Yes, someone can show up with a portfolio that they may not have done by themselves, but so can people with degrees. Just because they don’t have a degree doesn’t mean they didn’t complete the work themselves.

But yes, you are a disadvantage if you do not have a degree, but that does not make it impossible, nor does it make you any less of a professional in what you do. If you only have the degree, with no experience to back you up, how much better are you really then the one without a degree that has 10 years real world experience? To be honest, you’re not at all.

Let me give you another example, one completely off the subject of design for a moment:

You have two officers. One, who joined the service when he was fresh out of highschool. He has been through various situations, and has gained real world knowledge and experience.
The second, who went to college and joined the service after college. Now, because of college he is automatically in as an officer. He has never scene any type of war, or battle, or any crisis situation like the first. All he has is what he learned in collage.

Which officer do you trust to lead and teach your son/daughter/niece/nephew/grandchild/etc.?

That example can be applied here as well. I would rather know that the one with the most experience and knowledge is the one in charge. Not the one fresh out of school with nothing but examples to show and no real life experience. So yes, in some fields, you must have a degree. If you are a doctor, a lawyer, a phycologist. But not if you are a Graphic artists. Art, in fact, is one of the few that you do not HAVE to have a degree in to be good at it. Either, you are, or you aren’t. And no amount of money and school will change that.

Well, forgive me. It is my belief that to have the skill needed, that of course goes hand in hand with talent. I did not presume to think that someone without talent would be able to train themselves.

Although, I can not pretend to be surprised that you may have found my post odd. I am however a bit surprised that you disagreed with my last paragraph. One, where my entire point was about rather hiring someone with the skill (Talent) to be able to create what the employer is looking for, and to be able to do so, well. Correction, to be able to do so, remarkably. Rather then simply not hiring that person because they may or may not have a degree. It was about someone who can show what they can do, rather then show a degree.

You can have a degree and still not be very good if you do not have the talent and skill behind you. If you do not have the eye, the creativity, the ability to really make something from nothing that can speak to an entire genre or market, then your degree isn’t going to get you anywhere in this field. However, sheer talent and drive can.

This post gets the odd comment from time to time. I agree with you except the last paragraph. I don’t think that all it takes is dedication to be a good GD. Without talent, it still won’t add up to much. I have a suspicion you didn’t mean “anyone” (or did you?)

GD 1: Went to school, paid out thousands in student loans, received BAF.

GD 2: No formal education, but did spend thousands on all software, books, etc. They researched all the same books GD students read, they read them. They looked up everything design related, and committed it to memory. They know everything a GD would learn in school, and they can do it too. Their work is on par, if not surpassing that of the one with a formal education.

Is everyone here saying, that just because GD 2 has no formal training they should be devalued as artists? I firmly believe it is skill over a degree. Yes, there are those out there that of course, do not posses the skills, but they think they can because they have the software. Then again, there are others, who have spent years, and countless hours studying, reading, learning everything they can to be able to become a graphic designer, without going to school.

It is great if you can afford to go to school and get a degree, but what about those that can not? They can not afford it, or it just isn’t an option for them? Are you saying they should just give up because of this? That they will never accomplish, or be able to be as good as those with a degree because they couldn’t afford to go? Poppycock.

It is in experience and skill. Training and learning. If one is dedicated enough, they can learn the skills needed. Personally, I would hire skill over degree. Don’t show me your multitude of degrees, show me your portfolio, then we’ll talk.

My argument would be that many of these people actually help us generate more business! Of course, I loose smaller jobs to these people all the time, but I always tell my clients to look at the experience and put a value on their time. 9 times out of 10, they will call in 6 months after having spend thousands, with nothing to show for it.

I do agree that the design community needs to find a way to differentiate themselves from these individuals – but I would argue, if you are selling on price point alone, then you aren’t marketing yourself.

Being a graduate of Parsons School of Design and spending three years of study and hard work, I was always aggravated by the TV ads for schools like Gibbs Secretarial School to “come and learn to be a Graphic Designer.”

It is bitter-sweet to see the truth finally written.

Thank you again!