Some say experience is more important in our industry and some vice versa. In the end of the day I think no harm for both just depends on which path you choose. For me it's pretty simple, got extra money then go ahead for higher education. Having financial problem then gain working experience instead.

Actually all these question you should have ask your lecturer instead after you're into the program. What if you stop halfway or something? I would say if you really need it and affordable then go ahead if not then just use the facilities provided by college but it'll be quite a hassle though. About PC you don't need an extreme one as you'll mostly be using Photoshop and Illustrator only don't think will involve any video work therefore a standard one will do (around 2k). DSLR depending on your outline course also depending on how much interest you show in photography.

Haha true also almost forget about that but IMO people will go for at least 20 inch nowadays? IMO 19 inch is good enough but of course the bigger the better especially if the program you use require dual screen (After Effects). Cheers

Go for dual monitor as for long term wise it is really advisable but please do more research before buying or you'll go wrong with both at once.

Ops sorry kind of taken away from the thread already but I guess there isn't any harm for future purpose but you've got your point bro

I am from Saito College actually If you're really on budget wise then this would be a wise choice and they are definitely up to standard. The main reason why I choose Saito is the duration of study which is the shortest among all, 2 1/2 years. As a designer, you will kick off with a reasonable price, definitely not low unless you're just a cert designer not skillful or independent designer. As the time flies and if you're really good enough, money will come don't worry but even if you've got a stable job in normal design firm, don't worry again as you won't be fired or so and you'll have your monthly income without worries. The keyword is whether you want to work for it or not and please if you're looking forward to be a 9am~5pm designer, I think you need to reconsider being a designer

This is one of the alternative but again if you're really good enough, sometimes you don't even bother about freelancing

Actually not really. Well at least three years ago most of the design college will offer a total of 3 years duration in order to complete a diploma course. I am currently working for one year plus already.

I am currently working in a Post Production house at Damansara Perdana. My current salary is 2k+. Don't judge from what your uncle say. IMO that is one of the biggest mistake if people judge a designer from their place of study. I guess I don't need to elaborate any further in this point as B-Mecha had already explain it clearly. Even the quality of the college cannot be fully judge from what people said. To me it's more to luck. Imagine if you're a good student but you're studying in a bad college, that wouldn't made you a bad student. Vice versa. Mind my language please.

There is no such thing as what are the jobs that can bring more money. Every job in every sector could bring you money if you work for it. It depends on how hard you try. There isn't any shortcut or easy way my friend.

IMO multimedia design will have a brighter future as everything is about technology and digital now. Designer no longer using traditional way and it is very important for a designer to cope up with the latest technology to come up with a nice design in the fastest way as your client doesn't even bother the method of process you used but the end product. If it is still difficult for you to decide, take it this way instead. Graphic Design is manual (drawing, painting, etc.) while Multimedia Design is digital (computer, softwares, etc.)

The advertising market is big. Which sector are you talking about or you're looking forward to work with in the future? Both Graphic Design and Multimedia Design will lead a bright path for advertising line.

Very well said I suggest you should bring doubleu.why.ass for a TT instead as she is very curious and shows a great interest in design

You should go for it if you felt like it. For me it's simple. Let me explain how I started. I did not know a single thing about design at all upon graduating from high school but I choose design because I know I am good at it often score A's for my Pendidikan Seni To keep it simple I'll put it in three category. Interior Design, Graphic Design and Multimedia Design. Personally I would love to choose Interior Design but after doing some research I realize that you'll need to invest quite a fair amount of money in the future for the equipment and you'll be doing a lot of drawings and building model. Not for me In Graphic Design I'll need to do a lot of manual drawings and paintings and you'll need to be really good in it and talented in order to cope with the other. Among the three I am most comfortable with Multimedia Design since I am a little computer literated that time and it really sounds simple and easy if you're really interested with digital stuff like software and hardware therefore I choose Multimedia Design and I had never ever regretted.

Along the period of study, I really see the student of Interior Design suffer from measuring to get the exact measurement for their line drawings and it's really killing those guys to build those tiny little model. As for Graphic Design I never missed seeing them holding their art block wandering around and everyday is about drawing and sketching and painting for them. In the end of semester they get to learn Photography though which is a good thing but you'll then need to invest on DSLR. As for me I am always wandering around in the college looking very free with empty hand. Looking very free because I can only work with computer and whenever I am in front of a computer I'll mostly browse while doing assignment therefore creating an assumption that I am very free. Empty hand is because all I need is thumb drives, hard drives and CDs. Although it sounds cool but all these three category will also suffer from staying overnight and burning midnight oil and to Multimedia Design especially.

MMU is the largest in Malaysia of course. Actually to me it is quite subjective as for multimedia design you can choose to help yourself learning from online resources and there are plenty of tutorial available on each and every software. The basic thing that you need that you'll need to learn from institute is the rule or design and design sense basically the foundation of design. So it really depends on your budget, living area and preferences in choosing the right institute.

It's a good thing to be curious and wanting to learn each and every thing. That is what you can learn in multimedia design but only in digital field. The rest of other field will be slightly difficult depending on how hardworking you are. I suggest you to make up your mind and focus on one because that is what you'll have to do in the end of the day too you can't just run around the field like that. There will be foundation for any course you take before getting into the real thing. Like I mentioned from the post above, earning how much depends on individual this question is very subjective.

What do you mean by 'their cert'? For me, cert is nothing more than a piece of paper. As a designer, talent and passion besides knowledge and skill is the most important thing. Saito is more on practical.

Well said. Exactly what is happening on every advertising designer included me myself

Good luck and all the best doubleu.why.ass

Keep us updated with what you're doing as well.

It's really a good thing that you have a positive thinking and looking forward for obstacle. Just one comment IMO you should try your best to make a wise decision to choose the right college of your choice and to finish the whole course no matter what. From what I see, many design student only manage to last a few semester and leave after that which I think it is not 100% cause by the quality of the college. If you have the money then it is not my concern but if not then better not to waste your parent's hard earned money.