BA Degree?
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- charity_bird
I see all these job posting for designers and they say they require a college degree but it seems half the designers I meet didn't finish college. How is this so? Are employers willing to over look no BA for a good portfolio? Anyone have any input
- flavorful0
Enough experience can outweigh a degree any day, and usually does.
- -sputnik-0
i've found that a lot of places require it, but if the portfolio is good enough they'll overlook the absence of it. sometimes they'll also say BA or 5+ years of experience or something similar to compensate if you don't have a BA.
- -sputnik-0
or more eloquently, what flavorful said ;)
- spendogg0
Does BA stand for Boxes and Arrows?
- mg330
The real question is, what can a BA get you when you don't have the portfolio?
:D
- nicnichols0
When I interview somebody, I look at the resume for about 10 seconds, then sit them down in front of a computer and make them show me how they would complete a project..
I am far more concerned about what you know, then how you go to know it..
- tasty0
I've got one, but i've met two people who haven't even finished high school who work in the field.
It's one of those industries where you can succeed souly on experience.
But learning the programs and information design is def not a bad thing...but i think you actually have to have a natural ability and school just sort of ices the cake and makes you more efficient.
- flavorful0
It's one of those industries where you can succeed souly on experience.
tasty
(Apr 3 07, 10:24)solely*
* :D
- adamm0
2 yrs at local CC here, learned the programs and got a job right out of college. The experience I got from work rather than going to college and getting my BA for those 2 years out weighs it by a ton.
- oldelpaso0
Respond
When I interview somebody, I look at the resume for about 10 seconds, then sit them down in front of a computer and make them show me how they would complete a project..I am far more concerned about what you know, then how you go to know it..
nicnichols
(Apr 3 07, 10:23)cheap labour? ;)
- erokcom0
I agree with the comments on exp. I only have an AA in Arts. I never went for my BA because well, working gets you more exp that school can ever show you. (and working + dealing with real work clients, etc)
It's that old saying... "It's about the work"
e
- nicnichols0
cheap labour? ;)
oldelpasoI wish! Nah.. instead of going through a portfolio, we want to see the method and abillity in action, so
we just give them a standard job that we would give a production person, and see how well they do...
- studderine0
Fact: Those with a college degre make more money than those who do not.
Fact: You are lying to yourself.
Fact: The ROI for a college degree is greater than the ROI on most stocket market investments.
- mg330
When I was an active mod on Flashkit while i was finishing up college, I had to deal with so many kids who just thought they knew everything about Flash after using it for a very short time, thought they'd be the ones getting the great jobs, huge salaries, fame, etc. AND that they would achieve all that without any college at all.
They never realized all the other benefits of an education.
Some of the same things I said to them back then, I'll say now:
Though you could be an incredible designer simply by teaching yourself, the exposure you have to things that strengthen your abilities while getting a degree are extremely valuable.
Sure, you could design circles around people all day long... but courses like sociology and psychology are hugely valuable if you're taking a career path towards advertising, marketing, other things where you're doing more than just designing.
I think for Advertising and Marketing, it takes an education to give you that kind of knowledge and understanding. For myself, I majored in Advertising, work in Marketing currently, do a fair amount of design work at my job but do more of web site management, writing, editing, working with web consultants, directing and publishing client newsletters, e-mail newsletters and assist in advertising.
Anyone can learn design skills on their own, however, when it comes to making decisions for marketing, advertising, being involved in business decisions, making reccomendations to execs about projects and such, I know I'd be at a loss if I didn't have a degree and the knowledge I gained earning it.
- robotron3k0
FACT: With or with out a degree - either you have the skill & ambition or you don't.
- OSFA0
Agree with the experience and the advantages of working on the field rather than taking 6 classes per semester while you still work at the mall. I have one and so far it has been useful, fortunately I've had offers and good oportunities based on what I do and nit just on my degree alone. It doesn't hurt, and will be useful when I push my kids to finish their degrees in the future ;)
- flavorful0
FACT: That is from your university.
FACT: I make more money than you, and will continue to, your whole life.
FACT: :D
- nicnichols0
Ya.. I am a firm believer that you can't teach good design.. you can shape it, help the person's path.. but if you don't have talent, you aren't going to learn it in school...
(coming from somebody who went to 7 years + 2 degree's worth of college...)
- studderine0
Fact: This study has been done by others as well. Same results.
- mattyd040
i went to college to party and learn design on the side.