visual design X music/audio design

[Numbsong]

Hey ppl, I was just wondering...

I have two great interests in my life: music and visual design. Music has always been my passion. I love composing, and I do compose a lot of stuff, some of which is recorded by my band. Graphic design came later, after I started studying it on college. Over the years I became truly fascinated with it and dedicated my time to master some design tools and concepts.

Nowadays I am constantly trapped between these two areas. I'm always wondering wether I should dedicate myself to visual design (and therefore study Flash techniques, AS, Photoshop, vector drawing, 3d tools etc etc etc) or audio design (and therefore study harmony, playing techniques, audio layering techniques, VST instruments etc etc etc).

My point is: these fields of interest are so huge that I always find myself having to choose between them. I wish I could fully dedicate to both of them but unfortunatelly, time is short.

I was wondering if any of you guys are in a similar situation (or perhaps the same situation) and what are your opinions on the subject ?

[Ubik]

I know what you mean, i'm in the same situation... plus video editing and shooting too. The real question isn't what you want to learn but what do you want to do ?
I mean, you can make things that fits your desire without having a full knowledege of these programs, that's the way i chose, but audio software are easier to learn than programming stuff.
I can separate the two things : graphic design is more at my work, where i have some times to learn stuff, and music and video is for my personal projects.
You can also learn things by yourself, in these way music software are easier also i think. In fact, i made studies where i learned different a little then, i learn by myself the things i wanted to konw better but sometimes i wish i had studied in a more design oriented school.
Don't know if it helps you ... :)

[Numbsong]

Ubik, I am currently separanting the two things just the way you do. I agree that music software is far easier, but music as a profession (ie.: working as an web audio designer) involves far more than software proficiency.

Just like you said, the question is "what do you want to do ?". The answer, IMO, is to choose the option where you can find more job oportunities. That's why I'm into graphic design professionaly, even though I'd love to compose music for video games, for example. The problem is that video game development isn't a profitable activity in Brasil at the moment. So I have to choose the safest way !

Oh yeah, it sure helps me to know that someone is facing the same situation ! At least I'm not alone in my doubts !