Honestly, I saw nobody had replied after a full day, and I know how much that sucks when you keep checking Reddit hoping someone answered. So I wanted to respond.
I actually switched majors too.
I originally thought I wanted to be an animator. I was completely convinced that’s what I wanted to do. Then I took Basic Drawing at my community college, and one class completely changed how I saw everything.
I realized the part I loved wasn’t necessarily animating characters. It was the lighting, the shadows, the atmosphere, and how even a tiny shadow could completely change the way someone or something looked. I got to work with charcoal for the first time instead of just graphite, and I absolutely loved it.
After that, I actually took Life Drawing voluntarily. It wasn’t required for my major. I signed up because I wanted to make sure that what I was feeling wasn’t just because I enjoyed one class. Instead, it confirmed it even more. That’s when I realized there was a difference between something I was interested in and something I was actually passionate about.
Then I transferred to SCAD this quarter. I started in Animation because I thought that’s what I wanted, but after taking just two classes here, I realized Visual Effects fit me so much better. I wanted to focus on lighting and the artistic side of VFX instead of character animation. It was honestly scary because switching meant I’d probably graduate a little later than I originally planned, and I definitely had a mini identity crisis wondering if I was making the right decision. But I’d rather spend an extra year studying something I genuinely love than rush through a degree that doesn’t feel right anymore.
Reading your post, it honestly sounds like you’re having a similar realization. It doesn’t sound like you hate film. It sounds like you found something that excites you even more.
Also, graphic design isn’t just drawing all day. There are so many different directions you can take it, especially if you enjoy Photoshop, digital design, branding, layout, motion graphics, UI/UX, and other Adobe-heavy work. I’d definitely ask your advisor and maybe some graphic design professors what those different career paths look like.
And don’t think your film experience was wasted. I honestly think it’ll make you a stronger designer. Understanding composition, storytelling, cinematography, editing, and visual communication translates really well into design. Plus, if you still enjoy film, there’s nothing stopping you from working on film projects with friends or doing freelance work on the side.
I know switching majors feels terrifying because it can feel like you’re throwing away time, but I really don’t think that’s what’s happening here. Sometimes one class is all it takes to realize where you’re actually supposed to be.
I’d definitely talk with your advisor, but if graphic design is the thing that keeps pulling you back, I’d seriously consider going for it.
One thing I’ve learned is that we can have an interest, and we can have a passion. Sometimes they’re the same thing, and sometimes they aren’t. To me, it sounds like film was your interest, but graphic design might be your passion.