dead (haha, j/k).

as for me, i've found a small growing furniture company. pay is AWFUL for the amount of work i do for them! but, i get the experience and it helps me to build my portfolio by designing everything from the company's identity, to decorating their showroom, putting together a new catalog, photography, and even designing some of the furniture myself!!

it's good that you can draw. but it is also very important to know illustrator and photoshop well for a graphic designer, because those are what's mainly used. just play around and practice more with the programs. you'll get a nack for it sooner or later.

best of luck to ya!

 

I'm 20 yrs old, going to school to learn something completely unrelated to arts or graphic design (double major in international studies / english and minor in management). i web design on the side.

some of my work:

www.jasperperformance.com
www.iforged.com
www.modellistadesigns.com
www.jumpspec.com
www.twcompetition.com

did all sorts of stuff, websites, logo designs, magazine ads, clothing graphics, car stickers. all sorts of random crap.

imo, it's too competitive. i only do it cause i can, and i minimum wage sucks. PM me if you have any questions.