[briantmaurer]

I started in Graphic Design with a strong interest in building websites. After learning enough HTML, CSS, and JavaScript to realize that I couldn't build the ideas in my head without help, or a CS degree, I switched to CS.

Nonetheless, I learned many useful things in that introductory year of Graphic Design. The program placed a strong emphasis on design-thinking and critical feedback. Those skills are valuable in any line of work, especially in programming, which often requires artistic or creative thinking.

The graphic design courses also improved my code review process (toward self and others), and it improved how I think about usability when writing code – I focus much more on the next person who might work on/with my code.

[alpha_squared]

My story's a little similar to this, though I started building web pages/sites at a young age (at the tail end of Netscape Navigator). I was studying graphic design at a city college with a phenomenal graphic design department then ended up transferring to a four-year university with a department that felt like a downgrade from city college.

I was already considering minoring in CS, but after a year of feeling underwhelmed in the department, I just made the switch over.

I agree with you and many of the other posts here that you do develop critical thinking/feedback skills. It was a little surprising switching to CS and seeing how very few peer-critiques were done.