I'm not sure what to study (postgraduate)

[RedSquirrelGirl]

Hello everybody.

I hope I got the right place here. It's kind of employment-related.

I'm at a point in my career where I get a bit bored and rusty. I've been working as an in-house designer for the last four years and although I love my colleagues and the company is okay, I can feel I need some fresh air. It probably doesn't help that I'm the only designer in the company and no one really seems to understand my job.

Now, my company has offered to pay for part-time postgraduate study as long as it's connected to my job. The obvious course would be Graphic Design MA but having checked out some London universities, it all looks rather arty/farty to me and I'd like to study something more industry-related with focus on the job. I'd like to go down the Art Director route in future but haven't really looked into the requirements for that job yet. I guess it's mostly about being in the right place etc ... but do you think there is a certain postgraduate course that would make it easier for me to get a job as an AD?

Sorry if I sound a bit naive - I've only just started looking into those things and would like to hear a few opinions and stories. :)

Marie
The nutty one x

[petra]

I thought Graphic Design MA usually covered a little bit of everything where as a typography course would be more specific I might be wrong

[RedSquirrelGirl]

I thought Graphic Design MA usually covered a little bit of everything where as a typography course would be more specific I might be wrong

Most courses are project-based, as in you choose your project (the more unusual, the better) and then you work on it for a year or two. So if you choose to develop a new typeface, you can. I find that too limiting. I'd like to use the time to increase my design skills (though, I guess a few advanced Photoshop courses and so on would be better for that) and learn more about research and management to be able to jump up on the career ladder afterwards :D

[blueocto]

I think if you went on a few varied courses, rather than one specific one, then they may give you the range of skills and experience that you are looking for.
For an example, Advanced Photoshop, Managment Skills, Leadership, etc

Try the Open University where you can mix and match modules to gain a recognised quallification

[RedSquirrelGirl]

I was thinking about that, too. I'm really confused. My background is in magazine publishing and in-house design but I would love to get into a design studio to have those career opportunities. At the moment I'm just swimming in my own juices. I like the idea of going back to study at a university. I hope there's a course somewhere which is just right for me. I will definitely check out Open University.

[Liliya]

For an example, Advanced Photoshop, Managment Skills, Leadership

This is a good idea, good basic allround skills are often lacking

[zumojuice]

I think you could do a whole load of things... In terms of art direction, I think there are courses in it or that help with it, or you generally fall into it after lots of experience, which you have... The real cut is normally though that they can see you have experience directing. Now since it's only you, I'd say you have that too, though some employers might mean the directing of other creatives....Whatever way it is, it's your ideas and your communication of those ideas that will get you noticed, which will help you build up though creative positions and to art direction.

The other route is adding a new program or disipline - photography, flash, macromedia stuff, video, animation - something that interests you but is a bit out there, but can be used in your job now...or any job in the future... Flash is often a good one...

On a side note, I'd be careful, this company obviously wants the best for you and them and wants to retain you, so watch talk of routes that might obviously take you out of the company (at least to them). They might be expecting it but still.

It sounds like you may have squeezed all you can from this position and are looking for something fresh, and think you maybe need other skills to boast you. I'd say this is a good step, but can you make extra scope into your job? Maybe a new venture, a newsletter (if they don't do one) or art directing a shoot of new products in a different way (if they have them).

I''d not be too hasty to leave your job just yet, since the recession (Yeah, thanks Bush - you twat) is likely to put strain on the market. So hunt from a job, and don't let them get wind of your actions. why? because they might dump you rather than invest money into someone who's just going to leave - hence was my last experience... (along with thr lack of work)

[tommylogic]

I lean toward the humanities... you will be invaluable no matter which direction you go in your career.