deadfly

Hi

I live in Australia and currently employed as an arch draftsman / vis. I work on visualisation work 75% of the time. I am the only one in our office that works on vis work. So therefore I find it had to learn and improve

I want to improve my skills. Should I...

Continue working, as on the job is the best way to learn.
Or,
Study graphic design at university?

Ian P

Pesonally I would learn as much as you can from forums and continue to push your work while still earning. When you've exhausted that route or feel you're portfolio is getting there (which it may well be already), try for jobs in a dedicated vis studio. I worked as a sole visualiser in a arch/interior design company and used this and other forums to better my work, then last year took a shot and moved to a visualisation company, where i learned more in the first 2 months than 2 yrs on my own plus 2 yrs in education.

Hope this helps and good luck, lots of viz companies need people to hit the ground running but the higher end ones will usually recognise potential, invest the time in training and give you a break so aim high.

nicnic

ditch the drafting bit and quit your job and find one in a good arch vis studio, i think the best way to learn is from people who are better than you combined with constant practice.

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Ian P

Agreed that this is the best way to learn but wouldn't advise anyone to quit there job just yet without good reason, property market is shakey and arch vis firms either are or will be affected in some way by this, if you already have time in where you are i would stay put for a bit, if you move companies and they have to lay off staff in the near future it'll be last in first out

Brian Bradley

Figuring out which way to jump is always a tough one, but I would
agree that ditching an existing job is not a pre-requesite for developing
skills, in fact having an existing outlet for new things learned can be
a VERY useful resource for anyone wanting to get better.

There are a LOT of resources available to develop in both a speedy
and very meaningful way. On/offline resources in terms of classes,
books, DVDs, Downloadable training and free tutorials and discussion
groups can help you develop quality without losing the safety net
of an existing job. IMHO

Regards
bri

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