Wow, thanks for the answers. Some really great points, I can't disagree with any of them. That's what I truly love about design: there's never just one way. Of course being formally taught the principles and fundamentals will likely make you a better designer, it's obvious that's just one route to becoming a great designer.
For me personally, the university experience was totally invaluable. I owe the position I'm in today largely to the quality of the program, the professors who motivated me, and the peers who inspired me. While it's not always necessary, I'm glad to see that most of us highly valued our time and experience at school.
I think one point that hasn't been brought up is when design becomes too academic. I've definitely encountered designers that become too wrapped up in the study & theory of design that it becomes self-servicing, or design for designs' sake.
Wow, thanks for the answers. Some really great points, I can't disagree with any of them. That's what I truly love about design: there's never just one way. Of course being formally taught the principles and fundamentals will likely make you a better designer, it's obvious that's just one route to becoming a great designer.
For me personally, the university experience was totally invaluable. I owe the position I'm in today largely to the quality of the program, the professors who motivated me, and the peers who inspired me. While it's not always necessary, I'm glad to see that most of us highly valued our time and experience at school.
I think one point that hasn't been brought up is when design becomes too academic. I've definitely encountered designers that become too wrapped up in the study & theory of design that it becomes self-servicing, or design for designs' sake.