My first impression is that no matter how different the graphic design and visual media programs might be, all creatives want to do is create. Being fully emerged in it can sometimes be obsessive over it, but in the end, want to make something beautiful with their skills.
One student said the most important thing he’s learned so far was how many different career paths were open to him and thinking more about the direction he is headed in. When you don’t know many people in the industry, there’s no one to tell you how huge the world of design is and where you as a designer fit into that industry. His first realization in the programs was that he had no idea what he was getting himself into, just that he’d enjoyed illustrating and the process of creating.
One interesting takeaway I got from our conversation was the design classes seem to be connecting their ideas and concepts. When his classes started, there wasn’t a clear correlation between his classes. But as the program goes on there is a more obvious connection between every class. Opposite to my experiences in visual media, at first, all the concepts were connected but as we go further into the curriculum, I notice it’s easier to get buried in one subject and have that be your entire career. Not to say that’s not the same with design but it’s become crystal clear recently.
Already, I see the difference in how we look at our work and the world around us. Whenever the design students show me their work after class they ask me what I see. Asking which shapes they created to give the most feeling of safety or which logo is better for an ice cream company. While I show them an image that I put copy over, and ask if there is enough negative space. Seeing if the copy is taking away from selling the product. Here are two different thought prosses that in the end come together to create a finished product. And I admire the collaborative side of working with graphic designers. It’s easy to be focused on the skills you’ve been told to work on in school and be around people who are working on the same projects as you. But learning what other creatives are doing can allow you to think outside the box for your creations.
I think understanding the design perspective is going to be essential to my career. When theirs a team with other creatives, you need to understand a bit about their process. Understanding what you need from them will help communication be effective.
I see myself connecting and creating marking campaigns that are multiple layered projects and one component of that will be working with designers to complete a vision. Without knowing what other creatives need to be successful it will be harder to accomplish success.