Could do with some advice from any veteren graphic designers out there who could offer any tips they may have for a project I've been set by an admission tutor at Hallam Uni. I'm hoping to become a mature student in September.
Advice on any free downloadable tools I can get from the internet could be particularly useful...

Big Thanks

Paul

Whats the project? Graphic design is quite broad? is it advertising like stuff, or technical graphic design?

Joel

You can check out the full brief here http://www.dandad.org/education/student-awards/pdf/Brand_SACFE2005.pdf

I think I have quite a strong idea on how the project should look in my mind but transfering that to something tangiable is where I could do with some helpful tips.

Cheers

ADVICE DON'T DO IT! The salary for designers has gone down 10k since I started 12 years ago.

Its was a fantastic job to get into back then with basic salaries of 30k. Now you are lucky to get 18k with 3 years experience. Every man and his dog is a desigener these days with the advent of easy tutorials in Publisher, Pagemaker and Word.

Deleted!!!

Just realised that I was replying to 2005 thread!

That'd explain the brief not being online anymore.

Too many "designers" and not enough talent nowadays....

Blimey forgotten I'd ever written this.

Well I'm now into my second year at Hallam, all is going well so far.

It's true though there are to many wannbe 'designers' out there, plenty of people on my course are only there because they think it's an easy route to a degree and much to the shame of Hallam those people are right.

It's only now in year 2 that I am finally working on projects that I really enjoy, just made a music promo for Thom Yorke (from radiohead) and at the mo I'm trying to figure out how I can help save the cooling towers with the power of graphics!

In the summer I had some of my work showcased at the D&AD New Blood awards, didn't win any Yellow Pencils though. :suspect:

P

As for the salary...well that's not why I do it, although I'd never say no to 30k a year either thinking about it. :thumbsup:

For the record I know that my profile on 'my space' is rubbish, keep meaning to change but you know how it is.

P

Meh, myspace is badly written so it's forgivable to have a pretty pants page - I wouldn't worry about it!

Speaking of badly written, I need to sort out my website. But hey, I'm a print designer...

Its def good that you aren't in it for the money you're the kind of person design needs.

Good to hear you're working on saving the cooling towers, I work for Hallam FM and we started the camaign. Hope you've signed the official petition!! A link is on the homepage hallamfm.co.uk.

Good luck on you course.

scott

The whole of 2 year hallam packaging and graphics courses have all been set this task. Have to say its not the most inspirational work Ive ever done but time will tell.

It will certainly raise its profile anyway, even if it is just with the student population.

Yes there are a lot of people who call themselves graphic designers but there aren't that many around who are actually any good, particularly in Sheffield.

If you are any good, can work at a decent pace and don't think it's going to be exciting all the time (in fact, any of the time) it can make for a good career. Once you're experienced you can always freelance, I have my own clients and work for a number of advertising agencies and demand a more than satisfactory hourly rate.

Yes there are a lot of people who call themselves graphic designers but there aren't that many around who are actually any good, particularly in Sheffield.

Cant say I agree...we do have TDR, Dust, Mat Pyke, and Tado all here in Sheffield.

There is also Kid Acne and Phlegm as well, I know they're not really designers but still it's good to have em around.

I'd say Sheffield is one of the few cities in the UK with a genuine grafiks scene that isn't just about pretty web-sites and vectored insects.

p