Hey everyone. I have posted in the computer forum in the past. I have stated that I’m torn between digital media design/graphic design/communication design/visual communications, game design, or computer forensics. I am interested in the design field and I’m considering forgoing the associates degree and getting a bachelor’s degree in my field of interest. I want a bachelor’s in the design field or computer forensics and my question is what classes should I take at a community college to find out if design is right for me or not? What programs for Adobe do I need to know in order to move forward?
classes to take at a community college to find out if digital media, or graphic/communication design
Remember this first. Design is not software. Design existed before software. Learning to design is not learning to use software. Graphic design, communication design, and visual communications generally mean the same thing. The purpose of “graphic design” is to convey and express ideas by using visual artifacts to make information accessible and meaningful to others. It’s not really so different than writing in that in both cases there is a story to tell, a message to deliver, an idea to explain, etc. Digital media design often gets into motion graphics, animation, interaction, etc. Game design is what it is.
You’re going to have to draw by hand in a basic 2D Design course at a comm. college. That is usually a prereq for any higher level design class that incorporates computers. If you hate drawing, or can’t do it, then design may not be for you. Photoshop is the entry level go-to program for art and design. My son is majoring in Digital Communication Arts. His interests are similar to yours, minus the computer science aspect. Anything in the design field requires strong art skills.