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Question from Bree: “I made someone’s watermark the other day, and I absolutely LOVED doing it! Is there a major where I can make this be my major career and have photography be my side job? What program would I have to use to make them professionally? How much should I charge for them? “
Stacy: U mean like graphic design?
Peter: following
Pinky: Graphic design
Nichole: graphic design. You can use Photoshop to make them.
Cortney: Yep, graphic design. It would be a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree at most major colleges that offer it.
Tralisa: Visual Communication Design, and in Adobe Illustrator that way they can be a Vector image and always in focus and the right proportions.
Michelle: I would say graphic design. You also need to be very careful when designing logos and such…when using a font or a graphic from the Internet, you need to carefully read the terms of use (TOU) because if you make a logo/watermark for someone in the photography business and they use it commercially (when the TOU only gives permission for private use), the original designer can sue not only your client, but you as well. So if you get into graphic design, you’ll learn how to design your own from scratch and make your own TOU.
Jaye: Graphic Design, but you’re not going to find much work in it when you get out of college.http://finance.yahoo.com/news/worst-college-majors-for-your-career.html?page=all You’re better off taking a more hire-able major and have it as a fall back. You can succeed in graphic arts WITHOUT a degree in it.
Andrea: Along the lines of what Michele said, there are many logos that are trademarked such as in the photography world, the camera with the heart in the lens is trademarked. Yet, there are tons of Etsy graphic artists making and selling this exact combo. Those that are buying it are in violation and could have to change all their branding well after investing quite a bit into their business if the trademark holder chooses to pursue legal action. That’s why it’s so important to have proper training in this. So many people get into a business without true knowledge of all the ins and outs of designing logos (use of fonts, checking trademarks, etc.) as well as basic typography. I am not a graphic artist, so hopefully I’m using the correct terms. It sounds like you are going about it right…get the training first, then start the business.
Brian: Like most people have stated before…it’s a graphic design (communication arts) degree. I’ve been a graphic designer for 17 years now. As Jaye Buell has stated in the post above, the design field is highly competitive. If you wish to pursue a career in design, you need to have a diverse skill set. Learn all you can in school. Both print and digital media. Right now there’s a bigger demand for UX designers…especially in the mobile app world. While in school try to land an internship as quickly as you can. The best thing to have when leaving school is actual work experience.
Tricia: There are a lot of watermarks for sale on etsy.com you could start there.
Shelly: I have my degree in graphic design, and unless you live in some major city, there isn’t much work for it. You can also get Logo design studio pro cheap from places like staples and make your own vector graphics and fonts. It’s not difficult at all.
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