5 Ways Graphic Design School Changed My Life
This post is part of my DND Partner Program. It contains sponsored links from Sessions College for Professional Design.
5 Ways Graphic Design School Changed My Life
From entrepreneurship to life security, to making 3x the income I made in my corporate job. This is my story…
On November 28th, 2012, I sat in our home office with a freshly printed Orientation Schedule from Sessions College for Professional Design. Stationed in Illinois at the time, I was 31 years old with three small kids (ages five months old, two and a half, and four years old). I knew going back to school again would require a lot of time management skills. And coffee.
I had been blogging for about a year at that point, just as a hobby. But I wanted to re-design my blog and move it to WordPress, so I started looking around for a designer with a fee I could afford. And there were several, but they were ALL booked! I knew that I enjoyed the design aspect and I also knew a decent amount of HTML (or enough to be dangerous anyway). So I ended up moving my whole blog and all the old posts over by myself and then doing all the design parts too. It got me thinking that maybe it’s something I can get into on a more “legit” level because I enjoyed it. How nice would it be to do something I enjoy and earn a real paycheck again? If these designers were all booked up, with waiting lists, then business must be good!
Since I had already obtained my Bachelors in English and my MBA (in HR Management) and we were (and still are) paying my off my grad school student loan, I was hesitant to say, “Honey, I know we have three kids, and I can barely keep up with the laundry or get dressed most days, but I want to go back to school again”. The problem is, my degrees don’t allow for a mobile career and we move every 1-3 years. To my surprise, if he thought I was crazy, he wisely keeps it to himself. Or maybe he only heard the “paycheck again” part.
So I looked into Graphic and Web Design programs. After much research, I settled on Sessions College for Professional Design. With three small kids, I needed a flexible online program as well as one that was military friendly. Since money was so tight on one income for our young family of 5, we decided I’d use part of my husband’s military Post-911 GI Bill to fund going back to school. I can’t speak highly enough of how awesome Sessions was from the first email I sent, to the enrollment process, to graduation, so it’s a pleasure to continue working with them to share my story.
I received an Advanced Certificate in Graphic Design with Branding Concentration. I went part-time (all online). Staying true to my remarkably punctual personality type, I finished the program several months early.
And that’s when blogging started to go from a hobby to a business for me.
Here are 5 Ways Graphic Design School Changed My Life…
OH, YOU BLOG? THAT’S CUTE.
I’m a military spouse who works full-time from home as a blogger and graphic designer. This is how most conversations about what I do go:
Person: “Oh you work? I had no idea! What do you do?”
Me: “I’m a blogger and designer.”
Person: Cocks head to one site and smiles awkwardly while saying “Oh! That’s cool.”
What I’m hearing is more of an “Oh, you blog? That’s cute.” kind of vibe.
I’m not offended by it in the slightest and, in fact, in some ways, it amuses me. Most people do not know that “Professional Blogging” is a legit job. Once they hear it is, they’re super curious about how you make money doing it. (Spoiler: I make way more income now than I ever made in a corporate HR job…more on that part later.)
For me, blogging and graphic design go hand in hand. Instead of having to pay someone else to do my graphic design work (namely website and marketing graphics, eBook covers/design, printables, etc.), I can do it all myself. That saves me a ton of time and money!
I CAN WORK FROM ANYWHERE
One of the most amazing parts about being a blogger and freelance graphic designer is that I can work from anywhere. Literally. I’ve worked from the beach, the air, coffee shops, my couch, a hotel in Germany on the Baltic Seas, during our overseas move from the States to Germany this past Summer…you get the idea!
Since we are a military family, I need a mobile career. Blogging and freelance design work allow me to follow my creative passions despite the fact that we move every 1-3 years.
#GIRLBOSS
Listen, y’all. Let’s get real for a moment and talk about the hard parts of life.
I love my husband to pieces, and I’m so thankful he has a good job that could provide for our family without my working (albeit with some sacrifices we’d need to make to live on one income like we did during the “baby years”). But that wasn’t easy. We often had to dip into our retirement money and sell things on eBay to make ends meet during those years.
The reality is that anything can happen in life. God forbid, I could lose my husband tomorrow for any numbers of reasons. And then I’d have three kids that depend solely on me to provide for them. The security having a career of my own provides is PRICELESS.
I lost my dad to cancer and my uncle to a motorcycle accident in my early twenties. I watched my mom and Aunt have to struggle with their grief all while having to go back to work unexpectedly to take care of their kids. Most people don’t want to believe these kinds of tragedies can happen to them. No one intends to plan for disasters because it’s sad and morbid. But life happens.
If I suddenly found myself to be a single mom, I’d still be able to provide for my kids. I’d also have the flexibility to take them to school, doc appointments, soccer games, etc.
My life experiences have undoubtedly shaped my world view. But that doesn’t take away from the peace of mind that having my own business provides. Knowing that I can take care of myself and my kids if life as I currently know it should fall apart? That’s an awesome feeling!
TOO LEGIT TO QUIT
Sure, there are self-taught graphic designers (and most hand letterers, myself included, are self-taught). Despite that, there are three big reasons I opted to go to design school.
- To Learn the Adobe Creative Cloud Programs. The Adobe Creative Programs (like Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign and Premiere Pro to name a few) are all kinds of awesome. These programs are juggernauts with so many capabilities. Learning to use them in a classroom setting from the pros that my course instructors at Sessions are is a major, major “Pro” on my list of reasons to go to Design School.
- Two words: Student Discount. The Adobe Creative Suite isn’t cheap. Getting them at the student rate is a massive saving.
- It looks legit on my résumé. As a former HR Manager and résumé writer, I can tell you first-hand that the companies and brands I work with like to see an official degree(s). It helps establish you as an expert in your field.
SHOW ME THE MONEY
Let’s talk about the taboo subject people want to hear about most. Money. At the height of my corporate job, I made about $45k a year. This year I more than tripled that. Working from home. Often in my cliché mom uniform: yoga pants and a messy bun.
I loved being able to be a stay-at-home mom while my kids were babies. But now that they’re all almost school aged (my youngest starts Kindergarten next Fall), I’m so thankful I have something for myself.
And let’s be real, life is a heck of a lot easier on two incomes. Feeding and clothing three kids isn’t cheap. I’m loving being able to go shopping just for fun again (one of my favorite pre-baby life pastimes). And now that we’re living in Germany for a few years, we’re taking full advantage of the opportunity to indulge our wanderlust list and travel this side of the world!
I even started a SEP IRA (That’s a Simplified Employee Pension Individual Retirement Arrangement). A fancy way of saying I’m saving for retirement. I think that almost makes me a real adult, doesn’t it?
Bottom line: I get paid to be Creative. And pin things on Pinterest. I mean, really, how cool is that?
Make no mistake, every job has its pros and cons and owning your own business is a lot of work (like A LOT). At the end of the day, it’s amazing to be able to say that I really, really love my job.
NEW FOR FALL 2018!
In an ongoing promo with Sessions College for Professional Design, my readers can get a 5% Tuition Discount for All Vocational Programs. Just visit the promo page here and scroll down to enter your info and promo code DAWNNICOLE in the section that looks like this:
Sessions is an Online Design school that offers certificates and degree programs in the following areas:
- Graphic Design
- Web Design
- Digital Media
- Illustration
- Advertising Design
- Digital Photography
- Fine Arts
READ MY TIPS FOR GROWING A 6-FIGURE BLOG HERE.
I was compensated to write this post on behalf of my design school, Sessions College for Professional Design. I graduated from the school in 2013 and have since stayed in touch and began working with them to share my story. All opinions expressed are 100% mine.
Do you have questions I didn’t answer? Sound off in the comments below!
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This post is great timing for me…retiring at 52 from a utility company next friday, retirement package includes tuition reimbursement, I want to earn extra money with my art…I think im putting out an “I’m ready” vibe and the universe is answering!
Hi Lisa! Tuition reimbursement is amazing, what great timing! I wish you all the best with enjoying retirement and pursuing your creative passions. Have a great weekend!
Thank you so much for this post! You are definitely an inspiration!! I have been enrolled in online schooling at a University for Graphic Design for about a year now 🙂 I am curious, does Sessions just focus on Design? Without having to take the General Education classes?
Hi Mikala! You can checkout their full degree programs here to see all the details for each type of full degree they offer. 🙂
Wow Nicole! You really have a way of sparking inspiration and motivation rather than jealousy through your post. Thanks so much for this story. Wishing you all the best 🙂
Thank you so much Lilly! I hope you have a great weekend! xo, Dawn
Loved it! I am totally looking to do this I. My life and relate to so many points in this article. I am 36 I work as a graphic designer for a small home decor B2B company. I love my job but it want to expand all of my creative passions and I want to make more money. My husband makes good money but I want to be able to contribute and do those extra things like go shopping or even take our kids on a vacation. I have been researching starting a blog and teaching myself as I already have the graphic design BA and work in creative cloud on the daily and also have some coding skills. The one big question for me is how do you get sponsorships and companies to pay you for your blog? How do you become a brand ambassador for companies like Tombow or others in the design field. Those are the 2 big questions for me. I appreciate your time and thank you for writing this! ?
Hi Sosha!
Many bloggers work with Media Groups to start out. They are companies that help you get sponsored posts. http://bydawnnicole.com/blogging-resource You can read more about the Media Groups and all my blogging tips here: http://bydawnnicole.com/blogging-resources. http://bydawnnicole.com/blogging-resources. First, I wrote up a Partner Program and price list and then started reaching out to brands/companies I already have a relationship with. This is only the second month I’ve been running that program but so far, so good. With Tombow, I just started tagging them in my IG and FB posts whenever I used their products and they email. I formed a relationship with them over the course of several months and then they offered the Ambassadorship (most of those types of things are unpaid though). I hope this helps! 🙂
Dawn
Thank you Dawn! This is awesome info and couldn’t have come at a better time so I really appreciate you sharing it with us.
Your blog post was inspirational and very thought provoking. I’m a stay at home mother of 4 and I’d love to get more involved in blogging, writing and being creative in the ways I love. Thank you for sharing. Any other advice you could offer for someone just starting out with blogging, writing and hand lettering?
Hi Angela! You can read all my tips on blogging here: http://bydawnnicole.com/blogging-resources. I also have some FAQs, mostly about lettering, here: http://bydawnnicole.com/faqs. 🙂 Have a great weekend!
This is exactly what I needed to read today. I want to cry! I’ve been debating going to school for graphic design but starting over at 36 scares the hell out of me! I’ve started to learn Photoshop a little on my own but it’s a little overwhelming. I’m so glad I saw this today. Thank you so much for putting it out there ❤️ I just requested info from the school ?
Hi Carrie! Yay, I’m so excited for you. The Adobe Programs are overwhelming and that’s a big reason I wanted help learning them. Once you do, it’s becomes so much easier. When I took the classes I thought I’d use Photoshop most but I actually use Adobe Illustrator even more than I use Photoshop. Wishing you all the best!
When you were taking the graphic design course did you use the Adobe suite programs on an iMac? If so, did you encounter any issues with compatibility? Please let me know. Thank you.
Hi Sophie! The programs are compatible with iMac, yes! 🙂
You. Amaze. Me. You give away so much good, solid, useful information! I think I can speak for *everyone* when I say Thank You!!!! This article is the final straw… you’ve changed my life path… the additional nudge I needed. Why should I spend my life explaining to people “that if I ever go back to school I’m going to study graphic design…” I’m doing it!!!
Hi Jessica! YAY! I’m SO very excited for you! Thank you so much for the kind words. Going to design school was a decision I’ve never regretted even for a second. Wishing you all the very, very best! xo, Dawn
Hi Dawn,
I am an art director/graphic designer that worked for years before going back to school for the reasons listed above. I am interested in how you capitalize off blogging. Any chance you write a post on that??
Thanks for your inspiration.
-ali
Hi Ali! I actually have one. You can check it out here: http://bydawnnicole.com/blogging-resources. I just updated it this morning! 🙂
Holly moly, that is mucho information! Thanks for the link, love it.
-ali
Dawn,
Do you recommend getting a bachelors degree in graphic design instead of a certificate or associate degree for someone who doesn’t have a degree? In other words without a degree would I get work with certification only? I am a complete newbie to all of this but I have been following you for a while and you have inspired me in creative ways I didn’t realize I was interested in. I feel old to go back to school at 43. I dropped out after my freshman year to get married and I have been getting the urge to go back to school. Any advice would be appreciated:)
– Jen
Hi Jennifer!
I would have done the bachelors had I not already had one, so that would be my recommendation, especially if you would try to get a design job with a company. Most likely, they’ll want to see the Bachelors Degree. My mom and dad got married at 19 and she never got the chance to go to college. After my brother and I graduated, she went to school for her Bachelor’s. She was mid 40s at the time and it’s opened up so many doors for her (she’s mid 50s now). She says it’s one of the best decisions she ever made! 😉
I hope this helps a bit!
All the best,
Dawn
Dawn,
Thank you very much for the encouraging words! I basically did the same thing. Dropped out of college at 20 to get married and had three boys between 22 and 25. Now the two oldest are in the Navy and Army and the youngest is a senior in high school. You have inspired me to tap into a creative part of me that I had never pursued before. I actually would also like to be able to work from “home” because my hubs wants to get an RV and travel. Thinking maybe just maybe I could be earning a little money while we do that!
Thank you again for responding,
Jen
Thank you so much Dawn this blog post has been very helpful in helping to decide what I’m interested in learning more about!
Dawn,
Thank you for writing about this. I just started a blog this month and am frustrated over some of the little things I wish I knew how to do without a designer! I looked at Sessions and noticed they had both graphic design and web design. Did the graphic design cover enough of web design or did you take classes in both? Also, did you get a certificate or an associates degree? I have a bachelors in business. Thanks for your help!
Hi Judy! Sorry, I saw your email but I haven’t had a chance to reply yet. I did a certificate because I already have a BA and MBA. I originally planned to do the Graphic Design program with a Web Design concentration but later changed my concentration to Branding. It was a part time 15 month program but I finished it in just under 12 months if I remember right. Hope this helps! 🙂
Thanks so much!! It does help a lot!!
fabulous Nicole your work is amazing and truly inspiring
i am a one stroke artist and just begun with modern calligraphy
love your website and your work
Hi! Do you know if the 4 courses that are on special for your readers, if they will count toward a degree or certificate at a later date?
Also I’m wondering why you picked Sessions school vs. other online schools, what about them set them apart?
Thank you so much!!! Love, love, love your work!!
Hi Leah! I’m not sure but that’s a great question. I’ll try to find out the answer to this ASAP. I picked Sessions because it fit everything I was looking for and then when I called to ask questions, they were so amazingly helpful and nice that I was sold! I obviously now work with them in a new capacity and I can’t say enough about what a pleasure it is to work with the several people I interact with there. One of them was my enrollment counselor, who’s been with them all these years and it now the Director of Marketing!
Thank you so much for your reply! ❤️ I’ll look out if you post any more information about the course special/further education.
Thank you!!
Leah
Ok thanks!! I’m trying to decide if I want to take the 4 class special or just go for the certificate 🙂 Thanks!
Hi Leah! So this is what Sessions told me: “I am afraid the 4 courses are not later transferrable to a certificate or degree, they are just a set of individual courses. If they later decide to pursue a full program that consists of any of those courses, we can work with them to replace them with more advanced options.” Hope this helps!
I didn’t realize you were a military family! Thank you for writing this, it truly touched my heart! My family is a disabled veteran family, and I do not work in order to be my husband’s full time caregiver. I have been blogging for a year and hope to grow my site… so the early days of your story really resonate with me. Thank you so much for sharing. It gives me hope that I can make my career dreams work with my family’s needs! Much love, Katie
Hi Katie!
Thank you so much for your sweet note. Military spouses are some of the most amazing people I’ve had the pleasure to know and call friends. This is a quote I’ve held on to for a long time (after our family experienced several tragedies) and it’s one I read whenever I’m going through any kind of rough time in life, no matter how small or big.
“The most beautiful people we have known are those who have known defeat, known suffering, known struggle, known loss, and have found their way out of the depths. These persons have an appreciation, a sensitivity, and an understanding of life that fills them with compassion, gentleness, and a deep loving concern. Beautiful people do not just happen.” ― Elisabeth Kübler-Ross.
I just love that quote SO much and I only hope I’ve let the hard times make me that kind of person. I think it’s so incredibly brave to intentionally seek joy in life.
You are a beautiful person, Katie! (I just went and read your blog!) I wish you all the very, very best. 🙂
xo,
Dawn
Thank you, Dawn for your sweet words! I was so surprised to read such a kind reply! Thank you for sharing that beautiful quote and thank you for your encouragement! ? Much love, Katie
Hi Dawn. I have been meaning to leave you a message to thank you for your article re design school, specifically Sessions College. I saw your article mid-January, which was perfect timing. I am a wife and mother who works full-time and am working on my photography degree to help my small photography business. My community college classes keep conflicting with my work schedule, and my daughter’s activities, it kept getting hard to be everywhere at once lol. I have always been leery of online degree programs, but after researching Sessions and other schools, Sessions made the most sense price wise and its reputation (awards and accreditation). I spoke to Kimberly in admissions and she was awesome, as well as all the other staff that I have talked too (no sales pitch), they were upfront and sincere.
I am now enrolled in their Associates Degree Photography program and waiting to start my classes in a couple of months. Without your article, I would have never contemplated taking an online course, nor learned about Sessions. Even though I do not letter . . . yet, I enjoy your articles, and admire your talent. Thank you.
Hi Toni! Yay, that’s awesome. I am so excited for you and I hope you enjoy it as much as I did! Thank you so much for taking the time to leave a sweet note. I love Kimberly! I work with her regularly now and she enrolled me back when I first started school there too. 🙂
Hello Dawn,
I began with Sessions in January based on your experience and when speaking with my counselor, she asked how I heard about them. They speak very highly of you ?
I am enjoying things so far. (Although my drawing class is challenging ?). My emphasis is Web Design and I am excited to see what comes next.
Hi Shawn! That’s so awesome and I’m so glad you’re enjoying it. I always think about going back to add web design (which was my original plan before I switch my emphasis to branding). Wishing you all the best!!
Hello Dawn,
I use Corel not Adobe to do most of my graphic design work for my business. How would Sessions graphic design program benefit me?
Thank you!
Hi Jerri! I believe Abode Illustrator would be necessary for their design programs, but you could consult with them regarding that for further info. 🙂
Hello! I realize this post is old but is there any chance that Sessions package will ever run, again? Thanks!
Hi Jennifer! I’ll touch base with them and see what I can do! 🙂
Wonderful! Thanks!
Good news! A new promo is in the works for August so stay tuned! 🙂
Interested as well!
Awesome! I’ll be sure to let them know there is additional interest! 🙂 Stay tuned!
Good news! A new promo is in the works for August so stay tuned! 🙂
Yes! I’ll be waiting for it. Thank you, Dawn!