Listen, I get it. Every college student wants to feel validated in their choice of major. We spend hours working, studying, and struggling through courses intended to help us reach our career goals and aspirations in life. That being said, no one likes when their work is minimized. So, to the next person who tells me my major must be “so easy” - I will cut you with my X-Acto blade. These are eight things I’m tired of hearing as a design major.
1. How do your parents feel about that?
Fine. Just fine. My mom is very happy that I’m entering a field that I’m passionate about. People ask me this question, expecting me to tell them that my mom is overtly disappointed in my choice of my major. These same people often assume that design isn’t important, isn’t a viable career choice, can’t provide a good living, among a myriad of other similar sentiments. These people are what I like to call “wrong.”
2. Why even go to school for that?
For the same reason you would go to school for any other degree in any other field. Design isn’t as simple as buying a subscription to Adobe Creative Suite on your new MacBook Pro. I’m pretty sure you want the architect of your house to be college-educated. You probably want the person designing your car to have a degree. You definitely want the person in charge of branding your company to know what they’re talking about.
3. You must have so much free time.
You're right! After spending a few hours in design lectures, a few more in mandatory studios, and a rather excessive amount of time working on multiple projects at a time, I have almost an entire hour to eat, sleep, exercise, and engage in social activity!
4. Can you get a job with that?
Actually, yes. I mean, someone has to design your houses, cars, phones, clothes, appliances, furniture, printed and digital media, jewelry, parks, monuments, and pretty much everything else you’ll use daily, in some capacity. Don’t worry. I’ll be employed.
5. We don’t need more designers.
(See the list above). Yes, we do.
6. So you’re going to be an artist?
No. Art and design are different fields. While they share their similarities, they have some very distinct differences. Art starts from a blank canvas, and is driven by the artist to inspire a feeling or emotion in each audience member. Design, on the other hand, is driven by purpose and function, often dictated by a client, with the intention to motivate and communicate.
7. You must be such a hipster!
We’re not all hipsters - yes, I’m an indie rock DJ at my school’s radio station, but that’s not important right now…
8. What’s it like having an easy major?
I wouldn’t know. I’m not saying my major is any better than any other major. What I am saying is this: stop assuming my major is easy just because you don’t know what I do. Even if you don’t know what someone is going to do with their major, its rude to make them feel bad over your ignorance. Let’s just all take a step back and applaud everyone taking the steps towards a college degree.
