Hi people,

I'm a student studying multimedia right now but my speciality or focus is on graphic design. I'm majoring in multimedia to seek out new outlets and ways of communicating my work as well as exploring and experimenting. I'm taking a degree but at the moment I am exploring as much as I can and reading up.

I would just like to clarify in the first post if you read carefully kokanchai you type "Subject i take:Flash, Dreamweaver,Director, Photoshop, Illustrator, Premier,In Design,Acrobat Professional.."

Those arent subjects my friend no offence but they are softwares or design programmes as you can say. If your talking about subjects in specific I like design research, graphic design and design and sociology. I like to read up alot on many factors and aspects of designs. Since designers think differently from all parts of the world it also interests me of different target audiences or markets (consumers or society in general you can say). I think to be a good designer you definitely need to read alot and constantly update yourself about everything thats going on as well as in the country but in the market and etc. I also like to ask questions and study and do research on things such as new media, propaganda, ethics and morals of designers as well as the social representations that we are to society.

Right now I got about 1 and a half years more and then I graduate and get my degree, when i finish i hope to have enough contacts by then as I'm doing freelance now to actual have a studio with a creative collective. I aspire to do everything from interior, fashion, multimedia, photography to even theatre of film. I definitely believe that a designer is not limited by a PC and his skills in software is not what defines a designer.

Speaking of what defines a designer?

All I hear is software programme names. Is this what Graphic Design revolves? I dont hear anything even about conceptualising or even about communication or inspiration.

Of course passion is very important, if you dont have any especially in design I would think you cant do it for very long and be good at it.

No offence meant, but the bosses from big companies are usually quite free on what you want to do as long as you follow their brief and give them a little extra something. I usually turn down people who want me to 'copy' a style, because I dont see it my own ethics and morals to do that. Of course it is important to listen to clients because dont forget they are paying you. But it should be a 2 way communication process, how would a client know whats best to market and actually 'design' a product when we are the specialist that should know the market better. I'm not saying "I want to follow my own concept", but there are times when we can tell clients in a professional manner that the idea can be boosted and improved. I have no problem tell my clients and as I said quite a few times to other people what designers in malaysia lack is the knowledge (not technical skill) of the extensive happenings in the market, how to market them selfs as well as communicating with clients and getting through with them. In a way its building relationships with people if you want long term business la.

All I have to say different clients have different agendas and prefrences so a designer has to be flexible to adjust to that as well as analyse quickly on each project and work smart not just hard

cheers,

kokanchai -

I would think its very important to learn all aspects of designs, whether it would be the methods of design research to design principles as well as topics that relate to design such as propaganda art (said earlier), social representations of designers, new media, green design and so forth. As a designer (personal philosophy) I believe in a wide variety not just in the practise and interest and passion in design, but in other things such as even sports, cooking, or other things could be put influence your thinking as well as the way you design.

Its quite ok to look at other peoples work and be influenced. but just make sure ur not too influenced where your work looks quite similar to the piece.

Methods that can solve it?
Traveling? Reading? Watching movie? ... as i said particularly anything.

A good boss should know by looking at your portfolio what your capabale of and your capacity to do what kind of work. I wouldnt think the importance of using design programms is the utmost of importance. Nowadays (personal experience) bosses look more at your attitude as well as your porftolio then your certificate. They want somebody who doesnt just know how to use programs and be told what to do. They want a person who can manage by themselves (independant), conceptualise & analyse, have interest in other things other than design as well as constantly question things.

I mean your even taking video + movie projects right? Ever thought of working internship for doing films or videos?

Etsuko:

Yea I mostly am

We usually do a few mockups of different concepts and approaches, so far we dont get complaints.

This post has been edited by nada-: Jan 10 2006, 10:56 AM

Its obvious la....... ideas + concept 1st... Even if you have great technical skills you will just be a guinea pig. You cannot aim for art director or be very flexible if you rely all on your technical skills. I've also seen alot of multimedia designers who have seen final fantasy and warcraft and aspire to work for the companies who are behind them. But alot of people seem to be dreaming and not putting achievable goals. Overall ask how is the standard of design/standard of quality of 3D? 2D? Digital Illustration? Digital Arts? Web Designers, etc etc.