Getting Your Graphic Design Degree

Are you in graphic design? Or planning to be? If you're considering pursuing new opportunities in graphic design, check these suggestions on securing and thriving in a graphic design job.

Could graphic design be the job for you? The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that the number of graphic designer jobs will grow to more than 300,000 by 2018, a projected increase of 13% from its current ranking. Even though growth prospects will average out to be similar to the average growth for other occupations, high job turnover in the field should result in numerous openings.

Are you in graphic design? Or planning to be? If you’re considering pursuing new opportunities in graphic design, check these suggestions on securing and thriving in a graphic design job.

Visual expertise counts

As society becomes increasingly visual in nature, projects in interactive media are on the rise, especially for new websites, mobile applications, Web advertising design, and video expansions. And as Internet advertising grows, many signs point to further opportunities for increasing the number of graphic design jobs.

Graphic designers are hired by clients to create interactive content on banner ads, landing pages, social media sites, and other interactive forms. Since every company wants interaction on their webpage and product, a well-designed, well-executed campaign can help to make or break a client's sales. Other areas in which graphic design is used is in film (CGI), TV bumpers (including those pop-ups on your screen and segue ads in between programs and ads), animation and Web video.

Draw the interactivity

To be a graphic designer, it helps to have a great eye, and good artistic and technical ability. The main focus for a graphic designer is to elevate the visual aspects of a certain project (in those categories mentioned above) and control the process and eye direction of the user (i.e., the reader). Bringing a person's attention to a particular part of a webpage, video, or animated piece is crucial to drive interactivity, responses, and enjoyment of a project. After all, that's what clients want. Poorly designed pages or projects can make people lose interest or divert their attention to the wrong area on the page.

This might seem obvious, but it's an art and a science to design. Good design isn't decoration; it's more like problem solving. The trick is to be effective in design, without looking hackneyed, cheesy, or outdated.

Graphic design degrees

On average, graphic design graduate degrees take about two to three years to complete. Undergraduates can complete the program in the typical four years. Once finished, graduates usually qualify for a variety of graphic designer positions, depending on the area chosen. As you pursue different  degree programs, figure out which aspect of graphic design appeals most to you, and then look into the aspects that are most employable. Animation and website design experience present top opportunities.

There are many in-person and online graphic design degree programs to choose from. (Full Sail, Parson’s School of Design, and Art Institute are some of the better-known online school options.) Common courses one can expect to take during this phase include principles of design, studio art, commercial graphics production, computerized design, website design, and printing techniques.

Working with clients

Once you have your work in graphic design, it's time to learn about master the concepts of collaboration, creativity, and communication.

  • Make sure your professional portfolio features your best work. Show it online so others can see your work in a few clicks. Clients will want to have access to your designs for assessment of your abilities. The right pieces on your website and portfolio can make the difference between a "when can you start?" phone call or a "no thanks."
  • Learn to be comfortable selling. Designers need to communicate well. If you cannot explain your work to clients, who will? Well-rounded people skills are an important factor when choosing to pursue a graphic design degree. It’s something you can’t learn in school, but something innately a part of this job.
  • Lastly, as a little bonus: learn quickly that time is money. The quicker you get quality work back to a client, the more work (and money) you'll receive in return. Businesses expect good work, on time. Budget your time and direction well.

Your work alone may bring you clients, but to keep them, you need to be open to suggestions and open to collaboration. Develop a well-rounded relationship with your clients, understanding their likes and dislikes, according to the scope of the particular project. Get the right results to your client. Collaboration is the key to your success.

The great thing about graphic design work is that it incorporates much of what makes us creative beings: visual acuity, creative imagination, coherence in structure, economy of elements, and more. If you work in graphic design on a daily basis, your senses are engaged all day, every day. With that mental energy abounding daily, the sky's the limit for taking your graphic design degree to a fulfilling career.

Like what you’re reading?

Join the CollegeXpress community! Create a free account and we’ll notify you about new articles, scholarship deadlines, and more.

Join Now

Join our community of
over 5 million students!

CollegeXpress has everything you need to simplify your college search, get connected to schools, and find your perfect fit.

Join CollegeXpress
Kayla

Kayla

High School Class of 2021

CollegeXpress helped me organize the schools I wanted to choose from in one place, which I could then easily compare and find the school that was right for me!

Cameron Lee

Cameron Lee

High School Class of 2022

I used CollegeXpress to search for colleges. It helped me narrow down the schools on the West Coast and which schools had Construction Engineering programs. I made my decision to go to OSU and I am so excited about it.

Wendy Thompson

Wendy Thompson

Owner, Westport Educational Consulting

I just discovered your site and LOVE it—fun, interesting, full of incredible information you can’t find anywhere else, and a godsend for those of us in the college counseling business. I am a fan!

Sonny Harris

Sonny Harris

College Student

For the entire year before college, I spent a lot of time deeply considering what major I wanted to go into and how to fund my higher education. After a lot of research, I came across CollegeXpress, which helped me ultimately find a ton of scholarships for which I could apply—and some of which I received! If it weren’t for CollegeXpress, I may not have found those scholarships as they didn't appear on any other scholarship search forum. Additionally, I learned more about the options I had been considering for my major through CollegeXpress’s resources. In the end, I chose to major in Computer Science, as it seemed best suited to me and the careers in the field seemed enjoyable, and I've never been more excited to move into my future! Ultimately, I want to thank CollegeXpress for offering their services. I received enough financial aid in scholarships to fund my entire freshman year of college and even got some money refunded which I used to purchase a new laptop, and I bought all of the books I needed for the semester!

Caitlin Eaton

Caitlin Eaton

$10,000 Scholarship Winner, 2021

I first discovered CollegeXpress during my sophomore year of high school while researching colleges that interested me. My SAT prep class the following year further familiarized me with the opportunities available through the organization. CX has personally helped me by exposing me to a diverse selection of schools as well as scholarships and life tips that have provided valuable guidance in my college search.

This scholarship will help me adjust to college life without worrying as much about tuition. This gives me more room to truly explore and benefit from all aspects of higher education. I plan to study Conservation Biology and work protecting species/ecosystems. I’m looking forward to getting field experience and seeing firsthand the problems research is solving.

College Matches
X

Colleges You May Be Interested In

Wagner College

Staten Island, NY

Samford University

Birmingham, AL

Emerson College

Boston, MA