Comments on: Is school really necessary for a designer? http://www.newfirecreative.net/archives/is-school-really-necessary-for-a-designer/ The blog and portfolio of Leighton Taylor, graphic and web designer Sun, 01 Aug 2010 15:27:59 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 By: zikoon http://www.newfirecreative.net/archives/is-school-really-necessary-for-a-designer/comment-page-1/#comment-193 zikoon Tue, 27 Jul 2010 20:31:22 +0000 http://www.newfirecreative.net/?p=800#comment-193 “The difference between school and life? In school, you're taught a lesson and then given a test. In life, you're given a test that teaches you a lesson.” .-= zikoon´s latest blog ..<a href="http://psdesigne.wordpress.com/2010/07/10/lovely-star/" rel="nofollow">Lovely star</a> =-. “The difference between school and life? In school, you’re taught a lesson and then given a test. In life, you’re given a test that teaches you a lesson.”
zikoon´s latest blog ..Lovely star

]]> By: Leighton Taylor http://www.newfirecreative.net/archives/is-school-really-necessary-for-a-designer/comment-page-1/#comment-180 Leighton Taylor Mon, 19 Apr 2010 13:27:07 +0000 http://www.newfirecreative.net/?p=800#comment-180 Hi Jenelle, thanks for stopping by and leaving your input. That's great that you are teaching yourself using online tools. I've had to do the same, as my degree program includes only 1 basic course on web design, so I've had to learn on my own outside of class. Good luck with your study and self-teaching! Please feel free to drop in and contribute your thoughts any time. Hi Jenelle, thanks for stopping by and leaving your input.

That’s great that you are teaching yourself using online tools. I’ve had to do the same, as my degree program includes only 1 basic course on web design, so I’ve had to learn on my own outside of class.

Good luck with your study and self-teaching! Please feel free to drop in and contribute your thoughts any time.

]]> By: Jenelle Bautista http://www.newfirecreative.net/archives/is-school-really-necessary-for-a-designer/comment-page-1/#comment-179 Jenelle Bautista Mon, 19 Apr 2010 03:19:23 +0000 http://www.newfirecreative.net/?p=800#comment-179 I like what you're pointing here. I'm a sophomore college student, and trying to breakthrough a career in this industry. What I hate about college is they're making you take up courses which I believe is irrelevant to your chosen field. As for me now, I'm self-teaching myself with the resources I find online so I will have the necessary 'years' of experience when I merge into the industry. By the way, a college degree does not guarantee a person a successful future and career. It can only help but it will always be a mixture of passion and perseverance. Good luck on your graduation, Jenelle I like what you’re pointing here. I’m a sophomore college student, and trying to breakthrough a career in this industry. What I hate about college is they’re making you take up courses which I believe is irrelevant to your chosen field. As for me now, I’m self-teaching myself with the resources I find online so I will have the necessary ‘years’ of experience when I merge into the industry.

By the way, a college degree does not guarantee a person a successful future and career. It can only help but it will always be a mixture of passion and perseverance.

Good luck on your graduation,
Jenelle

]]> By: Leighton Taylor http://www.newfirecreative.net/archives/is-school-really-necessary-for-a-designer/comment-page-1/#comment-149 Leighton Taylor Wed, 10 Mar 2010 14:39:37 +0000 http://www.newfirecreative.net/?p=800#comment-149 David, Yes, passion and teachability are hugely important. Thanks for adding your insight. David,

Yes, passion and teachability are hugely important. Thanks for adding your insight.

]]> By: David Airey http://www.newfirecreative.net/archives/is-school-really-necessary-for-a-designer/comment-page-1/#comment-148 David Airey Wed, 10 Mar 2010 14:23:43 +0000 http://www.newfirecreative.net/?p=800#comment-148 Hi Leighton, I believe the best way to prepare yourself for a design job is with a solid education combined with at least a 3-month internship. That's not to say you can't be successful without design degree. You can. But I think you're more likely to achieve this success with the backing of a degree. On the other hand, you can have a wonderful degree, and be unsuccessful, possibly moving to a role outwith the design profession. What's of most importance is a passion for what you do, and a willingness to never stop learning. Combine that with a humble attitude and you're onto a winner. Hi Leighton,

I believe the best way to prepare yourself for a design job is with a solid education combined with at least a 3-month internship.

That’s not to say you can’t be successful without design degree. You can. But I think you’re more likely to achieve this success with the backing of a degree.

On the other hand, you can have a wonderful degree, and be unsuccessful, possibly moving to a role outwith the design profession.

What’s of most importance is a passion for what you do, and a willingness to never stop learning. Combine that with a humble attitude and you’re onto a winner.

]]> By: Leighton Taylor http://www.newfirecreative.net/archives/is-school-really-necessary-for-a-designer/comment-page-1/#comment-147 Leighton Taylor Wed, 10 Mar 2010 13:24:15 +0000 http://www.newfirecreative.net/?p=800#comment-147 Great points Dan. That's interesting that 4-5 years of experience was more important than education to your potential employers. Great points Dan. That’s interesting that 4-5 years of experience was more important than education to your potential employers.

]]> By: Dan Flynn http://www.newfirecreative.net/archives/is-school-really-necessary-for-a-designer/comment-page-1/#comment-144 Dan Flynn Wed, 10 Mar 2010 04:52:11 +0000 http://www.newfirecreative.net/?p=800#comment-144 I can most definitely see where you are coming from on this. In my experience college did not teach me very many "skills" but taught me more to be motivated by my competition. I can be very competitive and when I went to college I was surrounded by others who had the same passion for design that I had. My college degree did provide me with interviews I otherwise might not have had the opportunity with, but as far as my growth as a designer, I feel that I've grown more in the last one year out of college than my four years in college. The main thing that kept me from getting a job right out of college was experience. I would see "college degree preferred" in a job post but then right after it "MUST have at least 4-5 years experience". I'm glad I have a college degree but wish I had more to show in the end for the four years I committed to it. I can most definitely see where you are coming from on this. In my experience college did not teach me very many “skills” but taught me more to be motivated by my competition. I can be very competitive and when I went to college I was surrounded by others who had the same passion for design that I had.

My college degree did provide me with interviews I otherwise might not have had the opportunity with, but as far as my growth as a designer, I feel that I’ve grown more in the last one year out of college than my four years in college. The main thing that kept me from getting a job right out of college was experience. I would see “college degree preferred” in a job post but then right after it “MUST have at least 4-5 years experience”.

I’m glad I have a college degree but wish I had more to show in the end for the four years I committed to it.

]]> By: Leighton Taylor http://www.newfirecreative.net/archives/is-school-really-necessary-for-a-designer/comment-page-1/#comment-142 Leighton Taylor Tue, 09 Mar 2010 19:09:21 +0000 http://www.newfirecreative.net/?p=800#comment-142 That's true James. A degree can help you get an interview. However, if you do an internship / apprenticeship for 1-2 years, one of two things will probably happen: 1) If you've learned well and worked hard, the company you apprenticed at will probably be much more likely to hire you than someone else who isn't already familiar with their company and part of the team. 2) If they don't hire you, you still have 2 years of experience and a solid portfolio to show potential employers, and hopefully a good reference from your apprenticeship. That’s true James. A degree can help you get an interview. However, if you do an internship / apprenticeship for 1-2 years, one of two things will probably happen: 1) If you’ve learned well and worked hard, the company you apprenticed at will probably be much more likely to hire you than someone else who isn’t already familiar with their company and part of the team. 2) If they don’t hire you, you still have 2 years of experience and a solid portfolio to show potential employers, and hopefully a good reference from your apprenticeship.

]]> By: James G http://www.newfirecreative.net/archives/is-school-really-necessary-for-a-designer/comment-page-1/#comment-141 James G Tue, 09 Mar 2010 19:04:28 +0000 http://www.newfirecreative.net/?p=800#comment-141 I'm not so sure... I kinda think that a college degree gives you some credibility when you're looking for a job. I mean most job listings include that a degree is required, so I think you'd have a hard time getting an interview without a degree. I’m not so sure… I kinda think that a college degree gives you some credibility when you’re looking for a job. I mean most job listings include that a degree is required, so I think you’d have a hard time getting an interview without a degree.

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