If you’re all about creativity and using your own ideas to launch innovative communication designs, a bachelor’s degree in graphic design might be the ideal career opportunity for you to explore. Not all career fields can boast the opportunity to combine computer and software technology with creativity and imagination. However, a graphic design degree offers exactly that. Read about the colleges and universities listed below to help you narrow down the best choice to meet your personal educational and career goals in the field of graphic design.
What is an Online Bachelor’s in Graphic Design?
Earning a bachelor’s degree in graphic design means mastering the visual art of communication without verbal words. Graphic design at its most basic element is about utilizing images, ideas, colors, shapes, and language to tell an effective story. Pursue a career as a logo or web designer, a photoshop artist, a creative art director, or even a production artist with a graphic design degree. You’ll learn to take real-world branding and marketing concepts and apply fundamental graphics principles to create modern design solutions. Coursework typically includes training in typography and art theory as well as hands-on training in state-of-the-art graphic design technology.
How Much Can You Earn With an Online Bachelor’s in Graphic Design?
With a bachelor’s degree in graphic design, graduates can explore a career as an art director, industrial designer, special effects artist, or even an animator, in addition to a role as a graphic designer. As an art director, median salaries in 2020, according to the US Bureau of Labor and Statistics were about $92,270 annually. For industrial designers that design for manufactured products, the median income was about $71,640, and the median income for special effects artists and animators was $77,700. Graphic designer jobs typically require no on-the-job training to be hired but do require a bachelor’s degree. In addition, most graphic design programs require internship work and/or practicum coursework as a part of their degree program. Median salaries for entry-level graphic design professionals was $53,380.
What Is Required For an Online Bachelor’s in Graphic Design?
Pursuing an online bachelor’s degree in graphic design requires a high school transcript, typically with a GPA of 2.5 or above. However, some technically-focused universities welcome homeschool students and GED certificates also. Since current technology plays a key role in the work produced by graphic artists and related careers, students will be expected to access a reliable computer, capable of holding a variety of Adobe software programs that are critical to the illustrations, drawings, animations, website creation, and digital design projects commensurate with graphic design work. In some cases, university programs will provide a Mac laptop fully loaded with the appropriate software.
What Are the Best Online Bachelor’s in Graphic Design?
OSR uses six data points: three school-wide and three program-specific. For school-wide, OSR uses Student Satisfaction, Admission Rates, and the number of programs the school offers online. For program-specific, OSR checks the Median Debt of graduates from that program, how many degrees are offered within that program’s umbrella department, and what percentage of students at that school graduated from that department.
The six statistics are displayed by each school. The sliding bar under each statistic represents how that school compares to other US institutions. “Not reported” means a school did not release that information to the US Department of Education. A more detailed description of the OSR process can be found on the methodology page.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you know that you are passionate about utilizing your creativity but also love the challenge of using the newest technology innovations? A bachelor’s degree in graphic design offers the unique opportunity to communicate messaging visually while leveraging modern, digital technology. Here are some frequently asked questions to help you decide if this is the right degree path for you.
Do you need to be a talented artist or a computer pro to earn a graphic design degree?
A bachelor’s degree in graphic design focuses on utilizing colors, ideas, images, shapes, and language to communicate an effective story. Whether it’s logo creation, gaming graphics, animation, web design, or functioning as a creative director, a graphic design degree will give you the foundation and skills to succeed in the creative technology industry. Coursework in graphic design will offer the technical training of computer software like the Adobe Suite of programs PhotoShop, Illustrator, InDesign, and XD but will also offer the more traditional training of typography, in-print design work, and drawing.
Key things to consider when selecting a graphic design program is to contemplate the type of job placement you’d like to secure after graduation. Are you passionate about advertising and marketing? What media are you most inspired by: web design and content, print media, or even gaming? Do you want to work solo as a consultant or are you interested in being part of a creative, collaborative team? All in all, you don’t need to be either/or to earn your graphic design degree, but you do need a desire to learn artistic traits and key features on different digital software.
Do you have to be able to draw to earn a graphic design degree?
Most graphic design programs will start with traditional theory on colors, shapes, spacing, and visual communication. The basics of drawing and art theory will definitely be included. However, you’ll also learn Adobe software packages that are the latest technology for print, web, auto-visual, and gaming-related marketing mediums. In addition, AutoCAD and AutoDesk are collaborative media that many advertising agencies, branding, and marketing companies use to create and communicate project designs.
So, while artistic skills certainly play a role in creating a successful graphic design career, drawing skills will not make or break your success in the field. You should also expect to learn problem-solving techniques and team-building skills in most degree programs. Much of the work will be hands-on project driving coursework to help students prepare digital and hands-on portfolio content for the job search process.
Are programming languages critical to success in graphic design?
Programming languages in graphic design are not the key components to a successful career or job placement. However, according to Toptal, a designer placement organization, knowing some of the basics of the top programming languages can take a designer’s marketability to the next level. Languages like JavaScript can help designers understand how to update and change HTML and CSS. While not typical skills, they add to the tools available for a designer in the competitive technology market. Some institutions offer additional elective courses in computer programming languages that students can take as part of their degree coursework. In addition, some companies will offer certification or continuing education units (CEU’s) opportunities for employees who want to be proficient in their most-used platforms. Frequently, companies will cover the fees associated with additional CEUs, provided the employee maintains a minimum GPA in the course and provides completion proof at the end.
Coursework in your bachelor’s program should include Adobe programs as well as opportunities to learn about the AutoCAD and AutoDesk programs. If you’re not sure what your specialty area of interest is, consider trying a few different focuses to get a taste of the opportunities available. Courses like web development and creation build a well-rounded graphic design portfolio even if you aren’t planning a focused career in website building. Nearly all businesses rely on a modern, effective internet presence for product placement, sales, and information. Also, look for collaborative bachelor’s programs that offer internship opportunities, and even workshops to deliver the real-world experiences employers look for in graduating graphic designers.
Conclusion
Graduates that earn a bachelor’s degree in graphic design have the unique opportunity to turn their passion and creativity into modern innovations of technology. Since the field is a combination of two very different focuses, there isn’t the pressure to be an expert at either traditional art or digital technology.
Students should consider a combination of classic art communications coursework, coupled with the latest technology training to build the strongest skills. A graphic design degree can take the graduate into a variety of public, private, and even government or military career fields. So, consult your university’s academic and career advisory organizations to network in your desired field. For more about some of the best graphic design courses and opportunities, check out this article on some of the best graphic design classes!
