Graphic design is a creative industry that enables professionals to express their ideas through visual communication. Graphic design is a popular career choice for those who have an eye for detail and a flair for creativity, but it’s important to know what degree is necessary to work in this field. There are several types of degrees available to aspiring graphic designers, including associate’s, bachelor’s, and master’s degrees.
An associate’s degree in graphic design provides the basic skills required to enter the field. This two-year degree program typically includes classes in color theory, typography, layout, digital imaging and software such as Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator. Students learn the fundamentals of graphic design through lectures and projects that focus on problem solving and creative expression.
Associate’s degree holders can find entry-level positions such as graphic designer assistants or production artists.
A bachelor’s degree in graphic design takes four years to complete and offers more advanced training than an associate’s degree. Bachelor programs cover topics like corporate identity development, digital illustration, website design, motion graphics and multimedia production. Students learn how to create engaging designs for print media as well as interactive media such as websites and mobile apps. With a bachelor’s degree in hand graduates can pursue positions such as junior art directors or UX/UI designers.
Those who want to specialize further can pursue master’s degrees in graphic design or related fields such as interactive media or animation. These one-to-two year programs focus on teaching students how to develop sophisticated visual solutions for complex projects like branding initiatives or large-scale advertising campaigns. Graduates with a master’s in graphic design may find work at advertising agencies or tech companies as senior art directors or creative directors.
Conclusion:
Graphic Design is a versatile field that requires many different levels of specialized knowledge and skill sets depending on the desired position within the industry. Those looking for careers in Graphic Design should consider pursuing an Associate’s Degree in Graphic Design for entry-level positions, a Bachelor’s Degree in Graphic Design for intermediate positions, or a Master’s Degree in Graphic Design (or related field) for higher-level positions.