Is it necessary to go to university in order to study design?

Earlier this month, Design Week reported on a proposal from the government to slash university arts funding by half.

This recommendation was the result a consultation led by Gavin Williamson, education secretary, and the Office for Students (OfS). This was justified because "high-cost" subjects such as art, design, and music are not in line with the government's "strategic priorities".

Some may be unsure if university is the best route to a career as a designer. The rising cost of education and the continuing online learning as a result the pandemic may raise questions.

We also know that less people are taking up design courses - UCAS data from 2020 showed nearly 800 fewer students placed on design courses than the previous year.

However, there are many non-university options. But how does this compare?

"If you are imagining yourself as a designer in 30 years, you should be able to learn from your mistakes."

If you are looking to avoid the traditional university education, it is possible to learn by yourself. Self-taught designers can be found in good company: Wally Olins, Unit Editions cofounder Adrian Shaughnessy, and David Carson, art director, all achieved success with no formal design qualifications.

It is now easier than ever to learn the skills necessary to become a designer. YouTube videos, how to guides and endless other resources are available online to help budding designers through Adobe Suite and many more. Self-taught creative director and designer Karen Cheng has written an entire guide on the subject. However, not everyone will agree that good design requires more than technical skills.

Shaughnessy believes that designers should be able to take control of their own learning. Shaughnessy believes that being a designer means "that you cannot stop learning".

"If we could transport a designer 30 years ago to today, what would they think of UX design, code, and the online world?" He says they would find it confusing. It will be the same [challenge] 30 years later. You can't help but think that you could be a designer in three decades. Get used to a continuous regime of self-learning."

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Good design education should allow you to "periods of experimentation, discovery".

Shaughnessy said that he wants people to think twice about deciding to learn everything by themselves. He claims that he believed he was smarter than he actually was. This is because he didn't have to study for years and didn't get into debt. He says, "I only realized what I had missed when I went into art schools to give talks."

Shaughnessy found that he was able to develop on his own, rather than in a university setting. This allowed him to become a "conventional client-pleasing" designer. He says that he had missed the period of experimentation, discovery and learning that a good design education should provide.

A good education in design doesn't have to be given in a traditional classroom. This has been a great opportunity to learn more through mentorship and internships. __S.28__

There are several established programs that can help. D&AD Shift is a night school for "new creatives" - those over 18 without a background or formal training in art or design-adjacent topics. Over 12 weeks, industry professionals will provide mentorship. Also platforms like Re-Create offer a directory of professionals across the design industry who are up for taking on a mentee.

You can learn faster when you have the full attention of a teacher.

Short courses and online schools offer a structured learning experience that is not available in a university setting. There are many options. FutureLearn, which offers courses through university partners, is often self-directed. Blue Sky Graphics courses offer one-on-one instruction.

Blue Sky Graphics' personalised approach allows them condense a course that could have taken two years or more into seven months. He explains that learning is easier when you have the full attention of a teacher.

Wildman says this is particularly helpful for students who don't have a background in design. He says that the course is designed to help beginners reach a level comparable to that of a junior designer. It combines one-on-one instruction with homework. The curriculum revolves around Adobe programs and students are taught by professionals.

He said that there is no standard age range for students. Of the 400 students at the school, the youngest is about 15 years old and the oldest is in their seventies. Similar to the above, students don't come from a single background. He says, "We have many students who went to university for something totally different and now want change industries." "We also have many students who want to learn more design thinking techniques and apply them to their jobs."

Design thinking open to all

Cat Drew, chief design officer of the Design Council, has a mission to encourage people to recognize and use design thinking in their work and lives, even if there is no background in it. It shouldn't be a barrier to design, she says.

She says, "We know that design skills increase productivity by PS10 an hour and that 52% identify design skills as key for problem solving." She also believes that having access to training in design within businesses increases appreciation for design and the work involved.

Drew says that there are many avenues open to interested parties. The Design Council, IDEO U and the Luma Institute all offer courses in design thinking that can be used to any number of industries and professions.

"To thrive, the world requires both the technical and strategic"

Drew says that these courses are not designed to produce designers who can be technically proficient. They are meant to teach people how to understand design strategy.

Designers who have a degree in design should not feel discouraged, as they have spent a lot of time, money, and effort learning their craft. She says, "There will be much debate on this subject." "But the end result is that the world requires both the technical and strategic sides of design to thrive."

Drew, a person who didn't go to college for design, believes that "design thinkers", can play an important role in the planning, buying and research process of many industries. "I believe it's crucial that everyone involved works together with their diverse strengths because we all need it."