Qualifications

[Robert Lambie]

there are many websites mate, ide advise googling it.
i wouldnt go to anyone on a short term course. i think graphic design takes time to learn. its not something you will pick up over night.
read the web, see many different types of designs etc its free and full of inspiration.
if you want the basics etc, try a night school/college.

[Phill Fenton]

God no 🙄

Did Leonardo Da vinci have any formal qualifications?, Did Albert Einstein have any qualifications?

These are just bits of paper, they are no guarantee at all of a persons ability.

Conversely, having qualifications is no barrier to success… it’s just that too many people place too much emphasis on “qualifications” and ignore the real reason for undertaking courses…. which is to actually become skilled in some area.

For many – the goal is to gain the “qualification”. In reality, the goal should be to learn new skills when undertaking a course. The Certificate or Degree earned at the end has no real value (unless you’re looking for a job – but who wants to work for someone else anyway), it’s what you know and the knowledge and skills you possess that matters.

[John Singh]

And wasn’t Albert Einstein dyslexic?

As Phill says you don’t really need them!

Referrals are a byproduct of good workmanship, integrity and honesty

No one with any gumption takes notice of certificates these days as they are two a penny and as was demonstrated on the tele just about anybody can apply for such – even school kids as young as five – and, worst of all, be accepted without further inquiry.

If you are good at what you do the word will spread and they don’t check your credentials

John

[Keith Nilsen]

Yes, I am qualified (BA Hons, BBC training, BSGA approved NVQ and a multitude of short courses) but agree with the posts that design is a skill that is aquired over years of application, trial and error. In my own experience it is actually attitude that counts, having a can-do approach to everything, and being prepared to try anything.

I got my qualifications for two reasons, firstly for my own satisfaction, and secondly to allow me to accrue the points for emigration purposes. No use having 15 years experience if you are not accredited or qualified to prove it!! Seems governments want a bit more than your word. Odd that!

While I do agree that these are just bits of paper, and are no guarantee at all of a persons ability, what they do indicate in some cases is a willingness to put in the effort. I feel that it shows a certain level of commitment to your trade if you actually spend time achieving extra knowledge in that trade.

Naturally we all are constantly learning more on a daily basis, but I am sure that no one can really argue that sometimes it does help to go off and commit time to perfecting your craft. After all, how many time have I read on the boards that the old style apprenticeship were a good thing? In my eyes it is quite similar. Qualifications are just a desire to be better than you were before at something, and in my opinion you can never know too much. I will only stop learning when I die I hope!!

As usual, these are merely my humble opinions…

[Andy Gorman]

I agree with all of the above. There’s nothing wrong with learning some method though. Colour theory, for example, is something that can be learned and there are books available for this and many other design essentials. I often think I would have benefitted from some formal training. I don’t think it is essential; some people have a natural ability – I learned from about a million years of experience rather than any natural talent.

I believe a book called “Mastering Layout” is considered to be the essential guide for signmakers. Dunno who wrote it though, Jillbeans mentioned it once I think…….Jill, who wrote that book?

[Phill Fenton]

Mike Stevens

[Keith Nilsen]

Mike Stevens wrote that one…

[Jill Marie Welsh]

I had six months at the Art Institute of Pittsburgh back in 1980…..
Mastering Layout was written by the late great Mike Stevens.
It’s available through http://www.signcraft.com
Also I have been influenced by Atkinson’s Sign Painting book and Strong’s Book of Design.
Atkinson’s is available as a reprint. Someone GAVE me an original 1915 Atkinson this year!
All my sign stuff I pretty much figured out alone and with the help of the Letterheads,
a movement of signcrafters dedicated to the preservation of the old ways and the sharing of skills.
I joined in 1994.
I go to Letterhead meets whenever possible and host them when I can.
We all get together and paint signs for each other, drink beer, and tell tales.
Not all Letterheads are painters. Some are wicked with a computer.
There are rules for designing, tho, and you should try to get and read a copy of Mastering Layout.
Love….Jill

[Bill Dewison]

Qualifications? 😮 I have a silver swimming certificate if that counts? 😕 (Actually its a bronze, but don’t tell anyone 😳 )

Although the willingness and determination to complete a degree course shows charecter etc etc I’m a firm believer in being self-made. If you’re determined enough to do something, you’ll manage it. Its almost a year now since I joined UKSignboards, and I’ve gone from being a graphic designer with a few clients to a busy sign shop with more customers than an eskimo has ice cubes! 😉

Being a graphic designer, as I discovered very early on, doesn’t automatically make you a signmaker. There are so many skills, tricks of the trade and learning, as Keith says, by experience that being able to design something that looks good on paper (or a computer) won’t mean you can turn it into a sign. Just learning how to apply vinyl doesn’t work either.

Humble opinion, qualifications work brilliantly when you go for that interview with the Royal College of Art or if you’re trying to get that well-deserved promotion with the engineering firm you’ve slaved in for the past 15 years, but when it comes to Sally Ann wanting her gift shop sign, I personally don’t think she’d give a camal’s hump what letters you have after your name, as long as she gets a great looking sign! 😀

Cheers, Dewi

[Keith Nilsen]

Dewi,

Actually I DID ask Sally Ann about those camels and that gift shop sign, and she agreed wholeheartedly!!

:lol1:

[John Singh]

Well said Keith

and with all those qualifications and yet expressing your humble opinion.

I suppose for someone starting out he might feel that success in his field might be measured in terms of qualifications. This makes our field all the more interesting because anyone with a certain amount of flair, aptitude and creativity might well surprise himself as to what he may accomplish with a little ‘study’ ‘research’.

An example is the air brush handler
We have fantastic examples of beautiful workmanship here on the board
We have seen their work and marvel
Yet this skill has probably been picked up through practise, tips and in some cases coaching.
Never do we ask to see credentials

Many of here have had years of trial and error (fortunately for a lot of you newer ones you will learn from our mistakes and our positives)
This has given a great deal of experience in the ‘real world’
As a result we have grown in our expertise
This is ‘our certificate’

John

[Keith Nilsen]

At the end of the day there is nothing you can’t really achieve with a bit of common sense, a lot of hard work and the willingness to learn wherever, and whenever you get the opportunity!

I would agree with John… the fact that we are all still here indicates that we are qualified in some way to do what we have chosen to do! We would all be starving (and unable to afford online connections for late night postings!) if we weren’t somehow capable!!

[Jill Marie Welsh]

Do you install signs? If so, then you can put PHD beside your name!
(Post Hole Digger)
I do believe that some God-given artistic ability is a real plus,
such as a knack for balance and an eye for color.
Love….jill

[John Singh]

quote :

a knack for balance and an eye for color.

I agree with Jill

After all when was the last time you saw an awfully dressed tight rope walker?

[Phill Fenton]

Me me … 😛

(Natalie Appleton – And there’s me thinking you spent the night at a football match John :lol1: )

[John Singh]

Its true!

Well not quite: Sky Sports

The missus has treated me to a special weekend accommodation plus a tour Man Utd ground and the Match against Southampton Dec 4th

Look forward to that

[Bill Dewison]

Gimme a wave when you’re up this way John 😉 I’ll pop the order for Earl Grey into the online Sainsbury basket so I can pretend I’m civilised :lol1:

Cheers, Dewi