Graphic designers are responsible for producing the layout and artistic elements of a wide variety of products, from food packaging to book covers to road signs. It's not surprising that many of the most successful have a degree either in design or a related field.
Your graphic design school experience
will teach you the fundamentals, but getting the most out of it is up to you.
How your education shapes your future career is determined by choices you make
in school, including which one you choose to attend.
Read on for a list of tips to help
you get your education started on the right foot.
10 Ways to
Prepare for School
1. Pick Your
Passion
It is possible to graduate from
graphic design school and not know how you want to specialize your career.
However, if you know ahead of time which direction you're headed, you can
enroll in classes that will help you maximize your experience.
2. Invest in
a Good Computer
Sketching still plays a role in the
field, but the bulk of your time will be spent manipulating graphics using
software such as Adobe Photoshop® and other programs in the Adobe Creative
Suite®. You'll master these programs in graphic design school, but you'll need
a fast, updated computer with a lot of memory to create and save large graphic
files. A large computer display monitor is also worth the investment, because
it will make designing easier. Don't forget to take advantage of student
discounts on computers and software.
3. Talk to
Graphic Design School Graduates
There is no better way to get a feel
for graphic design school than to interview recent graduates. If you don't know
anyone who recently attended your school, ask an admissions officer to connect
you with someone. You'll find out who the best professors are and learn tricks
for getting into popular graphic design courses. You can also research this
information on the Web.
4. Prepare
Your Portfolio
Graphic designers use portfolios to
highlight their talents and showcase their best work. While you may not have a
long list of projects under your belt just yet, starting to think about your
portfolio can help to guide your best work in graphic design school. With some
planning and forethought, you'll be able to use your classroom assignments to
help you build a well-rounded graphic design portfolio.
5. Learn another
Language
That is, learn at least the basic
elements of computer programming languages such as HTML and JavaScript. With
the bulk of graphic design done for online media, rookie graphic designers
can't afford to ignore them. A working knowledge of these and other current
languages will help you create designs that function in an online atmosphere.
6. College
Preparatory Courses
Obviously, gaining admittance to a
college or university is one of the first steps in becoming a graphics design
major. Since high school transcripts play a major role in college admission,
students should choose activities and courses that make them good candidates.
The U.S. Department of Education recommends that students interested in college
take challenging courses in math and science. Learning a foreign language and
basic computer skills are also a plus. If a student has a particular college or
university in mind, they can contact the school to discover exactly what it
specifically requires for admission.
7.
Performing Arts Courses
Students intrigued by graphic design
should take as many art courses as possible. Exploring drawing, painting,
printing, photography, art history and other similar subjects helps teens broaden
their understanding of how art functions, refine their own art skills and
develop a portfolio of varied works that might aid them in their college
admission process. While many high schools offer limited art classes, many
colleges have courses or summer programs for high school students.
8. English
Courses
According to The Princeton Review,
graphic designers report strong communication skills are vital to their
professional success. A large part of graphic design involves creating
effective advertising and marketing. Graphic designers must be able to sell a
product, and they must be able to sell themselves and their work to the
companies who hire them. The writing skills honed in English classes can
prepare students to produce clean, error-free copy. More importantly, the
analytical skills they learn can help them examine the message they are trying
to get across and the audience they are trying to reach, enabling them to
discover effective ways to communicate with their designs.
9. Computer
Courses
Computers are everywhere in the
modern world, and art is no exception. Much of today’s graphic design work is
for websites. Many graphic design majors include web design in their
curriculum. Classes in programming languages, computer graphics, desktop publishing,
and web design and computer animation can give students a real head start.
10. Business
Courses
Many graphic design majors require
students to study business as well. It makes a great deal of sense; some
graphic designers become entrepreneurs, operating their own graphic design
firms. But, even when graphic designers are employed by newspapers, magazines,
advertising agencies, public relations firms or graphic design companies, most
of their clients are businesses. Understanding how businesses work aids graphic
designers in better understanding and meeting their clients’ needs. Business
classes also prepare students to work within a budget while still producing the
quality product promised.
People studying Blue Sky graphic
design college have many exciting ways they can use their graphic
design degree. Colleges and universities provide undergraduate and graduate
degrees in graphic design with numerous concentrations that allow students to
focus on the specific area that most intrigues them. But, students should not
wait until they reach college. Taking courses that increase their odds of
college admission and making the most of their opportunities to study the arts,
English, computers and business in high school can help them prepare for a
graphics design major.
