I have seen how many designers with a degree reach a creative a loop and they stick to what they have been taught. I am sure there could be many that don’t but I still haven’t met any yet. I see how they encapsulate themselves into their old composition techniques and use them for every project.

I have been turn down a couple of times at jobs because even when they like my work I don’t poses a degree. However, I see that as an indicative of a bad place to work where true art and talent is much less important than a degree. I personally won’t work on a place where they stand for that, so I see it as a “plague control” rather than a disadvantage.

In the three years I have been working on design I have learned how to use the former Macromedia Creative Suite and the new Adobe CS, Cinema 4d as well as Flash Animation and XHTML/CSS + PHP coding, Adobe AE, Final Cut Pro and Motion.

This allows me to design for my clients in a whole different level combining Print, Web Design and Video Commercials as my range of services. I am currently training as Project Manager and Art Direction. That in contrast with most of the coworkers I have had, which went to school but got stock on their training.

Wherever I have worked I have been paid almost twice as much as the rest of the designers because of my skills and quick learning mind being able to provide the clients with a whole different skills set.

In my opinion going to school theses days can help those whom lack the initiative, discipline and motivation to succeed on whatever they want to work on or for life and that need a strict follow up of techniques and procedures as opposite to ever changing design.

On the other hand I recommend self training to all of those that have the motivation and discipline to research, try and implement what really works out of all the old knowledge and lack the money to go to school. You will find your self training continuously and prouder of your work achievements either big or small.

Did Newton go to school to propose his theories? Did someone teach Einstein about relativity and time? Did some one teach Cristino Ronaldo how to play soccer and get a contract of $131 Million?… and who taught Da Vinci and the Wright brothers their inventions?

The overall difference is some are born as followers and other as entrepreneurs. Being honest with yourself is the first step to success.

I know many professional designers that dropped out of design/art school, feeling they were taught everything they already knew. This was the trigger for me to not go to art school.

I have a succesful business now, and I miss nothing from the things that I hear that are taught in design school

Going through both gave me advantages: I have more experience than some of my batchmates; my profs can criticize my works; there’s a chance to be recognized as a competent artist/designer; I learn new techniques and programs plus professional practices in the industry. Being in a physical environment full of enthusiasts and working students can open up opportunities and develop social skills.

But these are just based on my experience. There are still a number of factors that can affect a designer’s learning experience and success.

Still though, in September I’m off to study Visual Communications, not only because, as jono mentioned, it can get your foot in the door for job interviews, but also for the networking side of things.

I’ve met some very talented self taught designers who have been unlucky in job interviews simply because someone, who may have less skill, had some degree.

I studied English in college for one year and, even though I loved the subject, I didn’t have the drive needed to keep me going for the first year. I know I have it now to get me through four years of studying design and I can’t wait for September.

I really wouldn’t recommend going to college if you have any reservations about your course choice though.

Really interesting topic, can’t wait to hear more about it!

Of course, my real passion insists that we, as an industry, develop a stronger system of professional learning and mentoring, and rely less on art schools to prepare (ie, train) the future practitioners of our trade.

By the way, BS in Mechanical Engineer, MA in Graphic Communication.

Thanks to college I learned how to use the entire suit of adobe’s products. I also learned how to edit video in Avid Experss and After Effects. I learned about print design, logo design, Flash, art history, design theory, Paul Rand, etc.

Without college, the entire paragraph above would not exist for me. Additionally, I earned am internship by doing well I’m college and I kept that internship and went full- time right out after graduation. That was almost as priceless as the amaInf dolls I got to work with for nearly six years before moving on to another state.

I’m summary, without college, I would be no where near where I am today. This all took place about 12 years ago – things are much different now. I do know that having a degree gets you in the door to job interviews before folks without a degree.

Experience and a strong portfolio can/will (in my opinion) trump a degree every time though.

P.S. Hope there are no typos, my iPod Touch will not let me scroll this text field to the top to proof read;)