[2Dfruit]

I'm 21 and in the middle of my masters in Engineering.
Problem is I'm bored senseless. The course content is pretty challenging and there's lots of problem solving etc..but there's no creativity, no expression. I'm just finding it really dull.

I'm quite content at the minute being in uni and doing my thing because the course is most definately secondary to me. I chose the course when I was 17, and the thought of a 6 figure salary got my pimples boiling. Now though, even that has slid down in my list of wants.

My girlfriend asked me if I won the lottery, what I'd do in the morning. My answer took all of 3 seconds..which suprised even me. I'd quit my course and do something in design. Wheither it be web, graphic - it wouldn't matter. I'd find myself in the wee hours scrawling through design books sitting in awe.

Due to clients in business, I've built up a strong coding knowledge, but still haven't gotten as deep into design as I wanted. I loved it in school and even created a portfolio for architecture in Queens - which I rejected like a tosser. 7 year course is off the table at this stage, but I'm seriously considering doing some sort of course in design..even if it involves taking time out to do another course to build up a portfolio.

Any advice from you fellas. I know there's a wealth of experience here.

I'll be on dt later, so leave a dude some replies.

[moloyebu]

From my minimal life experience. You should do what you want to do. Fuck money. Would you rather wake up every morning and do a job you know you love? Or make loads of money doing a job you hate? Life is far to short to waste it being miserable. You spend most of your life working so do something that makes you happy

[Dusteh]

Finish the degree. Piss about in photoshop in your spare time.

[chips]

yeah, take the time to get your portfolio together. Don't worry about the masters being unrelated - I've met a few designers with different backgrounds/degrees. actually I think a guy I work with did engineering.
shit, you're only 21 man.
good thing about working in design is that you don't need to study it to get in there. as long as you know PS etc and have a good eye, some decent work in your portfolio.

[Rik]

our copywriter is a fully trained physio theripst and i am a 'fine artist'.

finish your education. looks very bad dropping out.

[Starbright]

I'm a music technologist and work full time in design, also glad I graduated with most my friends!

[bjzaba]

Maybe you masters in engineering would be useful somewhere in the field of design.... for example I've read about a molecular biologist who now works as an animator. He didn't just throw away his knowlege, instead he used it to help him create animations explaining the inner workings of cells, like DNA etc. I'll try and find the video.... Anyway, maybe you might find your passion in something like infographics?

[bjzaba]

Occupation Information

Scroll right down to the bottom... i think that's the right one. Unfortunately I'm on a mac, and can't view the wmv. Can somebody confirm?

[Anxious]

Don't leave your degree - stick in and just get it over with. Honestly, you'll regret it! Once you've got your degree, head out and get a job in design.

[Starbright]

@bjzaba - links to that Ace Day Jobs - The Lab

[bjzaba]

Thanks kemp - here's the one I was after.

Drew did a Masters in cell biology before deciding straight science wasn't for him. He worked in advertising for several years and then started in image manipulation working at the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research (WEHI) in Melbourne. Drew began to play around with 3D animation tools and worked evenings and weekends creating free animations for education videos by local producers. He now works full time - using the same animation technology that they use for special effects in films such as Lord of the Rings or Spiderman - to create science animations for WEHI.

I think I'd have to agree (using my little life experience) with the rest, finish what you started. You got this far, it'd be stupid to drop out now!

[Rotuy]

Originally Posted by moloyebu

From my minimal life experience. You should do what you want to do. Fuck money. Would you rather wake up every morning and do a job you know you love? Or make loads of money doing a job you hate? Life is far to short to waste it being miserable. You spend most of your life working so do something that makes you happy

I actually think I love you.

Because you are so right.

[2Dfruit]

Thanks for the insight guys. Fuck it, you're right. Should probably finish this shitty degree. It's just hard getting up everyday and studying every night at something that doesn't interest you in the slightest.

[2Dfruit]

Bumpage for good reason.

I've made my decision on the matter. It's a pretty big one, but fuck it - it's what I want.

I didn't make it clear that i'm already qualified as an engineer and have obtained a degree. It's not a masters, but that's what this is all about.

I'm not interested in pursuing engineering to that level. It's design I want. I'm going to have to move quickly and make some decisions.

So first things first. A portfolio.
1) Build it myself?
2) Do some sort of year long course to beef it up?

What have you guys done?

I'm in Scotland btw, so any contacts from the scots is appreciated.

[datahound]

ASIMO Humanoid Robot - Honda Robotic Technology Tours N America

Engineering would allow you to do design on a grand scale and I don't mean the website.

Engineers contribute to the wealth of the world.

Designers just make it prettier.

[Jack000]

guess it's too late to say this now, but the business of design is mostly business. I would have suggested for you to take an internship to see if the industry is right for you - a few months of being bossed around by an insane creative director might make you change your mind about switching careers..

I'm an engineering student too btw, and I think the point of an ensc degree is to enable you to do things on your own time (diy electronics projects and whatnot). You really have to have an interest to begin with to get something out of it.

[2Dfruit]

That'd be more along the lines of computing science and mechanics datahound. Not the area I'm in - Structural and Environmental.

There's a certain mindframe you need to be an engineer, and I don't have it.

I'm just not enthused about it in the slightest...and you need to be. I'm happy at college, but the thought of doing what I do for the next 50 years turns my stomach to be honest.

[jack]

Drop out and learn some survival skills. Skills such as hunting and knowing which berries to eat and which ones will make you prolapse. That sort of shit.

I'm half serious.

[2Dfruit]

Originally Posted by jack

Drop out and learn some survival skills. Skills such as hunting and knowing which berries to eat and which ones will make you prolapse. That sort of shit.

I'm half serious.

I'd like your honest opinion too

[moloyebu]

If your serious and want to goto a design college/uni. Then I think your kinda fucked if your in Scotland all the good ones are down south I think. Correct me if I'm wrong though.

I went to my local college for a bit about a year back on a design course but it was really shit, I mean the quality of tutors and lessons plans were pathetic and the student work was horrendous. I still learnt things though mainly about printing, pantone and all that jazz, which still unfortunately confuses me somewhat but I digress thats another story.

Alot of people I have met are self taught. Many got into 'design' by accident. I myself kind of fell into it. I was doing a software development course about 4 years back and we were asked to design a magazine cover (dont ask me why, it was at the start of the course) using ms publisher LOL. It was then I realised what I wanted to do and since then I been pissing about trying to get it done. Basically what I'm trying to say is, if you have the natural ability and skills and work hard then working in design will be fulfilling and you will love every second of it, even the shite bits. One piece of advice though, is dont become lazy, always do something design wise, carry a sketchbook with you wherever you go, doodle every little idea that comes into your head and practice everything you can all the time.

Wow thats the most I have typed for awhile, my hand hurts now.