Choosing a Right Graphic Design Education School
What do you think when looking for a graphic design education school? What degree do you want? What is the difference? Everything depends on where your interests are, and where you want to take your graphic design career. If you are more interested in the visual arts, but think you can make more money as a graphic designer, consider an art school that offers a specialization.
You may want an education that encourages interaction with a variety of people and subjects in addition to graphic design, and a range of degrees from the bachelor's to the doctoral (Ph.D.) level. Some large universities have very good graphic design departments, but often do not promote themselves as aggressively as schools specializing in design alone
A degree in graphic design, on the other hand, will ensure that your portfolio and career are focused on such things as typography, page layout, and even interaction design. You should ensure your chosen school is accredited. The National Association of Schools of Art and Design is the accrediting body for programs in art and design, and currently approves more than 200 post-secondary institutions.
Coursework at large schools emphasize the liberal arts outside of one's major field, typically in areas such as English, History, Humanities, and the Sciences. The four-year program gives you the most freedom to move around and learn about other programs outside design. You may even get overwhelmed with the sharp focus of graphic design and switch majors!
A good graphic design program will emphasize portfolio development. A portfolio is the best way to demonstrate your skills to a potential employer. As a graphic design student, you should learn and become proficient with a significant number of computer design programs, such as Illustrator, Quark Xpress, and Photoshop.
Graphic designers are responsible for some of the most famous images of American consumerism. Everything from corporate logos to cereal boxes have their images created by designers. Some of the qualities the greatest graphic designers share include:
1. Artistic Ability: A great graphic designer must be talented and have a variety of artistic skills and ability.
2. Client Oriented: A great graphic designer is able to work easily with clients to ensure that designs meet specifications.
3. Communication: A great graphic designer is able to effectively communicate with clients and other members of the design team to ensure they are on track with deadlines and other goals.
4. Creativity: A great graphic designer is very creative and can come up with new and exciting ideas for designs.
5. Technology: A great graphic designer is well-versed in a plethora of desktop publishing software and is able to quickly learn new programs and incorporate them into his or her work.critical thinking You should have opportunities to learn outside the classroom through field trips and internships. And studio time is also critical -- graphic design cannot be learned without hands-on experience. |