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The Latest
#IOLchat Report: Finding Professional Development OpportunitiesEach week we meet via Twitter for #IOLchat to discuss current issues related to online learning. Participants include students, instructors, eLearning companies, schools, publishers, and instructional designers. As we approach the summer months, …
Graphic Design
What Will I Learn in a Graphic Design Degree Program?
Graphic designers create such items as the graphics on cereal boxes and the logos for mortgage companies that you see in advertisements. If this kind of work interests you and you have a talent for art and design, a degree in graphic design might be the right choice for you. During your degree program, you can expect to learn about art and design fundamentals and take courses in typography, illustration, photography, animation, layout, media and Web design. Students will be expected to know a great deal about technology, especially how to use high-end design software to create advertisements, illustrations and other commercial art. Additional courses in business and communication can be a great help to design students, as many will be working closely with clients on creating a finished product.
What Can I Do With a Graphic Design Degree?
Most graduates of this degree program find employment as graphic designers at corporations, publishers and advertising firms. They might design commercials, print media, publications, advertisements or websites for businesses both large and small. Some graphic design grads will choose to start their own firms or work as freelancers. Those with advanced degrees will be eligible for teaching positions at secondary and higher education institutions helping the next generation of design students learn the field.
What Is the Career Outlook for Graphic Design Degree Students?
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the field of graphic design is estimated to grow at an average rate in the coming years. This means that there will be jobs for new grads of graphic design programs, but that competition for them— especially those at highly coveted firms and businesses—will be fierce. Those with the best outlook for jobs will be working with the Web and designing animations, as businesses look to create a stronger online presence. The median annual wage for graphic designers is $42,400, but those who work their way up to being art directors or creative heads could earn $95,000.
