Where to Start?
School is definitely the best place to begin training for your new design career. Hopefully, the school you choose is up on all the latest technology and software. The universal standard is the Adobe software, namely, Photoshop and Dreamweaver for graphic and web design, Photoshop, InDesign, & Illustrator for graphics, and Flash for animation. So learning which software you will be using most is key. Without those skills, you're not very "hire-able" in the marketplace. Adobe also offers many regional seminars and training courses that can be a compliment (or even an alternate in some cases) for traditional schooling. But never discount the fact that an actual degree goes a long way on a resume.
An Eye for Design ...
Another important thing is actually an aptitude for design. Some folks have a natural sense of placement, what colors go good together, etc. and some need to do a little further research into the matter. And don't forget the typography is also a part of design. Using type effectively is often the crux of many pieces.
A great book I would recommend on type is "Thinking with Type, a Critical Guide" by Ellen Lupton. The How Design Books has a great series that includes, "Color Index" and "Design Basics Index" (both by Krause). A few other great titles are: "Layout Workbook" by Cullen, "Design Matters - Logos" by Capsule, "The Big Book of Color in Design" by David Carter
What's Hot, What's Not
Keeping up on what's current is very important as well. Design sometimes changes like fashion, but there are some tried and true standards that won't fail you if you learn them. Think of them as the "blue suits" or "little black dresses" of design. Most designers consider these standards as, composition, components, and concept. Composition includes things like: placement, harmony, emphasis, alignment and flow. Components includes: shapes, icons, supporting elements, images, color, and typography. Lastly, the concept includes learning the creative process, being able to convey your message, and learning about themes. There are many other design standards, most borrowed from other forms of designs, but the "three c's" above sum everything up nicely.
Here are some additional resources worth checking out:
How - design magazine
Layers - everything Photoshop
ID Magazine
Create Magazine
The Real World
I'd recommend you try to find a local company that could "take you under their wing" as an intern while you work your way through school. Even a few hours a week is helpful (our intern only comes in a few hours a week). The reason for this is to be able to deal with real world design and projects (and even clients). Hands-on use of software can often yield new and quick ways to accomplish tasks that books or teachers don't often focus on. You can also be learning how to effectively deal with clients, manage projects, and get a feel for what your skills are worth (salary or hourly rates). Many new designers strike out on their own if employment isn't readily available, so having skills like this can help you become a successful freelancer as well. You can also be building a portfolio of real work - also important when seeking employment.
In Closing ...
Being a designer takes skill, aptitude, training, creativity, organizational skills and more. It's also a field that you will never stop learning and striving to reach new levels in. It's impossible to cover the whole field in such a short article, but hopefully it enough of a resource to get you going in the right direction.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/824565
School is definitely the best place to begin training for your new design career. Hopefully, the school you choose is up on all the latest technology and software. The universal standard is the Adobe software, namely, Photoshop and Dreamweaver for graphic and web design, Photoshop, InDesign, & Illustrator for graphics, and Flash for animation. So learning which software you will be using most is key. Without those skills, you're not very "hire-able" in the marketplace. Adobe also offers many regional seminars and training courses that can be a compliment (or even an alternate in some cases) for traditional schooling. But never discount the fact that an actual degree goes a long way on a resume.
An Eye for Design ...
Another important thing is actually an aptitude for design. Some folks have a natural sense of placement, what colors go good together, etc. and some need to do a little further research into the matter. And don't forget the typography is also a part of design. Using type effectively is often the crux of many pieces.
A great book I would recommend on type is "Thinking with Type, a Critical Guide" by Ellen Lupton. The How Design Books has a great series that includes, "Color Index" and "Design Basics Index" (both by Krause). A few other great titles are: "Layout Workbook" by Cullen, "Design Matters - Logos" by Capsule, "The Big Book of Color in Design" by David Carter
What's Hot, What's Not
Keeping up on what's current is very important as well. Design sometimes changes like fashion, but there are some tried and true standards that won't fail you if you learn them. Think of them as the "blue suits" or "little black dresses" of design. Most designers consider these standards as, composition, components, and concept. Composition includes things like: placement, harmony, emphasis, alignment and flow. Components includes: shapes, icons, supporting elements, images, color, and typography. Lastly, the concept includes learning the creative process, being able to convey your message, and learning about themes. There are many other design standards, most borrowed from other forms of designs, but the "three c's" above sum everything up nicely.
Here are some additional resources worth checking out:
How - design magazine
Layers - everything Photoshop
ID Magazine
Create Magazine
The Real World
I'd recommend you try to find a local company that could "take you under their wing" as an intern while you work your way through school. Even a few hours a week is helpful (our intern only comes in a few hours a week). The reason for this is to be able to deal with real world design and projects (and even clients). Hands-on use of software can often yield new and quick ways to accomplish tasks that books or teachers don't often focus on. You can also be learning how to effectively deal with clients, manage projects, and get a feel for what your skills are worth (salary or hourly rates). Many new designers strike out on their own if employment isn't readily available, so having skills like this can help you become a successful freelancer as well. You can also be building a portfolio of real work - also important when seeking employment.
In Closing ...
Being a designer takes skill, aptitude, training, creativity, organizational skills and more. It's also a field that you will never stop learning and striving to reach new levels in. It's impossible to cover the whole field in such a short article, but hopefully it enough of a resource to get you going in the right direction.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/824565
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