[OT] Graphic Design

[Paul_Klein]

Heya! I just applied to Columbia College in Chicago persuing a major in "Interactive Media" (aka graphic design).

I'm wondering if anyone else has the same degree, and if I'm persuing a field where I can make enough money to be comfortable, as well as not have too hard of a time finding a good job.

Any comments?

 

[ToddSchumacher]

Hi there,

I graduated with an Art degree with a minor in graphic communications. After graduation I got a Pre-press position at a medium-small printing shop (2 press operators, 3 bindary people, a sales rep the owner and me - the graphics computer-guy) I got paid 10 bucks an hour to preflight files, do a little design, keep files in order, take care of the upkeep of the computer, image setter (that makes the films) and the film processor, and did very little web design. Plus sometimes work phones and handle customers. And occasionally other duties. All this fresh out of school. I got pretty much burned out after a year. I quit and now stock groceries third shift, get paid much better, and consider it more than a fair trade. I do a little design here and there, mostly for myself, I did one of the versions of issue five of Asgard, and i do d20zine for the guys over at d20 magazine rack, but I don't get paid for that.

There are two types of graphics jobs I think. There are the low end, pre press jobs. and there are actual design positions...those can get a fairly good wage. I think I got hosed with my first job...and am thinking of trying the industry again.

 

[Arravis]

hmm...

Well, I have a degree in Graphic Design from LSU...

While in school, I worked a summer at a Department of Defense contractor doing illustrations and presentations; a measly 5/hour, hehe.

Then I got a job as a "Desktop Publisher" at Kinkos; that paid 6.50/hour. It was a great job, by far the most enjoyable because of the family atmoshphere at my store. The work was unimaginative for the most part, but I got a chance to learn all the stuff they don't teach you in college. It was a forgiving environment and allowed for experimentation. I ended up training employees and later became a manager and was making 11/hour.

After that I worked for Sverdrup, a DoD contractor, for 12.5/hour. I did mainly presentations and proposals... horrible job.

From there I went to work for a small local print company doing prepress for 8/hour for a summer, just to learn pre-press well. I saw it as a paid college class, hehhe.

And now I have my current job, I work for Nasa, doing posters, logos, illustrations, etc; at 18.5/hour. The work is fairly creative and cool at times, just a very tough and high stress environment. I have some samples up at http://photos.yahoo.com/pab_a_g

Anyway... Graphic Design doesn't pay very well, to be honest. But it can be an amazing job; you get to be creative in ways you can't in 99% of the jobs out there, and still have a steady income. This isn't the kind of job you do for the money... it'll keep you fed, but it'll never make you rich.

 

[yragthecareful]

Heya! I just applied to Columbia College in Chicago persuing a major in "Interactive Media" (aka graphic design).

I'm wondering if anyone else has the same degree, and if I'm persuing a field where I can make enough money to be comfortable, as well as not have too hard of a time finding a good job.

Any comments?

Hi Paul,
My design degree is from the University of Kansas '89. For the last 4 years I've been heavily into new media. There are good jobs out there for graphics majors. Entry level artists, animation, and designers do okay with money. You might find yourself getting into Art Direction (more money in it) in the future. Online game design is also an option. (But there are some very long hours associated with this.) I started as a humorous illustrator, then got into writing, animation, and web design. Now I'm a creative director over new media, working on e-cards, cell phones, and starting into interactive TV. Basically, pursue the field you love, and the money will come. Too many of my friends are stuck in jobs they don't like because the initally went after money.
gary pratt

 

[wighair]

arravis: nice christmas tree!

 

[Dr Midnight]

I got a degree from the Joe Kubert School of Cartoon and Graphic Art, and let me tell you that only Graphic Design has saved me from working at gas stations. There's not much work out there for comic-style artists... Paying attention to the lessons on Quark and Photoshop were the only things that set me right.

Now, I'm capable and pretty much not in danger of unemployment. I was just laid off from my full-time job, and since have pulled down two big freelance jobs that'll net me about $3,000 altogether. I've got a great prospect for a full-time job that will move me back to the area I want to live in, and things are gee-golly swell.

Quick points-
Make sure you know logo design
Don't tell the client what they want to hear if you can't follow through
MEET DEADLINES

 

[Arravis]

wighair wrote: "arravis: nice christmas tree!"

Out of all that stuff, you liked the christmas tree? Bleah

Funny thing is that you're not the first to have said that... the christmas tree was an uber-quicky and not something I'm really proud of. It's passable, in my opinion.

Additionally, sucks that Yahoo got rid of all the high-res versions of the pics. I'll have to re-upload them sometime.

 

[Marius Delphus]

Right now, I find the market for creative professionals is kind of thin. That may have something to do with my location or my education history (no design degree, but a law degree). In Chicago, with a design degree, things may well be entirely different.

I'm a "corporate hack" desktop publisher, and my work is mostly PowerPoint slides and marketing collaterals for a technology services firm here in North Alabama. I'm still working toward that "ideal job"... it wasn't easy even when I was living near D.C., where I'm sure there were lots more opportunities (that I just didn't turn up!).

I've made as far as I have (and I have a *long* way to go) by having a good portfolio (save copies of your work!) and interviewing well (I can't stress enough the importance of being "fully on" when you are interviewing). Make sure you pay attention in your "high end" classes: multimedia training CDs (Flash, Director, etc.) and incorporating video (Premiere, AfterEffects, etc.) are in high demand.

Design for fun... produce sample work in your spare time that has a "wow" factor. Design from scratch... if you want to go the "illustration" route you need to be able to start with a blank page, rough out a design, and finish it, all by yourself.

Pick a style you're happy with and develop it... my personal style tends toward the rectilinear, with clean, crisp, and easy-to-read thrown in. Have a small library of tricks you can resort to when you're "stuck"... I'm sick to death of cartoon clipart and I've developed an "icon look" for presentations. I'm also sick of Times New Roman, so I use other fonts when I can (but here in "cube village" where documents get shared around and edited mercilessly, that's not very often).

Well, just a short rant and certainly not a representative sample, but hey, you asked.

 

[Arravis]

Marius, are you in Huntsville?

 

[Marius Delphus]

Yes, and as an aside it's a funny coincidence you should ask. What's up?