Online Graphic Design Degrees: Curriculum & Program Info
Graphic designers create everything from eye-catching packaging and displays to logos and other marketing materials for clients. Graphic designers use computer software, electronic video equipment, and negative and print developing equipment to achieve decorative and artistic effects for clients.
To perform their jobs, graphic designers must obtain specific design, technical, and creative skills through an accredited degree program. Aspiring graphic designers with a degree in graphic design, advertising, or fine arts can expect a significant number of job opportunities in the coming years.
For the 2008-2018 decade, the workforce in the graphic design industry is expected to increase by 37,000 designers. This represents a 13% increase in employment growth by 2018. While all industries will offer job opportunities, computer design and advertising firms are expected to have the most openings.Aspiring graphic designers with a bachelor’s degree or higher and experience can expect to earn an average annual salary of $42,400. Top earners in this field make $74,660 per year; and entry-level designers make around $26,110 per year.
If you are ready to start a career in graphic design, pursuing a degree is a great start. Most employers prefer a bachelor’s degree or higher for top positions in the field. 30% of the graphic design work force has a bachelor’s degree and 6% hold a master’s degree. Associate degree holders account for 19% of all graphic designers. Associate degree holders typically begin in assistant or other entry-level positions.
Many on-campus schools offer undergraduate and graduate degrees in advertising, graphic design, or fine arts. A growing number offer nearly identical versions of their art and design programs online as well. Most colleges offer quality and accredited online degree programs in all areas of fine art and design.
While on-campus art and design programs are still popular, students seeking convenience and flexibility choose the online art degree option. While searching for a suitable online graphic design program, it is important to pay close attention to accreditation, admission requirements, and curriculums. Most accredited colleges require a sample of students’ work in order to assess creative and artistic ability. Accredited online art schools and design schools also require transcripts, letters of recommendation, and a statement of purpose.
The information in the next section can be used as a valuable tool to compare accredited on-campus and online program curriculums.
Online Graphic Design Degree Program Curriculum
An accredited online graphic design degree program includes the study of visual, theoretical, historical, and technical aspects of the discipline. They require general education courses such as chemistry, English, history, philosophy, and literature.
Core graphic design courses include:
- Advanced Problem Solving in Package Design
- Advanced Problem Solving in Print Design
- Advanced Visual Design for the Web/Screen
- Basic Letterform
- Basic Graphic Design
- Graphic Design Processes
- Graphic Design History
- History of Development of Graphic Design
- Image Use in Graphic Design
- Intermediate Graphic Design
- Special Topics
- Two-dimensional Design
- Typography
- Visual Design for the Web/Screen
Finding Online Graphic Design Programs
To locate top accredited online graphic design degree programs, students may explore the offerings at on-campus universities, search through comprehensive online directories such as Top Online Colleges, or use well-known search engines such as Bing, Ask or Google. Each online degree program will offer information on accreditation. The accrediting agency must be recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Tip: In addition to computer design and advertising firms, top employers in this field include specialized design services; public relations; newspaper, periodical, book, and directory publishers; and printing and related services.
