What should Graphic Designers get for Christmas

[Graphis]

Ditto. I've met (and done work for!) far too many people who think the skills are installed along with the software.

 

[blitzkrieg79]

You're one of these home users with a copy of photoshop aren't you who think they know a bit about design after reading a few books. It doesn't work that way, its a great way to start out but it does not make you a designer and it definitely does not teach you the finer details that you don't get in the books, the hands on experience of a teacher is far more beneficial than any book I've ever read.

I didn't say that graphic designers won't see any benefits from school, all I said is that you can't teach/learn talent or imagination, it's something that you are born with. If someone without much talent goes to arts school, all he will end up to be doing is basing his designs on his teachers and lack real originality. I know a lot of designers with degrees that most of their work has one style and they work from it, ask them about something totally different and they get stuck or come out with designs that I could do better. I also know my friend who didn't go to any college and is a very successful multimedia artist so he actually proves my point. Design comes from experience. You may not agree with it but it really doesn't matter, it's my opinion.

 

[wmealer]

Hate to contribute to this hi-jacked thread, but I can see both sides of this argument. I'm a designer here in the in-house media department of a major medical device manufacturer. Not exactly a fount of creativity going on here, but we have our moments. Anyway, I'm going on about 15 years since college, with an Associate Degree from a community college. I work amongst, and rank higher than, other artists with the same amount of experience, with varying "better" degrees than my cute little Associate degree. I also have less tenure here at this company than the other artists. The fact that I have less education than these other artists has absolutely nothing to do with my career path. I gained a higher position than these other designers simply by being a better designer, technically and creatively.

My point is, while I do believe a good foundation for the understanding of basic design principles is best laid in a college atmosphere, natural talent and sound aesthetic sensibilities can't be found in a classroom. These things you either have (to varying levels), or you don't.

 

[Claytoniss]

way to stir up a hornets nest!

When it comes to graphics design, I don't think that a degree is required. You can read a couple of books here and there about theory and how to use a certain program but graphics design is something that you are either born with or you will suck no matter to how many schools you'll go to. Of course a degree will help a talented person but it's not a necessity. Graphics design is not a rocket science or becoming a doctor where you really need to know your stuff about theory and practice. With graphics design you learn the most just by experimenting on your own.

Seriously.... the smartest people I have ever met were designers. You should really know your stuff. I could eventually learn how to put a someone's heart back in his chest if I could experiment on my own! Then I could be a heart surgeon... make a lot more money too.

 

[Z.Beeblebrox]

Nudging back towards the topic, Veer has this other shirt I want that just says Lorem Ipsum in big boxy letters. I'd rock that like a total nerd.

 

[Claytoniss]

Oh yeah the topic

I would like to get some veer gear too. Kern hoody!

 

[shecky]

obviously, one of these shirts: http://wireandtwine.com/subtraction/

(NOTE: link had tshirts with a naughty word)

 

[blitzkrieg79]

Seriously.... the smartest people I have ever met were designers. You should really know your stuff. I could eventually learn how to put a someone's heart back in his chest if I could experiment on my own! Then I could be a heart surgeon... make a lot more money too.

But thats the difference between a doctor and a graphic designer. One is responsible for human life and doesn't have any room for fatal mistakes and therefor education and plenty of experience is required and as far as graphics designers, sometimes by experimenting and making mistakes you actually can create the best art work you could have imagined.

Anyway, best holiday present for a graphic designer? Imaginative/artistic GF/wife to take you away from all this stress/work and you know ...

 

[klymr]

I would like to get some veer gear too. Kern hoody!

It's not quite a hoody, but a kick ass jacket none-the-less.

 

[decksnap]

I didn't say that graphic designers won't see any benefits from school, all I said is that you can't teach/learn talent or imagination, it's something that you are born with. If someone without much talent goes to arts school, all he will end up to be doing is basing his designs on his teachers and lack real originality. I know a lot of designers with degrees that most of their work has one style and they work from it, ask them about something totally different and they get stuck or come out with designs that I could do better. I also know my friend who didn't go to any college and is a very successful multimedia artist so he actually proves my point. Design comes from experience. You may not agree with it but it really doesn't matter, it's my opinion.

There's always the phenom walk-on who comes out of nowhere, or the guy that's been there for so long that he can't help but be somewhat competent simply for the amount of hours logged. But these are a slim minority. I've seem too many idiots who think they're a designer because they have 'mastered' whatever program we're using this year. Big deal, idiot. That's a given that you know that. The rest is knowledge and talent, both of which are best incubated at a good school, not in your basement figuring out how to add floor reflections to your horrible typesetting.

 

[dazzer21]

a holiday!