There are as many paths to a Graphic Design education as there are people eager to learn. Each individual’s journey is unique, and a wide variety of learning options have become available in recent years for assisting those interested in learning Graphic Design. Chief among these options are learning Graphic Design through a design program or learning though, some form of DIY (or do-it-yourself) training. Each has its merits, certainly, and we’d like to expand a little on the differences between them, and why we would recommend attending a Graphic Design school.
HANDS-ON TRAINING MATTERS
Specialized, accredited Graphic Design programs offer advantages to students interested in learning Graphic Design — many of these advantages are lacking in most DIY or online, at-you-own-pace training programs. There’s nothing inherently wrong with going the DIY route, we simply feel that many students would find greater benefit in a design industry standard, in-person course of study.
When it comes to learning Graphic Design, nothing beats the hands-on training that students receive from instructors who are familiar with the Graphic Design industry live in the classroom. Having someone immediately available to answer questions and offer critiques and feedback is invaluable. Most DIY routes involve learning on your own from home or over the internet and do not include any access to instructors.
Traditional Graphic Design schools also offer direct access to other students who can be a great source of information and inspiration. You can’t beat being able to lean over and get a quick opinion from the person next to you! Some DIY programs will have a message board or chat room available for students, but for the most part, there are no real-time communication options open for students to reach out to or learn from one another.
A STRUCTURED CURRICULUM THAT GIVES YOU THE SKILLS TO EXCEL
Students who are learning the design industry through Graphic Design schools also have the advantage of a structured curriculum to guide them through the learning process. Not everyone does well in a DIY training environment, and for many, courses through an art college provide the framework they need to maximize their potential. From a firm foundation in art and design theory to an in-depth exploration of industry-standard tools and techniques, design colleges offer a variety of courses to help students learn everything they want to know about Graphic Design.
Learning Graphic Design is a process, like any other sort of learning experience. How you learn depends entirely on your needs, and we urge you to weigh the pros and cons carefully before deciding how you would like to approach your education.
IS GRAPHIC DESIGN SCHOOL BEST FOR YOU?
Some of you will find that a design college like F.I.R.S.T. Institute is the best choice, while others may choose to go the DIY route. Our goal here at F.I.R.S.T. Institute is to provide the best possible environment for our students who are interested in exploring Graphic Design and finding Graphic Design careers after graduation. For us, that means access to the best and most current knowledge and materials, experienced industry experts, peer resources, and a staff fully dedicated to serving their needs each and every day!
FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THE GRAPHIC DESIGN SCHOOL PROGRAM AT F.I.R.S.T. INSTITUTE
Here at F.I.R.S.T. Institute, we strive every day to be of service to our students and provide them with the very best that we can offer — from a faculty made up of experienced industry professionals to a broad spectrum of courses and a dedicated Career Development department, we do all we can to ensure that our students receive the best possible educational opportunities. We give students access to everything they need to succeed, both in class and on the job.
If you’d like to know more about our programs, please give us a call or send us an email! Our admissions team is standing by to answer any questions you might have.
