I am regularly amazed by how many ads you see on TV and how e-mails I get to start a career in design. First off, I have a degree in design; product design from the University of Notre Dame, so these are obviously mass mailings. Secondly, though, these places are doing associates degrees that educate people in the technology, but don't necessarily round them as professionals in the industry. The influx of these individuals on the market is making it tougher and tougher for young up-and-comers to get their break and enabling salaries to start lower and lower.

Why should you choose to spend more on the guy or gal with the Bachelor's degree? Or maybe even a Master's degree? Because one thing that a completely technical curriculum isn't going to teach you is how to think beyond a single project. The person you hire may be a rockstar with design software, but are they going to be able to get into your customer's head and be a partner in building your brand? Will they understand how to design within context? Do you want somebody that understands the emotional implications of color?

I'm not saying that there's not a place for these degreed individuals and I'm not poo-pooing their education or qualifications to be something like a production artist perhaps. I'm just getting around to saying that as members of fast companies, we should be cognizant of more than just this work as a line-item. We should hire more qualified individuals, pay them accordingly, and fight the devaluation of a career-path that is bigger than being a Creative Suite jockey. Not only will you be happier with the better educated design professional, you'll be helping to ensure that it is a viable career path for people that are really passionate about the field.