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What is Graphic Design Really?

By Josh

In theory what is it?

Basically to create things that visually portray a message

What is it used for?

Anything and everything that has something visual or printed on it. Walk into a grocery store and virtually every single thing in the store was thought out and made by a graphic designer.

Examples: Product boxes, hallmark cards, book covers, CD covers (if they still even continue making them) website design, computer user interfaces, illustration, logo design. and many more

What does the major actually entail - work-wise?

A good artistic eye. You don't necessarily have to be a great painter/drawer/ect. But you must have a good eye for layout, color concepts. Ect

School wise - taking art classes, learning the principles of design and color and becoming proficient with the modern popular software. Lots of busy work in front of computer screen. In most programs you will be spending alot of your week designing. You have to learn to be a videophile and a perfectionist. And many projects take alot of time.

What kind of jobs do you get with it?

Graphic designers. Few will be Art Directors. Website designers. Many also do freelance work.

What are the fellow students like (personalitywise) in it?

I dont think that a major has to much to do with the stereotype a person falls into, but if I where to pick one trend, I would say that some are a little more introversive. There is just a few really shy, quiet people, but most cover about every personality type out there.

Common Misconceptions

For some reason, people seem to think that the most important part of being a GD is being "really really" good with the software. Sure you will learn how to use the different programs well but the focus is more on the teaching the concepts of the design itself, and not how to make it.

Not really a misconception, but some don't realize the cost of being in Graphic design. Most students own MacBook Pros that start at two thousand as a base model and then go all the way up to 3 to four thousand depending on what you want to get. Not to mention the software can be well over a thousand dollars depending on your schools program.

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Schools that offer Bachelors for graphic design

$28.4k
$19.1k
$17.7k
$29.0k
$40.6k
$25.5k
$32.2k
$18.7k
$23.7k
$36.5k

Design Arts - Industrial Design/Graphic Design/etc Major unemployment rate

_Design Arts - Industrial Design/Graphic Design/etcAll Majors
Unemployed%12%9
Minimum Wage%5%4
All Others%82%86
More: Unemployment for all Majors *** not counting stay at home parents *** not counting those currently in grad school

Are things going well in Design Arts - Industrial Design/Graphic Design/etc?

Going Well %73
Not Going Well %27
More: All Majors Satisfaction ??? This is a social "life satisfaction" question. Overall, would people who graduated with a degree in Design Arts - Industrial Design/Graphic Design/etc say that their life is going well? It could be interpreted in terms of stress, salary, long hours, future prospects, etc. *** not counting those currently in grad school

Graduates who stayed in Design Arts - Industrial Design/Graphic Design/etc

Still in Field %68
Got out %32
More: All Majors Still in field ??? A high "got out" percentage can be interpreted a couple of ways -- for instance, perhaps the major is a great stepping stone to becoming a totally different career -- like a doctor. Or perhaps the jobs one gets with the major just aren't that great. *** not counting those currently in grad school
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From the moment I walked into the campusFrom the moment I walked into the campus, I knew I belonged there. There was such an infectious vibe of creativity everywhere. Never had i had so many professional adults acknowledging my own talent andRead reviewDesign Arts - IndustThe Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising - Los Angeles Reviews
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