Should You Go To College For Graphic Design?

TL;DR

In this video, Roberto Blake discusses the pros and cons of getting a college degree in graphic design.

Transcript

hey everybody this is graphic designer Roberto Blake robertoblake.com helping you create something awesome today so in today's video I'm going to talk about whether or not you need to go to college in order to be a graphic designer now the short answer to this is no yes and maybe so why is it no yes and maybe well the reason is you have to examine ... Read More

Key Insights

• 👋 Motives and goals behind pursuing a college degree in graphic design should be carefully examined. A degree may not be the best choice for everyone.
• 🤳 Online resources and self-discipline can provide a comprehensive education in graphic design, without the need for a degree.
• 🎨 The structure and discipline of college may be helpful for some individuals, but it is not necessary to succeed in the graphic design industry.
• 🤩 Networking, real-world experience, and a strong portfolio are key factors in landing a graphic design job, often surpassing the importance of a degree.
• 👋 The cost of a college degree in graphic design should be carefully considered, as it can be expensive and may not always provide a good return on investment.
• 🎨 Consideration should be given to alternative degrees in related fields, such as marketing or fine arts, while taking graphic design classes as electives or auditing them.
• 🥅 The value of a degree in graphic design is subjective and depends on an individual's circumstances, goals, and abilities.

Questions & Answers

Q: Is a college degree necessary to be a successful graphic designer?

According to Roberto Blake, a college degree is not necessary to be a successful graphic designer. The most important factors are real-world experience, a strong portfolio, and the ability to deliver value to clients or employers.

Q: What are some reasons to consider going to college for graphic design?

Some reasons to consider going to college for graphic design include access to resources like hardware and software tools, the opportunity to change one's geography and work in a different environment, and not having access to these resources or hardware and software tools on one's own.

Q: Can self-learning and online resources replace a college degree in graphic design?

Roberto Blake believes that self-learning and online resources can provide the same education and curriculum as a college degree in graphic design. With discipline and dedication, an individual can learn graphic design skills on their own and build a strong portfolio.

Q: How important is a degree in graphic design for job opportunities?

While some job descriptions may require a degree, Roberto Blake emphasizes that networking, building relationships, and impressing potential employers with a strong portfolio and real-world results are often more important than having a degree.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Roberto Blake discusses the reasons why someone should consider going to college for graphic design, such as needing the optics of a degree for job filtering purposes or access to resources like hardware and software tools.

• On the other hand, he also argues that an individual can learn graphic design through online resources and self-discipline, and that real-world experience and a strong portfolio are more important to potential employers than a degree.

• Roberto suggests that if someone still wants to pursue a degree, they should consider getting a degree in another field like marketing or fine arts, while taking graphic design classes as electives or auditing them.