Formal Education

How important is it for web design?

[TGecho]

I realize the vast majority of web designers are self-taught, but how many of you think some sort of formal education in web design specifically would be a good idea?

I'm starting to poke around for colleges and I think I want to go into web design as a career (nothing solid yet). My current thought is to major in general design (graphics, layout, usability, etc...) instead of web design, as it seems most web design courses are all about flash (and other flashy stuff ;).

I'm still just beginning to feel all this out. What do you think?

[ggrot]

To be honest, I don't see web design by itself to be a very big career op. I think to be really sucessful, you are going to need a bit wider range of skills. Things like programming, writing (for content creation), a knowledge of business issues, and similar things are going to make you more attractive than a slightly better design ability.

Just my humble opinion though.

[martinibuster]

Web design skills are great, but a decent background in graphic design will make you more marketable. The more skills the better. More and more I find firms advertising for multitalented webmasters, some going so far as asking for quark experience!

Essentially, what people want is a one-person department and the closer you get to that ideal the better. Some firms require a formal education but most seem to be interested in experience. That's where an internship can come in handy.