Is a degree necessary to becoming a successful motion graphics designer?

In the middle of a three year graphic design degree and I hate it, find it completely useless all we do is fill out sketchbooks it's ridiculous. I've decided to pursue motion graphics exclusively after discovering I'm actually quite good at it.



Just wondering if anyone out there could let me know if it's worth suffering the next year and a half for a degree I may not even need. Surely networking/exposure and making contacts would be more beneficial at this point, but who has the time when you have to fill out some god-damned sketchbook.Is a degree necessary to becoming a successful motion graphics designer?Yes, it is important. But let me clarify this a little more.



Graduating simply shows the Pro community that you can complete something you start. Not finishing a degree is a big "danger" flag for any employer.



What is more important is your actual reel that you show. Most students graduate with a reel that looks like a typical student portfolio - not a genuine Pro portfolio. Go the extra mile, spend extra time in the lab making up good, TV quality material - even if your instructors aren't assigning it. See if you can imitate NFL style grapics. If you can do this credibly, then everything else is easy. Your reel IS what gets you your position.



Advice - join some of the Professional organizations in your area that are in the TV industry and do a little networking. Don't network by saying, "I'm a student looking for an internship". Ask questions once you make connections like, "What do you look for in new motion graphics employees?" This allows the folks to tell you EXACTLY what they look for when hiring, gets you on their good side because you are asking questions and helps them offer you positions that may not be available any other way. Most Pro environments do not advertise their positions - it's completely based upon networking recommendations.



Additionally, having a web site that you can direct prospects to is the best way to get them to see your work. Most directors/producers will not take the time to plug in a disk or USB anymore.Is a degree necessary to becoming a successful motion graphics designer?I know exactly how you feel and i was in your shoes at one point.



"Is a degree necessary to becoming a successful motion graphics designer?" The answer is NO. If you are already good, you will continue to be so. But if you care about eating, paying bills, or making money. You do need a degree to actually get a job. ;)



Mark B said it best. No matter how good you are, if you plan to work in this world you will need that piece of paper. Its all that some look at. Its a sad fact but that piece of paper is really important.Is a degree necessary to becoming a successful motion graphics designer?Honestly, I don't think art degrees are very useful. I have one and It doesn't always help, however a degree in general does offer a lot of opportunities, so I would not encourage you to quit school at all. If you don't want to study graphic design anymore then you should change your major to something else you are interested in or just stick it out, but do make sure you get that degree, you will be grateful in the long run. You never know if you will change your career path to something where a degree, no matter what it's in, is necessary.

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