Do I really need a Graphic Design degree?
I've got a graphic design degree, so I'll speak from a somewhat biased perspective of the U.K.I worked my nuts off at university to get my degree and got the highest possible grade. I thought this would be a shoe in for the start of my career as a superstar designer.Wrong.As I found and have found time and time again a degree is only a small part of landing a good design job. A lot of recruiters or HR may like to see a degree on your CV but this about where the buck stops in terms of employability. When you get to interview it's all about your portfolio.Your degree shows that you can follow a syllabus and come up with designs with no commercial or time constraints that you'll come up against when working in the real world. Your portfolio shows what you can produce in reality and outside of the safe cocoon of college or university.During my first job interview after graduating I marched in confidently with my portfolio and presented it like a proud parent showing off their child. I was quickly brought down to earth when the interviewer said "This is all good but it's student work, not real briefs. What can you show me where you didn't have months to procrastinate over it and perfect it with an unlimited budget?"The portfolio is king in an interview and even if you have mostly spec work, present it in a way that shows you have at least considered realistic constraints.The degree might get you past the gatekeepers in HR and get you the interview but your portfolio will be the thing that gets you the job.
In Canada, does it make sense to get a graphic design degree? Is the profession in demand?
I’ve been a designer in Toronto for over 30 years. Demand ebbs and flows, so prepare yourself to be laid-off or let go every two years or so.Lucrative? Not so much. Junior positions pay very poorly, and have no stability.If you’re talented, hard-working and dedicated, people will notice, and you’ll find acquiring your own clients starts to become easier.Then, and only then, will you be in a position to make a pretty good living.
Can’t find a Graphic design job?
Two weeks? You may have a long way to go. It took me almost 2 years to find a part-time job in graphic design and I have a bachelors degree. There is a lot of competition and not enough jobs to go around. Be persistent. Search for jobs everyday and apply for those that say that want someone with a bachelors. A teacher once told me that employers make a list of requirements, but that I should apply anyway. If you have a decent portfolio or better yet, an outstanding one, the company may overlook you not having a bachelors degree. What it really comes down to anyway is whether or not you are capable of doing the job. While I was looking for jobs I did a lot of freelance work, which helped with paying the bills. Network with friends and family, they may know people who need a logo or website designed. If you do a good job those people may refer you to others. That's how I got a couple big projects, based on word of mouth. Doing freelance will help to build up your portfolio so it shows real world examples and provide you experience with working with clients. You can try looking on http://wwww.craigslist.org for freelance work and even jobs, but I wouldn't put too much stock into that website. I've gotten a few jobs from it, but that's only after applying to a hundred of them. It's definitely worth a try though. Have you considered taking an internship? Some are paid and some aren't, but they definitely help you in gaining experience and someone may even hire you on full-time if you do well. A good source for internships is local non-profit organizations. Try searching for some in your local area. I recommend taking even a part-time design job if you can't find something full-time. It's better than nothing. You could also try emailing design firms/agencies in your area. I don't know where you live, but a lot of times they have internship programs or who knows, they may even be hiring. Good luck!
Do I really need a bachelors degree in graphic design?
I am going to a community college for an associates degree in graphic design and in graphic art. Do I really need a bachelors degree in graphic design to get a well paying job, if I have 2 degrees?
Is Graphic Design too risky of a major?
I'll be applying to colleges soon, and I am planning on going to school for graphic design. I was wondering if that too risky of a major? What will the job market be like for someone looking for a job in Graphic Design with a BFA or a MFA? Should I consider a double major? If I should, then what are some college majors that would make sense to go along with my art degree? In school english and history are my forte, so anything with heavy amounts of math and science are out of the question. And being an art teacher is an obvious choice, and not one I'm planning on taking. Thanks!
Graphic Design as a legitimate major for Navy OCS?
I really need some clarification on this. I will be graduating college with a degree in Graphic Design in October. A GPA of 3.5, with knowledge of most if not all Adobe applications and self taught in HTML, CSS, Java and jQuery. Leadership roles comes in form of basic jobs such as being a manager in a restaurant for nearly 3 years and lead designer on most freelance jobs I have taken within the graphic design field. Is my major and the details I have posted sufficient enough to warrant my dream of becoming a commissioned officer or will I have to go with my plan B and that's to go into Nuke school or Crypto as an enlist? I'm dead set on becoming a navy sailor whether it be CO or enlist but I'm really leaning on the first. If anyone can fill me in, I'd greatly appreciate it. Thank you for your time.
Is a art associates degree in graphic design worth the time ?
Do i need a degree to land a graphic job ? Is this degree a petty degree ? I am interested in this field as a side business because I would like to design t shirts and side stuff as an extra job. I really want to get a associates of science degree because there are many careers out there for a associate science degree. But im in my 2nd semester at a community college taking on visual communications also known as graphic design. Meaning after this I would only have 2 more semesters to go for the degree. But I dont want to waste time if this degree is not really worth it because I feel like i can be self taught through youtube and site like lynda.com. I'm also taking some programming classes as well for learning codes for websites. Im so lost right now. By the way im a full time student in the visual communications program. I just would like to know if im wasting my time.
Does your gpa matter for the first graphic design job?
Human Resources looks at your portfolio, not your GPA. Did you do any design work in college? Your college probably has a graphics department where they do banners and such. Try to get in there if you haven't. At worst you should get some photos of banners which will help A LOT getting your first job. Plus it gives you a chance to network.