Which “pond” should I swim in?

As a graphic designer, it is always better to know which field you are especially good, good, ok and not very good in. It also helps narrow down to where you want to work at and helps you plan accordingly for your dream job.

It's not the case for me.

I have always been pretty specific about my skills, what I enjoy doing and what I want to get (result wise) when I am out there working. The fact is, I have never thought of where I really want to work at. I do have in my mind about where my dream work place will be and whom I want to work with.

Do I want an office full of sunshine and flowers? YES

Do I want to work with a team that will be contributive to my work? YES

Can I narrow down to where I want to work for or which field I feel like I can really enjoy? NO

So I read one of my design books “Becoming a Graphic Designer” to see if the way they break down all the possibilities that a designer can work will help me clear my way. Instead of breaking the graphic design world in only 2 fields based on its mediums: web and print, the book divides into 9 categories of jobs. They are:

Editorial Design
Corporate Design

Book Design


Music/CDs design

Information Design
Advertising and Branding
Environmental Design
and Interactivity

Reading about the job helps me a little bit but having a chance to look at the example of what the designer can do in life just opens my eyes up. Really. Based on my own experience and my understanding about myself, I crossed out the categories I feel like I don't enjoy as much (It seems like I enjoy almost everything!!!). Now, picking the top 3 is such a hard job. But I got them:

Editorial Design
1.I love working with type
2.I want my design to be seen everywhere
3.I would loveeeeee to work for the National Geographic, the New York Times Magazine and the New Yorker

Information Design (I wonder the fact that I am working for the state division and department of recycling has anything to do with my decision today...oh well!):
1.I love working with type.
2.I want to make a big change so that reading information is not a pain but it becomes a joy for anyone. Yes, design can change society.
3.I want to work for my internship site for a while.

Interactivity
1.I love technology and want to explore in it. Yes, it IS my strength AND my weakness at the same time *sigh*
2.One of the top landing I want to make is MTV Network