A Brief History of the Graphic Design Major
As technology continues to grow, so does the field of graphic design. It gives artists and visionaries new tools to expand and develop on their ideas. What was previously viewed as a novelty has become almost a necessity for businesses. This competitive, cutting edge industry possesses multiple professionals who are constantly trying to create the next big masterpiece that will set the standard for other graphic designers.
Students who wish to earn a graphic design degree should be prepared to work with others, but remain innovative – not giving up their competitive edge. Graphics design students often specialize in a specific area or combine their degree with a minor or professional certificate to broaden their experience and training foundation and make them more desirable job candidates. Some of the more popular specializations include web design, business, advertising, animation or new media. This degree will continue to advance as technology opens doors to the industry.
Delving Into the Graphic Design Major
The education that is available to all graphic design students includes a core curriculum that will serve beneficial to those who are looking to better communicate their ideas and product to others as well. It can give students a more well-rounded view of the business world. This can do two things – offer insight into what a company may be looking for, as well as does not limit their minds to just one subject matter.
Bachelor’s degree-seeking students will take a wide range of fine arts and computer technology courses, including studio art, animation, web design, principles of design, color theory, commercial graphics production, digital imaging, and a lot more. Students who want to stand out from the competition may want to consider specializing in a certain area or adding a major or minor to their degree. Some practical degree choices to add include business, advertising, communications studies, new media, journalism, photography or game design, and others.
With this degree, students have the freedom to explore many different industries as graphic design is welcomed by more than one field of business. In taking one or more courses, a graphic designer can be an introduced to a new world, a new philosophy that can help enhance their portfolio.
Degree Levels:
Associate
An associate degree program will offer you instruction on industry-specific software along with extended periods of practice with the intent of preparing students for entry-level positions in the publishing and advertising industries. Further employment could be found as a graphic designer or a web designer.
With the basic design information you will learn about for the platforms of web, multimedia, and print, you will feel comfortable with the industry and your skillset. You will most likely be required to tackle a graphic design internship following your completion of courses that will introduce you to such software design programs as Photoshop, Illustrator, and Dreamweaver.
Bachelor’s
A bachelor’s degree in graphic design is a great choice for students who have a passion for expressing themselves and their opinions through using visual communication methods. In these programs, every student learns how to use writings and illustrations to present their own feelings or a company’s mission statement.
Later instruction includes playing with some of the most up to date computer programs, growing more comfortable with this technology, and putting yourself in a position to become a valuable asset to any employer. Beyond your specialized area of study, you will enjoy general liberal arts courses giving you an even more well-rounded education.
Master’s
For those who have just earned their bachelor’s degree in graphic design, but feel they have room for improvement, and would like to continue studying the subject matter before further pursuing career opportunities, a master’s program can offer you that chance to better understand your field.
You will learn to enhance your ability communicate artistically. Your boundaries will be stretched as you learn new and innovative techniques from instructors who have experience within the business. If you are looking to expand on the amount of positions you would be qualified for in a different arena, i.e. advertising and commercial art, you will be able to obtain this flexibility.
Doctorate
For graphic designers, almost all rely on print and online media to construct all of the work they put together – whether it is for an advertising campaign or simple a business card. By pursuing a doctorate in graphic design, students ready themselves for the top tier, most lucrative positions within the field. These jobs could be a university professor or a corporate executive.
This degree goes further than giving you a better rounded education, instead it is a degree that will give you the chance to hone your skills and perform this practice outside of your previous working environments.
Supplementing Your Graphic Design Major
If you are serious about fine tuning your craft as a graphic designer, you will need to develop a strong artistic vision. This can be accomplished through opening your eyes to the works of others. This goes beyond those in your field. By venturing out and exploring the work of others, you have the chance to share work and exchange feedback.
A way to enhance your education is by selecting a concentration within your field or even seeking out a minor that may not be too closely related to your major. Your time in school should be spent wisely trying to better prepare yourself for the world after college. Some of the areas of study that could greatly assist you are advertising and art education. It is much easier to know where things are going next when you are fully aware of where things originally came from.
Art education cannot only give you some insight into the path the industry has taken to get to where it is today, but also could prove to provide you with some inspiration. Advertising would educate you on how the competitive market works, and ways you can separate your product from others. Sometimes your ideas can come and go, and a way of keeping track of all those sparks can be by writing them down. With graphic designers instead of using pen and paper and making a list of all of your works, you can have the ability to draw your visions. A drawing minor can help you develop or further a skill that is extremely helpful for any aspiring graphic designer.
Learn More About the Graphic Design Major
The Graphic Design Major in the Job Market
Graphic design is a very competitive field. While many are competing for the top-tier positions within the industry, the positive is that many graphic designers are able to acquire some form of employment as so many companies and organization relies on the skills of these graduates. In fact, job opportunities for graphic designers are projected to increase 13% during the 2008-18 decade, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. A way of separating yourself from the rest of the pack is by being able to market yourself with more than just the generic graphic design skills. If you have any skill in writing, animation, or better yet business management, you are going to be that much more intriguing to an employer.
If finding steady employment appears to be a challenge early on, graphic designers have the luxury of being able to short-term freelance work that can bring in some form of income that keeps you afloat. These smaller jobs are great for building up your portfolio, that way when an opportunity comes along, you will be able to display not only your skills but your innovative and determination through all of your side projects. Once you are able to reach that level of consistent work, graphic designers typically see a big jump in the volume of work they receive. Their name is passed around and they have put together a strong reputation.
This is a field that requires patience as it may not be one that you are able to move up quickly through the ranks. As you move from job to job, you need to not only focus on the product you are turning out, but your skills as well. You want to improve your craft and grow as a graphic designer. Those who possess the highest of education generally have been fortunate enough to receive lucrative opportunities. If you have a passion for a graphic design and would like to make a career for yourself, then the best thing you can do is never stop refining your craft – it will open the most doors for you.
Careers I Can Get with This Degree:
