Studying at the University in the Age of Self-Learning. My Experience as the Design Student

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.

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.

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.

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! 😊