For a lot of young people fresh out of high school, going to university feels like the obvious next step. We’re raised to believe that getting a diploma is the ultimate ticket to success, something that’ll give us all the knowledge and skills we need to start an amazing career. But does it actually work that way?
As a top graphic design student at my university (and now a professional web designer), I’ve had plenty of time to think about this. In this article, I’m sharing my honest thoughts on whether university really delivers what it promises and what it’s like to go through it as a design student.
Friends
Let’s kick things off with the good stuff. Honestly, one of the best parts about studying at university is the people. There’s a really good chance you’ll meet like-minded folks and make some solid friendships along the way. And that’s awesome for a bunch of reasons.
For starters, it makes getting through the coursework so much easier when you’ve got a crew to tackle it with. Plus, studying feels way less like a chore when you’re having fun together. And who knows where those connections might lead in the future? Maybe you’ll end up starting an agency or collaborating on something big someday. In my case, I met some truly amazing people, and we’re still friends to this day.
Exposure
This one’s a bit of a mixed bag. During my time at university, I got exposed to a huge range of subjects: drawing, web design, a bit of coding, branding, typography - you name it. On the bright side, this gave me a clear picture of all the skills I could or should master. It’s like opening a buffet of creative disciplines and realizing there’s so much out there to learn.
But here’s the catch: because you’re dipping into so many areas, it’s impossible to dive deep into any of them. You end up scratching the surface of everything without actually mastering anything. The truth is, university alone won’t equip you to work professionally. You’ll still need to put in the time and effort on your own to really level up in the areas that matter for your career.
This is something a lot of my peers didn’t realize. Many assumed that what we were learning at university would be enough to get us market-ready. Spoiler alert: it’s not. Once you step into the real world, you’re not just competing with other fresh grads; you’re up against seasoned professionals with years of experience and killer portfolios. And trust me, that’s no walk in the park.
The Myth of the Degree
One of the most overrated things ever? The degree. Seriously. If you're like me and want to work in the design field, having that diploma doesn’t carry nearly as much weight as people think. Sure, it's nice to have and can give you a sense of accomplishment, but it’s by no means mandatory.
What truly matters are the skills you demonstrate through your portfolio. That’s the real deal. After working on countless client projects, let me tell you: not a single one of them has ever asked me about my academic background. Not once. Clients care about results, not some piece of paper. They’re looking for someone who can solve their problems, deliver on time, and make their vision come to life.
If you don’t have a solid portfolio yet, stop waiting for the "perfect moment" and start building one. Whether it’s a personal project, a small business website, or even a redesign of a popular brand (just for fun), start showcasing your abilities now. You don’t need a degree to prove you can do the work, your portfolio speaks louder than any academic certificate ever could.
So, if you’re unsure whether to go for that degree or skip it and dive straight into real-world experience, I’ll say this: focus on building your skills and portfolio. In the end, that’s what will set you apart.
Business skills
If you're planning to start your own agency or go freelance, business skills are hands down the most important thing you’ll need to master. It’s not enough to just be good at design; you need to know how to make money. Everyone has to learn that part - whether you're freelancing or managing a team.
The frustrating part? No one at university really sat us down to teach us how to actually run a business. It’s shocking how little focus there is on this aspect. You can be the best designer in the world, but if you have no clue how to sell your services, work with clients, find them, market your business, or even manage the paperwork, you're in for a tough ride.
When I first started diving into business and entrepreneurship, it seemed like it would be straightforward. But as I dug deeper, I realized just how complex and demanding it truly is. From negotiating contracts to managing finances, there’s a whole world of knowledge that no one warns you about. And, even though you might feel prepared because you've watched a few YouTube videos or read a blog post or two, you'll quickly discover that there are many challenges you didn't anticipate and you’ll have to learn how to deal with them on the fly.
So, don’t underestimate the importance of these business skills. They’re just as crucial to your success as your creative talent. And the sooner you start learning them, the better prepared you’ll be to navigate the real world of design and freelancing.
The Elephant in the Room - Design Skills
As I’ve mentioned before, throughout your time at university, you’ll be exposed to a wide range of subjects within design, but most of them will only be surface-level introductions. You won’t dive deep into any one area unless you make it a priority. The first step is to figure out what you truly want to do in your career. Once you have that clarity, focus on the skills that are most relevant to that specific field.
In my case, it’s web design, mobile design, typography, photo editing, and a bit of coding. Sure, drawing and packaging design can be useful in certain contexts, but right now, it’s not my priority. The goal is to focus on the core skills that will help you excel in your chosen area.
Once you have that focus, it’s time to double or even triple down on those skills. University assignments alone won’t cut it in the real world. To truly stand out and be competitive in the job market, you need to put in a lot of extra effort outside of class. Whether you plan to start your own business or land a 9-5 job, you need to be good at what you do and your university work will only get you so far.
Let’s be honest: If you’re relying on your university portfolio alone to get a job, you're in trouble. Unless you’re some kind of prodigy (in which case, you’re probably not reading this), just ticking off university assignments won’t prepare you for the actual demands of the design industry. So, take the time to build and refine your skills, beyond what you learn in the classroom. The extra work you put in now will pay off big in the future.
Yes, but it's highly unlikely. The reality is that university and the job market are like two completely different worlds. Universities are often stuck in a traditional framework, which doesn’t necessarily reflect the ever-evolving demands of the modern workplace.
The job market is not going to change to accommodate universities. In fact, it’s quite the opposite - the work market is always shifting, and industries evolve faster than universities can adapt. While some institutions are starting to catch up, the vast majority still operate with outdated curricula that don’t fully prepare students for the challenges they'll face in the real world.
It would be great if universities could tailor their programs to match the exact needs of the job market, but the truth is that this doesn't happen as often as it should. Many programs still focus on theory or outdated practices, leaving students to figure out the practical application on their own once they graduate. The result? Graduates often enter the workforce feeling underprepared and overwhelmed.
So, while university can provide foundational knowledge, it's highly unlikely to be the complete solution. If you're serious about building a career, you’ll need to go beyond the classroom and adapt to the real-world requirements yourself. Universities might give you the tools, but it’s up to you to make them work in your industry.
Should You Study Design at University?
Not really. If your main goal is to meet like-minded people, then sure, university might be a good choice. But if you’re looking to gain knowledge and jump-start your career as a graphic designer, then probably not.I spent three years studying at university, and honestly, I could have learned everything truly useful there in just three months or so of focused work. That would have left me with over two years to dive deeper into my craft, refine my skills, and start my career sooner.
That said, I don’t regret my time at university. I met some incredible people and made great memories, which I truly value. But it’s definitely something to consider before you commit. In the end, it’s your decision whether it’s worth it.
This article reflects my personal experience as one of the top students, and now as a business owner in the industry. If you have any questions or want to share your thoughts, feel free to comment below or reach out to me through any of my social platforms.
Thanks for reading, and see you next time! 😊
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