This is a very legitimate question for those with talent in the arts, media, or other related design disciplines.

The short answer is, “You don’t have to.” But going to a graphic design college may make things easier when you go into the job market in search of employment.

Raw Talent Isn’t Always Enough
Sometimes talent won’t take you to where you want to go. Employers usually want to see some sort of formal training, in addition to your portfolio, before they consider a job candidate.
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The minimum is often an associate’s degree or Bachelor of Arts in the specific field in design or graphic arts you are skilled at.

Career Training, Education, and You
Employers don’t necessarily doubt your skills or abilities, but there is information, career training, and preparation that are hard to find outside of a graphic design school, short of actually getting on-the-job training.
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There are exceptions to the rule, but generally speaking, most design jobs need the training that a formal education offers.

What Should You Do If You Are Already Attending?
Some people believe that going to school is all that is needed for career training.

To a certain extent this is true; graphic design schools help you to prepare for the real world by instructing you on the various skills necessary to complete assignments related to your future career.

But there is also another factor that can’t be overlooked: practical experience in the outside world.

Some design students take on part-time jobs, enter into internships while at school, or offer their creative services in design or media while still working towards their degree.

This strategy gives you a better opportunity to be competitive for jobs when you graduate; this shows employers  that you aren’t waiting until you graduate to get job experience.

Up The Odds In Your Favor
There is an old saying that says there is no free lunch. In other words, to get what you want takes work.

For graphic artists and others in the liberal arts, this means getting the career training you need by attending a graphic arts college through a traditional campus setting or online distance learning.

By also acquiring practical job experience outside of school, this may give you the extra edge you need to land a job upon graduation.

The Next Step
If you are in the stages of deciding which school to attend, make sure that you do your research on the centers of learning you are thinking about going to. Although colleges may all look the same, the staff, quality of curriculum, and the overall experience differs.

For those who are already enrolled, keep up the good work and get as much outside experience as you can.