[.ca] Becoming a Graphic Designer: A Guide to Careers in ... (ISBN 047117677X)

Somewhat vexing, but a nice casual browse nonetheless:
There is a lot of good to be said for this book. But the thing that jumps out and slaps me in the face, right off, maybe because I have dealt with new design students and new professionals for the past several years, is a few dumb comments such as "If you are going to be a good designer, fine. If you aren't don't bother. The field is full of mediocre talents as it is." And how, pray tell, does one know whether one is going to "be good" during the first year of ones study? --Or even during the first few years of ones professional practice, when sweeping out the place may be included in your job description, and hands-on real world work may come your way slowly and in small discreet bits? And doesn't every creative person at one point or another question the worth and validity of what he or she is doing, EVEN after recognition has started rolling in and they understand that their work is generally perceived by their peers as good? Further, I would ask whether everyone HAS to be a Saul Bass or a Neville Brody. Isn't design a broad enough field to encompass the work of those with less Olympian ambition? Comments such as the one above are relatively few and far between, to be certain. But where on earth was the editor when pompous uninsightful stuff like this flew in under the radar? Although the sheer snideness of the comment may make many jaded pros cheer, I have to wonder what useable information this kind of comment contains for the neophyte at whom the book is supposedly aimed? --To show that a lot of jaded pros have a really bad attitude? I do not favor the Pollyanna view whether we are talking art or careers. But I believe it is impossible to know how you will fare at something before you have been doing it a while. Thinking otherwise --for example, that a teacher in a design 101 class can tell you whether you are "any good" (and I have seen or heard about many students asking this very question)-- just intimidates and discourages people from being brave enough to give the life that they would see for themselves a try. To me, that is way too limiting.

good book for students:
This book is a good overview of what it means to be a graphic designer. It goes through the different areas of design, and different job positions. Everything you need to know about the design world is in this book.

Fantastic Overview for a career in graphic design:
I am a recent college graduate looking to get into a graphic design career and I found this guide to be excellent. At first I was a bit skeptical because it is heavy on interviews from practitioners but the later sections really delve into the business climate, how design companies grow and develop, and what career trajectories are like. Really, I do recommend this one.

good book for students:
This book is a good overview of what it means to be a graphic designer. It goes through the different areas of design, and different job positions. Everything you need to know about the design world is in this book.

Wide range. Good read. Heavy on interviews:
The good part was its breadth covering more than just 2D design (which is what I thought graphic design was before reading the book!). There are interviews with designers from each field that they talk about. A bit too many interviews in my opinion which is the weak point about the book. Nevertheless, looking at the other books available, it's worth getting to some degree.