Need help from graphic art designers please!

[worm761]

DS is taking a career education class. He needs to know what extracurricular activities helped in your career choice and how they helped. Thank you so much for helping!

 

[msmayor]

I'm not a graphic designer, but my daughter is majoring in that right now at a top art school.

One of the extracurriculars that allowed her to use her skills was participating in the theater program. She designed the main advertising print used for the spring shows...it was used on all posters, the cover of the program and the postcard mailing to residents of our town.

She also created the sweatshirt logo design for her senior class through the student council.

Most of the opportunities presented themselves via her art teachers.

 

[worm761]

Thank you so much for the reply!

 

[The Mystery Machine]

My dd is on a forum that does role playing with wolves and also the people do graphic art comic books.

A ton of them are graphic artisits in college that do "commissions" for people to make money on the side.

There is a ton of online stuff in the college art community if you are looking to make a buck or find an interest.

Not sure if that helps you but it amazes me. So many college students putting out their own comics and wonderful art to start themselves up. My dd of course has had some of her people do commissions for her as well as she has bought a couple comics and a calendar.

Just thought I would throw that out there.

 

[design_mom]

I am a graphic designer.

I definitely agree with the responder who said theater helps, because it gives you a chance to really use graphic design skills (advertising, designing the program, etc.) The school newspaper or yearbook would also be excellent opportunities.

I think you can also find other opportunities to help out with just about any organization (church, school, etc.) -- "Hey! I'll design a flyer about that!" or "Let me do a display about that at the open house." -- there are design opportunities, even if that's not what the club/activity is about.

As an example, I was in 4-H as middle/high-schooler. Although 4-H isn't focussed on design, there were a variety of projects that a person could take on that use graphic design skills. I competed at the state-level in public speaking (with visual aids). I did a photography project every year. I always volunteered to be in charge of designing the booth to showcase our 4-H Club at the county fair. (I also raised rabbits and did some sewing and cooking projects -- more traditional 4-H stuff -- but the opportunities are there for design, too.)

Graphic design is really about communication and problem-solving though... so I think any time you do an activity where you have to think "How will my audience perceive this? What message will they take away? Am I communicating what I want to communicate?" you can get some experience that will be useful (photography, dance, music, etc.) Those aren't *directly* related to graphic design, but you have to think in the same way.

 

[beck0321]

I would say take some advertising classes or PR classes. Helped me at least.