Meet the Designers! Part 2
Name: Maya Rahim
Major: Graphic design
Year: senior
University: Lebanese University
Interviewed by: Widad Samman
Globe: Why Graphic Design?
Maya: When I was back at school, I used to doodle and scribble all the time during classes. Even though I wasn’t that good at drawing, my friends used to like my doodles and always tell me to do graphic design.
I didn’t take it seriously at the time, because I didn’t even know what it was. But when I graduated and I had to make a choice, I started considering it. I didn’t want to spend hours listening to long boring lectures nor any of the business or office tedious work.
I was rather looking for bright colors, beauty, art, creativity, smartness … At first I had to make a choice between Architecture and Graphic Design. But since I used to help my aunt paint pictures, my family encouraged me to go for graphic design. And that’s what I did; I applied to several universities and made a lot of interviews. But I wanted to make sure that it’s what I really like. So I joined a training workshop in the Lebanese university and I totally fell in love with it!
Globe: What exactly do you study in Graphic Design?
Maya: Most people think that all we do is draw and paint. But this is not true. What we actually do is use these colors and drawings in order to get our message through. But there are many other ways to express our ideas with.
For example, we can use illusions, photographs, logos, and things like that. In first year university, we learnt to draw, create illusions and express ourselves with letters and lines. We also took courses in illustration, typography, Photoshop and web design. But we mostly focused on making things like posters, flyers, logos, brochures, and billboards.
We also took theoretical courses like History of Art, Cultural Studies and Media. We had some selective courses too like book binding and singing. It’s true there’s a lot of courses and things to learn, but it’s totally truly enjoyable!
Globe: What kind of personality do you think a graphic design student should have?
Maya: Anyone interested in doing graphic design should at least like it, for a start.
But what matters most in this major is that you have an opinion or an idea to share.
For this, you need to have a broad imagination and a sense of creativity, no matter how small, because it will grow with practice.
Being good at drawing and painting is surely helpful but not obligatory. So if you think you’re not that good, don’t let it hold you back, because with the help of computers today you needn’t worry about it at all.
Besides, there are many other ways to express your ideas through, such as photographs, illustrations, logos … And the more general knowledge you have the better.
This will help a lot with finding attractive ideas for your projects. But you should also know that graphic design, like all other design majors, takes oodles and oodles of patience. Some ideas take up to weeks before they click. And if you’re the emotional type who can’t stand a nerve-wracking minute, well I’m sorry, but you won’t survive because you’ll have a whole lot of them! But your survival expectancy can also be measured by how much passion you have for what you do.
So the more passionate you are, the more probable it is that you will survive.
Globe: What do you like most about your major?
Maya: I love that in my classes I don’t have to sit and listen for hours to what Drs. have to say.
My classes are more of workshops than lectures. So I can work while chatting with my friends and listening to music, and I am free to go out whenever I feel like it.
This freedom we enjoy makes us want to come to class, not to sign the attendance sheet, but to just have fun while we work.
On the other hand, we get the chance to express our ideas and our own way and make our voice heard. Studying graphic design is really nothing like “studying”; it’s a lot more fun!
Globe: Was Graphic design like you expected it to be?
Maya: Honestly, I, like everyone else, used to think that graphic design is only about sketches and colors.
But then, I realized how much broader it is and that drawing is not all there is to it.
I also used to be very anxious about finding ideas and concepts every time I had a new project.
But when I looked at it from a different angle, I found that it’s more of a brain exercise. The first time you do it won’t be easy. However, with practice you’ll develop a way of thinking which will make your life much easier and the work more fun.
When I was taking the theoretical courses in first year, I used to think it was a waste of time learning about abstract ideas and theories.
But later, when I started applying them in second and third year, I understood how helpful they can actually be.
Globe: What are some of the difficulties a graphic design student faces every day?
Maya: In fact, it’s usually very hard to come up with ideas. It might take up to weeks at times, because the idea has to be genuine: new, original, and really creative … On the other hand, there’s the fierce competition among students, which creates a lot of stress and pressure. Each student wants to advertise his/her own ideas. Evaluation of the projects is so tough too. The student has to put a lot of effort if he/she wants to get a passing grade and impress the Dr. Printing project which is also very troublesome.
We never get it right from the first time. We have to keep tweaking every single detail until we get the picture we want, which takes a lot of time.
It’s a real pain in the neck. But once printed and ready, you will experience the meaning of elation and a big proud grin climbs on your face!
Globe: Any plans after graduation?
Maya: I’m not sure yet. Most probably, I will continue my studies with a masters’ degree in order to get a higher level of qualification. If not, then I might try finding a job.
This will give me hands-on experience in my field.
It will also help me make a reputation in the market and build the stepping stone for my future career or maybe company.
Connect Us
