Degree or No Degree?

It's finally over and it just started all at the same time. After five long years, I have earned my Bachelors of Fine Arts Degree in Interactive Media and Web Design from the Art Institute of Tampa. School has officially ended, but my career has officially begun. 

Is it worth it? That's what every young aspiring designer would like to know before investing in a $30,000 educational commitment. These were the same exact thoughts that I had before applying. However, after 5 years of schooling, I can assure you that I have learned the answer: yes. If you have the financial budget to do so, then design school is a path that should definitely be taken.

In the beginning, I was focused on earning my degree as quickly as possible in order to better my chances of landing a job. During that time, I felt that I was knowledgeable enough to begin freelancing and learn as I went. Although I certainly could have taken that route, I would not be the experienced and educated designer I am today. I would not have bothered in obtaining such skills as color theory, basic design principles, nor how to make a project completely by hand. My education proposed me with new challenges, tested my limits, and motivated me to prepare myself for future projects.

I will admit, getting a degree in such a young field was difficult. I often felt teachers weren’t as knowledgeable as they should have been. More importantly, I had to go above and beyond what was required in the classroom and learn on my own time. However, if I hadn’t been there to be challenged, I would have never gone the extra mile.

Choosing a degree path and a non-degree path is a lot like choosing a recipe for baking a cake. You can go with a mundane recipe for a simple cake or you can research several options, combine tips and ingredients and make a unique one. Like the degree, the second method will take longer but 9 times out of 10 it will result in a much more scrumptious cake.

With that being said, I leave you with some of the principles that helped me make it through school.

1. Build a support system of family and friends
2. Never stop learning – learn all that you can from everyone that you can
3. Find a way to motivate yourself and use it as a creative fuel
4. Go above and beyond what is required
5. Don’t settle for anything less than your best effort