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Education with Graphic Design | Photoshop


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watloves

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I was wondering if anyone has tips or programs to improve their photoshop and computer graphic design skills.

I am planning on going to school and I don't know if I want to major in Graphic Design, although that is my passion I have better skills in IT.
Any suggestions on schools? (I live in WA but anywhere is cool)

Is learning self taught the better route?
Or is going through an educational program such as a university for graphic design worth it?

I know there are pro's and cons but if you guys could put some input on each that would be great.
I am having a difficult time choosing what to do.

I am not able to showcase my work yet but I will once I have enough posts.

Thank you for your time and consideration
-watloves
 
There must be at least a million articles, tutorials, tips, and information devoted specifically to Photoshop on the internet. Photoshop is not un-surmountable to learn on your own, however to purchase some formal training course may give you a shortcut to learning it. Under any circumstances, practice and perseverance are necessary to learn it in depth. Good luck with your future.
 
My advice, for what it's worth, is to go ahead with the IT for your career for now. IDK, but I imagine you're young -- which is a very relative term -- so you have lots of time to change careers. Or pursue two at once. I would also advise learning Photoshop at the same time or when you can fit it in. Schooling in anything can be very demanding with little time to fit in much else, especially if you have a family. It all depends on your motivation. For my part, I got settled in healthcare, and after a couple years got back into my art, my first passion. I stayed in healthcare for 25 years. Since I left that career I have spent a lot of time learning Photoshop and spent more time painting as well.

As for learning Photoshop, I think for one thing, it depends on how you learn. I have gone to quite a few years of art education including photography, drawing, painting, printing techniques, design and graphic design, art history classes, web design, even wood shop. Most recently, I joined lynda.com and consider their tutorials top notch. Perhaps though, I have learned the most from participation in this forum.

But, here is more advice, learn basics first. Like ALB said, there are many tuts online and there is lynda.com and kelby training. Psd tuts is a very respected place to find all kinds of free tutorials. It may seem boring, but the place to start with PS is the toolbar and all the menus. Understand them first. Then begin to use them. Probably the selection tools are the first thing to learn, IMO. Learn how layers function and how to use layer masks. Then blend modes and effects. After that you can begin to play with filters. They seem like such fun things to just toss on for effect, but they are often complex and even subtle ways to effect a change in your image.

Anyway, I also suggest this: don't overlook other art basics, like I described above, especially design and color theory. Art history is more important than many people think, and can be fascinating. Think of it this way, if you become famous wouldn't you want people to study and appreciate your works?

Good luck. I imagine you'll get a few more opinions and suggestions soon.
 
You're most welcome. I wish you the best. Stay with the forum if you can or come back when the time is right. If you really want to have fun and learn new skills, that's what we do. And, you can share your knowledge with others. BTW, I saw from another of your posts that you are not a total newbie! You're gracious not to throw that back at me, lol.
 
Shhhhhh..don't say nothin about us all bein graphics and Photoshop nuts in here! :bustagut:
 
I think self taught is great if you love what you're doing and learning.
On the other side if you love something enough to put an effort into learning and teaching it to yourself, you owe it to yourself to get a formal education on whatever your passion is if you plan to pursue it as a career.
Why, because what you learn on your own is what "you like" and what "interests you" "personally", but there's a lot more to it than that.

Photoshop, heck even MS Word is so complicated and powerful most of us use or understand only a small percentage of what's possible or what you can do with the program(s).
Just my opinion but a formal education in something you love is a plus, a big plus.
Good luck.
 
I appreciate all this feed back.
And yes I'm not a total newbie.

But just like with any hobby or skill. You are right Ibclare.
The basics and fundamentals are the most important thing.
I did a relook at the tool bar and realized there are plenty of tools I'm not utilizing such as the pen tool and custom brushes.

Plenty for me to learn and understand.

I appreciate all the feed back from everyone.

-watloves
 
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