Take a class or learn by yourself?

If you wanted to learn how to design graphics using a computer, would you rather take a class or learn it by yourself?

Personally, I took a class in high school where I learned skills from a really good teacher. If it wasn't for that teacher, I am not sure how good I would be at Photoshop today. I know you can learn techniques via YouTube or other sites, but I found it much easier when the teacher would give me tips on a one-to-one basis.

It should also be noted that since this was a high school class, I did not have to pay for it. Taking a course outside of school might be expensive.

So, would you rather spend money and learn how to create computer graphics in an actual class? Or would you rather try to learn it all yourself?

 

This is an interesting question. I personally think that I would rather do it all by myself. I am currently learning coding by myself without any previous experience and it is not easy without an actual teacher but doable since there are so many online resources. The same is with graphics design, there are so many resources and tutorials online so why should I spend money to learn in an actual class. I think it is better to actually watch Youtube videos, go through online tutorials and buy a graphics designing book. The problem with classes is you can't go with your own speed unless it's a private class because you need to wait for other students. Furthermore classes may also not teach what you want to learn as you as a lot of the time you cannot pick everything you do. Therefore I like learning by myself. However, I think the best way to learn is to teach yourself but have a mentor who can answer your question and provide support when you need it.

 

I've been trying to learn paint since that's all I need for doing some basic graphic manipulation. However, my daughter has taught herself Gimp and is pretty good at it. I did buy her some classes from Udemy.com but she hasn't used them. I wish I'd had the opportunity to take high school classes about Photoshop, but the computers we had back then were like snails compared to what we have today. I've tried learning things but my mind just doesn't work like that. I think the younger generation has it good when it comes to computers.

 

Great post! I personally am one who enjoys computer graphics,art, and being creative.So I've liked art
most of my life,even before there were computers.I 've taught myself the computer and how to do the
graphics by doing.By trial and error,I've learned.It depends on the persons abillities I'd say.Money too
could be a factor.

 

I am self taught I started learning Photoshop when I was in high school. What motivated me were the works of my friends in the internet. I was amazed by how beautiful their works turned out and so curiosity got me and I started researching on computer graphics and studied many tutorials. By now I am in college and I am hoping to learn more and improve my skills through my course

 

I've been making an attempt to find out paint since that is all i want for doing a little basic graphic manipulation. However, my brother has educated herself gimpiness and is pretty sensible at it. I did get her some categories from Udemy.com however he hasn't used them. I want i might had the chance to require highschool categories concerning Photoshop, however the computers we have a tendency to had earlier were like snails compared to what we've nowadays. I've tried learning things however my mind simply does not work like that. i believe the younger generation has it sensible once it involves computers.

 

I'm a self-taught graphic designer. I have learned all my skills essentially by reading books– I've never been a proponent of using tutorials (or videos in general) to learn anything. I can say I'm proud of what I've accomplished in my career, however, unlike most of you guys, I didn't choose that path. Actually, I've always wanted to learn the craft the ‘proper way', I mean through formal instruction or training.

 

Learning is only as good as you are personally.If you can learn in class-you can learn online

 

In my opinion , learn by yourself it will enhance your creativity more than any teacher can give you . When you learn by yourself you come across different things and try to find the information about them which is not possible in any class where you listen to a lecturer and lecturing continuously .

 

im the best teacher of myself

 

It is easier to just train yourself, but you will never know if what you are doing is wrong or not. Hiring a professional to train you may be costly, but it is the safer course, since you get credibility afterwards. Make sure to learn all you can, and get as much as your money's worth when it comes to studying a class. Practice at home and ask for the things you do not understand, and I assure you lessons will both be fast and very memorable, and you can use these to your advantage when you are already starting your practice.

As for now, just hang in there, take your lessons and maybe combine both, teach yourself and take a class, but never underestimate the power of a good instructor, and your ability to learn new things from them. Good luck!

 

I totally agree. I started studying Web Design and Graphic Design when I was in college, but I felt I wasn't being allowed to explore my creativity very much. Besides, in class we didn't have much time to learn and try the many different ways to do things. That is why I decided to quit the course and kept studying by myself at home.

The main issue at the beginning was how I would wake and develop my creative side. Apart from that, I didn't have any problems searching, finding and absorbing what I needed. There is plenty of content available out there.

 

My opinion is that the graphic is learned using a teacher only as regards the guidance. In order to master a graphics program must a bit single very much. With all that we have done courses of photoshop, I can say that I learned the only working after the resources available on the internet.

 

It is always better to take a class because interaction with the teachers enables to understand even better.

 

Me and my cousin are both Graphic designers and have both done professional work in that field, and interestingly enough He learned how to design in class while I tough myself and if you were to measure our skills I don't really think you would find a difference but I have seen that a lot of those who learn in a group kind of find a common designing style. This always made my designs a bit more unique compared to his. So my answer to the question would be that I don't think there's any one right way but i'm glad I tough myself and found my own unique style.

 

I agree with Ritesh. When you're self-taught, you have ideas for things you can to create. This leads you to come across problems that force you to find solutions. It can be stressful, but once you figure it out, it's unlikely you'll forget it. When you take a class, the instructor shows you how to do it. Although you may want to learn graphic design techniques, a lot of the challenge is taken away, making you more likely to forget what you've learned.

I think that once you find that you're not coming across problems as often, THEN you may want to take a class, so that you can learn to solve problems you didn't know you had.

 

In my experience, self-education tends to be very good at high-level ideas.
If you wanted to spend a few months understanding evolutionary biology, you could probably read about a dozen books on the topic. These books would give you the broad strokes of what’s going on in the field, the challenges being faced and what science currently understands.
But I’ve noticed that the typical approach to self-education tends to be lousy at the deep, detailed knowledge of a field. Reading those evolutionary biology books won’t give you the statistical methods for analyzing gene selection, or the functions for how a population evolves over time.
For the most part, this omission isn’t a bad thing. I have no desire to do research in evolutionary biology. So if I had only read The Selfish Gene, a few other books on evolution, I’d be satisfied with my knowledge. The broad strokes are enough.
The problem is when one tries to replace self-education for more formal training. Such as trying to give yourself the equivalent to an undergraduate degree in computer science, nutrition or accounting.
Here, the benchmark for success isn’t whether you can keep up a conversation about the ideas at a cocktail party. You also need deeper knowledge of the technical details of the field.

 

Learning from a teacher can go hand in hand with doing it yourself, I myself have never learned from a professional
but have some what a step up from intermediate to feel out a Photoshop, tips and tricks are common knowledge that goes best along
with doing it yourself and "if i may'" the belief that most artwork cannot be thought tough but is false
Anything can be teached "as i like to call it" It Just how you reciprocate it depicts you apart.
but any teacher willing to put paint brush in hand in hand only make successful students not artist
i see techniques as only the developments of the mistakes we make.

 

If I have enough money, I wouldn’t mind doing both and I believe it would be worth it. By taking a class alone, your speed of learning would be less. It’s just like when you receive lessons from school, you don’t just depend on the lessons you received alone, you do further research to gain more knowledge concerning what you have been taught in school. Also, it all depends on the person learning. People are different, while others would want to take a class, others would definitely want to choose the other way.

I personally had to learn graphics online because that was the best option for me and it was free. Paying for lessons would have been difficult for me since I was low on budget. I watched some video tutorials prepared by the person who taught me in other to enhance my learning. I also learned so many things on my own. It was fun, and now, I am good at graphics and design.

 

I would like to raise my hand to learn graphics in a class.Because I don't know much about graphics and its uses.I think so that many people couldn't create graphics without learning from a graphic teacher.If I work hard to make new graphics then definitely I will be able to create graphics by learning on my behalf and skills.