wondering

[HATEAGENDA]

Im going back to school this fall and want some kind of degree in graphic design. what i was wondering is what classes some of you have taken and what degree youve got.
My web design is strong i just need more skills in graphics. In the last graphic challange mine was Over the Mote. I dont think it was bad but i want to be able to do alot more. I cant say that i know anyone to ask about what to take so im asking all you for some ideas.

Thanks

[satis]

Well, I'm taking Cisco 4 and Linux Installation/Administration, working toward a networking technology degree. None of which have anything to do with graphics.

Honestly, I've learned absolutely everything I know about graphics and graphic design and 3d rendering by reading stuff and playing with the programs. I've never taken a single class. Maybe I should, but I'm afraid that taking a class like that will breed the same habits that everyone else has, with the end result being more of the same. Same reason I never took a music theory class, even though I play. :) Maybe I'm wierd.

[Wyndra]

Print or web, if you go into the graphics field you'll be using it EVERYDAY. So, if you have the opportunity to take a good comprehensive Photoshop course, do.

Also, a Color & Design class (art section).

If you want to go into the deadline driven print world Quark is the industry standard.

Good luck.

P.S. I wouldn't go to a physician or attorney who told me they were self taught. Why would art be any less of a discipline?

There is however some wisdom in Satis' philosophy, until you find your Mentor, take everything with a grain of salt.;)

[jayde]

I have a degree in graphic design from school of visual arts in manhattan. The problem is, i never took a programming class- so i had to teach that to myself (and not very well). Be practical in what you study- take color theory, design basics, and LOTS of computer courses.
Learn how to fix your own pc too as long as you're at it.
gabrielle

[muijefr]

in school or not, learn the skills of personal networking. Having access to the internet when going to school is such a leg up in what ever the subject matter and a diverse resource. Those who network on the job most always are a force greater than themselves. You can always be unilateral but the internet and personal networking skills give you the option of being multilateral.



:p

[Trip59]

I wouldn't go to a physician that was self taught either, but you must admit, in forms of expression and art, being self taught often yeilds the best results. I would say you might want to take some classes on how to run the programs (photoshop, quark, etc.), but I personally would never again take a course that tries to dictate what is done with the programs you learned.

waaaaaaaay back in highschool I took a few photography courses. I was told, and this is a direct quote, "these are all crap, what were you thinking when you took these, they look like they were taken by a child" well, I told Michaelis to go #@%& himself. two years later I won several awards for content and style with the EXACT SAME photographs.

technical classes can help, give you the tools you need, but NO ONE can teach you how to create your own art, they can teach you mechanics and theory of it, but unless you come into your own style, it will be someone elses.

Unfortunately, most companies want the sheepskins, it is a fact of life. I would prefer to hire a completely self taught person, and I actually just hired two, but I am not most places.

However you go, I wish you the best of luck in your ventures, there are far too few artists in the world.

Oh, and you might want to check out the graphics design and multimedia degree programs offered by Westwood, they have campus and online programs. I am working towards three degrees there myself and if all works out, will be teaching there next winter.
www.westwood.edu Great school with GREAT people.

[MinDBenNdER]

I went to Brooks College (http://www.brookscollege.edu) in Long Beach CA.
I took the Multimedia course (http://www.brookscollege.edu/multimedia.asp) and got an Associate of Science.

I was taught everything from PhotoShop, Flash, to 3DS Max. They really only taught me the basics. I am still learning; and I continue to read books and learn from online tutorials.

So I would say I am self taught to a certain degree. But would I know now what I know if I had never gone to school?
NO WAY!

I say go to school, learn from teachers. But learn out side of school as well. I was told, in this field you need to never stop learning because things are always changing. It was just 10 years ago, the Internet was not main stream, and there were no need for Web Designers/Programers. Then bomb, out of know were the industry changed, and all the old timers had to keep up.

So whether you like it or not, your going to have to have some form of self taught skills along the way.

[Pig]

I have had organic & inorganic chemistry, anatomy & physiology, microbiology, biology, precalculus and genetics (yes, I was going into the medical field) and was extremely grateful to have instructors well versed in the subject.

Every bit of programming, web design, and graphic design is self taught, and I am glad I didn't waste my time and money getting a degree. For me, learning the basics of design and their tools took hardly any effort and learning the more advanced skills is simply a matter of time, tutorials and making errors. The classes really have nothing to offer me.

What's the point of the class if all they can do is teach you the basics? Most peeps can figure that out themselves, and as mindbender said, you have to keep learning by yourself after that anyway.

Basically it comes down to how you learn. Do you do the best when there is someone there to walk you through it, or can you hack it on your own? If you need to someone to help you, you will have to step out on your on anyway. For me, there was just no benefit. That said, I wish I would have had easy access when I first started to a class that explained a USEFUL overview of how everything works. eg: why different browsers give different results, image formats, chmod, ftp, server technologies, dns, etc.

[Jo-Bizz]

I think its possible for you to be a sucessful artist if you are self-taught, but unfortunately its not the norm. I see a lot of "self-taught" artists who are really lacking imho. That is to say, they are far more cliche in what they produce than the degreed artists. I would say that's because the artists who go to school for 4 years gain a lot from contact with other artitsts, and they see what's out there, not only in daily practice but through art history, and so they are better prepared to find a unique voice. Being around other artists doesn't make them copy-cats, but it does stimulate a lot of creativity and it pushes you to go farther than you might have on your own. I am speaking from a fine-art perspective though and not commercial art. I always imagined commercial art was much more about skills and technical equipment and universal theories of design, etc.

[MinDBenNdER]

Being self taught takes a lot of time.
I have only been at this stuff for about 3 years; and I think I am doing real well for just 3 years. I have seen some peoples stuff that have been self taught for more years then that, and I a lot of them still lack basic knowledge of things like Pig said: "why different browsers give different results, image formats, chmod, ftp, server technologies, dns, etc."

There was just no way I could have taught myself the basics of Photoshop, Flash, JavaScript, Dreamweaver, 3DS Max, Illustrator etc. in two years and come out with what I can do now all on my own. I just didn't have the time.
And there is just no substitute for the class room experience of college; and learning from your peers, and networking with people in the same field as you.

And of course, a Degree always beats "Self Taught" on a resume.

[Jo-Bizz]

well as far a web stuff, I am self taught, though I would say I had it all thrust upon me unwillingly. My boss told me to go learn how to fix our website and so I did. I read HTML books from cover to cover and I did the tutorials online. I messed around with Javascript but it still gives me headaches. That was about 10 months ago and I don't expect to ever call myself a professional web designer, but the journey has ben fascinating......

[MinDBenNdER]

They also taught me Color Theory, Typography, Drawing Concepts, and Sculpture.
So I had my share of Fine Art as well.

I just consider myself more of a Digital Artist.

[Jo-Bizz]

digital art can be as much fine art as oil painting and vice versa.

the difference is the application.

for example, Norman Rockwell and MC Escher are considered commercial artists because of the audience their art catered to.

On the other hand, Keith Haring (sp?) is considered a fine artist, although he is a grafiti (sp?) artist. go figure.

I should have taken spelling classes but I don't think they offer those in college.

[MinDBenNdER]

Graffiti

Yeah graffiti art rocks! The leagal kind I mean :cool:

Yeah true, digital art is fine art as well. I wonder when will be the day when people look back and see the "E-Movement" as the second Renaissance.

[satis]

Originally posted by MinDBenNdER

And of course, a Degree always beats "Self Taught" on a resume.

actually, I just did an interview revently and mentioned the fact I'd taught myself HTML and Flash. The interviewer kinda paused, raised her eyebrows and said "You taught yourself?". You could tell I'd scored some points on that one.

So....being self-taught may be a bonus on a resume/interview. :)

[Croc Hunter]

Originally posted by satis
actually, I just did an interview revently and mentioned the fact I'd taught myself HTML and Flash. The interviewer kinda paused, raised her eyebrows and said "You taught yourself?". You could tell I'd scored some points on that one.

So....being self-taught may be a bonus on a resume/interview. :)

But did you get the job ?

If it came down to two equal calibre applicants. I reckon they would take the one with the certificate. May not be the best at the job. But the paper counts.

[satis]

I'll find out in a couple weeks when they finish their interviews. :/ I'm pessimistic about it, as always. Actually the job has next to nothing to do with HTML or Flash (tiny bit) so it shouldn't really be a deciding factor. Meh, hopefully all their applicants are morons. :D

[HATEAGENDA]

Thanks everybody for your views and personal experiences. Right now I'm looking at Westwood, it appears to be promising. So far all my skills are sell taught. I live in IA and there isn't any kind of graphics art degree in any of the major colleges here. Closes kind of degree is a Commercial Arts.

[Trip59]

If you are seriously looking at Westwood, gimme a yell on any of my IM's

AIM tripstutoring
Y!M tripstutoring
MSN tripstutoring@attbi.com
Email tripstutoring@comcast.net
(NOTE: these addresses are my tutoring addresses, everyone else not talking about Westwood, please use my screenames and addresses listed in profile, thank you)
Would be more than happy to tell ya about them.

I am almost done with my first degree from them and have 2 left to finish. and like I said above, if all goes as planned, I will be a teachers assistant in January and an instructor shortly after

[Wyndra]

I live in IA

Is that an Interesting Area, or could it be Iowa?

[Wyndra]

...gain a lot from contact with other artitsts, and they see what's out there, not only in daily practice but through art history, and so they are better prepared to find a unique voice. Being around other artists doesn't make them copy-cats, but it does stimulate a lot of creativity and it pushes you to go farther

Yes, this is true. Art is a dialog, a dialog between the artist and the viewer, but more significantly from one artist to another through a lineage of creativity. Artists communicate with each other without barriers of time or space. Meaning DeLaCroixs' Women of Algeirs spoke to Picasso, whos' Women spoke to Charles Fulmer and so on. Each artist adds his own spin to the thread, much like we do here.

Dialog and an audience are what sets fine art apart from what is considered "Outsider Art" or therapy.

Anyway, the more art you look at, the greater the art lexicon you will develop to be able to participate in the dialog.

I'd like to talk with Leonardo.;)

[MinDBenNdER]

Most of the great artists of the Renaissance studied at the great art schools in Europe at the time or were also apprentice's of other great artist.
This is true for DA Vinci and Michelangelo and all the Ninja Turtles.

[HATEAGENDA]

I wish it was an interesting area, unfortunately it's Iowa.

[Wyndra]

all the Ninja Turtles

HaHa!:D