Technical knowledge

Maybe I'm getting old too, but I agree.

don't grow old too fast Ivan

Fidel, don't despair.

I'm a graphic design student finishing my last semester of a two-year associates degree. I've paid attention and worked hard, and I know the answers to all the questions you mentioned, as I should.

I had an experience recently designing a business card for a friend. She had her own printer, and I gave him a call to find out what type of file he preferred, how he wanted said file set up, whether he wanted spot color or CMYK, etc. He knew I was his client's student friend, and he was mighty impressed that I A, called to ask him, and B, knew what I was talking about. But why should that be impressive?

I think too often people, even design students, think of the graphic arts as simply making pretty pictures or weak logos; work that requires little skill, just some "artisticness."

You and I know better.

I don't approach my student projects with the goal of producing good student work or getting a good grade. I approach them with the goal of coming as close as I can to a professional-level piece, from design to file management to pre-press. I make a lot of mistakes along the way, but I'd be doing myself and my future clients a disservice if I didn't set such high standards.

So don't despair, Fidel. There will always be mediocre designers, clueless students, and terrible clients; but there are also some of us who work hard and aim high.

We're all affected by some gloom... massively... nowadays.

Interesting topic. We were talking about this in the studio on Friday.

I've seen this a lot, too. Some people assume that having access to a pirate copy of Creative Suite entitles you to the title of graphic designer.

We live in a time where non-pros assume that they can do a better job at half the price. It's part of our responsibility to educate those people and guide them wherever possible. Some, however, just won't be told. They'll just continue wasting their time and money on amateur services or, worse still, DIY design.

There should be a minimum level of skill set before people are allowed to own the tools of the trade. It is damaging our industry reputation.

I graduated in Graphic Design a few years ago and I agree, some people, even in my class, who graduated didn't know much of the basic stuff. Some didn't know how to make a link in Dreamweaver, some used Illustrator for InDesign jobs and visa versa. I found it really annoying those people where also given a diploma.

Anyway, from my point of view, those people are just lacklustre towards their job and don't really have a lot of interest in it. They just muck around a bit. Just doing what's asked (sometimes, not even that). A repetition of tricks. Don't expect anything creative or ground-breaking from them. They only graduated cause the final project was a long term project so they could ask everything from the teacher or work together with other students.

You can see some definite attitude differences between those who started design early on the web (or even in print) and those who followed. The early generation focuses on design, but it has to meet the technical requirements to be successful. Too many of the latest generation just focus on the appearance.

I turn 44 this week.

I learned to do what I do in a world of masking film, waxy paste-ups and vertical cameras.

Sometimes I feel "left behind" and struggle to keep up with the latest tools and trends.

Other times I giggle to myself when newbies look at some of my work and can't for the life of them figure out how it was done.

"It's just 4-color process, two spot white plates with a metallic pearl varnish."

As I always say, knowing Photoshop doesn't make you a graphic designer. This topic has been around the industry for god-knows how long. I totally agree that it's either you have a great teacher or a lot of experience. But, in between that is hard work. It pays to know your craft, explore, learn and breathe it.

I think too often people, even design students, think of the graphic arts as simply making pretty pictures or weak logos; work that requires little skill, just some "artisticness."

I am 40, and I don't have a degree from anywhere. Everything that I have learned has been from 21 years of experience. I believe that "hands on" training is just as valuable if not more so to a degree. I have worked for the largest printing company in the world at one point for over 10 years and also a few publishing companies. I still find it annoying that college grads don't understand why 15 spot colors in their design is not the best of ideas, or why the RGB blue on my screen doesn't look the same when its converted to CMYK and printed. But I get passed up on job interviews for the lack of a degree. Go ahead and hire the noobie with no experience, you'll pay for it later.

Designing isn't the same as driving a car.

Must you know something about the mechanics of a car to be able to drive it? No...

Must you know something about colour to be a designer? Yes....

There's certainly an interesting mix of people out there. I try not to generalize and think the moment I see someone asking why their RGB logo looks so dull in print that it means they're some idiot who should know better. I have to remind myself I came from a place of now knowing anything about the graphic design process myself. I had to learn these things and sometimes had to ask questions like "why does my printout look dull compared to the one that's on my screen"?

I try to remind myself that "there's no such thing as a stupid question".

I'd say it would get tiresome, however, if I had to continue repeating the same answer over and over again to the exact same person asking the exact same question over and over and over again.

I challenge anyone in here to start up a new hobby and remember how frustrating it is to start from a place of knowing nothing and feeling intimidated to open your mouth and ask questions for fear of looking foolish. ;)

Really a educative and informative post, the post is good in all regards,I am glad to read this post.

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I'm from the Philippines, and though I had the misfortune of being unable to finish any formal schooling/training in graphic arts/design, I was blessed to have met a lot of people who helped build the foundations of the skills I acquired through the years - and helped me stay on the career path of a graphic designer.

I do not boast about being a graphic designer. In fact, I feel insecure and insignificant most of the time especially when I meet people who graduated from prestigious schools. I just recently found my confidence in calling and considering myself a professional graphic designer despite my setbacks, and I do hope to continuously grow into this work and life.

I can relate a lot about the topic; it is indeed frustrating, especially since I myself had been naive/ignorant yet overcame that by self-teaching myself on these matters. That said, however - I came to a conclusion that there really is a thing called as a GIFT. True, all human beings are creative by nature. But that doesn't automatically mean that everyone can be artistic, or even know good design. And yes, experience is still the best teacher - but then, we all know that not all students really listen in class, or maybe some subjects are not really for us (hehe).

What I just want to say is: forgive. We all would love to see a world where everyone are as knowledgeable about the magical world of graphic arts - but that would simply mean we'd all be jobless blokes fighting with one another (well, we are actually doing that now in a sportly way, right? haha). So let's not be bothered by these people; instead, let's be challenged - if we think they're fakers, then we'll prove it with our skills. ^_^

Good day everyone!

Nothing will keep a qualified designer gainfully employed longer than an unqualified designer.

Technical knowledge is required in every field because skill development is very important thing to understand and learn. It is required to move forward in life. Whenever we have a chance we must try to take advantage.
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I think the field in which we are working we must have technical knowledge of that.Rather than reading books and taking degree we must be technically related to that.This will help us to achieve great heights in future.I really agree with u and don't consider urself as old but according to me you are experienced.
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