Many graphic artists began their career by simply drawing on their home computer using the available free software tools. As their skills grew they found that they really enjoyed it, and began to purchase more complicated software. In fact, if you allow your child to download a bit of design software you might be surprised what they come up with.
Then, many graphic designers headed to a school or college for graphic design. This is one area in the career world where there are all types of positions. There are a combination of positions for marketing and design, there are strictly design jobs, and of course, there are a wide variety of computer graphic jobs such as video games, special effects, and others.
While you might have a talent for graphic design you will not know the best tools, the most innovative software, or even know where to turn to with your talent without a network.
Your network can come from the schools that you take design classes from, and it can even be an online school.
The big thing to realise is that although you may be a talented designer, if you quit your day job you're liable to starve. There are plenty of freelance sites available where you can go for graphic design work, but you still need to build a reputation with these freelance sites before the jobs become dependable. So if you are interested in freelance graphic design, keep your day job, and pick up a few jobs at these types of freelance sites and slowly but surely build your business.
When it comes to graphic design schools, you can probably find one to fit your budget.
Also, don't forget, that there may be government aid available for you to go to school with. So choose the school you want and research all of the student loans, or government aid for your graphic design school, and then make sure that you get good grades so you can get a job when you get out.
If you're not interested in going to a regular graphic arts design school, there are plenty of classes that you can take on the Internet. Once again, make sure that you do put the time in whether it's part time or full time. You'll learn a lot about computer software, graphic design basics, and begin a network even with the online classes.
The graphic design world is getting bigger and bigger, and so graphic design artists are always being needed. You can work a graphic arts design job as a freelancer, work in an office, or start your own company. Anyway you look at it you're still going to need a network, and going to school for graphic arts is one of the ways to create one.
