Choosing a Design Specialism

16/11/09
I've been thinking about what design specialism to choose. My initial instinct was to choose illustration, but i'm also interested in motion graphics. Last years animation project was really enjoyable and i've seen what i could achieve in that area of design. At the moment i'm torn, like everyone else i'm finding that its really difficult to make a decision. I'm hoping tomorrows lectures will give me a taste of the different specialisms and that this will help me to choose.

17/11/09
The design specialism talks have given my brain information overload! Its assured me of the areas that i definately don't want to take, however its got me more excited about Illustration and Motion. Also Handmade Graphics seemed really interesting, i'm even considering that as an option.
The lectures have been useful because i think its clear now that many of the specialisms overlap, you dont have to narrow your interest in the whole subject just because you're picking a specialised path. If i pick Illustration i know there's an opportunity to use motion within it, and vise versa .

18/11/09
I think i'm going to pick Illustration. I can't say i'm 100% decided but it was my gut instinct, and it just feels like the right decision. After looking at a friends work i've seen how much Typography is a huge part of it, over many of the projects last year she has included type elements which says to me thats the right specialism for her. I then looked back across my work in comparison, and i can see illustration is at the core, for example the book project; many people focused on type but my work is much more about the images.

19/11/09
I feel completely reassured that my decision to pick Illustration is the right decision. After speaking to tutors i've realised i do put illustration first and motion second, i have a passion for drawing, painting and printing and i'm excited to enhance my skills in these areas. Listening to other people talk through their options makes me see that we're all in the same boat, all trying to see what best fits us, so now we've just got to dedicate to a specialism and see what happens.
The lecture by Jason Arber was really interesting, seeing how his carrer has moved across so many specialisms is a great example that nothing is set in stone. Its good to have skills across the board, which is why i'd do three specialsms if i could, but Illustration has so much freedom that i dont think it will restrict me in terms of a future in design, wherever that may be.