More often than not, the debate to ether or not someone needs to go to University to become a graphic designer, pops up. Some say that school can directly impact your ability to work better. Others defend that equal amounts of dedication and practice can bring a lot more to the table than art school.
There are many places you can go for inspiration. I like to use Pinterest, Muzli, and other design blogs but my primary resource, the one that I find that inspires me the most are design magazines.