After much consideration, I have decided that I want to change careers or at least start laying a foundation to be able to get into the computer graphics field. Since I know a lot of people on Subeta are quite creative, I thought there might be some professional computer graphics artists that could give me some advice.

I am a very creative person with a very non-creative career. This was by choice, unfortunately, as I got 2 BAs in non-creative subjects and have been working in said subjects for the last 4 years.

In high school, I took every art class under the sun and I was pretty darned good at all of them, too. I think I surprised everyone when I decided not to go to art school or pursue a creative career.

I am finally realizing that I am who I am, and no matter how hard I work at it, I will never be happy without creativity and art in my life. I really enjoy designing graphics and doing layouts (the only graphics program with which I am familiar is Adobe Photoshop 5, because I took a class in it in high school).

I have been out of the art arena for at least 7 years and with no portfolio and no credentials, I'm not sure where to even begin! If you have any advice at all, please post...it would be much appreciated!

Thank you for reading and thank you in advance for your help!

i'm no professional by any means... but have you checked your local university or community college for classes?

What are your two current BAs in? Because if you could somehow go into a more creative field related to what you already have, it would be highly efficient of you haha (:

I was an Art - Graphic Design major .. though half way through I realized I wish I would have gone down the more advertising graphic design path cause that's where the money is! I'd say just start building up your portfolio first and foremost. And be sure not to get discouraged, it is all about practice practice practice. (:

I think I want to do the advertising path, as well...not for the money, but because it seems like it would be more interesting. Unfortunately, I majored in Middle Eastern Studies and Political Science! haha

Not sure how i can build a portfolio when I work 80 hours per week. That's where my problem lies...I don't know how to begin a portfolio. Should I find a certificate program and take classes or is it something I can teach myself? Do companies take you seriously if you don't have a BA or BFA?

I think i just about gave my parents a heart attack when, after having been doing computer graphics for several years, i said that i wanted to go into chemistry. I'm certainly not a professional, but i currently hold a job at a screen printing business as the graphics designer- there's no better way to figure out your limits than working with the public. I started building a real portfolio by doing concert posters for a local church, along with designing tickets. Now that i'm a senior, i'm working with fellow students and designing their graduation party invitations (insanely big here in the midwest. being a coastal girl, i'll never understand it...).

As for teaching yourself, that's what i did. However, it took me several years to get where i am now. And i've discovered that i have alot of bad habits that i've developed since i didn't have anyone telling me not to do such and such. I have alot of trouble walking into classes with structured lessons and strict rules about graphic design, because i don't do things the traditionally taught way, and teachers don't know how to deal with what i know, so they write me off and tell me to start over. I would suggest that if you're just starting, learn the "rules" first- get the traditional methods taught to you- i swear, i wish i had had someone to guide me, it would probably have made my life a lot easier.

In regards to companies taking you seriously, your profile will speak for itself. I'm seventeen, in high school, which means that right off the bat, people don't take me seriously. But my body of work commands their respect- i'm good at what i do, and my portfolio shows that. However, i'm not in your position to where i'm dealing with huge corporations with several designers working for them. I would say that you should probably get some sort of decent degree, and make sure to do your homework and get it through a reputable art school/program that shows that you're taught well, and that you know your stuff.

Hopefully my super long ramblings provided some sort of help or advice. :P

If you're looking to get a serious job in the field, you are going to need a BA or BFA. There's also something else that I have been told repeatedly by my own professors - finding a job will not be easy. You will need and companies are looking for people with about 5 years of experience under their belt along with a BA/BFA. Most companies want people who are already experienced, they do not want to spend the time and money training you. Surely you can find some sort of job after you get your degree but it won't be that high end job you're probably dreaming of.

Graphic Design is also very demanding - it involves being able to meet deadlines and work and deal with clients. Try and get a job, even just some kind of position in the field, first to see if it really is for you.

There are technical schools out there that offer graphic design degrees. And there are many, many colleges out there that have programs. If you want to apply to an art based college you are most likely going to need a portfolio. I think they would probably look for the basics (still lifes, figure drawings, etc), but each school has their own requirements (I know RISD does). For technical and other/liberal art colleges, you probably will not need a portfolio when you first apply.

As for myself, I'm currently finishing up my second semester as a graphic design major. I'm going to a state liberal arts college and they have a whole art department that offers various degrees. I did not have to summit a portfolio when I applied, (but if someone wants to apply to the BFA program in their major later on they will need to). When I was looking at colleges I looked into a technical school...and well I found it to be too technical. So I decided to go to a liberal arts school because of their program which included drawing and sculpture courses as part of their foundations, classes that all art majors are required to take. Having that experience and working in different mediums, I found to be very helpful and more creative then just being thrown in front of a computer.