Getting a masters degree
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- flashbender0
It'll get you a HSMP work permit for the UK
- gramme0
I'm not convinced having an MFA in design would offer real-world value, unless you want to be a professor or write design critique.
- identity0
Variables:
1. Choice of School
2. Focus Chosen
3. PORTFOLIO of WORK
4. LuckI've had the pleasure of knowing some people who graduated from Yale's Grad School in Graphic Design - and it has really worked out for them. That coupled with their work-ethic/talent/job selection has put on of them as a partner and a design director out of school.
Don't think about grad school for the financial benefits - go into it wanting to better yourself/process and you will reap far more benefits...
- CygnusZero40
No matter what you ever accomplish, without a masters you're always going to have tons of people that just think you're lazy.
- the seame exact thing can be said these days for a bachelor's degree.mg33
- Probably.CygnusZero4
- luckyorphan0
All depends on what the degree is in, and what you do while getting the degree. If you're just going to do an in-depth anthropological thesis of how the pixel relates to farm plots and freedom quilts, then I'd say it would be a waste of time.
However, if you're going to use the 2-3 years to create something breathtaking, it can often mean a huge leap ahead in the industry you're entering. I've seen plenty of people get a useless MFA, and I've seen a few essentially use it to introduce themselves to the pro world at a level that would have taken them 10+ years to achieve with a BFA.
All depends on where you go, what you do, and how you use it.
- In the end, the system is set up to reward advanced degrees with more compensation and opportunity.luckyorphan
- identity0
I think, atleast in the arts, this is changing - it seems like now all you have to do is do ONE thing pretty epically, have the shit promoted out of it on design forums/youtube/etc... and your name will blow up - once this happens, ride the wave of PR & start your own thing...
- section_0140
Master's in design? Seems to me that real world experience is way more valuable than additional schooling in most situations. Plus, you get paid (most of the time). That's my opionion though.
- ********0
Masters in Film, for the record.
- ...from where?luckyorphan
- thats a bit much (?)********
- Does it matter what school?********
- of course it mattersMimio
- Absolutely.luckyorphan
- I thought it was about the work.********
- It is. Doesn't mean that graduate programs are all equal either.Mimio
- I see what your saying there.********
- identity0
grad school also has a tendency to turn designers into esoteric artists that shun commercial-endeavors - ive seen a lot of that too - they usually become teachers in my experience...
- Very true. It's a fine balance between applying advanced knowledge and useless pretention.luckyorphan
- although nowadays universities really are commercial endeavors...SigDesign
- Certain Master's programs have a commercial slant (like Pasadena and RISD as examples).Jeffster
- Isn't RISD a lot heavier on theory, and light on practical advancement?gramme
- —as opposed to a place like Art Center, or Parson's...gramme
- lowimpakt0
i've got a masters and am still doing my phd.
but I get paid to think, write and talk about design these days more than i get paid for doing it
- woodygoestohollywood0
I got my master's because I love art, not for increase in pay.
I would have gone to wall street for that.
- adev0
I'm always tempted to do it. I don't know if I could take 2 full years off to do it :(
- why would you have to take 2 years off? you can work and go to school at the same time.bulletfactory
- ...also - course work will be finished in the first 2-3 semesters, then it's project/thesisbulletfactory
- Because I'd really want to put much more effort into an MFA than I did my BFA.adev
- That being said, if I could arrange my clients now to only call me 2 days a week....I could....adev
- getting clients to be a little more patient can be a problem. + mfa is longer and more intensive than a ma or msbulletfactory
- because it's a terminal degree.bulletfactory
- yeah I could either drive 1 hour south for an MFA or 1.5 hours north for a MA or MFA...adev
- But I think if I just got an MA, I'd know inside I could/should have done the MFA.adev
- ukit0
- emukid0
i have a masters degree. look where it got me. i still live with my parents.
- ukit0
I have a masters. It helped me "climb the ladders" at my chosen place of employment, The Gap
- ********0
- ********0
- ninjasavant0
I looked into doing it for a while, but when I talked to my mentor and manager about it they both said basically the same thing. The degree would be good for my own personal enrichment but it wouldn't help my career here, once you're in an advanced degree doesn't make any difference. If I wanted to look elsewhere though it would definitely help. I decided not to go.
- BattleAxe0
Masters is all about the Corporate ladder
