What should I be doing now for a career in graphic design?

What skills do I need for a career in graphic design?

• I am 14 and interested in a future career in graphic design, most likely animation, but I would like to explore. What skills should I be developing now and what is the best way to go about it? What are the best software programs to start learning now? Any other advice would be appreciated.

• Answer:

  If you want to do 3D then you can get a good headstart at 14. Get yourself a copy of Maya or 3Ds Studio Max and begin doing free lessons and tutorials from the net. Once you finish high school you could try to get work at a 3D place if you have good skills already, they might have some sort of apprenticeship type program although those places can be very busy. Instead you can go to University and study animation. Once your a graduate you will have a better chance of entering the industry. Even as a graduate you may need to request work experience of a company first (unpaid work experience) so you can gain relevant on the job experience and prove you are up to the task. Then you might get a low paying small time position they you can work up from. How high you get in the industry will totally be based on the amount of time you are willing to put into work.