Question about GD & Multimedia/Web Career?

[aquablue]

Hi.

I'm considering a career in graphic arts or multimedia/web design. I'm
confused about one major point. If you get a degree in multimedia design,
you don't seem to get much graphic design training. How can you become a
web designer if you don't have that training? The multimedia courses seem
to say that students go onto to such careers. So, what should I do? Do
graphic design in college and focus on digital? Or, just do a digital
design degree? It seems confusing to me.

So: Multimedia is primarily what in comparison to graphic design? Is
multimedia just programming? Do you need a GD background to do any design
work in multimedia jobs?

AD

[aquablue]

Hi, thanks.. Are you familiar with Digital Design degrees from places like
Parsons and School of Visual Arts? These seem good schools; Do you know if
they incorporate design theory and not just software education?

Are you suggesting then that I just do a communication/GD degree with
electives in Electronic Media? How would I learn Director and Lingo
programming then? It seems, that you can't have everything, and the degrees
are not combined well with both electronic and graphic design.

AD

"iehsmith" <inezhsmit...@earthlink.net> wrote in message
news:BD204839.2138E%inezhsmit...@earthlink.net...
> On 7/18/04 3:50 PM, aquablue uttered:

> To me multimedia means just what the word implies... multiple forms of
> media. The public at large, and many employers, think that knowing how to
> use the programs is all it takes. This may be partially true if you have
> some natural artistic and design talent, but there is still much more to
> commercial design that being artistic.
>
> Don't confuse the two though; media means media: print, presentation
> (projector), CD/DVD, TV, web...
> Design is both the conceiving and producing for your chosen media type,
and
> is done with a predefined purpose, be it distributing information,
promoting
> and idea, telling a story or selling/marketing tangibles.
>
> You can learn how to use every program on earth and still not know the
first
> thing about design. But, as a designer, you need to deal with the tools of
> your chosen trade (and media). Degrees may help you get a production job
or
> an agency job, I honestly don't know, but they do little for you as a
> freelancer.
>
> inez
>

[Matt Bostock]

Multimedia, in the modern design sense, is the art of presenting
information over a variety of media. Since a 'variety' normally includes
the Internet, kiosks, CDs and DVDs, programming skill is essential -
just as a strong talent for design is essential. You'll need both for
multimedia.

I didn't choose to do a digital design degree (I'm UK based btw) because
from what I've seen, some of them are very poor quality and their
graduates' work is less than impressive in some cases. I'd also be wary
of taking such a specific degree, possibly. On the other hand, there are
some excellent courses available - hopefully Andrew Banks is reading
this - he's a talented designer and really enjoyed his course (I think
it was at Hull or Sheffield).

Take care,
Matt

[The Devil's Advocate©]

I'd suggest to learn print design well as a foundation. Then move on
to multimedia.

[aquablue]

So, what do you suggest I do then... I have an unrealted BA in a non design
field. Do I need to first get graphic design degree and then multimedia??
Seems a long way to go

AD

"Matt Bostock" <ma...@mattbostock.com> wrote in message
news:UaDKc.1399$h_3...@newsfe6-gui.ntli.net...

[Matt Bostock]

You already have another degree? What in?

If I were you, I'd consider a fine art or print design course. During
that, take some courses in programming (ASP, PHP, C, Java, Lingo and
ActionScript) or just teach yourself.

I'm thinking about pursuing a design career or a creative career, but
I'm taking philosophy. Why? Because I enjoy it and it'll improve my
creativity and research skills (essential for design). Seemingly
unrelated degrees like history are also good for design.

I'm of the mindset that the stuff you learn at Uni should be skills, and
then you can learn the specifics later. For example, if I wanted to be a
web applications developer as a career (for example), then taking
philosophy won't teach me ASP or PHP. But taking fine art would bring my
creativity and design eye to a new level, and then I can teach myself
the specifics (learning PHP/ASP).

Not sure if that makes any sense, but that's my view. I'm 18 and
currently on my gap year before uni. I've been freelancing for 5 years
and programming for 9-10.

Matt