What college degree or education do you have?

[ChapmanCreativeDesign]

I am writing a paper for my college english class mentioned in this thread. (http://www.graphicdesignforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=24944)

Just wondering what sort of degrees you all have to your name?

Not to be picky but I am really just looking for the professional's comments here. In other words, if Graphic Design is how you make a living, then I want your comment.

[TR1]

I have a HND in Graphic Design and 15 years professional design experience. What are the questions you want comments on?

[captain spanky]

I've been a successful graphic designer for 11 years but i'm a 'real worlder' rather than an academic i'm afraid. my skills are through experience, practice and a little bit of trial and error ;) :D

i did get an email this morning offering me a batchelors degree or a masters in two weeks though! :D

[PrintDriver]

That's about how long it takes the check to clear, then they mail it to you.
:D

[budafist]

I got myself 3 years tuition scholarship and spent it on a Bachelor of Art and Design specialising in Graphic Design. Apply for all the scholarships and grants you can. There are plenty out there.

I enjoyed getting my degree. No one has ever asked to see it though. I'm not a good self teacher - not from scratch. I need to know a few things in advance in order to make head or tail of a manual.

[Silence04]

I got certified in Commercial Art from a 2 year tech school.

[AbiJ]

I've a master's in product design engineering. I made the cross over to graphic design the same way as captain spanky (though not as much experience! I'm only about 3 years in)

[frankster]

I have an MPhys in Physics and Astrophysics, but moved away from that towards design only a few years after graduating. I'm self taught with the website and print design that I do, but I think that the ability to learn by my self quickly and research subjects effectively was honed whilst at uni studying physics. I don't regret the degree I took, even though one in the feild I am in now might be more useful. Having this unusual CV seems to have lead to interest from clients and employers and only in a few cases has it put people off. It's always funny to see a prospective employer's reaction when I walk in the door for an interview. I'm quite small and blonde and soft spoken, and they always seem surprised that I have a masters in physics. I keep thinking I should try and use both in some way, maybe focus more on my programming skills and move into games programming with realistic physics, or contact places like the institute of physics that must need design work. Things are good at the moment though, so I might rock the boat with these ideas when I get bored and the kids are out of diapers!

[doubting_thomas]

BFA with illustration focus, minor in art history. That got me a really average
job in restraunts. Started in the print field as a delivery driver about 10 years ago.
When I went to school an IBM 386 was the hot workstation and CorelDraw 3
was the schiznit.

[PrintDriver]

re: Frankster, I guess no one could say "that designer can't do math". LOL!

[jessicam]

I have a BFA in Visual Communication with an emphasis on Computer Imaging. Which is basically a blended computer animation/web design/graphic design curriculum. There were two tracks to choose from (Computer Imaging and Graphic Design). Most of the classes were thesame, only about 12 credits were totally different for the two tracks. I wanted to do both but I got really burned out and I dropped the graphic design track.

[reuber1]

AS in Web Administration.
BS in Computer Graphics/Interactive Multimedia.

[mojoprime]

i'm like the captain. was in school orignally for a degree in advertising, and then the insane math hit -- statisitics? seriously? micro and macro econ? i switched to design, which is what i wanted to do in the first place. never finished though. got a job in my junior year, and that was about 20 years ago. been doing it professionally since then.

[seamas]

I have a BFA in Painting

Spent most of the next few years working sub-paying jobs and reading a ton of Art History and Theory.
Then spent time doing commercial painting and sculpture.
Then about 7 years ago, got a computer tooks some classes to get basic proficiency in Illy, Photoshop & Quark. Then spent time learning all I could about production and theory related to the Graphic end of things (95% of the theory for painting & sculpture is good for design too)

I haven't really picked up a paintbrush in 4-5 years.

[Shizelbs]

I'll assume you have no interest in my pharmacy degree, particularly since I have no design experience yet. :)

[hewligan]

Well, like Frankster, I've got an MSc in Physics - though I was nuclear physics rather than astro.

After a few years of being self-taught, though, I did decide to get a Diploma in Graphic Design.

I also have a diploma in teaching, but that's another story...

[Ally]

I've got a BFA with Specialization in Graphic Design, Minor in Advertising.

Now I'm turning things around and working towards a Masters in Advertising, about to finish my first year....another one to go ;)

[G Designz]

I have an associates degree in Visual Communications. My major is Graphic design and I have 3 years experience in the field.

[christydezignz]

Mine's a lot like G above. I have a Associates Degree in Visual Communications with a Graphic Design focus. I have 4 years experience in the graphic design career.

I started off by working in the copy and print department in an office supply store.

When I graduated I got a job as a graphic designer in a small print shop. I was new to the field and ran into A LOT of issues. Which is where I got most of my experience. The more probs you run into, the better you get.

A year of working there, I started my own graphic design company. It's been stressful, but it was the best choice I've ever made. Money still is tight, but that's all part of the fun, figuring out how to make more money with time management and marketing. At least you are in control of your income and not someone else!

[undressedmonster]

Bachelor of Science in Graphic Design

[Microswede]

Hey, I have a BFA in Graphic Design (class of '06!). lol

I took a year of Architecture and a year of Business/Marketing before getting into graphics. I was also double-majoring with Studio Arts, with an emphasis in drawing, but quit that in favor of graduating sometime this century. lol

[thealmightytiger]

I have a BFA w/ emphasis in Graphic Design and Photography. In a few months, I'll be starting a program to get an MBA in Marketing.

[John G]

BFA in Digital Arts (Graphic design with 2 electives of web instead of illustration pretty much).
Currently getting to do my "3 years of experience" tour...

[Jackimalyn]

Got my AAA degree in graphic Design after switching from Chemistry. Now im headed for my BA in advertising while workin in marketing and in-house design.

[BJMRGTIVR6]

OK, I was thinking about posting a Poll for this a few days ago.

Here is mine:
AA in Graphic Design
BS in Mass Communication Specializing in Advertising
Minor in Fine Arts Concentrating in Graphic Design

I was a GD major but once they said I needed a Language to get the BA (which they only allowed for Fine Arts - though only difference between nBS and BA is the language, I decided to move to advertising)

I think this is a great combo since I know the design aspect and the why/audience understanding of advertising.

[chris_bcn]

BA Performing Arts.

Or "Getting degrees by pretending to be trees" as we were also known!

[The_Black_Knight]

BFA in Graphic Design, 1995.

Currently a Graphic Design MFA candidate, with a credit equivalent of an MA in Graphic Design.

[Manny]

I graduated from a Advertising/Business program with 5% of graphic industry knowlege and I have worked full time for the last 15 years in various Prepress, and Graphic Design jobs. I also teach prepress and print production management part-time at the local college. Most of my training, education was learned on the job. The graphic industry is one of few industry that you create a new product everytime.

What little you may gain from any education can prove to be you life long career, education is truely a gateway to your future. (reads like a slogan :-)

[Samakimoto Graphics]

Bachelor of Arts (Design) major in Illustration.

They always ask for qualifications over here...