Straight up: Is it possible to get a design gig without having a degree? I’m currently a designer in the video game industry who is possibly looking for expanding my horizons in the future.
…yes…but most that i have known are more artists or stylists than designers…
Do you have any formal design schooling under your belt? You could always start off as a production artist if you have strong familiarity of the design applications, and work your way up - but you should really have a good foundation of design fundamentals.
i agree. there are certain conecepts and theory that only a formal education can teach you, and those concepts are invaluable. schooling in design isnt going to brainwash you into becoming a designer just like the rest of the flock. for me at least it is making me realize how much you have to be different, divergent, innovative, and challenge the state of design. plus, you can think “outside the box” (i hate that term, but i dont know a better one) while in school and you wont lose a job for it. its a great opportunity to define yourself as a designer and learn what design is and isnt, so that you can take on the field readily.
Anything is possible, but why not go back to school? 2-3 year investment sounds more than reasonable for a successful career change to me.
i don’t think its necessary to get a degree in design to be a designer but i do believe to be a good designer, that’s where you start. i agree that its possible if you know the programs well, and wouldnt mind starting as a production artist. but you mine as well go back to school unless you can learn it on your own. on an interview once, the guy interviewing told me just by looking at one’s portfolio he can tell who has had some training, the one’s that don’t he just doesn’t respond too.
i don’t think its necessary to get a degree in design to be a designer but i do believe to be a good designer, that’s where you start. i agree that its possible if you know the programs well, and wouldnt mind starting as a production artist. but you mine as well go back to school unless you can learn it on your own. on an interview once, the guy interviewing told me just by looking at one’s portfolio he can tell who has had some training, the one’s that don’t he just doesn’t respond too.
I have no formal schooling in design, but have been doing very well in the field for almost ten years. I have also interviewed dozens of hopefuls, usually without paying very much attention to their schooling. To me, the skills are the only thing that matter. I have had some success hiring designers without degrees. A huge problem I see is that people are coming out of school with a document that they think will help them to get a good job, when their skills are simply crap. I have told a couple that they should ask the school for their money back! I don’t think all schools are simply diploma mills, but its a problem.
That said, I have always had this fear that my lack of schooling could lose me a job if it came down to me or a similar person with a degree.
I think design school would have been a lot of fun, and I wish I had gone, but…well…I have to make a living now. Maybe when I win the lottery! 
Here is my best advice: school or no school, draw every day.
i went to design school and it is what you make of it. i found a job right out of school. i agree it was my skills that got me hired not where i went to school. i do think it helped me out though, and still want to go back for graduate studies because i want to learn more stuff on the marketing side. it is all about your portfolio, if you can get that together on your own go for it. thats what its about, your work.
There are soooo many talented people who DO HAVE DEGREES who are applying to the same positions you are. Good luck. I hate wanna-be designers.
I agree with hello 2 you… It is sooo competative right now. The school I am attending graduates around 200 graphic design students every year. (Not all of them are good.) You will also find the $$ and demand for designers/artists much higher in the video game industry.
Why are you thinking of leaving?
Wow, this post is disheartening!
I’m a wannabe designer from every angle. I’m a computer engineer by training and an IC designer by experience, but I am itching for a change in career and to do something a lot more creative. I’ve always found the design world interesting, but in a very passive sense. I’ve never really done anything, not even sketches.
I recently moved to Spain, and with all the changes around me, I thought that this would be the ideal time to change careers as well. I can’t afford to go to design school now, although I’d love to. Industrial designers around me said that I could start off as being an assistant, and set me on learning Autocad…and have encouraged me to sketch, develop a portfolio etc.
I got onto this forum looking for advice on how to proceed, but perhaps most of you are going to tell me to go to school. 
But, isn’t there any way at all?
On a different thread, could anyone tell me what are the jobs that are associated with designers? Marketing/sales/management?
Cheers!
There is a school in Chicago that is part of the workforce act that can get you a job after you take there classes in MAYA, ALIAS STUDIO, ProE etc. There is a ling on the magazine…Design-engine.com…they will get you a job despite your degree.
Don’t let anyone tell you that a degree is anything more than one more thing to put on your resume. Your PORTFOLIO is what really matters. If an employer hires you on your degree alone, you probably don’t want to work there anyway. Knowledgeable employers will know who to hire. Take advice from someone who took the Pepsi challenge with all the “educated” designers and won.
bowhunting skills will win everytime!
how would one really even know how to develop said portfolio without guidance?
They actually garantee they will get you a job. They may claim they can but it sounds like marketing BS to me.
how would one really even know how to develop said portfolio without guidance?
perhaps research?
school really is best if it’s a feasable option, but if not work with what you can. survey your skills, research the industry, figure out what you really want to go after, survey the field, create/tailor your body of work from there. once you begin to find firms/artists that you admire learn from observation and/or contact them. not everyone will have time/patience but some will and can give you further advice/referances to explore.
Research groups and organizations in whatever you decide you’re suited for. Join them and talk to people/use their critical eyes/pick their brains.
Look for design books on Amazon, read the reviews. Buy them or get them from the library if possible.
Find schools whose programs you admire, request a catalog and get an idea of what you would learn if you enrolled, emulate it as best you can.
I really think that school provides quite a bit: the time to dedicate to your thought process and technique with the benefit of critiques, insight from people who’ve been in your field for years amoung other things. I believe that you can learn as much on your own if you’re willing to do the legwork but it might be a less direct route.
Good luck w/whatever you do
Disheartening, passive bunch.
Most of you are building shells around you . So what if someone want to break into another field? Push him away and say " No!its full in here, wannabe!"
think of how you first started. Degree or not, its really not up to you to decide if its better or not. Work counts at the end of the day.
Understanding of design goes to anyone who wants to know about it. Anyone whos passionate about it.
2cents.
Note: I have not chosen doctors or dentists or lawyers. Not anyone can call themselves a doctor. Anyone can call themselves an semiconductor designer.
It can be done but you will run into the same barriers you would get if you said these words below:
I have no formal formal training, I’d like to be your financial advisor.
I have no formal training, I’d like to take care of Oracle for your enterprise.
I have no formal training, I’d like to design semiconductors.
I have no formal training, I’d like to machine your injection mold. I promise the tool won’t lock up and the parts will be free of voids and sink marks.
Why abstract? It’s just as rediculous when applied to product design:
I have no formal formal training, I’d like to design a baby stroller for your company.
I have no formal formal training, I’d like to run a human factors analysis for your medical device corporation.
I have no formal formal training, I’d like to rearchitect the interaction design of your software to enhance efficiency.
I have no formal formal training, I’ll develop a (whatever) and source materials, develop control documents for prototyping and later downstream engineering while collaborating daily with highly trained ME’s and EE’s.