Online Graphic Design Degrees and Careers
[widget]Offering a median earning potential of $46,640 per year, a career in graphic design appeals to those seeking freedom of creative expression in their work.
[/header]Earning Your Graphic Design Degree Online
Several universities now deliver programs in the field entirely online, catering to aspiring graphic designers who need flexibility and convenience in earning their degree. Some schools may require distance learners to have access to specific equipment and software used by professional graphic designers.
Depending on the school you choose, you may be able to earn your graphic design degree online in the same amount of time or less than a traditional, on-campus program. Tuition costs also vary among schools, running the gamut from community college-level affordability to large university-tier prices. The most important consideration, however, is what is right for you and your learning style.
Professional graphic designers typically hold a bachelor's online degree in the field, and may also have earned certifications in programs like Adobe CS5 and Autodesk 3ds.
Featured Online Programs
Check out the schools below to learn more about Graphic Design programs that serve your needs.
The Best Online Graphic Design Programs
Job Outlook for Graphic Design Graduates
The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that the job market for graphic design will remain steady between now and the year 2024. As is the case with most occupations, your education level considerably impacts your earning potential as a graphic designer. Earning a bachelor's degree online will enable you to find success in this fast-paced, computer-oriented field.
Graphic designers function in a variety of professional settings, from the corporate world and agencies to freelance. While working for yourself typically offers the greatest flexibility, graphic designers working in-house and at agencies find ample opportunity for collaboration and usually enjoy access to a wider variety of resources.
Graphic designers often advance into positions as art directors or creative directors. Alternatively, they can specialize and become media-specific designers. Each rung of the graphic design career ladder generally offers higher pay and more autonomy in your work, ultimately allowing you to decide the tone and imagery of brands.
To make these career moves, you will need familiarity with the Adobe Creative Cloud and the Macbook Pro, tools used by most professional graphic designers.
| Median Pay (2016) | $47,640 per year |
|---|---|
| Typical Education | Bachelor's Degree |
| Number of Jobs in 2014 | 261,600 |
| Job Outlook, 2014-2024 | 258,984 to 264,216 |
| Commonly Used Programs | Adobe Creative Cloud |
| Commonly Used Equipment | Macbook Pro |
Graphic Design Salaries
Graduates of graphic design programs earn a variety of salaries, depending on their experience, education, and specialization. Entry-level jobs for associate degree holders with no work experience start around $25,000 per year, and mainly consist of nonspecialized, noncreative roles. A bachelor's degree, however, can almost double your earning potential and allows you more creative freedom. As with many other career paths, the value of a print-focused degree is diminishing as graphic design moves away from print toward digital media. A print-focused designer earns an average annual salary of $38,360; an advertising-specialized designer averages $48,370 per year.
Types of Graphic Design Careers
Types of Graphic Design Degrees
With regard to available specializations and the time it takes to earn your online degree, design programs will differ from school to school. If you're interested in pursuing a graphic design degree online, it's important to know standard degree abbreviations, as these will give you a clue as to how arts-oriented or technical a degree plan may be:
When a degree ends in "FA," it's a fine arts degree and will typically focus more on the study of graphic design.
When a degree ends in "A" or "S," it's more generalized. Typically, degrees ending in "S" are more technical because that "S" stands for "science."
| Degree Level | Definition | Possible Concentrations | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Associate | Two-year degree offered as an AAS, AA, AS or AFA | – | $25,519 |
| Bachelor's | Four-year degree from an institution accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design offered as a BA or BFA | Editorial design, advertising and marketing, interactive and navigational, motion graphics, sustainable design | $47,640 |
| Master's | Two-year, post-secondary degree offered as an MA, MS, or MPS | Editorial design, advertising and marketing, interactive and navigational, motion graphics, sustainable design | $60,432 |
| Certifications | Typically available through product vendors, e.g., Adobe | Adobe Creative Cloud | Varies |
Graphic Design Certifications and Licensing
Within the field of graphic design, a certification can be the deciding factor between landing a job and losing it to someone with more experience. Most of the tools clients and employers will expect you to use come from Adobe, who offers a host of certifications for its programs, like Photoshop, Illustrator, and Dreamweaver.
Adobe's software is so commonly used that people colloquially refer to retouched photos as "photoshopped," and many web designers categorize website content management systems as "Dreamweaver" or "not Dreamweaver." Much like people generally consider smartphones as Android or iPhone, all design is generally labeled either "Adobe Creative Cloud" or "not." For a rookie graphic designer, Adobe certifications highlight your familiarity with the tools despite your lack of professional experience (which might give employers pause in interviews). Additionally, the process of earning these certifications will help you complete your work more efficiently as you become adept at using the tools and software.
Purchasing the software and earning the certification will cost you money; however, certification programs are usually broken into affordable chunks. Additionally, universities often feature stores that allow you to buy software and other tools at a discount. Check with your prospective school to see if it offers such a discount program for students.
If you plan to freelance, you may want to consider filing for a business license as an LLC. The office of the Secretary of State where you live will have more information on the requirements for and benefits of licensure; generally speaking, however, an individual freelancer would file as an LLC to make tax processes easier and to reduce expenses.
Graphic Design Scholarships
If the only factor preventing you from pursuing an online graphic design degree is the cost, consider scholarships. Check out Fastweb, a database with information on all kinds of scholarships. Below are a few of those available specifically for graphic design:
If you still aren't ready to pursue an online graphic design degree program or if you just want to start networking, there are many benefits to joining a professional organization. For instance, you can learn about scholarships, internships, and job opportunities. Many professional networking groups also hold conferences, and members generally pay a discounted entry fee or are eligible for early registration. Some organizations feature student memberships that offer even larger discounts on events and services.
In addition, membership in a professional organization can help you find a mentor to guide you through earning your online degree and landing employment. A good mentor will work with you to identify and address your shortcomings, provide feedback on ideas and projects, and help you develop working relationships with professionals in the field.
Professional graphic design organizations will also provide you with constructive criticism on your portfolio as it grows, and can give you feedback on online assignments before you turn them in. As with any art form, your graphic design work will always have room for improvement. Let others tell you if your work can stand on its own or if it needs explanation. Find out where your designs are hitting the mark as well as where they could use more structure. Whatever the project, someone else is bound to have at least dabbled, if not specialized, in similar work.
Some organizations to consider include:
AIGA: With over 25,000 members in 70 chapters across the U.S., the American Institute of Graphic Arts endeavors to advance design as a professional craft.
Graphic Artists Guild: The Guild works to advance members' careers by offering training and support, giving them an edge in the competitive graphic design market.
Freelancers Union: Because so many graphic designers are freelancers, joining a union may be a smart idea. The Freelancers Union focuses on benefits, member events, and online networking.
International Council of Design: The Council represents the interests of professional designers worldwide and supports the development of design education as well as cooperation among members.
Association of Registered Graphic Designers: A Canadian design group, the RGD was founded by an act of the Ontario Legislature. The association serves as a community where designers can share ideas and advocate the value of their work.
Society for News Design: SND focuses on ethics and design excellence in journalism.
Society for Experiential Graphic Design: SEGD promotes education and networking among multidisciplinary designers.
Graphic Design Internships
Internships are not only a way to kick off your career and gain work experience; they also allow you to learn what professional graphic design entails. While your graphic design online degree teaches you theory, it's only by putting that theory into practice that you can truly understand the implications of what you've learned.
But how do you find an internship? There are a few steps you can take to improve your prospects:
Networking will almost always be the best way to secure an internship that you enjoy and that helps you grow as a graphic designer. Whatever route you take, don't be afraid to ask around regarding internships. The worst response anyone can give you is "I don't know."
The Difference Between Externships and Internships
You may hear people talk about internships versus externships. What's the difference?
Externships typically involve shadowing someone as they do their job. They are usually short in duration and unpaid, and you won't receive school credit. Consider an externship as a tool for exploring your interest in a field without making a serious commitment.
Internships involve completing meaningful work with real deadlines, and last anywhere from two months to a year or more. Internships may be paid or unpaid, and unpaid internships frequently count for college credit. They serve as a bridge between student life and professional life.
A graphic design online degree will prepare you for both paths. Consider what you want out of a work experience. Do you want to see what the job is like, or do you want to actually perform the job? The choice is usually yours, though some online graphic design courses will require either an internship or externship.
OpenCourseWare
If you're ready to get started, you may want to consider OpenCourseWare. These online training modules help you reinforce a skill or learn something new, and they can be the difference between knocking out an assignment in 20 minutes or taking several hours because you need to Google all the steps. In addition, OpenCourseWare gives you a much-needed starting point for building your profile. As you complete projects, you can add them to your portfolio, which will eventually demonstrate growth and improvement in your skills. Additionally, as mentioned many times in this guide, extensive familiarity with Adobe Creative Cloud and similar programs ensures that you can keep up with the pace of graphic design work.
Some free online graphic design courses you can try include:
NPTEL Videos' Adobe Illustrator tutorials
Alison's design – applying design principles
MIT OpenCourseWare's media arts and sciences courses
Carnegie Mellon University Open Learning Initiative's introduction to visual design
Tufts OpenCourseWare from Tufts University's School of Arts and Sciences (you may want to check out the Blender 2.6x – 3-D design course, in particular)
Udemy courses
edX, an amazing resource from many of the top colleges and universities
There are many more websites offering free tutorials and learning materials, and conference slide decks appear online all the time featuring information on the latest techniques in the field. Using your favorite search engine, get started on brushing up your skills with these classes.
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