Hey guys, I'm currently studying Software engineer and found that i actually interested in design/drawing.

The question is: Is a design diploma/degree necessary or must for design career?
Or i can pickup design and drawing skill myself?

If by design you mean UI/UX, then you can definitely pick it up yourself if you are really passionate about it. Helps in understanding software design later on.

I have a friend, we studied IT together, near the end of the course, he found out he like UX and he transitioned into that while working in a company.

I have another colleague, picked up programming all by himself without a diploma and a degree and is higher paid than me.

Just goes to show, if you want something badly enough, you will go through a lot to get it regardless of a degree.

If your idea of design is not IT related, then you might have to go to some classes, try out something to see if it is just a hobby or something you want to do as a job.

Thanks.
Currently thinking of attending some digital art class and attend design contests to build my portfolio..

I'm enjoying both coding and drawing/designing, do you think UX fits me?

This is pretty hard to gauge as I have no idea what you like.

My opinion is UI/UX gets boring fast once you become good with it. Reason being, there is only so much you can play around with within our current screens design. Also, you have to be aware of what the current design components are for web, android and IOS. UI/UX designers that only design for prototype or portfolio will often go for impressive flair instead of catering to what the technology and the developer can do within a certain time frame.

With that said, UI/UX is still a good skill to have since you mentioned you enjoy coding as well. It will help elevate your final software outcome when competing with software developers who only know how to code well.

I think you can decide which one of your interest becomes the primary, and the second interest can become a supporting skill. Since you might be pretty young, perhaps take a few years to determine what you like, talk to some software developers and UI/UX designer to get their opinion.

Also, go for internship and get some first hand experience about what it is like, this can speed up your decision.

Idk, depends on you. Just don't limit yourself on certain things just because you are studying one thing only. All the best!

Take it with a pinch of salt, my opinion, you should finish off your software engineer, then go get a crash course in design as secondary, if money and time permits go into a full course, more options for your future. Times are always changing, dont limit yourself.

I would suggest to pick up the basic skills from an institution, cert or diploma will do, and let your portfolio do the talking.

No, but they could be useful if you are going for the full time path.. or going to big ads agency etcetera,
if you decided to be a creativepreneur or start up your own design brand etc, roll in the clients and jobs on your own then you only need a very good portfolio to do that

I've been on my own since 2017 and rolled in couple big brands client they don't even ask about my 'degree' or which uni I'm from, not a single one
but I've a pretty strong portfolio



you definitely can, lots of free resources on youtube or deviantart, search them up

This post has been edited by Gmruleme: Dec 7 2020, 11:07 PM

by the way, im not discouraging you to be a designer but it could be pretty tough.
Software engineer seems like a pretty good course if you're the type of person who enjoy executing task logically, money's not bad too when u go into industry full time..

just to let you know that you can also keep design as a hobby or interest, while pursue software engineering full time, who knows one day you could combine both

This post has been edited by Gmruleme: Dec 7 2020, 11:09 PM

Haven't online for months,

Thanks for the advice guys
I'm currently learning the fundamentals of adobe softwares.

photo and video editing, some after effects,and attending digital art class.

Trying out all kinds of things before I graduate, do you guys think it's a good idea to take a cheap diploma course after I graduated? (If I 'm not able to build a great portfolio and pocket enuf money). Or is there any training class available outside?

Once again, thanks for replying =)

No worries,I love honest opinions.

I see. I'll try my best to finish the course first and bring those designing and drawings hobbies with me, ^^
currently doing first year, enjoying it as well, not quite sure if I can keep myself motivated when I go year 2.

Gonna let the time figure it out for me.

A lot of these skills can be learnt online through Youtube and other websites. But taking a course might sometimes open up new perspectives especially if your classes are with other people and not just you alone. You get to meet other people who are in the same field, which opens up more possibilities and not to mention it can challenge you to also be a better artist.