[leanneorr]

Hey guys

Basically, I know how to code a website, I done a module at university and learnt that way...problem is i never learnt graphic design. Is it possible to learn from home would you say? How did you learn? x

[smoothonline]

Hi
I taught myself to code/ design etc. So I've never even done a course in web design.

I taught myself to design in photoshop. I am learning all the time.

My next task is to get to grips with illustrator.

In my opinion if you go to do a degree in it then you will learn how to do the brilliant stuff far faster than taking 2-3 years like I have to get to a basic OK standard.

If I had my time over I would have gone and done some graphic design course.

But I didn't.

[SamDavy]

I found learning in my own time over the past 7 years has helped me, don't get me wrong the courses i have done helped me to understand the programs i use. But i find it's all about imagination and learning from others.

[roothost]

Self taught here. Courses can only teach you so much, design comes from within - and loads of practice.

If I see something I like, I break it down and try and recreate it myself, I learn that way.

[porkchops]

I taught myself to code HTML4 back in the day, but ended up taking college courses in XHTML/CSS/JS/PHP.

I taught myself how to create graphics in FireWork (back when it was Macromedia--- Fireworks 4). My actual DESIGN skills were terrible though, so I took a 1 year course in Graphic Design at a local extension of Boston University to get the basics.

Having formal schooling in design makes your life a lot easier since the conceptual stuff is hard to pick up and become proficient in, but you could certainly learn on your own. Use the right resources, practice a LOT (over and over and over) and learn to accept feedback/criticism on your work from people who know their stuff. That's how you become a good designer anyways.

[oakleaves]

leanneorr, on 28 September 2011 - 07:56 PM, said:

problem is i never learnt graphic design. Is it possible to learn from home would you say?

Hi!

Yes, and the sooner you start, the sooner you will get good at it. Also, don't be afraid to ask for critique on your work when you start, this will help you to grow and develop.

[Script©]

I'm self-taught in everything I know, including English, if you know how to teach yourself you can accomplish anything.

Don't let negative reviews bring you down, negative reviews are the best! you actually learn from them, and they usually come from designers with more experience/higher standards.

I forgot to mention I learned everything web related I know in one year.

This post has been edited by Script©: 28 September 2011 - 09:17 PM

[jungledrum Design]

did a hnd back in the day, best way is to expose yourself to as much as it as possible, it will sink in eventually

[evu]

Many designers are self taught, so yea, it's very possible to learn from home. The way I'm doing it is to abuse the hell out if google, subscribe to some decent blogs and follow some good designers on twitter. Absorb everything you can and in the words of fatal1ty, "practise, practise, practise". You'll find it easier and more fun if you learn the things that interest you and leave the rest for a rainy day. I fall asleep at the mere thought of databases, for instanc..... Zzzz...

Good luck,
~evu.

[Lev]

Completely self taught and permanently continue my self education.

[roothost]

Lev, on 03 October 2011 - 04:51 PM, said:

Completely self taught and permanently continue my self education.

^This.

You can never learn too much, especially in this industry as tomorrow always bring somebody smarter!

[Renaissance-Design]

Lev, on 03 October 2011 - 04:51 PM, said:

Completely self taught and permanently continue my self education.

QFTW. (Doing a damn good job of it too, mate)

[Lucy101]

University and Internships with Design/Advertising firms in London..still learning though!

[Frisby]

I'm self taught. Classes are helpful though. I had a tough time with Adobe Illustrator until I took a class that included that. I think for the most part, you can get along quite well without lessons, but you might encounter a few things you need more help learning, and that's where they'd come in useful.

If you want to learn graphic design on your own, perhaps read up on some articles online and just keep an eye out on the world around you. Examine what works and what doesn't, and try to figure out why. The best way to improve is to probably try your hand at it. The more you practice, the better you'll get.

[Gaelen]

took this course
http://www.bcit.ca/s...rams/6415smcert

and learning more every day!

[Design Fan]

Self-taught here.
I believe that self taught is the best way to go but only if you
have a proper direction.

[JackLUFC]

Lev, on 03 October 2011 - 04:51 PM, said:

Completely self taught and permanently continue my self education.

This, and still learning.

[porkchops]

Design Fan, on 15 October 2011 - 12:19 PM, said:

I believe that self taught is the best way to go but only if you have a proper direction.

Would you mind elaborating on that? I'm just curious.


I'd argue that a GOOD school program is going to give you the best results, but you have to keep in mind that a lot of programs don't do a great job of producing good designers. It probably stems from having too much material to cover.

A couple of courses on design basics and typography plus a LOT of self-study might be the best of both worlds.

[pandadoodle]

Self taught also, BUT things like typography, using colour, textures, photography etc was all picked up by doing a simple art & design GNVQ that gave me the basics to go off and improve!

[Design Fan]

porkchops, on 16 October 2011 - 05:20 PM, said:

Would you mind elaborating on that? I'm just curious.


I'd argue that a GOOD school program is going to give you the best results, but you have to keep in mind that a lot of programs don't do a great job of producing good designers. It probably stems from having too much material to cover.

A couple of courses on design basics and typography plus a LOT of self-study might be the best of both worlds.

With school programs there are a lot of if's.
It depends on a lot of stuff, the program, the teacher,
the attitude of the student towards the teacher

The only problem with self study is that in the beginning
it's hard to determine which direction is better to start moving

[zed]

so how would you self teach direction?

[Design Fan]

zed, on 16 October 2011 - 08:48 PM, said:

so how would you self teach direction?

Either waste time trying to study everything
or ask advice from the gurus

[zed]

so not really self study if you're asking others.

[joshfolio]

I was about 12 when I got photoshop I use to make CD covers for local artists on myspace made quite a lot of cash when I was about 15 and that was all self taught, courses are pointless where do you think the teachers get all there info from?? the internet you can teach yourself anything

[MikeChipshop]

Self taught here.
You need to learn the basic guidelines f colour, weight, balance, typography etc etc and when it's appropriate to break these rules.

Get cracking and read some books and turn your hand at a few ideas. If you feel it's not sinking in then think of maybe enrolling in a course. Whether you can go down the self taught road is all down to you and how you best learn.

[Design Fan]

zed, on 16 October 2011 - 08:55 PM, said:

so not really self study if you're asking others.

It is self study. Self study doesn't mean you don't ask for help
from others. It just means that you try to learn as much as you
can from books and all, and where ever you get stuck you request
for help.

[Joram]

I learned alot on school, but that was for the HTML/CSS part, we never saw photoshop so that's something i learned from youtube movies, tutorials,... . But the only negative thing is i'm able to make nice designed websites, but i never have the inspiration to make a good looking site. So would there be a way to learn that? Or do you just have to recreate thing you see online, so your inspiration will come from itself?µ
Gz

[diva]

Self taught ! none can teach you creativity you know

This post has been edited by diva: 07 November 2011 - 11:34 AM

[LogoSafari]

I took art and design courses alooooooooooooong time ago. It helped me with the basics. But, I am self taught in Adobe Illustrator I use the most and Photoshop. Practice makes perfect, the old saying goes!

[Chameleon Media]

I taught myself and my work is consistently improving. I started using Fireworks and then moved to Photoshop 5 years ago. Once you know how to use photoshop you can do any form of graphic design as long as you have inspiration.

[mantis]

I went to art school yonks ago and then moved into illustration. A lot of the design priciples you just get a feel for after a while but for programs like Illustrator and Photoshop you need to at least follow some tutorials. There are lots of free ones but I like lynda.com which does cost money but is pretty good value in my opinion.

Courses are good if you need outside motivation. If it really interests you you'll probably be able to learn online but it takes motivation. I find its really hard to teach yourself something that you aren't terribly interested in (I spent a year tearing my hair out over PHP and Javascript without much to show for it) If you're really good at the development end it might be worth teaming up with a designer while you learn the basics.

Good luck to you.

[terrypasencio]

http://www.graphicde...graphic-design/
http://psd.tutsplus....course-outline/
Go through these sites...
And let me know if they proved helpful to you or not.

[Reverie]

Most people learn this at home, I believe.
There are tons of photoshop, illustrator, fireworks tutorials out there.

It's just a thing of observing websites with attention and finding the techniques to imitate them on those tutorials you find for free.
Try it, very soon you'll be doing very well.

[cab322003]

I'm very much still in the beginning part of the learning process but the progress I've made so far has all been through following tutorials.

Something I'm planning to do is start rebuilding logos I really like in illustrator

[Deb Harrison]

Hi Leanne

I am also sounding the self-taught horn: HTML, CSS, Photoshop, PHP, you name it (although I do confess I went to evening classes on a proper web design course so I had something on paper). I started off my web design career with FrontPage so anything after that had to be an improvement!

Before I design a website I do look through similar websites to see what they're doing right (what appeals, what seems to be working). I also flick through this and another web design mag and take note of anyhing that seems appealing.

From a graphic design perspective, there are enough Photoshop tutorials at your disposal.

HTH

This post has been edited by Deb Harrison: 03 December 2011 - 10:45 AM

[Tom J.]

Everything I know I've learned myself. Web design... graphic design... HTML, CSS, PHP... Adobe CS... I'm always trying to learn better ways to do things or skills to enhance my work. I have booked onto a 'proper' 10-week graphic design primer in January to get some information on the basics/theory that I think I've missed. It'll be nice to bounce a few ideas off some like-minded individuals, too!

[Raging Designs]

Also self taught, parents downloaded it on my laptop when I was 12 was stuck on it ever since. I am 18 now running my own freelance graphic and web design company provide quality products to those who need. Like Promotional goods as well.

but even so I believe my teaching myself over there years will make it easy for me to go into a college and get my certifications I need and a degree I want cause most of the information they will teach me I already know.

[FashionCore]

Self taught here.

I would like to say that trial & error is the best way to learn, and of course ask when you get stuck

[sclarke]

Did a course but learnt nothing I hadn't picked up from doing it as a hobby, it's the way to go in my opinion, self taught.

[EvaBrown]

I leared everything myself. I think today it is really easy to find everything that you need in the internet.