I need guidance!

[EJK]

Aa7 on KB is a graphic designer... I think...

I met him a few times on AWNR. Flick him a PM

[007XX]

Seriously guys...another question I have is:

Are the graphic design jobs available in proportion to the uni freshies?

I am not exactly a teenager anymore, and I would hate to be refused a job ( would be a first for me too) because I am without experience and too old?

And for those who ask, my birthday is on the 29th this month, and I'll turn 32...

[Ocean1]

Cad design I have had a little to do with and it was ok, but not as creative as I could have wished for.

What were you using? There's some crossover between some 3d CAD ap's and graphic arty farty crap, and the link's getting stronger with the likes of Weta pushing some boundaries.

Wee looky here:

http://www.3dcafe.com/asp/default.asp

[007XX]

What were you using? There's some crossover between some 3d CAD ap's and graphic arty farty crap, and the link's getting stronger with the likes of Weta pushing some boundaries.

Wee looky here:

http://www.3dcafe.com/asp/default.asp

Nothing quite as advanced as this I'm afraid...I used to work for a kitchen manufacturing company, and designed kitchens on Cabinet Vision and Quisine...It was ok, but it was a little limited in the applications...beign an avid learner, I just hoovered the little that they wanted to teach us of it...

I guess this is why I am looking at my options at the moment...Trying to find a job that makes use of my artistic abilities and my natural aptitude with computers...

I realise that Graphic design is a very broad term, hence the fact that I would love to be able to speak to someone who could tell me all about it.

[Big Dave]

Good agency/publishing house jobs are hard to come by - because they are good jobs.

But you don't actually need a job to do the work - I like freelancing too.

It's a game where you can set yourself up in business relatively easily.

Note that Pre-press work is to creativity what a seamstress is to the ballet.

[Big Dave]

For a junior position at an Art House you need basic

Indesign
Photoshop
Illustrator
Acrobat
Mac OS and how to move files around and manage them.

The CAD thing is handy, not much more.

If you can use dreamweaver and flash that works in favour too.

Setting up templates for MS Office apps are handy skills too.

[007XX]

Good agency/publishing house jobs are hard to come by - because they are good jobs.

But you don't actually need a job to do the work - I like freelancing too.

It's a game where you can set yourself up in business relatively easily.

Note that Pre-press work is to creativity what a seamstress is to the ballet.

Ok that makes sense...I wouldn't go freelance without work experience though...would be too easy to fuck it up and quickly get a bad name.

Do you think studying at Uni or any other "grown up classes" for Photshop or in design would be enough?

Edit: just read your second post...sorry!

[Ocean1]

Note that Pre-press work is to creativity what a seamstress is to the ballet.

Unnecessary window dressing?

[slick]

Adobe.com make 'creative suite' (CS) which is a collection of software including Photoshop and InDesign.

Not convinced by software courses, they tend to be too 'generic' and try to cover everything for everyone which is impossible. Your money would be better spent on...

If you are serious you are going to have to buy CS2 or 3 and preferably a Mac (G5 or Intel iMac - some on Trademe), then you should work through the supplied tutorials and set yourself some pretend projects. Software ain't cheap and they are a bit too clever at anti piracy stuff now, reckon on $3k-ish. Cheap option would be to buy CS2 for PC.

Supplying files to print has got a lot simpler over the years and most printers have 'artwork guidelines' they will supply you.

Try getting some real jobs from friendly contacts at 'mates rates' to get the experience, even if they never go to print, build a portfolio as you go and take it from there.

From applicants we get there are a lot of 'newbies' around who we can't even look at, you've got to have experience, don't care about qualifications it's much more important that you can demonstrate you can turn good work around fast and supply to print with no probs...

[Big Dave]

Unnecessary window dressing?

Dour work in the back room with little glamour - but the show don't go on without them.

[007XX]

Adobe.com make 'creative suite' (CS) which is a collection of software including Photoshop and InDesign.

Not convinced by software courses, they tend to be too 'generic' and try to cover everything for everyone which is impossible. Your money would be better spent on...

If you are serious you are going to have to buy CS2 or 3 and preferably a Mac (G5 or Intel iMac - some on Trademe), then you should work through the supplied tutorials and set yourself some pretend projects. Software ain't cheap and they are a bit too clever at anti piracy stuff now, reckon on $3k-ish. Cheap option would be to buy CS2 for PC.

Supplying files to print has got a lot simpler over the years and most printers have 'artwork guidelines' they will supply you.

Try getting some real jobs from friendly contacts at 'mates rates' to get the experience, even if they never go to print, build a portfolio as you go and take it from there.

From applicants we get there are a lot of 'newbies' around who we can't even look at, you've got to have experience, don't care about qualifications it's much more important that you can demonstrate you can turn good work around fast and supply to print with no probs...

Interesting...I'll give it some serious thought, as I hadn't seen this scenario as an option.
Thank you...i like the no BS approach you have in your explanation.

[Big Dave]

If you extremely lucky you get to do some of the coolest gigs...

[007XX]

If you extremely lucky you get to do some of the coolest gigs...

Hmmmm...I knew that...you lucky bugger (although a little voice tells me luck had bugger all to do with it). Say Hi to Michael E. for me please.