From the article: Most Common Ways to Get Desktop Publishing Training
Wayne writes, "I am a senior in high school and have taken several Computer Applications courses. I have become interested in Desktop Publishing and/or Graphic Design, but am unsure how to get into the field and what schools have good programs (that don't require drawing classes). Please help!"
Offer advice on getting a degree or taking classes, specific schools, specific skills to focus on, and anything else you would recommend to someone just now exploring the fields of desktop publishing and graphic design. Share Your Advice
Pro Bono and mini business
- I would suggest doing a pro bono project to get experience. I had no experience in Web design, but wanted to make Webs, so I approached a police department and told them I would do their site for free, in exchange for letting me learn. That was in 1998 and I still have them as a client, plus I have a Sheriff's office, and I'm doing other graphics and Web projects! Also, create a small business service for your fellow students. Not everyone wants to make fliers, ads, etc. Offer a small fee that a student can afford, and go from there. And if you really want in the business but no one is hiring you, start your own project. I started a newspaper because I want to write and do print graphics, and not just Web.
- —KudzuJungle
All and all, it is all needed
- I think everyone's advice is excellent, in the end, the DTP person is a JOAT a jack or jill of all tradings, and we can and do do it all, depending on our niche. A good set of course will set you up, but it is an ongoing precess of learning and you have to realize that you need an indedpenant streak and the ability to adapt was things change.
- —StarrpointHost01
Graphics design business.
- Do you have the "eye"? Do you know how to match colors with the end product? You're either creative or not. Experiment. Get some simple software to prove to yourself you have the eye. Design some things for friends. Sell the designs. Hanes T-Shirts have a free software program which is real simple and easy to use, but if you don't have the creative "eye", you'll find out very quickly. .
- —Guest blueraven6
Some specifics
- Being able to see things in a different way than they've been seen before; being willing to try new things; being interested in making things or taking stuff apart and putting it back together, are all character traits that I think lend themselves well to graphic design. A degree is helpful but not absolutely necessary. There are some rules and tricks that won’t necessarily come intuitively so take some classes, get a mentor, join a designer network (online or local), do intense reading on the subject, and design some small projects like flyers and business cards (to see what works and what doesn't). You'll definitely want to know PhotoShop, InDesign or QuarkExpress, and Illustrator since those are standard software programs for the industry. Knowing Flash and Dreamweaver for website creation/maintenance are also becoming more common expectations for designers. I wish you all the best. It’s a challenging but fun career.
- —Guest Abby
Schools and Courses
- Here are some options to explore, compiled by our About.com Graphic Design Guide: Design Schools http://graphicdesign.about.com/od/designschools/Design_Schools.htm Individual Design Courses http://graphicdesign.about.com/od/individualcourses/Individual_Design_Courses.htm Some Graphic Design Career Paths http://graphicdesign.about.com/od/education/tp/career_paths.htm Plus, from this site, Finding Your Niche ... you may change your mind along the way but having some idea of where you want to end up can help you plan where to get started... http://desktoppub.about.com/cs/thingstodesign/a/niche_dtp.htm
- —Guest jacci
Business Classes
- If your thinking of going into business for yourself as a graphic designer I think a degree is useful but even more than that you need some business skills. If you go to college or just learn on your own still take some basic bookkeeping and marketing classes too. They don't teach the business side of things as part of graphicdesign degree programs. Even classes on public speaking and business communication are helpful even when you aren't working freelance. All the design talent in the world is useless if you can't manage money or customers.
- —Guest Ell
Start With Art
- Do take some art classes if you can, even an arts & crafts type class. The computer is merely a tool. DTP/Graphic Design doesn't require you to be an "artist" but a feel for design/what looks good/understanding *why* it looks good, etc.-- it helps tremendously.
- —Guest Anna Leigh
