What I’ve found is that many students are now having to build almost two portfolios. One that is based on work that was completed within Education and one for ‘live’ projects. The studios are keen to see the difference in approach and how clients may have influenced an outcome in comparison to if it were completed in school.

There is often a noticeable difference!

The issue here really is that ‘design schools’ aren’t setting realistic briefs in a realistic time frame.

So experience is always going to prevail.

Matt

Thanks for the comment,

~ Casey Hald

“In school you will be educated by your peers by your teachers and so on. And by not going to school you will have one teacher, your experience.”

~ Great point Nicho, at some point we all need some kind of support as we progress in our field, whether it be teachers, fellow students, mentors, professionals, or our own mistakes.

I have seen a lot of talented graduates only be able to get internships lately. Don’t get me wrong, being an intern is a great way to learn about your field, but in an economy in the tanker it’s hard enough to make a living out there.

You really need a healthy balance of both. If you have a lot of experience in the field, then take a class or to relating to your experience, and help other progress as you yourself benefit from the class. If you’re heading close towards a degree, either try and sell some design work, or pro-bono and get some work into your portfolio.

Love the website by the way! http://nrichdesign.com/

But personally I think the college system is failing in so many ways. I have so many friends just getting out of college and can get nothing but entry level designs jobs for there lack of experience while they’ve been in school I’ve been working on my craft first hand. I’ve heard Kevin Rose talk on his hiring process for DIGG designers, he said if you can do great work and have a great portfolio I’ll hire you.

Wether you go to school or not I do believe you will be educated. In school you will be educated by your peers by your teachers and so on. And by not going to school you will have one teacher, your experience.

So what would the best education? School or Experience.

For me it has been Experience, I have hated school since kindergarten. But I do love to learn.

~ You make a good point on how if you neglect going to school and only ask questions about your craft online, you miss out on how to connect with people in real life, neglecting important social skills. Those steps that you mention are actually what I’m following currently lol. I was first interested in design and web development, honed my skills with one on one client interaction and learned how to better my skills in a real world environment. Decided I need school to learn more about my craft, and am headed towards a degree. I feel I benefited from learning some core elements before going to school first, such as client interaction and real-world project deadlines.

~ Thanks for the comment Marcell

“The studios are keen to see the difference in approach and how clients may have influenced an outcome in comparison to if it were completed in school.”

~ That’s interesting. I know that dealing with a client is a unique experience in and of itself! Every client is different, and designing for their specific needs is an experience all in its own. Sometimes what you make for a client, you think is awesome and up-to-date on the current design trent, but then the client will hate it. And there are those occasions where you think what you designed is mediocre at best, and the Client will absolutely love it and only one revision will be made.

Real world experience is extremely dynamic. Like Forest Gump once stated, “Life is like a box of chocolates (clients), you never know what you’re going to get”

~ lol, thanks for your input man, much appreciated!

~ Wow, I find that very interesting. Now that I recall, I don’t think I’ve ever been asked about my education when applying for a design firm, especially signing up a customer for a freelance gig.

“I think that those who would ask about educational experience are not actually educated themselves about graphic/web designers”

~ lol, great point. It kind of shows their ignorance about the field itself. Thanks for your input!

Thanks for the comment Martin!

What I’ve found is that many students are now having to build almost two portfolios. One that is based on work that was completed within Education and one for ‘live’ projects. The studios are keen to see the difference in approach and how clients may have influenced an outcome in comparison to if it were completed in school.

There is often a noticeable difference!

The issue here really is that ‘design schools’ aren’t setting realistic briefs in a realistic time frame.

So experience is always going to prevail.

Matt