Sandstorm Student Center: FAQs from Students

Life as a Designer | Design Skills | Finding a Design Job | Design Careers | Education

EDUCATION & DESIGN

1. I know Photoshop, Illustrator and Quark. What other classes should I take?
2. How important is a masters degree in the graphic design field?
3. What is a graphic designer's job, and what kind of schooling do you need to become one?
4. How much importance is placed on where one attended university?

1. I know Photoshop, Illustrator and Quark. What other classes should I take?

Photoshop, Illustrator and Quark are a great start. Keep in mind that those classes are just the tools to produce the final piece, similar to a hammer, saw and screwdriver. They don’t make you a designer just as I am not a carpenter because I bought a hammer.

I would try to get into some additional classes such as color theory, layout, typography, and basic design principals. I would also recommend getting design magazines such as Big Idea (its free), and HOW magazine (not free, but very good). Get used to looking at professional design for inspiration, and to get your mind used to simply being aware of good design.

2. How important is a masters degree in the graphic design field?

A master's degree will most likely not advance your career as a graphic/web designer, nor ensure that you find a better job. At this time, work experience would expand your overall skills faster than a degree. The general push you feel about obtaining a masters degree is very strong in business, finance, human resources, etc. It isn't in the arts, at least not today. I do forsee it becoming greater in the future, but that is just one prediction of mine.

However, if you have any interest in teaching, a masters degree is a must. My advice to you is to follow your gut. If you want to go to grad school, GO!

Pursuing a masters degree is a personal decision and not everybody pursues one for career reasons. I would like to use myself for an example. I am currently enrolled in an evening program working towards my masters. It's not to find a better job or get a promotion. I really believe in education and am always looking for ways to improve myself, and had the dream of someday getting my masters degree. Why? Simply put, because I want to. And I have no regrets. Follow your intuition and always strive to do the best you can do. < back to top

3. What is a graphic designer's job, and what kind of schooling do you need to become one?

A graphic designer could get a job in multiple areas. Here are a few:

Print design
Ads, newsletters, logos, business cards, letterhead, brochures, postcards, posters, trade show booth display, sales collateral, etc. (anything printed)

Package design
Any package from cereal boxes to fruit juices, DVDs and CDs, snowboards, skateboards, surfboards

Web Design
Web sites, intranets, animated presentations, html emails, programming, development

For education, most companies require a bachelor's degree in graphic design, communication, or fine art. And the basic software applications you need to know are adobe photoshop, illustrator and quark (or adobe indesign). Flash and Dreamweaver are necessary for web design. If you want to go into programming, I would suggest a technical degree. < back to top

4. How much importance is placed on where one attended university?

Your portfolio is much more important! If your work is very good, and you picked up all the skills you need to succeed as a designer, then the university you went to did their job. < back to top

5. I just started school here and everyone in my small class introduced themselves and said they chose this career path because they love to draw. I was wondering how much drawing is involved in graphic design?

And I think I will ease your mind and tell you that not all graphic designers can draw. Being able to draw may help from time to time, but it's not necessary to becoming a talented and successful designer. Understanding composition, color theory, typography, and the power of a line is what makes the difference.

Artists tend to gravitate towards graphic design because it's a possible career avenue that utilizes creativity. It's also possible that some of the very talented students (that can draw) may become illustrators in addition to designers.

So fear not -- you don't HAVE to be able to draw, it just might be helpful from time to time. And congrats on your decision to pursue graphic design! < back to top