Before we start, do you need a degree to be a graphic designer? Not necessarily. So, how will a graphic design degree help you?
Graphic design is about communicating visuals and creating design solutions for real-life problems and projects. A degree program, both online and on-campus, offers a safe environment to grow, test, and develop your skills in various media.
As the profession is almost always about developing solutions, the online degree program shortcuts your learning curve on digital media, branding, and design thinking.
Graphic design majors can pursue the following career paths:
Web designer
With the world population spending much more time online, web designers play an essential role in developing engaging websites. They build page layouts, graphics, and content navigation design for companies and individuals who take their products and services online.
Logo designer
The power of an eye-catching logo cannot be understated. As a powerful branding tool, logos convey subliminal messages that remain memorable in the consumers’ minds.
You will typically find work at a publishing house, advertising agency, design firm, or even work from home as a freelancer.
UX designer
The user experience (UX) designer determines how consumers interact with products. You will blend creativity, psychology, and storytelling elements to create a counter-intuitive experience for the consumer.
Your ability to study research data will help understand consumer pain points, profiles, and behaviors to provide feasible solutions.
Creative director
As brand visionaries, creative directors lead a design team comprising photographers, copywriters, artists, designers, and production people to build products and brands that sell.
You will also be pitching concepts and building relationships with clients and ad agencies. Feedback from whom will be critical in product development.
Multimedia designer
Your ability to integrate various forms of media like sound, art, animation, and graphics will find you jobs in the film industry, video game development, and ad agencies.
As a multimedia designer, you will combine creativity with technical skills to deliver engaging, immersive visuals.
A graphic design major will help you build essential digital media skills, branding, design thinking, design tools, and technologies.
According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the 2019 median pay for graphic designers is $52,100 per annum. The job outlook for 2019 – 2019, however, is predicted to decline 4 percent.
Looking at the above data, competition for jobs for graphic designers may be stiff. With a degree, you will stand out among all designers. Moreover, demand will be there so long as you commit to developing your creative skills in multiple media.