Web Design Forums

BillyPilgrim · 02-10-2008, 15:09

Hello,

I am new to this forum so please resist the temptation to laugh at me too hard.

I am looking to change career and become a graphic designer. It would be ideal to be able to study full-time to do a foundation course and then perhaps a degree course. However, my circumstances are such that it would be far better to be able to study during the evenings and weekends whilst working 9-5. My day job and previous education are not related to this field of work.

Any advice would be much appreciated. I am based in Sheffield but could be based in Bristol soon.

Many thanks.

BillyPilgrim · 04-10-2008, 13:49

PS: Does anyone know if any of these part-time courses are any good?

Shillington College, London - Evening courses and short full-time courses.

University of West England, Bristol - Evening classes - Adobe Photoshop

City College, Brighton & Hove - Graphic Design BTEC Professional Certificate
part-time course

If you have any comments on, or experience of, these or any other similar part-time courses, then please let me know what you think.

Thanks.

dudecs · 06-10-2008, 19:03

1. go to lynda.com and see the tutorials for the software you want to work with.
2. have at least 20 design blogs in your rss reader
3. look at art offline: the street, your daughter's drawing book, your wife's ear rings, art albums, museums, etc.
4. a friend of mine that has a masters in fashion design told me: 'never let your hand free from paper', doodle as much as you can, about anything
5. relax your mind
6. do a couple of projects for free, to get the hang of it.

I'll think of more tips

and I'll get back to you.

BillyPilgrim · 07-10-2008, 04:11

Thanks for the post dudec. Do you know anyone who has become a graphic designer without studying a degree full-time? If so how did they do it and roughly how long did it take them? Where can I get useful criticism of my work? Would working at a printers as a Saturday job be a useful experience?Any more advice would be much appreciated.

moogaloo · 12-03-2009, 18:29

I've been working as a web designer for 3 years now - I have no formal training in it, and essentially learnt on the job with a small agency that took me on.
I was lucky.
I've since gone freelance 6 months ago, am really enjoying it, and doing fairly well too... I am however finding certain holes in my understanding and would like some kind of formal training to iron out some of the bad habits I've picked up from where I used to work, as well as learn new techniques... Hence looking for stuff in my area and finding this post.

02-10-2008, 15:09	#1 (permalink)
BillyPilgrim Registered User Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 9	Graphic Design - Evening / Weekend Courses - Bristol & Sheffield Hello, I am new to this forum so please resist the temptation to laugh at me too hard. I am looking to change career and become a graphic designer. It would be ideal to be able to study full-time to do a foundation course and then perhaps a degree course. However, my circumstances are such that it would be far better to be able to study during the evenings and weekends whilst working 9-5. My day job and previous education are not related to this field of work. Any advice would be much appreciated. I am based in Sheffield but could be based in Bristol soon. Many thanks.

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04-10-2008, 13:49	#2 (permalink)
BillyPilgrim Registered User Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 9	PS: Does anyone know if any of these part-time courses are any good? Shillington College, London - Evening courses and short full-time courses. University of West England, Bristol - Evening classes - Adobe Photoshop City College, Brighton & Hove - Graphic Design BTEC Professional Certificate part-time course If you have any comments on, or experience of, these or any other similar part-time courses, then please let me know what you think. Thanks.

06-10-2008, 19:03	#3 (permalink)
dudecs Registered User Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Cluj-Napoca, Romania Posts: 13	1. go to lynda.com and see the tutorials for the software you want to work with. 2. have at least 20 design blogs in your rss reader 3. look at art offline: the street, your daughter's drawing book, your wife's ear rings, art albums, museums, etc. 4. a friend of mine that has a masters in fashion design told me: 'never let your hand free from paper', doodle as much as you can, about anything 5. relax your mind 6. do a couple of projects for free, to get the hang of it. I'll think of more tips and I'll get back to you.

07-10-2008, 04:11	#4 (permalink)
BillyPilgrim Registered User Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 9	Thanks for the post dudec. Do you know anyone who has become a graphic designer without studying a degree full-time? If so how did they do it and roughly how long did it take them? Where can I get useful criticism of my work? Would working at a printers as a Saturday job be a useful experience?Any more advice would be much appreciated.

12-03-2009, 18:29	#5 (permalink)
moogaloo Registered User Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 1	I've been working as a web designer for 3 years now - I have no formal training in it, and essentially learnt on the job with a small agency that took me on. I was lucky. I've since gone freelance 6 months ago, am really enjoying it, and doing fairly well too... I am however finding certain holes in my understanding and would like some kind of formal training to iron out some of the bad habits I've picked up from where I used to work, as well as learn new techniques... Hence looking for stuff in my area and finding this post.

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