Pursuing a career in Graphic Design, where should I study? - General

Well yes, I'm pursuing a career in graphic design, too common? yes. But I'm genuinely into Graphic Design and I work as a "graphic designer" in my spare time. I'm specially inclined to advertisement, typography and corporate image. some of my work, mostly in spanish (Right click > Save as. Kind of heavy): [url]http://dl.dropbox.com/u/25318683/Portafolio/portafolio.pdf[/url] [url]http://issuu.com/barttool/docs/destinosguayaquil[/url] and some troll posters I made and printed a while ago :v: (colors are distorted in the browser) : [url]http://dl.dropbox.com/u/25318683/Portafolio/Poster1LQ.jpg[/url] [url]http://dl.dropbox.com/u/25318683/Portafolio/poster3LQ.jpg[/url] [url]http://dl.dropbox.com/u/25318683/Portafolio/poster4.jpg[/url] Working with advertisements can be sometimes a pain in the ass, and your creativity is often hampered by the desires of the client, they almost always want something really simple. But I always put a bright smile and try to make the best out of it under the margins set by the client. Never taken a design course, never taken a photoshop course, learned all I know from the internet. I'm looking forward studying abroad. Although back in my country there are several good graphic design schools, economic situation is pretty fucked up and I won't be back there for a while. Education in the country I currently live in is drop dead crap, I have yet to see a good university, and there's no university that teaches graphic design or anything related. Currently I'm considering: [b]United States[/b] Pros: + Great universities + All other benefits that imply living in the US Cons: - Stupidly exprensive education - difficult paperwork to get an student visa (already have tourist visa) - All other problems that imply living in the US tuition payment: Considering a student loan. [b]Canada[/b] Pretty similar to the US, but easier to migrate (friendlier policies) and free, good quality healthcare tuition payment: Considering a student loan. [b]France[/b] Pros: + Stupidly cheap education + Not so hard to get acceptance from an university (so I'm told) + fairly easy paperwork for a student visa + Healthcare and other benefits Cons: - high living expenses - Don't know french (yet!) - Far far away from homeland - Few student residences, Rent Is 2 Damn High tuition payment: Pay it myself. I'm not looking for scholarships because in Panama they don't usually give scholarships to inmigrants. like me. So it's pretty fucking hard to get one. All I know is from vague investigation, I don't have the actual facts, and (as I already experienced it) when you move to another country, you never really know what to expect. So FP, can you give me advice as to where should I study? I'm mostly looking forward to study in America (the continent). Europe may be alright aswell, and it's a + if the country is English or Spanish speaking. Options like Australia or New Zealand are OUT of the question (too far away). I'm graduating this year and I have no fucking clue where to study yet. Advice?

I cannot say much besides from good luck, and try to come up with awesome graphic designs or even concept art and shit so your CV folder looks nice when you walk in to a company all proud and cock sure and show the boss your work and he'll hire you.

Be sure to make a portfolio of stuff you've made

[QUOTE=Esrange;30053627]Be sure to make a portfolio of stuff you've made[/QUOTE] currently in it, but it isn't ready yet, so I left a .PDF with some of my work, mostly ads, logos and other stuff. there's also a magazine layout concept I'm currently working on.

As far as US goes, Ringling, CalArts, Mica, Scad, Chicago Arts Institute, and if you're good enough and have lots of versatile work, you can try Cooper Union. If they accept you, you get free everything. All you do is pay to stay in NY. I don't know much about arts colleges outside the US. All the schools I named are pretty much the top arts ones. Could you post more work if you have it? I'd like to see more.

ITT tech

[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B5zqPBPOsv0&feature=feedu[/media]

EDIT: [B]France[/B] Pros: + Stupidly cheap education + Not so hard to get acceptance from an university (so I'm told) + fairly easy paperwork for a student visa + Healthcare and other benefits + They're all pussies. Fixed for ya.

[QUOTE=chrishdman87;30053863]Theres this thing that starts with a "C", im not 100% sure what the word is, but i *believe* its called a "Counselor", you know, they're at schools all around the globe, and they answer questions like these. But no for real, talk to a college counselor, they'll point you in the right direction, as its their job to. Good luck, man.[/QUOTE] I'm currently getting advise from CampusFrance Panama, they're really helpful, but I want to learn about other options before jumping on a plane to -fucking- france. Oh, and my shit school does NOT have a counselor. The worst part of Panama's education is that they train you to be an employee, not even a succesful employee but a mediocre, full time employee on a random office. People here don't have aspirations, shit sucks man :(

Here in Canada it is super expensive to go to school. It is an awesome country, but the costs are terrible.

[QUOTE=chrishdman87;30053863]EDIT: [B]France[/B] Pros: + Stupidly cheap education + Not so hard to get acceptance from an university (so I'm told) + fairly easy paperwork for a student visa + Healthcare and other benefits + They're all pussies. Fixed for ya.[/QUOTE] Hey, at least chicks are hot. Not that I care they're pussies.

[QUOTE=barttool;30054053]Hey, at least chicks are hot. Not that I care they're pussies.[/QUOTE] If they're pussies, you have a better chance of getting laid! [editline]25th May 2011[/editline] you usually fuck pussies

[QUOTE=Bran;30054279]If they're pussies, you have a better chance of getting laid! [editline]25th May 2011[/editline] you usually fuck pussies[/QUOTE] So that's what those are for

[QUOTE=barttool;30054053]Hey, at least chicks are hot. Not that I care they're pussies.[/QUOTE] If you like horses sure.

Anybody seen my work? thoughts?

Doesn't really matter where you study, but I guess studying in France will look good on your CV. Your work is already good enough but you need more development pages and decision making. Where ever you're looking to study at, they'll probably want to see how you can make decisions or develop something.

Probably not a big deal but for the US, all the impressive universities that you hear about probably wouldn't be the best school for graphic design.

Turn your portfolio into a info booklet. In my grade 11 Graphics course that's our final assignment, to make a book advertising ourselves.

Go to America. You'll take a lot of stupid, unrelated class's before you get into your major. For the money part, i wouldn't worry about it.. If you want to go to school the government will help pay some the tab and there are 1000x Million scholarships available if you look in the right places. [i]If you want to genuinely better your education, people WILL help you.[/i]

[QUOTE=areolop;30056446]Go to America. You'll take a lot of stupid, unrelated class's before you get into your major. For the money part, i wouldn't worry about it.. If you want to go to school the government will help pay some the tab and there are 1000x Million scholarships available if you look in the right places. [i]If you want to genuinely better your education, people WILL help you.[/i][/QUOTE] Yeah if you have good enough grades and such you can get a shitload of scholarships and practically get a full ride.

Shit dude I would just go to a community college if you're looking for something cheap. I'm taking a Graphic Design course at Anne Arundel Community College and they're currently the best CC in the US, and their art programs are really good. [editline]26th May 2011[/editline] I got a single grant for 5k and I only paid 1,600 for 4 classes this semester.

[QUOTE=Crackatowa;30056398]Turn your portfolio into a info booklet. In my grade 11 Graphics course that's our final assignment, to make a book advertising ourselves.[/QUOTE] That's what I'm currently working on. [editline]26th May 2011[/editline] [QUOTE=areolop;30056446]Go to America. You'll take a lot of stupid, unrelated class's before you get into your major. For the money part, i wouldn't worry about it.. If you want to go to school the government will help pay some the tab and there are 1000x Million scholarships available if you look in the right places. [i]If you want to genuinely better your education, people WILL help you.[/i][/QUOTE] Useful advice. [editline]26th May 2011[/editline] [QUOTE=StupidUsername67;30057226]Shit dude I would just go to a community college if you're looking for something cheap. I'm taking a Graphic Design course at Anne Arundel Community College and they're currently the best CC in the US, and their art programs are really good. [editline]26th May 2011[/editline] I got a single grant for 5k and I only paid 1,600 for 4 classes this semester.[/QUOTE] I'm not looking for something [i]cheap[/i], not that price rules how good a course is but I'd rather just stay here instead of going to a community college. Basically the same.

Do not go to France if you don't know french. French refuse to speak in any language but french. [editline]26th May 2011[/editline] Canada is the best option you have.

Your three posters are pretty much the same so if you do show them those I suggest picking the best of those three because otherwise it will seem like you don't have much of a variety, but also maybe for awhile do some free photoshop freelancing and build up your example work from there.

Hmm honestly not sure why you'd want to get a degree when it's clear from your portfolio you are getting jobs and already have plenty of work experience (which design firms care the most about, degree is great for people who have neither). If you are just doing it for the experience of studying at a college abroad, then I guess it won't hurt as long as you don't mind being broke for a while :)

[QUOTE=Jordan589;30069323]Your three posters are pretty much the same so if you do show them those I suggest picking the best of those three because otherwise it will seem like you don't have much of a variety, but also maybe for awhile do some free photoshop freelancing and build up your example work from there.[/QUOTE] That's the idea: They were supposed to be part of a campaign of a new "politcal party", they have to be linked with each other, so I used the same layout for each, check this three so you can see what I mean (also did this): [url]http://dl.dropbox.com/u/25318683/Portafolio/Poster%201.jpg[/url] [url]http://dl.dropbox.com/u/25318683/Portafolio/Poster%202.jpg[/url] [url]http://dl.dropbox.com/u/25318683/Portafolio/Poster%203.jpg[/url] It seems you didn't check the two links above those three. And no, i'm not going to show that, just thought it would be funny to post that here, imagine if I ever go to an interview for a job, the client sees that and decides to take a look at [url]http://www.lemonparty.org[/url] . Pretty sure I wouldn't get the job. [QUOTE=KorJax]Hmm honestly not sure why you'd want to get a degree when it's clear from your portfolio you are getting jobs and already have plenty of work experience (which design firms care the most about, degree is great for people who have neither). If you are just doing it for the experience of studying at a college abroad, then I guess it won't hurt as long as you don't mind being broke for a while :)[/QUOTE] I'm doing it for three things: - I've run into many clients that have huge concerns about me not beign a "professional" graphic designer. Of course when they give me the chance I prove them wrong almost always. - 80% of what makes a good designer is natural talent. I believe I got that, but the rest comes from experience and knowledge (no matter how you acquire it). I think that if I go to college for a degree in Graphic design, I'll learn many concepts, ideas and more experience. And of course expand my habilities in using the tools (photoshop, Illustrator, Quark). - I want to experience studying college abroad, not only it would look nice on my CV, but since I was little my parents told me I had to get a degree, no matter which, I just had to. They'd support me on all decisions I made as long as one day I would graduate from college.

just do some tutorials online lol

[QUOTE=VistaPOWA;30062817]Do not go to France if you don't know french. French refuse to speak in any language but french. [editline]26th May 2011[/editline] Canada is the best option you have.[/QUOTE] It's not like I'm at "zero" in french. I have basic french knowledge, and already did and passed the DELF A1 test. I'm quick at learning new languages, and it shouldn't take me long to dominate it.

My teacher for my high school class was a bitch. All we did was Microsoft office and photoshop. GIFs in photoshop :ohdear:

Rhode Island has an excellent design school.