Creative professionals typically subscribe to one of two markedly different schools of thought about formal education. Self-taught designers often believe that formal degrees are superfluous, and those who graduated from a college or university tend to argue that an associates or bachelor’s degree in multimedia design is a fundamental building block that cannot be replaced. There are solid arguments on both sides, which can obscure the importance of obtaining a degree. A formal degree represents a large investment of time and money, so it is key for prospective students to understand why they need to earn one.