For many young people fresh out of high school, college seems like the obvious next step. We are raised to believe that earning a diploma is the ultimate ticket to success and will provide us with all the knowledge and skills we need to start an amazing career. But is this really the case?
As a top graphic design student at my university (and now a professional web designer), I had plenty of time to think about this question. In this article, I will share my honest thoughts on whether the university truly delivers on its promise and what it’s like to experience university life as a design student.
friends
Let’s start with the good stuff. Honestly, one of the best parts about studying at university is the people. There’s a good chance you’ll meet like-minded people and develop strong friendships in the process. This is awesome for a number of reasons.
For starters, it makes completing coursework easier when you have a team working on it. Plus, when you’re having fun together, studying doesn’t feel like a chore. Who knows where these connections will lead in the future? Maybe one day you’ll end up starting an agency or collaborating on something big. Personally, I met some truly amazing people and we remain friends to this day.
exposure
This one is a bit of a mixed bag. During college I was exposed to a variety of disciplines: drawing, web design, some programming, branding, typography – you name it. On the plus side, it gave me a clear understanding of all the skills I have. Can or should master. It’s like opening up a buffet of creative disciplines and realizing there’s so much more to learn.
But here’s the catch: Because you’re covering so many areas, it’s impossible to go deep into any of them. You end up just scratching the surface of everything without really mastering anything. The truth is, college alone won’t prepare you for a professional job. You still need to invest your own time and effort in order to truly advance in the areas that are important to your career.
This is something many peers don’t realize. Many people believe that what we learn in college is enough to prepare us for the market. Spoiler alert: This is not the case. Once you get out into the real world, you’ll not only have to compete with other recent grads; You’re dealing with seasoned professionals with years of experience and a killer portfolio. Trust me, this is no walk in the park.
The Myth of Degrees
One of the most overrated things ever? Bachelor of Science. Seriously. If you’re like me and want to work in the design field, having a diploma isn’t as important as people think. Of course, it’s nice to have and can give you a sense of accomplishment, but it’s definitely not mandatory.
What really matters are the skills you demonstrate through your portfolio. This is the real deal. After working on countless customer projects, let me tell you: no one Some of them have asked me about my academic background. Not once. Customers care about results, not a piece of paper. They are looking for someone who can solve their problems, deliver on time, and realize their vision.
If you don’t have a solid portfolio yet, stop waiting for the “perfect moment” and start building one. Whether it’s a personal project, a small business website, or even a redesign for a popular brand (just for fun), start showing off what you can do now. You don’t need a degree to prove you can do the job, your portfolio will speak louder than any academic credentials.
So if you’re not sure whether to pursue this degree or skip it and jump straight into real-world experience, I would say: focus on building your skills and portfolio. Ultimately, this is what will set you apart.
business skills
If you are planning to start your own agency or become a freelance worker, business skills Without a doubt, this is the most important thing you need to master. It’s not enough to be good at design, you also need to work hard. You need to know how to make money. Everyone has to learn this part – whether you’re a freelancer or managing a team.
The frustrating part? No one in college actually sat down and taught us how to actually run a business. It’s shocking how little attention has been paid to this aspect. You can be the best designer in the world, but if you don’t know how to sell your services, work with clients, find them, market your business, or even manage paperwork, then you’re going to have a tough time.
When I first started getting involved in business and entrepreneurship, it seemed simple. But when I dug deeper, I realized how complex and daunting it really is. From contract negotiation to financial management, there is a whole world of knowledge that no one is warning you about. And even though you may feel prepared because you’ve watched a few YouTube videos or read a blog post or two, you’ll soon discover that there are many challenges that you didn’t anticipate and that you’ll have to learn how to deal with Fly with them.
So don’t underestimate the importance of these business skills. They are as important to your success as your creative talents. The sooner you start learning them, the better equipped you will be to navigate the real world of design and freelance work.
The elephant in the room – design tips
As I mentioned before, during college you will be exposed to a variety of topics in the design field, but most of them only scratch the surface. You won’t delve into any one area unless you make it a priority. The first step is to figure out what you really want to do in your career. Once you have a clear idea, you can focus on the skills most relevant to that particular area.
In my case it was web design, mobile design, typography, photo editing and some coding. Sure, drawing and packaging design might be useful in some situations, but right now it’s not my priority. The goal is to focus on the core skills that will help you excel in your chosen field.
Once you’ve focused your attention, it’s time to double even triple bet About those skills. College assignments alone will not solve real-world problems. To truly stand out and be competitive in the job market, you need to put in a lot of extra effort outside of the classroom. Whether you plan to start your own business or find a 9-to-5 job, you need to be good at what you do, and your college studies can only get you so far.
Let’s be honest: If you rely solely on your college portfolio to get a job, you’re in trouble. Unless you’re some kind of prodigy (in which case you’re probably not reading this), simply completing college assignments won’t prepare you for the real demands of the design industry. So take the time to develop and refine skills beyond those you learn in class. The extra work you put in now will pay off hugely in the future.
Yes, but it’s highly unlikely. The reality is that college and the job market are like two completely different worlds. Universities are often stuck in traditional frameworks that do not necessarily reflect the changing needs of the modern workplace.
The job market does not change as a result of adjusting to college. In fact, the opposite is true—the job market is always changing, and industry is evolving faster than universities can adapt. While some institutions have begun to catch up, the vast majority still use outdated curricula that do not adequately prepare students for the challenges they face in the real world.
It would be great if universities could tailor their courses to the specific needs of the job market, but the reality is that this doesn’t happen as often as it should. Many courses still focus on theory or outdated practices, leaving students to figure out the practical applications on their own after graduation. The result? Graduates often feel underprepared and overwhelmed when entering the workforce.
So while a university can provide the basics, it’s unlikely to be the complete solution. If you really want to build a career, you need to get out of the classroom and adapt yourself to real-world requirements. College may provide you with the tools, but it’s up to you to make them work in your industry.
Should you study design at university?
Not really. If your main goal is to meet like-minded people, then sure, college might be a good option. But if you want to gain knowledge and start your career as a graphic designer, then probably not. Everything useful. This will give me over two years to delve deeper into my craft, perfect my skills, and start my career faster.
That said, I don’t regret my college years. I met some incredible people and made wonderful memories that I truly cherish. But it’s definitely something you need to consider before making the commitment. Ultimately, it’s up to you to decide if it’s worth it.
This article reflects my personal experience as a top student and now as a business owner in this industry. If you have any questions or want to share your thoughts, please feel free to comment below or contact me through any of my social platforms.
Thanks for reading and see you next time! 😊