I have been doing web design for a few years now, and I've gotten to the point where i'm happy with what i can do, not to say i'm done..because i always love picking up something new and learning, but as of now i'd like to take my skills out and obtain a decent career out of it, I was curious if anyone had any suggestions for a Uni, college, school etc, a decent one, that i could apply to for web design and interactive media? I really don't WANT to spend 4 years of my life re-learning things that i already know, but to add to that, maybe there could be some things they can teach me, the main point is..i feel if i'm going to be successful in this career choice, on top of a portfolio, resume, etc; i think a degree behind my name would help me get out there.
Edit:
It's 5am so sorry if i have made no sense, i'm quite tired, but any suggestions on a school to attend i'd be grateful!
Quite honestly, in this subject I think having a strong portfolio speaks a thousand words. If you can prove that you are able to work and learn independently (In your own time, too!) to a really high calibre that's worth more than any degree programme.
If you're really bothered about getting a degree and those few letters after your name, you could do some distance learning part-time, whilst you work. Maybe get a volunteer placement at a developers studio or something? Maybe even paid!
All I can say is that I've been at university for 2 years now, and all they've tought me is basic HTML 4, CSS2, a little Javascript, basic AJAX and some PHP (I'm still terrible at all of it!). Having said that, a web design course would be more driven. All you can do is find a university you like, and look at what modules they teach. Get in touch with module tutors and find out exactly what each seminar and workshop is going to be about. Only then can you make a justifiable decision.
I agree with Slater. There's a co-worker where I work that has a bachelors in web design from the 90's. I had to teach her to get away from using tables for design; she didn't know anything about CSS. Her problem is that she didn't stay up to date. I make more than her now and I don't have a degree. This is generally true for any degree that you can't *stop* educating yourself after you get your diploma, but it's especially true in web design because things are changing and being discovered every day.
For design, in my opinion, it's much more of a subjective thing. There are things such as the elements and principles of design that you can learn in school that pretty much stay the same, but being 'good' at design isn't really something you can be taught. There are people out there with web design degrees from 2011 that make awful looking websites. There are people out there with no degree that are world-renowned web designers.
There are a lot of employers that still want to see a degree on your resume, but I do think that web-design is one field where having a strong portfolio and staying up to date on a daily or weekly basis with the latest trends, developments, and practices can still make you competitive in job searches.
[b]Edit:[/b] One resource you could consider for your free time regardless of whether you decide to pursue a degree is Treehouse. I haven't used it personally, but I've heard good things and it looks like a valuable resource for learning a variety of web-design subjects including web-development and scripting languages. If anyone has used it and feels otherwise definitely correct me though.
Thanks for your reply! I'm going around looking up Universities now, i was going to apply at the Art Institutes of Washington D.C. that had been my goal since i was back in high school, and i setup open house, brochures, and honestly it looks beautiful, the courses seem amazing, so i might consider that again, only problem is a 150$ application fee, so ill have to wait until i get payed in 2 weeks haha also, for anyone out there looking to go to AI, if you want info, do NOT put your phone number on their site, i applied to get more information, one lady called me, and we talked for about 3 hours, that was fun. After that day, i get around 14 calls per day, different states..all from the Art Institutes lol, little bit buggy
[editline]21st August 2012[/editline]
[QUOTE=TheBigS;37343709]I agree with Slater. There's a co-worker where I work that has a bachelors in web design from the 90's. I had to teach her to get away from using tables for design; she didn't know anything about CSS. Her problem is that she didn't stay up to date. I make more than her now and I don't have a degree. This is generally true for any degree that you can't *stop* educating yourself after you get your diploma, but it's especially true in web design because things are changing and being discovered every day.
For design, in my opinion, it's much more of a subjective thing. There are things such as the elements and principles of design that you can learn in school that pretty much stay the same, but being 'good' at design isn't really something you can be taught. There are people out there with web design degrees from 2011 that make awful looking websites. There are people out there with no degree that are world-renowned web designers.
There are a lot of employers that still want to see a degree on your resume, but I do think that web-design is one field where having a strong portfolio and staying up to date on a daily or weekly basis with the latest trends, developments, and practices can still make you competitive in job searches.
[b]Edit:[/b] One resource you could consider for your free time regardless of whether you decide to pursue a degree is Treehouse. I haven't used it personally, but I've heard good things and it looks like a valuable resource for learning a variety of web-design subjects including web-development and scripting languages. If anyone has used it and feels otherwise definitely correct me though.[/QUOTE]
That website looks amazing, i'd love to try it, currently i don't get paid for another 2 weeks and i have $22 in the bank lol, need 3 more and im good to go! :D also..your avatar..just amazing ;)
Sorry, you need to Log In to post a reply to this thread.
