Graphic Design Course Problems

kaki

Hi all, not sure if this is the exactly right forum to post in, but it's not the worst, so here it goes.

My name's Katie, I'm currently studying Graphic and Virtual Design in Turin, Italy (1st year of 3 year, undergraduate).

I'm finding the course tough, very tough. I'm sure that I want to work in Graphic Design/Illustration, but it's so hard to justify the workload of some of the things I'm studying where I feel they have little/no relevance to my future...I kept plodding away for the first term, but I've lost all motivation since I came back. And it's a strange feeling...I was the 600 pointer nerd in secondary school, and I'm barely showing up once a week to classes for the last while...

For one thing, the course is fairly new, and is under the Architecture faculty, and in turn is riding on the coat-tails of the Industrial Design Course. I think that it's because of this that, although being a "Graphic and Virtual Design" course, we have modules in material science 1, material science 2, technical physics, technical drawing and descriptive geometry. They seem much more directed at would-be architects/furniture/object designers, whereas the graphical side is fairly neglected (we have a "Laboratorio Informatica" once a week, which is Photoshop 101).

So, I guess what I'm looking for is anyone who has encountered/has similiar feelings about a design course, and how they deal with them. Or, if anyone has any suggestions for materials/websites/books in English (or ****, even in Irish) that might help me with the more technical subjects I'm struggling with, because the fact that they're all taught in Italian isn't helping. Or amusing motivational memes from the internet, whichever.

Gracias

p

The only thing i'd say to you, is that often things that seem incredibly wastful in college come back to benefit you years in the future.

I learnt a lot of media theory in college that I hated at the time, all essays and writing and no design. However, while I still don't like how they were taught they have helped me quite often, and I can more clearly articulate my ideas as a result. I can see how material science could stand to you in a few years time. It might help you appreciate the use of textures in design, or it might stand to you if you decide that for some design you need to make something with real materials rather than just with a pen or with photoshop. I'm always surprised that many of the best designs are ones that find a way to bring real world elements into the digital realm. Similarly, things like technical drawing would be very useful for doing icon design, or certain types of illustration. Just take a look at this cruise ship illustration. It's design, but it wouldn't be possible without technical drawing techniques. Studying physics could be really useful in motiongraphics or 3D design. Maybe not something you're interested in now, but something you could be drawn to in 5 years time. One other thing i'd say is that design courses are usually very broad in the first year as they try to give people a taster of everything. They usually get more focused as they progress as people specialise in their particular field.

We all go through tough times in college, also we're often annoyied by anything less that the perfect course tailor-made for us. It's especially tough when you're far away from home, friends and family, and it's in a language that's not your native tongue. I understand how you feel.

Just try stick with it. The most important thing is to go to classes. Much better to be in the classroom bored than get into the habit of not going there at all.

All the best.

louloumc89

Katie,

I started a course in the University of Limerick last year doing Digital Media Design. I hated the course, it was technical and there was too much programing. I wouldn't have minded, except the complete lack of any practical work. I just decided full stop the course wasn't for me.

I transfered straight into Limerick IT this year and I'm doing video and sound tech. It's the same four year hons degree, and I love it. Personally, for me I needed to switch at the time as I hated it. But at the same time, the people doing that course will get a nice broad degree. But for me, I wanted to get the practical experience. So if you do stick it out in that course, you will have a good degree. Otherwise, you could always try switching to a course you prefer.

DonkeyStyle \o/

p wrote: »

Just take a look at this cruise ship illustration.

Damn impressive :eek:

WebGeek

Amazing piece of work - 960 hours work!!