Resident expert, Scott Abel, is the voice behind Online Graphic Design Degree. Read more about Scott and his resource here.
“A graphic designer has to be able to see things in new and different ways, then recreate that vision from the ground up.”Read the Full Interview
“A successful graphic design student needs to be a creative thinker in order to brainstorm different design ideas. In addition, students must be open-minded in order to take criticism well and be able to implement feedback from professors in their design projects.”Read the Full Interview
“To be a successful designer, you have to develop good people skills. It is a serious misconception to think a designer can work alone without dealing with people.”Read the Full Interview
“One of the most important lessons you need to learn to succeed as a graphic designer is how to value your work, whether you are an in-house designer or a freelancer.”Read the Full Interview
Here is a quick quiz to help you decide if you have the personality it takes to succeed as a graphic designer. Rate, on a scale from 1 to 5, how well each of the following statements describes you.
I am artistic and enjoy many forms of art.
Graphic design uses techniques from different mediums of art such as drawing, photography and computer graphics. If you like making art, graphic design could be a good field for you.
I am imaginative and enjoy coming up with new ideas.
Graphic design is a creative field. As a graphic designer, your job will be to come up with new ideas for presenting information in interesting and visually appealing ways.
I am a good communicator and enjoy interacting with others.
Graphic designers must be able to communicate their ideas in words and on the page or screen. You will have to interact with clients and other members of a design team.
I am hard-working and can be productive under pressure.
Graphic designers often have strict deadlines. If you do not work well under pressure, a career in graphic design may not be a good choice for you.
I am efficient and know how to use my time wisely.
Although graphic design is a creative field, it is also a business. You will have to budget your time to meet project deadlines and production schedules.
I am inquisitive and enjoy learning about new things.
Designers must learn new technologies and stay in touch with changing trends. If you enjoy teaching yourself new skills, graphic design may be a good choice for you.
I am attentive to the needs of others.
Graphic designers usually work within a set of requirements to meet the goals of their clients. You will have to be attentive to what your clients need and want in their designs.
I am independent and can work on my own.
Many graphic designers work for themselves or are in charge of their own projects. You will have to be comfortable handling a project on your own.
I am detail-oriented and pay attention to small things.
Small details such as the alignment of elements on a page are important in graphic design. If you have an eye for detail, you will do well in graphic design.
I enjoy working with computers.
Graphic design requires the use of computers. You will need to use software for layout, illustration, animation and production.
*Note that this is not a scientific quiz. The result is simply my rough estimate of how well I believe your personality matches that of a successful graphic designer.
By my assessment, a career in graphic design is probably not a good fit for your personality. Please go to the Admissions Advisor homepage for a listing of other careers you may want to consider.
By my assessment, although a career in graphic design may not be an ideal fit for your personality, if you are willing to adapt in a few areas, you can still find success in the field. Please see the list to the right for information on the areas that you may need to work on.
By my assessment, your personality is a good fit for a career in graphic design. Scroll through our site to gain valuable insight into what it will take you to earn the necessary credentials.
Bachelors (4 years)
$45,000
Advertising agencies, publishing companies, design firms, software and interactive media companies, freelance
Graphic designers create layout and designs for publications, marketing brochures, product packaging and promotional displays. They also design logos for products and businesses and create the credits that appear before and after television programs and movies. They may develop sketches by hand or with a computer. The finished work is usually created with computer software. Graphic designers work in print media, websites, interactive media and multimedia projects.
Certificate (1 year), associates (2 years) or bachelors (4 years) depending on work environment
$42,000
Advertising agencies, publishing companies, design firms, software and interactive media companies, freelance
Production artists create and modify images to execute the design of a graphic designer or web designer. Print production artists may work on a particular aspect of the design such as page layout or retouching photos. Web production artists may prepare images for the web, update sites with old designs and modify existing images for different screen sizes.
Certificate (1 year), associates (2 years) or bachelors (4 years) depending on work environment
$56,330 (Lowest 10% earned less than $31,570; highest 10% earned more than $100,390)
Motion picture studios, advertising agencies, software and interactive media companies, freelance
Multimedia artists use hand drawing and computers to create animated images and special effects in movies, television programs and computer games. They may use computer software to create 3Dimensional models of objects and work with programmers to make the images move. Some multimedia artists work in advertising and draw scenes for proposed television commercials.
Bachelors (4 years) or masters (2 years of graduate school) plus professional design experience (7 – 10 years) and experience managing a design team (2 – 5 years)
$95,000
Advertising agencies, publishing companies, design firms, software and interactive media companies
Creative directors, also known as design directors, manage graphic designers and production professionals. They provide direction for projects and work in many types of design including graphic, industrial, video, print media and web. The main duties of creative directors are administrative and supervisory. They coordinate designers, developers, copywriters and other professionals to produce a product.
Bachelors (4 years) plus professional experience (3 –5 years)
$64,000
Advertising agencies, publishing companies, design firms, software and interactive media companies
Project managers, sometimes called producers, create project schedules and budget estimates. They track the project against the schedule and budget from beginning to end. They interact with clients to create project specifications and to relay feedback to the design team. Producers work with print media, electronic media and video. In design firms of less than 25 people, a creative director or senior designer may handle these duties.
Associates (2 years) or bachelors (4 years)
$36,000 (Lowest 10% earned less than $21,860; highest 10% earned more than $59,210)
Publishing companies, printing shops, freelance
Desktop publishers format text and graphics into prototypes of documents to be printed. They create graphics, edit digital images and design page layouts. They work with computer software to accomplish these tasks. Some desktop publishers also write the text that they work with. The documents they create include books, brochures, calendars, magazines and newsletters.
Bachelors (4 years)
$85,000
Web design firms, software and interactive media companies
Information architects are designers who make information easy to find in websites and computer applications. They study how people use the type of application or site, what they are trying to do and where they get stuck. Then they plan how to structure information, what navigation links to create and how to support user searching.
Bachelors (4 years)
$85,000
Web design firms, software and interactive media companies
User experience designers study and evaluate how users feel about websites and computer applications. They strive to make sure the users of a system perceive it as valuable and easy to use. They evaluate existing websites or applications, create profiles to represent typical users, develop preliminary layouts for web pages or screens and design how the user is meant to move through the system.
| Profession | Employment 2010 | Projected 2020 | Average Growth |
| Graphic Designer | 279200 | 316500 | 13% |
| Audio-visual Or Multimedia Collections Specialist | 8400 | 9500 | 13% |
| Film Or Video Editor | 31600 | 33200 | 5% |
| Fine Artist | 25700 | 27700 | 8% |
| Multimedia Artist Or Animator | 66500 | 72000 | 8% |
| Web Developer | 302300 | 367900 | 22% |
| Profession | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 |
| Graphic Designer | 43830 | 45340 | 46750 | 47820 | 48140 | 48690 |
| Audio-visual Or Multimedia Collections Specialist | 42090 | 43770 | 45540 | 46490 | 45910 | 46990 |
| Film Or Video Editor | 58100 | 61180 | 62500 | 63680 | 61890 | 66690 |
| Fine Artist | 47100 | 48110 | 48300 | 50630 | 53080 | 53400 |
| Multimedia Artist Or Animator | 58030 | 61010 | 62380 | 62810 | 63440 | 68060 |
| Web Developer | 67460 | 70760 | 73830 | 76560 | 79370 | 81670 |
| Profession | 10th | 25th | 50th | 75th | 90th |
| Graphic Designer | $26210 | $33410 | $44010 | $59410 | $77370 |
| Audio-visual Or Multimedia Collections Specialist | $24170 | $33370 | $44580 | $59120 | $73510 |
| Film Or Video Editor | $26350 | $36030 | $52940 | $81210 | $126250 |
| Fine Artist | $19150 | $29920 | $44600 | $65270 | $90050 |
| Multimedia Artist Or Animator | $34800 | $45750 | $60830 | $82860 | $109370 |
| Web Developer | $42770 | $58300 | $77990 | $101570 | $124860 |
You can become a multimedia or production artist in a design firm in as little as 1 year with a certificate in graphic design. However, to qualify for most jobs in graphic design and to be competitive on the job market, a bachelors degree is recommended. You can complete a bachelors degree in graphic design in 4 years.
While studying graphic design, you can expect to grow in both knowledge and skills. Throughout your education in graphic design you will be adding to your online or print portfolio, which will show the best work that you have produced during your program.
Color theory is the study of how to create colors and use colors in combination. Colors can be grouped into warm and cool colors, which are used for different emotional effects on the viewer. In art, color wheels are diagrams that organize groups of colors so that artists can determine which colors have a pleasing appearance together.
Typography is the applied study of the style and appearance of printed letters, numbers and symbols. Typography includes the history of movable type and the use of typefaces to convey emotion or meaning. Introductory courses in typography examine the anatomy of the letterform and the distinguishing features of some commonly used typefaces. Advanced typography courses focus on solving communication problems with typography, current trends in typography design and the use of typography in electronic media.
Graphic design as a field of study examines visual composition on the printed page and in electronic media. Visual elements are broken into categories such as shapes, lines, color and typeface. Design principles such as balance, contrast and alignment provide a framework for organizing visual elements. Design projects such as magazines, advertisements and web pages are analyzed to determine whether a design is successful and what makes a good design.
Art history is the study of the history and development of visual art forms such as drawing, painting and sculpture. Art history examines the context of culture, historical events and symbolism. This area of study also analyzes works for their use of line, shape, color and other elements. In examining multiple works, art history compares similar elements across cultures and tracks the development of techniques and styles over time. Some studies of art history focus on particular cultures or historical periods such as ancient Egyptian, classical Greek and Roman, Islamic, European Renaissance or Modern.
Illustration is the practice of using pictures and drawings to make something easier to understand. Graphic illustration uses signs and symbols. Editorial illustration accompanies newspaper and magazine articles. Book illustration expresses stories within the pages and on the covers of books. Technical illustration conveys technical information, like diagrams showing how to assemble a product.
Layout and grid system design is the method of using grids as consistent systems for placing objects. Layout and grid system design can be used in both print and web design. By creating a visual rhythm, grid designs or layouts make it easier for viewers to scan objects on a page, in print and online. Effectively using a grid system can increase visitors’ and readers’ confidence in print and in websites.
Your courses in graphic design will teach you to use computer software applications. Graphics software can help you in many phases of graphic design, from the initial concept sketches to the final preparation of a document for printing. Graphic designers also use software to create digital images such as vector graphics, raster graphics and 3D models of objects for animation.
You will learn techniques in animation as you study graphic design. Animations are created for movies, television, websites and interactive media. Approaches to animation range from the entirely hand-drawn animations seen in old animated movies to entirely computer-generated images. Animation is used throughout computer games, in interactive websites and to create special effects in video.
You will learn the basics of design for the web as you study graphic design. Websites often appear in multiple versions, for different screen sizes and sometimes in different languages. Colors appear different on different displays, so design must take into account the variations in the viewer’s screens. In courses on web design, you will learn how to use the markup language HTML to develop attractive and useful websites.
As you study graphic design, you will learn how to create designs for advertising. Advertising design involves knowledge of marketing, public relations and consumer behavior as well as basic design skills. You will gain skills in designing magazine and newspaper ads as well as banner ads and other ads for websites.
Your curriculum in graphic design will include developing skills in photography. Photographs are an important visual element for designers, and familiarity with how photographs are taken will help your design process. You will learn photographic techniques with both 35 mm film and digital cameras. Basic dark room skills to develop film as well as printing and enlarging will also be part of your education.
Education in graphic design is available at the undergraduate and graduate levels. You can obtain an undergraduate certificate, associates degree, bachelors degree or masters degree. The undergraduate level of education is most common among graphic designers.
Certificates in graphic design are a good option for students who want to enter the field of graphic design as support personnel or for design professionals who want to expand their professional knowledge. Undergraduate certificates are the most common type in graphic design, but some schools offer graduate certificates, which require students to hold a bachelors degree in graphic design or a related field such as fine arts, journalism, communications or photography.
Undergraduate Certificate
Undergraduate certificates provide the knowledge and skills for students to obtain jobs providing support to graphic designers. This option does not require students to hold bachelors degrees.
Graduate Certificate
Graduate certificates, also known as post-baccalaureate certificates, allow students to refine their skills and add more diversity to their portfolios. This option requires students to hold bachelors degrees in order to apply.
Certificates in graphic design can be completed in 1 to 3 years and require 30 to 60 credit hours. Most certificate programs are designed for students who are working in full-time jobs, so the courses are usually taught on evenings and weekends. However, you can also find certificate programs designed for full-time study, especially at the graduate level.
While studying for your certificate in graphic design, you can expect to take courses in graphic design for web and print media, typography and print production. You will also take courses in commonly used graphic design software such as Adobe Illustrator, InDesign and Photoshop. Some certificate programs also cover the business of graphic design.
With only an undergraduate certificate in graphic design, you can qualify for jobs as a production artist, multimedia artist or illustrator. If you have skills in website technology, you can work as a web designer. With a bachelors degree in graphic design and a graduate certificate in graphic design, you can work as a graphic designer, information architect, project manager or branding expert.
When deciding on a school to earn your certificate in graphic design, evaluate whether the program will develop your marketable skills. AIGA, the professional association for design, also recommends in the article How to Select a Design School that you evaluate aspects of schools such as the curriculum, the credentials of the faculty, the quality of life at the school, the facilities and feedback from professional graphic designers.
Pursuing a graphic design certificate online is a fine option, especially for gaining new skills while holding a full-time job. Overall, an online graphic design certificate is a good choice since you are able to learn many computer-based skills in graphic design as an online student. However, 1 drawback to an online program is that you will not get the same feedback on your design work as you would from working in a studio with other students and from in-person group critiques. Some schools avoid this drawback by offering a hybrid online graphic design program, where some courses are delivered online and other courses are offered in traditional classrooms on the weekend. Before choosing an online graphic design school, you should compare the curriculum and the qualifications of the faculty with some respected traditional certificate programs to make sure that your online program will offer you a quality education.
An associates degree in graphic design is a good way to gain immediately marketable skills or to obtain an introductory knowledge of the subject. If you plan to continue your education with a bachelors degree in graphic design, an associates degree is an affordable way to begin your studies in the field.
The AA degree provides an introduction to graphic design and general education courses in liberal arts. This degree is not very different from the AS degree. The AA option is recommended for students who intend to transfer to a bachelors degree program after completing the AA.
The AFA degree focuses on design and artistic technique. The AFA option is intended for students who will transfer to a bachelors degree program after completing the AFA.
The AAS degree emphasizes the career and technical skills used in graphic design. This option is intended for students who plan to begin work in graphic design directly after graduation, although the AAS can sometimes be used to transfer to a bachelors degree program.
The AS degree provides an introduction to graphic design and general education courses in science and mathematics. This degree is not very different from the AA degree. The AS option is recommended for students who intend to transfer to a bachelors degree program after completing the AS.
An associates degree in graphic design can be completed in 2 years. Programs require between 60 to 90 credit hours.
While studying for your associates degree in graphic design, you can expect to take core courses in typography, design fundamentals, drawing, layout and graphics software applications. In an AA or AS program you will also be required to take general education courses in subjects such as social science, English, health, history, mathematics and natural science.
An associates degree in graphic design will qualify you for jobs such as production artist, multimedia artist or desktop publisher. You can also continue your studies in graphic design, media arts or related fields such as web design, information design or user experience design.
When deciding on a school to earn your associates degree in graphic design, you should evaluate its compatibility with your goals. If your goal is to work as a production artist, multimedia artist or desktop publisher, make sure the program you choose will develop your marketable skills in graphic design and production. If your goal is to become a graphic designer, select a program that will prepare you to transfer to a bachelors degree program.
The article How to Select a Design School by AIGA, the professional association for design, recommends that you evaluate several aspects of the design programs you are considering in order to find the graphic design school that is right for you. These aspects can be categorized as the curriculum, the credentials of the faculty, the quality of life at the school, the facilities and the feedback provided by graphic design teachers.
Pursuing your graphic design associates degree online is not recommended. Whether you plan to begin working in graphic design directly after obtaining your degree or to transfer to a bachelors degree program, you will need a strong portfolio that showcases your design skills. An online graphic design program will not offer you the level of interaction with your instructors and fellow students that a traditional design program will. Specifically, in an online graphic design school you will not have the collaborative experience of working side by side with other students in a design studio and getting group critiques on your work. If you feel that you must obtain your graphic design associates degree online, look for a hybrid program format that offers some courses online and design courses in a traditional studio classroom.
A bachelors degree in graphic design will give you a solid foundation in both the technical skills and the historical and artistic aspects of design. Professional degrees in graphic design require that two-thirds of your coursework is in graphic design, with the remainder in general education. In liberal arts and science degree programs, one-third of the required coursework is in graphic design and two-thirds are in general education courses.
Two kinds of institutions offer bachelors degrees in graphic design. Art schools offer more intensive design education than colleges or universities do. Graphic design is likely to be its own department in an art school. In a college or university, graphic design is often a major offered within a department of fine art. Either type of school will prepare you well for a career in graphic design.
When you are seeking a job as a graphic designer, the quality of work in your portfolio matters more than the type of the degree. Your portfolio is a set of samples of your work. Initially the portfolio will consist only of school projects, but as you progress through your career as a graphic designer, you will add professional projects.
The BA provides a broad liberal arts education with some courses in design. It is similar to the BS degree. The BA is a good option for students who have broad interests that include graphic design, or students who are looking for a more affordable bachelors degree.
The BFA is a professional degree with courses primarily in design. BFA students also take some courses in liberal arts. This degree is a good option for students who are preparing for a career as a graphic designer.
The BS provides a broad education in science and mathematics with some courses in design. It is similar to the BA degree. The BS is a good option for students who have broad interests that include graphic design, or students who are looking for a more affordable bachelors degree.
A bachelors degree in graphic design takes 4 years to complete. Programs require from 120 to 180 credit hours.
While studying for your bachelors degree in graphic design, you will take courses in color, 2-dimensional design and 3-dimensional design. Art courses will teach you drawing and photography. Business classes will teach you the principles of advertising and marketing and how to run a graphic design business. Depending upon the program, you may also have coursework in computer graphics, electronic publishing or graphic design production. Throughout your education in graphic design, you will be developing a portfolio, which includes samples of your work to showcase your ability as a designer.
With a bachelors degree in graphic design, you can work as a graphic designer, multimedia artist, production artist or desktop publisher. With a few to several years of professional experience, you can work as a project manager or creative director. If you have knowledge or experience working on websites or other interactive media, you may qualify for jobs as a user experience designer or an information architect.
When you are deciding on a school to earn your bachelors degree in graphic design, you should examine several aspects of the schools you consider. The article How to Select a Design School by AIGA, the professional association for design, recommends that prospective students consider the curriculum, the credentials of the faculty, the facilities, services for students and feedback from professional graphic designers. Determine how many of the design courses are held in an art studio and how many are lecture courses. The facilities should include enough studio space for all of the students to use and up-to-date computer hardware and software. A low ratio of students to teachers will be necessary in a graphic design program because the educational experience involves a high level of interaction.
Obtaining an online graphic design bachelors degree is not a good idea. Although graphic designers work with technology a great deal, an essential part of learning design is working in the studio with feedback from teachers and fellow students. An online graphic design program will not give you the time in the studio that you will need to develop your design skills. You also will not experience group critiques of your work in an online graphic design program. If you are set on pursuing your graphic design bachelors degree online, consider a hybrid program. In a hybrid program format, subjects such as art history and graphics software applications can be learned online while design courses are taught in a traditional studio classroom.
Masters degrees in graphic design are offered as the Master of Arts (MA), Master of Science (MS) and Master of Fine Arts (MFA). These programs are not very common or necessary for a career in graphic design.
When considering studying graphic design, keep in mind the trends of industries that employ graphic designers. As of 2012, the print media industry is shrinking while electronic media is growing. You will benefit from this trend if you have an interest in or experience working with websites, mobile phones applications and computer software.
Bureau of Labor Statistics – Graphic Designers
O*NET Online – Graphic Designers
AIGA, the Professional Association for Design (formerly American Institute of Graphic Arts)
Bureau of Labor Statistics – Artists and Related Workers
Bureau of Labor Statistics – Desktop Publishers
