Considering a career in design? Prepare yourself before applying to art school
In the ever-evolving world of graphic design, the traditional path of attending a design school is no longer the only route to success. A significant number of graphic design jobs and careers are open to those who have honed their skills through practice, self-teaching, online courses, and on-the-job training.
According to industry trends, employers are increasingly valuing demonstrated skills and portfolio quality over formal education credentials. This shift is particularly noticeable in the field of User Interface (UI) and User Experience (UX) design, where companies are actively hiring individuals without design degrees if their work meets the needs of the job.
While a substantial portion of digital designers do hold degrees in graphic design and related fields (42% in one source), this does not necessarily mean that the remaining 58% are without degrees. Some might have degrees in other areas or alternative credentials.
When it comes to famous graphic designers, anecdotal evidence from the industry suggests that many well-known figures come from diverse educational backgrounds, including some who are self-taught. However, precise statistics are not readily available.
Learning Pathways
Self-taught designers often leverage platforms like YouTube, Skillshare, LinkedIn Learning, Coursera, and design communities for their learning. Mastering the fundamentals of typography, color theory, composition, and layout principles early is crucial.
Building a community and network with other designers is also valuable for opportunities and support. This can be achieved by joining online spaces and local in-person events or creative meetups.
The Importance of a Portfolio
The design industry places a strong emphasis on what you can do, not where you learned to do it. Starting to build your design portfolio today is essential, as it serves as your calling card and matters more than where you went to school. Three to five strong pieces in your portfolio speak louder than 20 mediocre ones.
Balancing Formal and Self-Directed Learning
A hybrid approach that combines formal and self-directed learning is also possible. This could involve taking key courses or investing in intensive short courses or bootcamps.
Overcoming Challenges
Learning on the job requires discipline and drive, and can be lonely without a built-in peer support network. However, two-thirds of self-made designers reported no negative reactions from clients or employers.
In conclusion, while exact percentages are not available, it is clear that a significant number of graphic designers, including some famous ones, do not have formal design degrees. This trend reflects a broader industry trend that values skill and portfolio over formal credentials. This shift is especially pronounced in certain design areas like UI/UX.
- In the realm of graphic design, employers are now valuing demonstrated skills and portfolio quality over formal education credentials, particularly in the field of UI and UX design.
- A designer's education can come from diverse backgrounds, including self-taught individuals, as evidenced by industry trends.
- Platforms like YouTube, Skillshare, LinkedIn Learning, Coursera, and design communities are often leveraged by self-taught designers for learning the fundamentals of typography, color theory, composition, and layout principles.
- Building a community and network with other designers can lead to opportunities and support, which can be achieved through joining online spaces, local in-person events, or creative meetups.
- The design industry places a strong emphasis on what a designer can do, not where they learned to do it, and starting to build a design portfolio today is essential, as it serves as a calling card.
- A hybrid approach that combines formal and self-directed learning, such as taking key courses or investing in intensive short courses or bootcamps, is also possible.
- Learning on the job requires discipline and drive, but can be lonely without a built-in peer support network.
- Despite the challenges, two-thirds of self-made designers reported no negative reactions from clients or employers, indicating that this approach can be successful in the graphic design industry.
