My Journey Through Graphics Design in Montreal
When I first thought of design as a career choice, I took it with a grain of salt. With all my friends going to college for business and sciences, I expected to be pushed down that path as well. When i found a school that offered graphics design in Montreal, I got excited. I started browsing the different courses they offered and found that many of them were right up my alley.
Compared to other programs, GWD really offers a chance to put creativity and different tools to the test. Whether it be photography in nature or coding websites in the attic, there is always something new to work on. Before joining the program, my skills were mostly limited to photography and online marketing. Since then, I’ve grown as a designer and really rounded out my skill set.
Although I’ve now been introduced to various forms of design, I will always have a love for photography. It is the art that I’ve always held onto with a tight grip.
Early Life
I grew up just outside of Montreal in Coteau-du-Lac. It is a town known for its beautiful and historic canal, countless parks, part of a 21 km bicycle path, and community events in the center of town.
My hometown offered a multitude of reasons to go out and appreciate the community around me. That was not the only reason I felt the need to capture it all, though. A big part of it was because of my dad.
Like all kids, I admired my father’s hobbies and sports while growing up. In his youth, he was a big part of the John Abbott swim team. As he got older, he wanted to keep up his fitness through hiking.
Having dragged me into the Adirondacks and up a few mountains, I grew to really appreciate the world around me. Unfortunately, my love for the outdoors can’t always be seen by others. As I grew a little older, I started looking for a way to capture it in my own way.
Introduction to Photography
You’d think photographers start their careers with a passed-down camera. Although that did eventually happen, that was not how I started. In fact, I started with a device that should never have had a camera on it in the first place: the iPod.
That’s right, the device made for downloading music.
When I was young, that was all I had. It’s what my parents bought me, and I was more than happy with it. When I went on walks, I often took advantage of it and took photos of things I found interesting. These included flowers, sunsets, animals, and the canal.
At first, I was no different from anyone else with their phone today. I uploaded my photos to Instagram just to have something on my page. That was it.
Eventually, I found my mom’s old camera and asked if I could use it on my next walk. She was hesitant at first, but she gave me permission. My love for photography only grew from there.
After getting my first job in high school, I bought my first camera. It was one that I ended up keeping until graduation.
The T5i is a wonderful camera that is still affordable and takes great pictures for beginner photographers. With that camera, I shot car shows, concerts, mountains, and pets. I even got my first volunteer job at the Hudson St. Patrick’s Parade.
Soon after, I found that my skills and passion had outgrown the camera I was working with. I decided to invest in a new mirrorless camera.
Since then, I have worked some paid gigs, traveled across countries and states, and worked with other photographers. I’m looking forward to what’s to come.
Benefits of Graphic Design in Montreal
Graphic and Web Design has helped push me to expand my skills beyond just photography. With a strong group of students, we work together and independently to learn how to use the many tools we have at hand.
We use those tools to create the best work possible for potential clients. At the same time, we are constantly learning from each other.
While developing my skills in the various Adobe apps, I’ve learned many techniques that can be applied to my own work. These skills have helped me as a photographer and even as a video editor.
Before joining the program, I was already comfortable using Adobe Lightroom. Since then, I’ve come to rethink my workflow. I’ve also pushed myself to be more attentive with my editing.
Studying graphic design in Montreal has also shown me how different areas of design can work together. Photography, video, web design, and graphic design all give me different ways to communicate an idea.
Where I’m At Now
As a current GWD student, I’ve prioritized quality over quantity. Although I still shoot as often as I can, I try to go out into the world with purpose.
Since most of my time and effort is directed toward college, I’ve put aside some of my own photography. Instead, I’ve experimented with other forms of creative work, like video editing and poster design.
By mixing some of these skills together, I’ve found that I can create some great work. At the same time, I continue to strengthen my abilities.
Photography is still a major part of what I do. However, graphic design has given me more ways to build on the skills I already had.
Goals and Aspirations
I’ve found that during my time in college, I’ve come to learn a lot about myself. Although I still want to grow as a photographer, I also want to shift into film and video.
I’ve spent some time working on vlogs and short films about my own world and adventures. Now, I want to take those projects further and document more of the world around all of us.
Whether that means vlogging a backpacking trip in Alaska or eventually joining the film industry, I want to keep exploring new ways to tell stories through visual media.
Conclusion
As I’ve grown up from the little kid with the iPod, I’ve come to learn that we all see the world in drastically different ways. As the chapters of my life go on, I strive more and more to show the world from a different angle.
I want to push people to appreciate what’s around them. Not everyone has the ability to see the beauty in going outside, traveling, or hiking. The same goes for simply being at an event like a party or a parade.
I want to bring those experiences to others. I want to do so in a way that motivates them to start seeing the beauty in the world that surrounds us all.
For me, graphic design in Montreal has become another way to do that. Photography taught me how to capture the world around me. Graphic and Web Design has given me new ways to communicate what I see.
As I continue developing my skills, I hope to combine photography, graphic design, web design, and video. I want to create work that makes people stop, look, and appreciate the world around them.
If you want to get those profressional style shots that really get attention online dont be shy to conctact me!