Graphic design... getting started (suggestions?)

[Maxington]

I am someone who has dabbled in and understands the various aspects of graphic design (primarily for the web). However, I am now looking to take it a step further.

Can you suggest any good method, class, or online community that can provide some training to better understand the tools and how this works?

[Melrose]

various aspects of graphic design (primarily for the web).

Is that site design or web advertisements? :)

[primalman]

college

[MagicWok]

Pick up some of these books from this thread:
http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=199105

Being a graphic designer means much more than understanding how things work, and knowing the tools that designers use as a means to an end.

[mcavjame]

college

Thanks for the chuckle.

[Maxington]

college

Interestingly enough I work at a University :)

Thanks for the feedback I gives me a good launching point (and I do plan to audit some classes).

[lucidmedia]

Interestingly enough I work at a University :)

Thanks for the feedback I gives me a good launching point (and I do plan to audit some classes).

It is hard to point you in a direction without having a sense of where you currently are. Are you looking to improve your skills conceptually or visually?

What are the areas you understand (as you say in your original post) and feel comfortable with?

[jerryrock]

Start with a 2D design class. It will give you basic concepts of line, form and
color theory working with pencil, paper and paint.

Follow up with basic graphic design classes learning typography and page layout. Any class in the Adobe Creative Suite is beneficial. Most people have a fundamental working knowledge of Photoshop, but formal classes in Illustrator and InDesign are a necessity.

Jerry