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Original poster

Do you frown upon Graphic Design degrees and why?

19 replies

theeyesarewrong · 28/03/2015 00:54

Hey there, I'm a first year BA (Hons) Graphic Design student.

Basically I'm really down because my boyfriends family frown upon the fact that I am studying Graphic Design. I have met others who do so as well, but as a whole I get quite a lot of positive reactions when I explain my course to people. Personally, I believe that Graphic Design is quite high in employability and that the world we live in wouldn't be the same without it.

I just thought this was a good website to ask other peoples opinions. I could just ask his family directly but I don't want to cause any friction.

Thanks!

OP posts:
rabbitstew · 28/03/2015 09:17

I know nothing about graphic design degrees, and not much about graphic design, but I found this on the internet: www.thedesignrange.com/2012/11/30/is-a-graphic-design-degree-worthwhile/

If it's a respected graphic design course and you do well on it, I would have thought it could be very useful to you. Better to spend 3 years doing something you love and can excel at than something that you are not passionate about and come out with a similar result to thousands of other people. Personally, I think it sounds rather interesting. Surely useful in the internet age?

Ubik1 · 28/03/2015 09:19

I work with graphic designers alot. There seems to be a fair amount of work out there. You can also work from home.

You'll never be rich - but most creatives aren't.

mumteedum · 28/03/2015 09:22

Do your bf s family know anything about graphic design? Seems an odd thing to be down on. Maybe they feel this way about anything arty?

The important thing is how you feel about it. If you're passionate and work hard, you can have a great career. Creative professions are competitive but rewarding. I wouldn't worry what they think but I also wouldn't want a bf who puts me down, so make sure he isn't.

Ubik1 · 28/03/2015 09:23

(I write content - I'm not rich eitherWink)

ragged · 28/03/2015 12:23

I should think by definition that most people can't be rich.
Having work that satisfies you or even makes you happy is a great achievement, if you think you're on right path for that you're doing great.

MNers are pretty snobbish about universities & degrees, sorry, the people who do frown probably won't answer this.

bobthebuddha · 28/03/2015 17:42

Are they crazy?? I'd have given my right arm (okay, maybe not, I'm right-handed Grin ) to have had the ability to do graphic design. Some of the most interesting people I've met studied gd and have done extremely well in their careers. I met a very well know designer a few weeks ago and he's had such an interesting, varied and creatively fulfilling life and career. He was a blast. Your boyfriend's family are completely clueless - and you can quote me if you like Smile.

anotherbloodycyclist · 28/03/2015 17:52

Oh ignore them. Years ago when I was your age I was being pushed for Oxbridge. Hated the idea. Hated the college I visited for the weekend. Pissed everyone off by doing what I wanted, which was a foundation course followed by a graphic design degree. I've never looked back, I am incredibly lucky in that I have a job which I love as a creative director. Do what you love, I'm very glad that I did.

museumum · 28/03/2015 17:56

I work with loads of graphic designers. It's a great career.

If my ds was interested I'd maybe look into a broader design degree with specialism in graphics towards the end but I certainly wouldn't be disappointed in him. (My dad was a 3d designer)

TalkinPeace · 28/03/2015 18:12

A couple of my clients are graphic designers.
They make comfortable livings.
Neither did degrees in it though.

BooChunky · 28/03/2015 18:29

My DH is a graphic designer and makes over 100k a year.

That's pretty comfortable Wink

Heels99 · 30/03/2015 13:36

No, I know only one person who did this, she earns a fortune and works on some fantastic brands. It's a great career as far as a I can see!

Marmitelover55 · 30/03/2015 19:17

I used to work with lots of graphic designers. It seems a good career to me. They often seem to start in an agency and then go freelance - seems very flexible to me. The ones particularly good at concept work seem to be paid very well.

SnotQueen · 30/03/2015 19:23

Don't be down - it's a great degree and career. There will always be work.

Some people think you should only study Law or Medicine at uni. My languages degree was often ridiculed by PIL and my SIL actually said that her Standard Grde level Spanish was as good as my degree level fluency in my languages. It wasn't btw.

I think it's important to study what you love - it's a huge commitment, you may as well enjoy it.

PilchardPrincess · 30/03/2015 19:29

That's a really bizarre thing to be snotty about Confused

I have heard people be "down" on certain subjects but Graphic Design is definitely not one of them! Why? Weird.

LittleIda · 09/04/2015 14:07

I'd focus less on whether your degree is good enough and more on whether your boyfriend and his family are good enough for you. They don't sound like nice, accepting people.

Ferguson · 10/04/2015 23:30

And you never know where a job and qualification like that might lead. If you are fairly young now, you may stay in 'studio' work for a few years. But it could lead on to all sorts of possibilities in the future.

My brother did a Marine Biology degree, but then worked in a lab of a blood bank. That later led on to forensic science, and giving evidence in court cases involving blood samples etc.

SinisterBunnyMonth · 10/04/2015 23:41

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Bunbaker · 10/04/2015 23:53

Ubik1 I also work with a lot of graphic designers, and write content. None of our designers are particularly well paid, and neither am I, but I love my job.

Feellikescrooge · 11/04/2015 07:17

Well my eldest DD is a F2, junior doctor, and her boyfriend did a GD degree and is the same age. ATM he earns double she does for far fewer hours and many more perks, think team building trips to the French Riviera! It seems to have enormous opportunities.

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