How can I learn graphics design without having to go to university?

Are there any books that would get me started?


Many thanks...

On Thu, 15 Sep 2005 11:02:09 -0300, <nadsinoz@hotmail.com> wrote:

Yes, I never studied at the University. I bought great books on Amazon for
Photoshop, Flash and read tutorials on the web. It's the way to go

--

Admin.
Want to buy me a book? http://tinyurl.com/78xzb

nadsinoz@hotmail.com wrote:
By being curious about how and why things are made the way they are, and
making things.

Asking people with experience the right questions, getting opinions from
your peers, other designers, other people learning design, these things
are easier to do in an educational environment.

Probably. You're better off ignoring most of them, and just drawing
stuff you love, be they logos, or typefaces or layouts. That being said:

Joseph Itten's stuff on colour is a really good primer as is Jan
Tschicold on Typography.

Norman Potter What is a designer? often keeps me sane, as does
Kandinskys Point Line Plane, but they're probably not what you're after,
but google them and make your own mind up!

It's a long journey, but a worthwhile one. We're all still learning (i
hope).

--

Davémon
http://www.nightsoil.co.uk

On 2005-09-15 16:02:09 +0200, nadsinoz@hotmail.com said:

Definitely. Also, if you prefer to see what you're learning than I
would suggest www.lynda.com, there's excellent material on that website.

--
MZ - rijeka /at/ gmail.com
Taste is the enemy of creativity. - Pablo Picasso
http://www.visualfood.net

iehsmith wrote:
sh*t, knew there was something I'd forgot...

--

Davémon
http://www.nightsoil.co.uk

It's quite possible - but - it really helps to have someone explain. Get the
books you need then get a mentor or work your way into an internship.
Working in the field will teach you more and faster than the university
anyhooo.

JAK


<nadsinoz@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:1126789797.142431.86860@f14g2000cwb.googlegro ups.com...

In article <BF4F2EE7.3AFB1%inezhsmithspammenot@earthlink.net> ,
iehsmith <inezhsmithspammenot@earthlink.net> wrote:

I was lucky ~ I interned/apprenticed with my Dad (the best GA EVER ~ no,
I'm not biased!). My Dad taught me everything from how to exploit
Illustrator to getting a piece printed successfully. If you find an
awesome mentor, you've got it made.

That being said, you should further your education in the "real world."
I went and worked for a printer for a few years. I learned everything
about getting a piece not only printed successfully, but as cheaply as
poss for my client. There are so many "workarounds: that it's not even
funny. Using a workaround to get a "cheap" print doesn't mean
sacrificing quality ~ but it does trim the bottom line and leave your
clients feeling that they got a "steal."

All the most awesome design inspiration and how-tos in creation don't
mean a damn if you've got a piece that can't be printed. To that end,
I'd also suggest some good "dry" books:

"Getting it Printed" by Eric Beach (?) is a really good one.

So is the "Pocket Pal" by International Papers (though it may be out of
print, I think ~ check eBay)

and as silly as this sounds, "Designer's Survival Guide" by Poppy Evans
(one of the editor of Dynamic Graphics magazine) is a great read for the
loo. Lots of tips and tidbits of working with service providers,
photogs, and such.

Too, there's alot of magazines that are awesome: Dynamic Graphics is a
good one (knew it when it was w-a-a-a-y more "fun" and relevant). Before
& After is a really good one (though more expensive than even PRINT or
HOW). HOW has been striking me as very prima donna-ish. The article on
"stupid clients" just left me with a bad taste.

Anyway, there's alot of resources out there. Some will say that the biz
is the same or like DTP (NOT) and soooo eeasy, some will say that it's
too hard (NOT) and then there's a few that will say that it's the
challenging, but if you love it, it's worth it! Those are the resources
to grab!

Good luck!!
Connie

It is possible to learn a great deal about graphic design without
having a university education - but any form of additional education
will benefit you and your career in the long run - whether it be
workshops, seminars, community college classes or college courses. The
education process in regards to design never ends and self-education
plays a major role in that learning. I've been working professionally
as a designer for nearly 30 years and I find I need to constantly
educate myself as the industry is always changing/evolving.

You'll find a reading list of design books that might be helpful to you
at:

http://www.creativelatitude.com/arti...her_rlist.html

Having written the "stupid clients" article referred to by Connie it is
obvious that she missed the tongue-in-cheek and sarcastic aspects of
the piece. It evolved out of my personal mantra of "it's better to be
a smart-ass than a dumb-ass." You can read it here:

http://www.howdesign.com/db/features/shootclient_1.asp

Some sites that I would recommend to learn more about design and the
"business" of graphic design include:

http://www.bamagazine.com/

http://www.ideabook.com/

http://www.jumpola.com/

http://www.creativelatitude.com

http://www.creativebusiness.com

http://www.creativepublic.com

http://www.creativepro.com

http://www.howdesign.com

- J.


Jeff Fisher :: Engineer of Creative Identity
Jeff Fisher LogoMotives
http://www.jfisherlogomotives.com

HOW Magazine Editorial Advisory Board

2006 HOW Conference Advisory Board

Author: "The Savvy Designer's Guide to
Success" from HOW Design Books.