I've taken a few programming courses and web design and other classes in high school which I'm hoping will help me with any classes that I take for college. I kind of want to do graphic design (or design arts as my school calls it) as major and comp sci as minor like you because I think that the computer science majors have to take a lot of math classes, which is not my strongest. Did you have to take a lot of art classes, like drawing classes for a graphic design major? I think they make you take those at my school, and I can not draw to save my life! And what kind of computer would you recommend for graphic design? A Mac, right?
Haha let me break this up, so many questions at once! (But that's a good thing!) And I'm answering all these from a perspective from my school, so yours might be different, but will most likely be the same for the majority of the curriculum.
I kind of want to do graphic design (or design arts as my school calls it) as major and comp sci as minor like you because I think that the computer science majors have to take a lot of math classes, which is not my strongest.
I actually started as a double major in both Computer Art/ Graphic Design AND Computer Science. But last semester, I changed the Computer Science major to a minor for a few reasons. The first was I'd have to pack my schedule full of classes to graduate on time with both majors (19 credits a semester, which is considered credit overload at my school. I did 19 credits last semester... not fun at all.) The second reason was because the major concentrated on networking, computer communications, even robotics that I wasn't planning on using in the work world. The minor concentrates on just the programming (mostly C++ and Java if you choose) and operating systems as well as troubleshooting and common computer problems. (The minor curriculum is really something everyone going into a computer based field should know.) The last reason was because of yep, the math classes. Our school requires Calc I, II and III, Discrete Math Structures, Modern Algebra, Matrix Theory and some 300-level Stats class for the CS major. That was a major turn off. In high school, I did above average in my math classes, but thats because my teachers explained everything to me. It's much different in college. You're expected to teach yourself a good portion of it. Therefore, I didn't do so well in Calc I. The minor didn't need the math classes, so I switched...
Did you have to take a lot of art classes, like drawing classes for a graphic design major?
My school required me to take a Drawing I class and a Two-Dimensional Design class. Then we have to take one upper level studio art class, two other studio art classes and an art history class. Then came the graphics classes. The studio art classes can be anything from drawing, painting, sculpture (ceramic, wood, stone, assorted media) and other special topics (serigraphy and printmaking). If you're scared of taking the art classes, don't be. I didn't take any drawing classes and very few art classes before college and I'm doing fine. My drawing abilities have come a long, long way over two years. As long as you're putting in a lot of effort, you'll be fine.
And what kind of computer would you recommend for graphic design? A Mac, right?
Well, Macs are pretty much the standard in the graphics field, and you will most likely be using them in your classes. (My school has 4 Mac labs, 3 of which are specifically for the graphics majors). But the software you'll be using is the same on a Windows computer as it is on a Mac. Also think about this: if you are going to but doing something in the Computer Science field, whether its a major or a minor, you will MOST likely be using a Windows OS. I have a Windows computer with all the design software and it operates perfectly, just like it would on a Mac. (Just make sure that whatever computer you get, it has the memory and processing abilities to handle those programs. Some of them, like Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign, and Premier Pro use A LOT of RAM. If you don't have enough on your computer, it will crash and those programs don't have autosave...) You don't HAVE to get a Mac if you don't want to. I think once/if you get more serious about the graphics, you should get one, but you don't need one for college if you can't afford it.
If you really want to do web design, your school will most likely have Web Design courses where you'll learn how to use Dreamweaver and other web programs. You won't necessarily need to know HTML for those programs, but you really should know the legit codes. Those programs just make it easier for you to assemble those codes. I'd recommend talking with an academic adviser when you get to school about which you should major and minor in since every school and its curriculum is different.
Hope this helps a little!
