Benefits of Getting an Online Design Degree

Anyone with a serious creative streak or a passion for visualization can find a rewarding and challenging career in design. A design degree will teach students the fundamentals of visual communication, helping them to learn new skills and hone their techniques. Having an educational background in art puts design job seekers miles ahead of others in the field. Many employers in the top creative career industries, such as advertising agencies and art galleries, will not hire job candidates without proper art education, which usually means a bachelor’s degree in arts and design, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Much of design is practiced on a computer, so learning the subject in an online format makes sense. The convenience of studying design from home on a flexible schedule can add to students' educational experience.

AS in Graphic Design	Computer Graphic Artist	AA in Web Design

What Will I Learn in a Design Program?

Design can communicate an idea or feeling without words. Design programs teach students how to successfully use graphics as a form of expression. Basic courses cover the fundamentals of working with illustrations, textual elements, programs such as Photoshop and other basic technical skills. Other courses cover subjects that directly correlate with the student’s area of concentration. For example, students diving into graphic design will learn how to use programs specific to computer design, such as Illustrator and InDesign, as well as how to design for print and the Web. The design field offers a variety of concentrations, including fashion design for those with runway ambitions and Web design for those looking to create innovative online pages.

Popular Majors in the Design Field

Graphic design and Web design are the two most popular majors in the field. In the massive visual and performing arts field in 2007, 5 percent of the bachelor’s level degrees conferred were graphic design ones, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. Graphic designers learn composition, digital layout, image editing and other advanced graphics skills to prepare them for jobs in computer illustration. Web design is also growing in popularity with the advance of Internet business technology and Web branding. In addition to graphic design skills, Web design students focus on coding and Internet functionality to build Web pages that are visually appealing as well as user-friendly and efficient.

Popular Jobs for Design Majors

Many design majors become freelance designers after graduating, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Some join advertising agencies or magazines, working as in-house creative directors. In these positions, employees create layouts to showcase a product or story for print media. Web designers are also in high demand as more and more businesses seek to establish a positive and recognizable Web presence.

Job Prospects for Design Majors

Graphic design opportunities are expected to grow 10 percent by 2016, which is about the same rate as the national average for job growth, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The field will be competitive, and people who have at least a bachelor’s degree in design as well as Web coding skills will find more favorable prospects than those who don't. Many businesses will seek designers who can also function as website developers as e-commerce expands in the coming years.

BS in Web Development	BS in Game Programming