Chance of becoming a designer...
You probably already know where I'm going with this.
I'm a senior in high school, and I'm already pretty advanced at programming. I'm better than pretty much everyone I know that's my age, and many people older than me. However, the one thing I cannot do is design. So I end up with a bunch of stuff that looks stupid, and there's nothing I can do about it. I either need to beg a friend to help me out or pay for the design.
But here's my question - is it possible to learn? I'm fully willing to go through whatever it takes. I realize there's no magic formula to become a designer over night. It's going to be a long, painful process to learn and master design. But is it possible to do such a thing, or is it decided at birth whether or not you can be a good designer?
I can't draw on paper. I can draw objects and stuff in Flash so that you understand what the object is, and that's about the extent of it. Mainly, I'm concerned now with building website UI's. I'm able to place things in a logical order - but as far as colors, logos, images, etc - I'm basically useless.
Is there a chance for me? Has anyone else gone through a similar situation? Any good resources for learning and developing my inner designer?
Help is much appreciated. Thanks.
Mark Hensler posted this at 05:03 — 9th August 2006.
He has: 4,048 posts
Joined: Aug 2000
I'm in the same boat. I've been programming for maybe 10 years... and I still can't draw a pretty GUI. As for my experience in web developement, I've always worked with a graphic artist. But that's not to say that you can't learn... I simply never tried to learn.
Best of Luck!
(Rabbit Trail: From a design aspect, I found system application development easier as I only used system colors.)
Mark Hensler
If there is no answer on Google, then there is no question.
Renegade posted this at 10:44 — 9th August 2006.
He has: 3,022 posts
Joined: Oct 2002
Of course you do! I'm in a similar boat to you and taking a graphic design course right now, if I must blow my trumpet, I think I'm doing pretty well in it. The capacity is always there for you to learn more. All aspects of your life aren't determined at birth.
Megan posted this at 12:53 — 9th August 2006.
She has: 11,421 posts
Joined: Jun 1999
Taking a graphic design course is a good idea. I think that if it doesn't come naturally it is going to be hard for you, but you can learn how to make something that looks at least presentable. Maybe not design showcase worthy but still good.
There are some books by an author named Robin Williams called "the non designers ______ book" (design, type etc.) that might be good for you.
Good luck!
Megan
Connect with us on Facebook!
trs2988 posted this at 14:10 — 9th August 2006.
They have: 8 posts
Joined: Sep 2005
Yeah, I figured I wasn't alone in my situation.
Thanks for all the encouragement. Those books by Robin Williams seem pretty interesting, thanks. I think I'll be taking a trip to Borders
Anyway, my classes for this year in school are already decided. Besides, my high school choices aren't very broad. I can either take an art class (drawing, painting) or a "drafting" class (CAD). There's no such thing as a computer graphics class or a webmaster class (they had them at one point but our school has slowly been downsizing).
I guess I'll wait until next year for college to really take a class and go in-depth with it. Then I should have plenty of opportunities.
Until then, all the books and practice I can get can't hurt.
Thanks again.
demonhale posted this at 03:23 — 10th August 2006.
He has: 3,278 posts
Joined: May 2005
yep practice and observe... read a lot, and if youre really superb at programming, you might even get paid to do some programming work that you can afford to pay someone to do the skins for you...
Want to join the discussion? Create an account or log in if you already have one. Joining is fast, free and painless! We’ll even whisk you back here when you’ve finished.