I have been in the graphic design industry since 1981 working in London, Los Angeles & Spain. My career started in the traditional way on a drawing board, using Rotoring Pens, Magic Markers, Pantone Pens & Letraset working as a Designer/Visualiser/Artworker. My design career has taken me through the music, toy, t-shirt, packaging & print industry. I am now a freelance graphic designer (British) based in Spain with many clients worldwide ...now using Photoshop, Illustrator & InDesign on a Mac.
UPDATE...I have now written a guide to becoming a graphic designer. It is available as Kindle or in print ...check it out here... AMAZON LINK . Interesting question. I think there are many overrated and underrated designs and architectures all over the world ..I honestly can't put my finger on one right now. I must say though that there are many underrated designers out there that need to be recognised for their work not just one project. Us designers work very hard to bring creativity into this world and deserve more credit than we get.
UPDATE...I have now written a guide to becoming a graphic designer. It is available as Kindle or in print ...check it out here... AMAZON LINK .Well, as the last couple of years has been tough going during the financial crisis ...so making sure a client has the abilities to pay has been a big priority to me, especially in Spain where it has been hard work chasing money. But I stayed strong through the crisis and now business is fantastic with great clients. Secondly, a good client should give a clear brief on their requirements. There is nothing worse than spending hours on a design to find out that I was briefed incorrectly and having to start again. Thirdly, I personally like a client that is honest about my design ...I hate to think a client just says yes they like it just to be kind ...I always tell them to be honest with me as I have been in the business long enough to take criticism.
UPDATE...I have now written a guide to becoming a graphic designer. It is available as Kindle or in print ...check it out here... AMAZON LINK . Hi, there are many tutourials out there and the only way I would be able to find them would to Google search them ...so unfortunately that is what I suggest to you. I have been using Photoshop since in first came out many years ago and online tuturials didnt exist then, so the only option I had was to teach myself. Even many years later I am still learning but have never used an online tuoturial. But I am guessing that lessons online are more advanced now so Google search 'Basic Photoshop' and you should get many results. Sorry I cant be of more help.
UPDATE...I have now written a guide to becoming a graphic designer. It is available as Kindle or in print ...check it out here... AMAZON LINK . There isn't really a fast way to learn Photoshop ...you have to learn it in stages. I started using Photoshop when it first came out ...I was teaching myself on a Mac SE Classic and a black and white screen ...also there was no internet or online tutorials back then. And too be honest I am still learning ...even though I would call myself an expert now, there is always something new to learn and I find myself reverting back to online tutorials. A good way is to find a local class that teaches you the basics ...there is nothing better than having a good experienced teacher to guide you through the basics as it is not easy to learn and there is a lot to take in. Alternatively you need to Google tutorials online. A good one that I found was here... http://psd.tutsplus.com You need to put by some time to sit for a couple of hours with no interruptions and concentrate on the basics before you go full steam ahead into a complicated image. Once you know the basics you will understand the instructions in more complicated lessons. Hope this helps ...good luck!
Call Center Employee (Retail)
Sommelier
Programmer
UPDATE...I have now written a guide to becoming a graphic designer. It is available as Kindle or in print ...check it out here... AMAZON LINK . Hi Sequoia, I dont think it is a good idea to put you name and what college you are studying at in a public area like this. Also I dont think I can give out my contact details via this medium as it is not a place to publicise my company. I am happy to answer a few questions you may want to put on here, but I suggest that you would benefit a great deal more in approaching a Graphic Designer in your area and interviewing them face to face ...probably would give you bonus points in your course too.
UPDATE...I have now written a guide to becoming a graphic designer. It is available as Kindle or in print ...check it out here... AMAZON LINK . I do not know what the standard training is nowadays as it's been a long time since I was in college ...I did a 3 year course at an art college in the UK back in 1978. I studied Graphic Design/Point of Sale. We were taught how to design and visualise on paper plus had drawing classes and cardboard engineering. But now it s all taught on computers ...like how to use photoshop, illustrator, indesign etc, not sure if it is still done on paper too. I could have done a 4th year at college and get letters after my name, but was too keen to get into the real world of design and was offered a job designing record sleeves in London ...which was a cool job to have at my age in the 80's. I am now self taught on a Mac with all the relevant software and been using Macs since they first come out with tiny b/w screens. I taught myself on a Mac SE Classic ...google it ...you will laugh. I now work on a 27" imac ...but still do initial designs on paper when I have time. I have been asked many times to teach graphic design at the Marbella Design School here in Spain, but I am too busy with my work to do it, plus I am not good at standing up in front of a load of people giving a lecture. But to answer your question ...it used to be 3 to 4 years training in my time but havent got a clue what it is now. ...but it is always best to get the training to prepare you for the journey ahead in this career path. Try and learn the IT side too ...like coding websites ...I cant do that so I collaborate with people that do.
UPDATE...I have now written a guide to becoming a graphic designer. It is available as Kindle or in print ...check it out here... AMAZON LINK . I guess the only option you have is to search stock image librarys such as Shutterstock, istock and Fotolia etc ...I think Getty Images specialise in vintage images. Or another possible option is to contact Crayola and the makers of Barbie to see if they have a photo to use for your project.
Hope this helps
-OR-
(max 20 characters - letters, numbers, and underscores only. Note that your username is private, and you have the option to choose an alias when asking questions or hosting a Q&A.)
(A valid e-mail address is required. Your e-mail will not be shared with anyone.)
(min 5 characters)
By checking this box, you acknowledge that you have read and agree to Jobstr.com’s Terms and Privacy Policy.
-OR-
(Don't worry: you'll be able to choose an alias when asking questions or hosting a Q&A.)