Neccy's Classroom - A Design Mentor Thread!

**eternalflamz** · 12-30-2011, 04:42 AM

I shall learn stuffs here

**spiritisshining** · 03-22-2012, 01:05 AM

Hi! I have questions. I was thinking about taking a class or two on graphic design.

I was wondering, anything I should be preparing for? Any prerequisites (skills) I may need before entering the graphic design major? And also, what was it like for you in classes? How is the field like for you now, etc.

**Imp** · 03-22-2012, 03:23 AM

Well to prepare, you'll need. OH WAIT! This is Luth's thread. Haha sorry.... >>
She is wise, so heed her words, foolish mortals!
*vanishes*

**Lúthien** · 03-22-2012, 03:50 AM

Oh! I always forget I have this thing! I should seriously take it into consideration and make it more active.

Anywho. These are very important questions you've asked!

…Anything I should be preparing for? Any prerequisites (skills) I may need before entering the graphic design major?

When I was a sophomore in college, I had no graphic design experience other than my love for computers and art. The first classes I took, however, were beginner level (lots of freshmen and sophomores) meaning everyone was learning at an equal pace. So luckily there are no prerequisites to start out, but if you want to take an intermediate course, there's a good chance there are some.

Aside from your design classes, there may be other art courses you might take: drawing, photography, and art history are examples of what I took. And believe me, even though the mediums and topics are completely different, it does go hand in hand with graphic design. So even though they are not prerequisites, I advise taking some art electives to advance your skill (especially if you draw as well).

But if you want to get a head start in learning before your classes, it's best to start teaching yourself. Research tutorials (those are always the best!), read some articles on it, study professional designers, and explore the field. If you don't have Photoshop, try buying it (you can receive a student discount off it too). If you have it already, wonderful! I know there are other programs such as GIMP, but if you want to make graphic design into a career, Photoshop and other Adobe programs are an absolute must.

…What was it like for you in classes? How is the field like for you now, etc.

I loved the atmosphere of my classes because it was a small design lab (not even twenty students in the class) and we had all the current technology. Large Mac desktops with tons of free space and the most updated Adobe programs (at the time. Don't know if they upgraded to CS5 now). I didn't need to worry about bringing in a laptop to class or forking out cash to buying the programs because it was all provided.

Expect, expect, expect, long hours and time commitment! I practically lived in the design lab. It's always about the details and the quality time you put into your design work. And sometimes a design assignment is just not easy. It can be straining and very consuming, but it. pays. off. Because you've accomplished it and it's a learning experience.

Graphic Design is a wonderful (but competitive) field because it branches out to many other career paths. You can go into advertising, publication, packaging, illustration (2D or 3D), web designing, and so much more. Find what you love in the world of design, stick with it, and add personality to your work!

For myself, I will be attending grad school focusing on Communication Design. Unfortunately, a laptop is required for the program; so you can see that each school is different when it comes to their graphic design programs.

I hope I answered your questions well! But if you have any more, by all means! Let me know!

**spiritisshining** · 03-22-2012, 04:28 AM

Thanks so much! That was really helpful

**Lúthien** · 03-22-2012, 04:30 AM

Not a prob! Best of luck to you!

**spiritisshining** · 03-22-2012, 05:16 AM

Thanks, and also, I do have a couple more questions.

You mentioned having adobe. I do have adobe! I have photoshop CS5. I've been messing around here and there to color some line art (amatuerly though). As for tutorials that is a good thing, I will probably check those out on my own. I was wondering if you knew of any good sites to look up? I know there's about.com's graphic design site that's pretty helpful. Thanks for helping!