I didn't go to uni. Proof!
jHouse (1421 points) | Tue, 2008-03-25 21:31Hi there from the UK!
This is my first topic, so I thought I'd write about what I did to get in to design!
I'm 18 years old, so it won't be a long story!
I started at the age of 12, Corel Draw no less! I messed around with text and shapes. It was fun, but at the time I was focusing my attention on becoming either an artist or architect! (Yea I know! Young right?) One of my passions, drawing. Haven't done it for a while!
Anyway, my Dad had Photoshop 7.0 on his PC, for editing his photographs that he frequently took. I hopped up on to the chair and started to play around. I was on it every night!
I totally enjoyed my early teens as a budding...photoshop expert, so I thought I'd try out a few other programs. At school, they had the old eMacs, with CS2. I fell in love with Indy and Illy and they way they seamlessly worked together.
I took Graphic Design at A-Level, (at the age of 17) and learned absolutely nothing.
The teachers were appalling. At the school I was studying, they had an excellent pottery teacher, fine art teacher and abstract artist. No mac experts, no graphic designers. By the end of my two years, I had taught everyone in the class how to use macs, CS2 and I kinda liked it, but it felt like a waste of 2 years.
During my course, I took the challenge of designing the school magazine. Me and my friend, the editor, were determined to produce a wicked little magazine. It turned out to be a 42 page full colour mag! I did the first one in year 12, totally in Photoshop. What a mistake!!! Print prep was an absolute nightmare, crop marks, bleed, colour output. I feel ashamed now, but every single page was in....coughRGBcough. *BLUSH*
So! Year 13, and the second mag was done in inDesign. All by my little self! It took up most of my time, but I learned more on my own, driving to print companies, getting PDF settings, seeing how magazines were printed with my own eyes, than I did doing the Graphic Design course!!!
I have learned so much and I'm always looking for more information. I focus mainly on print, so that's my strongest area! I've learned all about knockout, spot colours and a bit of web actually, all in the space of a year. I have loved every second.
I didn't go to uni in the end. I applied for a job. Got the job. I work as a packaging designer at the moment. I'm the head of a creative team of three guys, all at least 5 years older than me. It's kinda scary, but I put on a brave face and try to give my all to whatever it is I'm doing at the time.
So yea. Some proof that you don't need to go to uni to get a good job doing what you love.
I want to properly start running my own company jHouse: www.flickr.com/photos/jhouse, when I get a bit older and braver. My own premises, creative team...it's gonna be ace! I'm so excited!
Thanks for reading :)
P.S I LOVE CREATIVE BITS!
Jack
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BRANDING | PRINT | WEB
www.jhousedesign.com
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Well done you little whipper snapper! I'm very impressed by your work; keep it up!
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Powerpoint is not a design application
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The Salon Design Tech
:D
Jack
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BRANDING | PRINT | WEB
www.jhousedesign.com
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Being rash has always been one of my downfalls, but when it came to my post-secondary education, at the ripe old age of 16, I really did some research into not only the professors, but the administrator of the overall design program as well.
That's too bad that you had such a bad go with your first foray into the field of greater education. Hopefully it won't be your last attempt at learning.
ttfn!
3dogmama
Paddle faster, I hear banjos.
I'm not dissing education. I think it has its place. The important thing is learning from the right people, though. There ARE teachers out there who know less than their students. it's a shame. But there are also teachers out there who have a wealth of knowledge to share.
That said, I can honestly say that I learned most of what I know AFTER I got my degree in Graphic Design, though. Was it money wasted? No... I still learned things from my classes, but I definitely learned more by actually working in the field. I think that proves true for just about every profession out there, whether you're a graphic artist, a lawyer, a mechanic, a doctor, an architect... whatever. You learn by doing, and classes in school are just a few select projects in the grand scheme of things. They cannot possibly cover ever single challenge you'll come up with in your career. They're just a starting point.
Congrats on your success. Keep up with the positive affirmations, too. But always keep your eyes and ears open for learning opportunities along the way. ;)
I am so happy you have arrived. You seem so smart and talented. With your vast experience we will all benefit.
Why are you working for someone when you are capable of conquering the world on your own.
If you were here in front of me I would KISS YOUR ASS (but where would I begin).
XOXO
I didnt mention, but before I got this job, I was working freelance from my bedroom.
Also, I have a selection of very talented "design mates" who have all taught me a lot!
But that question has stumped me:
"Why are you working for someone when you are capable of conquering the world on your own."
Uhm, cos, cos, cos...I DON'T KNOW!
:D
Jack
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BRANDING | PRINT | WEB
www.jhousedesign.com
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I bet if you were to ask any freelance designer on CB, they would tell you that the majority of their work is from their home "office." And believe me, I use the term office loosely. I don't have one. My computer is stuck underneath my stairway in a nice little alcove right off of my daughter's bedroom. It works, but there are many times that I wished I had a separate office with a door!
That being said, it doesn't matter where you do the design work from, as long as it's good!
suzanne maestri-walters :: graphic designer :: www.onegirlcreative.com
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"The name's Bond, James Bond."
www.onegirlcreative.com
"I learned more on my own, driving to print companies, getting PDF settings, seeing how magazines were printed with my own eyes, than I did doing the Graphic Design course!!!"
^^That pretty much sums it up for me, too. And still continues to be the case after 14 years in the "real" world.
In my 2nd job after graduation, I had the pleasure of working closely with a particularly knowledgeable (and talkative!) press operator. Though I was doing creative, it was only a few steps from the press room, and I was able to see how the presses work, and learned a lot of how maintain color consisteny, and how to "see" color on-screen.
However, I still think my college time was valuable, and I learned a lot from my professors. I also had a good Art teacher in High school, so that really helped me hit the ground running when I got to college. When I look back, though, I think I learned more about design from non-design instructors (painting, drawing, sculpture, etc.) than I did from most of my design classes. But there were a couple of really good design professors that probably taught me more in casual conversations outside of class than they did in the classroom.
You are definitely one of the exceptions to the rule that it takes a degree to make a good designer. Not that that's what I think, however, but unfortunately that's what is apparent in design job ads.
After perusing your portfolio, I find it refreshing and very unique. Not the same song & dance design that you see from amateurs who LOVE to use Photoshop.
Your compositions are well-balanced, and your typography skills are pretty good, considering. Like mentioned above, I'm sorry your education wasn't up to par with your instructors, but please don't let that deter you from moving forward with design. You obviously have a talent and I would keep pushing it.
And BTW, for an 18 year old, your grammar and writing skills are superb! I am truly impressed. Congrats!
suzanne maestri-walters :: graphic designer :: www.onegirlcreative.com
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"The name's Bond, James Bond."
www.onegirlcreative.com
Thank you all for your comments!
I'm stunned with all the positive feedback :)
Thanks everyone esp. Suzanne :)
I love Creative Bits even more now.
By the way...how come this thread came up on the Creative Bits homepage?? Does every thread do this??
Jack
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BRANDING | PRINT | WEB
www.jhousedesign.com
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Nope, they are arbitrarily chosen by Ivan, the site moderator.
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Powerpoint is not a design application
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The Salon Design Tech
That's some great work right there man, very inspiring indeed. Don't let it get to your head though! Haha, in all seriousness, if you ask me, school is overrated, depending on the school. I had some teachers who gave filler classes, some that gave classes that taught me the technical aspects of illustration ( airbrush techniques, software) and some that didn't teach anything, but damn it inspired us to pursue our fields and erased any doubts in our minds about Design. Anyways, before I start going off on random tangeans, again, GREAT portfolio dude.
Leaky Penny
www.leakypenny.com
When I leave, close together like butt cheeks.
-Grits N' Gravy
Yea, I know what can happen if my head gets too big.
Although, at the same time, I find it hard to make people take me seriously, because I'm young.
I'm dealing with envy in the office at the moment. It's not very nice :(
But at the end of the day, I'm not gonna design worse than somebody else, to make them feel better. I'm gonna try my hardest no matter what!!
J
Jack
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www.jhousedesign.com
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Hey J, I think your head could only be medium size in a super super super super size world. Sorry dude you are full of yourself. Keep designing and be a little humble. You have a talent but millions of others do as well. The important talents among us see value in the work of others less sucessful than themselves. Treat people with respect and they will return the sentiment. Believe me I am not writing this from an envious perspective (because I'm really really really really GOOD).
Sorry man. I'll bare that in mind.
:(
"The important talents among us see value in the work of others LESS sucessful than themselves" ?????
Jack
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BRANDING | PRINT | WEB
www.jhousedesign.com
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Yeah, and you are Mr. (or Mrs.?) Respect lately. Uh huh.
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Powerpoint is not a design application
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The Salon Design Tech
Was this directed at me? Or spotteddick?
I looked at some of his reply's in other topics...they were probably all negative.
I take it this is what you're referring to?
:S ?
Jack
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BRANDING | PRINT | WEB
www.jhousedesign.com
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Yes, I was referring to SpottedDick. You can tell because my reply is indented under his.
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Powerpoint is not a design application
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The Salon Design Tech
Its under mine isn't it?
Jack
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BRANDING | PRINT | WEB
www.jhousedesign.com
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No, yours and my comments are both under his.
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Powerpoint is not a design application
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The Salon Design Tech
Thank you for sharing. I checked your portfolio and I'm really impressed. I am new to graphic design industry. I studied tourism and I don't know why I'm here. lol. I just wish I studied something at least related to my choice right now.
Hi,
So can we all see your portfolio?
I hear your really, really, really GOOD.
Jack
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BRANDING | PRINT | WEB
www.jhousedesign.com
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Are you talking to me or spotteddick?
if only there was someway to verify who he was talking about...hmm...like...gee..I dunno....like a hint....hmm..like....maybe writing the name of the person he was talking to in the title of his post.....
:P
Leaky Penny
www.leakypenny.com
When I leave, close together like butt cheeks.
-Grits N' Gravy
I'm confused cuz the msg s next to me & or its not align to me. I think he's talking to spottdicke
hmm..like....maybe its in the title of the fricking comment!!!!
LOL!
SPOTTEDDICK! GET YOUR PORTFOLIO UP NOW!!!!
:P
Jack
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BRANDING | PRINT | WEB
www.jhousedesign.com
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didn't just call *me* an idiot.
Leaky Penny
www.leakypenny.com
When I leave, close together like butt cheeks.
-Grits N' Gravy
Aww sorry. Just because you didn't read the topic properly before mouthing off.
HEHE. I win! :)
Jack
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BRANDING | PRINT | WEB
www.jhousedesign.com
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If you had half a brain you'd know I was being sarcastic...maybe your ego stroking friends and family never taught you the fine art of sarcastic remarks when dealing with pompous little pricks doesn't mean that you should take everything someone says for face value. Before calling peoples names from the safety of internet anonymity ( i.e. not to someones face) I suggest you read, re -read, then RE-read the comment you're replying to, get some friends to read it to you THEN and ONLY THEN come out with your smart ass remarks.
In closing, I believe this whole thread was just so you can feel good about your insecure little self (I don't take back my comments about your work, it's a good portfolio) and am ending my participation in it here. What you reply to this comment I couldn't care less, I wwon't play your juvenile little games.
P.S. I doubt people at your job are jealous of you because of your age. I honestly believe it's because your a little jerk whose head is getting to big for his own good. Good luck in your career, you're going to need it.
Leaky Penny
www.leakypenny.com
When I leave, close together like butt cheeks.
-Grits N' Gravy
Cheers for the advice there. But I was also only kidding! LOL! You take things so seriously!
Total hypocrite. Not sure where you from, but IDIOT might seem worse than PRICK. Weird. That seems backwards to me. Where I come from...the real world, idiot isn't an insult at all! No one uses the word IDIOT! GEES! CHILAX!
I can't get over how funny your comment is. I was just wondering what everyone thought. I live in a crappy town with no one around so I thought a design community might offer some mature feedback. CLEARLY NOT!
So I can see you losing your temper a lot. Maybe you should get some help with that.
Thanks for ruining my thread by the way.
J out.
Jack
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BRANDING | PRINT | WEB
www.jhousedesign.com
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Yea sorry about that. So I misread your comment.
My mistake. But there still wasn't any need for you to flip out man.
Again, I apologise.
Friends?
Jack
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BRANDING | PRINT | WEB
www.jhousedesign.com
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Pls treat people with respect. Mr. artfiend deserves respect. No one wins an argument. A winning attitude can help but saying that to someones face s a big No.
This is getting ridiculous!!!! Take it out on MySpace. =P
suzanne maestri-walters :: graphic designer :: www.onegirlcreative.com
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"The name's Bond, James Bond."
www.onegirlcreative.com
:(
Jack
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BRANDING | PRINT | WEB
www.jhousedesign.com
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I never went to uni either, Nobody I know who studied Graphic Design is actually working in that field now so it's probably a blessing.