Graphic design is not just for print media anymore. Thanks to the exponential growth of the internet and social media, today’s graphic designers work in a wide variety of media, both print and electronic. And to succeed, you need to go through a graphic design degree program.
Featured Schools with Graphic Design Degree Programs
- International Academy of Design and Technology: Online
Art Institute of Pittsburgh: Online
Art Institutes: The Art Institute of Atlanta
Types of Graphic Design Degrees Available
Graphic design degrees at the associate’s level are available from most professional schools and can be obtained in 2-3 years and many schools offer online degrees.
If you want to work as a graphic designer’s assistant, or if you already have a bachelor’s degree in another field and would like to get into graphic design, a graphic design degree could be a good fit for you.
Most employers hire designers who have a a graphic design degree at the bachelor’s level. Today’s graphic design degree programs may offer online classes in addition to face-to-face instruction.
Depending on what material your graphic design degree program covers, you may also need to learn how to use graphic design programs such as InDesign, Illustrator, and Photoshop, as well as web design programs.
Graphic Design Career Average Salary
- The median annual salary for graphic designers is $42,400.
What a Graphic Design Degree Program Teaches You
Your classes will most likely include studio art, basic principles of design, computerized design, commercial graphics production, printing techniques, and Web site design. Most importantly, you’ll have the opportunity to create pieces for your portfolio, which you’ll need when you enter the job market.
Featured Careers
Questions to ask about Graphic Design Degree Programs:
- Do you enjoy working with different graphics, colors, fonts, photography and animation? Does your expertise go beyond working with graphics alone?
- Can you multi-task and work on deadline?
- Are you knowledgeable about a variety of media, from print to web?
- Are you able to communicate well with co-workers and clients?
- Are you flexible and willing to revise a project based on a client’s needs? Do you feel comfortable generating a design concept and applying it to a variety of products?
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2010-11 Edition, Psychologists, on the Internet at http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos090.htm (visited October 20, 2011).
