4 answers
Candace
Student
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If you decide to go to any other form of digital media ( like animation ) after becoming a graphic designer will the work become easier since you have experience that is relevant, or harder because you're switching the way you work in certain ways.
#graphic-design
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4 answers
Julia Hinger
User Experience
8
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San Francisco, California
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Julia’s Answer
I would say that you will always be able to use the foundations of what you have learnt previously for what you are focusing on next. In your example, the tools you use might be different and new for using animation, but what you have learnt about color, composition and layout in graphic design will be very helpful in creating the visual part of your animations. In this industry tools and processes constantly evolve, so it's fair to say that you will be most successful anyway by keeping an open mind and not getting too set in your ways.
Pamela Galante
Senior Graphic Designer
23
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Manchester, New Hampshire
Updated
Pamela’s Answer
As someone who earned a degree in graphic design, and found a passion for motion graphics towards the end of earning my degree, I think it is a big benefit. My mentor once explained to me that design is just as important when the asset doesn't move as it is when it is in motion. Being able to understand the basic design principles will immensely help you create beautiful moving visuals.
The biggest hurdle I think tends to be more technical, as learning timeline based applications such as AfterEffects or Premiere are very different at first compared to Photoshop or Illustrator. When you talk about animation, if you are referring to character based animation, I think this would still hold true.
The biggest hurdle I think tends to be more technical, as learning timeline based applications such as AfterEffects or Premiere are very different at first compared to Photoshop or Illustrator. When you talk about animation, if you are referring to character based animation, I think this would still hold true.
Danielle Pierce
Global Marketing Director
3
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Chicago, Illinois
Updated
Danielle’s Answer
I can’t really speak to other art avenues, but when I started as a graphic designer (100 years ago) you chose from either print or web design. I chose print, but as the world quickly changed and adapted I too had to adapt. I used the skill I obtained and applied them to web design when my employer required it. I was not an expert but could figure it out. As I realized how much I enjoyed the whole marketing process I shifted my career. Now as a marketing director I will say that having dabbled in many different areas of marketing it give me great perspective on how to lead others. And how to help them develop their skills.
Casey Klebba
Software Engineering Manager
1
Answer
Los Gatos, California
Updated
Casey’s Answer
Yes, the work will be easier — while you gain experience in the digital medium you will learn about all of the unglamorous aspects of creating and publishing content for the web — skills that will bolster your career forever. You will also learn how to collaborate on a creative team, which is critical for your future success, and ideally you will learn to give and receive creative critique. Navigating feedback about visual work is one of the hardest things to master, animating or otherwise.
One thing you should consider is whether or not it's really important that it will be easy to do something you're interested in. Many of the challenges you could undertake will not be easy; if you shy away from difficult work, someone else will pounce on the opportunity to grow. It's super important that you pursue what interests you, even if it seems hard right now, because you can definitely figure it out eventually! Remember that every single person who has mastered their craft started off with nothing. A college degree is a huge accomplishment, but after a decade working you will still be young in your career — during that time you will be able to learn far more than what you learned in school, but it will all be self directed and up to you. You can choose where to specialize, and you'll be surprised where you end up if you don't back down from a challenge. Good luck!
One thing you should consider is whether or not it's really important that it will be easy to do something you're interested in. Many of the challenges you could undertake will not be easy; if you shy away from difficult work, someone else will pounce on the opportunity to grow. It's super important that you pursue what interests you, even if it seems hard right now, because you can definitely figure it out eventually! Remember that every single person who has mastered their craft started off with nothing. A college degree is a huge accomplishment, but after a decade working you will still be young in your career — during that time you will be able to learn far more than what you learned in school, but it will all be self directed and up to you. You can choose where to specialize, and you'll be surprised where you end up if you don't back down from a challenge. Good luck!