If you’re serious about graphic design, have high hopes and expectations in the industry and have a desire to develop your graphic designs skills to a profound and professional level, or simply just want to be a great designer, the answer is.. YES! And this means getting an actual degree in graphic design (excluding online courses). Here’s why.
School gives you an audience and live criticism.
Surrounding yourself with live feedback from your peers and a teacher will allow you to take in different perspectives. Think about the value that you will gain from this versus being alone in your learning process where you’re not receiving any feedback or gaining any suggestions by students that have their own powerful creative juices flowing. Just as important, it will teach you how to be less attached to your work. This means you learn to be more open to changing a body of work after receiving constructive criticism and activates your problem-solving skills to make those changes. And, as a graphic designer, being able to be flexible with your designs is KEY when it comes to dealing with clients who will 99% of the time look for just that – changes. Moving away from your original designs isn’t necessarily a bad thing- because a good graphic designer knows how to adapt, incorporate those changes and finds a way make the final product work- both in your favor AND the client’s.
A full graphic design program will teach you the basics of an artist’s skills.
Time and time again I see people that learned how to use Photoshop and Illustrator that call themselves graphic designers. This is a MAJOR misconception. Learning Photoshop and Illustrator does not make someone a graphic designer. Learning Photoshop and Illustrator means you have some of the TOOLS to be a graphic designer, but doesn’t necessarily mean you have the SKILLS. Just because you’re holding a hammer doesn’t make you a carpenter, just in the same way that if your holding a stethoscope up to someone’s chest doesn’t make you a doctor. In a full graphic design program, learning the tools comprises very little of the broad scope of skills you will learn. This is because a full program will include foundational courses in painting, drawing, color theory, history of design, extensive project assignments and more. The combination of all of this knowledge is key to becoming a graphic designer that knows WHAT they are doing in their work and WHY.
A degree will give you a clear advantage in the industry.
Simply said! An established company looking for a graphic designer (whether it’s onsite or for freelance) will absolutely give more preference to someone with a 4-year design degree over someone that doesn’t-no matter how good you are. Here’s why. Sure, a designer without a degree may have a great portfolio, but what are the chances that a company will even take the next step into looking at your portfolio when their lead marketing manager told their marketing assistant to list having a B.A. requirement in their job posting? In fact, reputable companies that are looking to hire always list the 4-year B.A. educational requirement before you are even able to apply.
You’ll feel more confident in charging higher prices.
Let’s be honest, would you really be brave enough to charge a client $40 an hour? 50? 100 – Without a degree? Let’s face it, we all can get insecure about charging what we want, and what we deserve. But if you put yourself through 4 years of a design program, my friend, REGARDLESS of the quality of your portfolio, it would be a steal for someone if you weren’t charging them anything less than what you deserve for the time and dedication solely spent learning a craft for their benefit. The feeling of graduating gives you a tangible sense of accomplishment.. and to job prospects as well. And, although you may not know it, it will give you the confidence to ask for more. And the only way we charge the rate we want is when we have the confidence to ask for it.
If you want to use graphic design as a skillset that is secondary to your primary skillset- OR, if you really would like a top-level education in it but it is too costly or you feel as if it will take up too much time, I am going to write an article on what I would suggest- So stick around by signing up to my newsletter!
