Expert: Peter Gabany - 6/12/2008

Question
Hello Peter,

I am an undergraduate student entering into my junior year of college. I am majoring in political science but am considering tacking on either a minor in studio art or minor in graphics design. While I would enjoy studio work and think that it'll be an enriching experience, I am wondering if I'll be better off going the graphics route so that I will have something relevant to show off to the advertising firm I plan to apply for an internship at during the next summer. Which would you recommend? Does it really matter?

Furthermore, I am wondering if I should make a creative twist on my resume in order to set myself apart from the rest of the grovelers begging to intern. I am proficient enough in adobe design programs  that I can create a little fun and colorful pamphlet or package for myself. Should I get a little ballsy and do that, or will I just make myself seem annoying?

Answer
I am a tremendous fan of graphic design so my answer would be bias towards design but there are good reasons for it. Many ad agencies have added graphic designers to their design teams of late. This may be surprising as I always believed that that is where designers went and art directors came from.

Nothing could be further from the case. art directors have traditionally come from advertising programs and it may surprise you that many can't draw or are computer (design) savvy. But they ARE great conceptual people and thus their value to the agency.

But in a recent survey, we are experiencing a downturn in graphic design revenue - the first time in nearly a decade. There is a saturation of designers and of late we receive on average a call a day from printers looking for work. Also, we put out a call for position as art director and of 30 responses received 13 were editorial designers (designers of magazines - i.e.: print)

At a recent AIGA (good site to look up) conference on design education held in Boston, a panel discussion when asked of the industry what they wanted in graduating students - the answer was a resounding new media artists/programmers. We have just hired one. Yesterday.

5 years ago customers would ask us for corporate identity, a brochure, a catalogue and maybe a website. Today they are predominantly coming in for websites and web content.

I would seriously explore the world of web design prior to making a choice. For some inspiration please search Digital Kitchen - you will see some things there you will recognize and another direction in new media and also http://www.faveup.com/