Become a Graphic Designer

If you love using your computer to make simple projects like signs and postcards, you may have what it takes to succeed in the Graphic Design industry. Graphic Design schools are accepting candidates for high tech degree programs every day.

What is Graphic Design?

As a Graphic Design professional, you will be creating captivating business and entertainment communications for both print and web media. From business logos to highway billboards, Graphic Design colleges prepare graduates to work in virtually any industry. Graphic Design pros use sophisticated technologies during the course of a project that enhance the work and reduce the effort. And as more businesses get online, the demand for Graphic Design pros with advanced degrees will skyrocket.

Opportunities in the Graphic Design Field

Thanks to the Internet, the Graphic Design field will see some incredible opportunities in the coming decade. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that employment of Graphic Designers is expected to grow about as fast as average for all occupations through the year 2014. Look for positions with Graphic Design firms, Internet developers, and in freelance capacities. You are in a unique position as freelance Graphic Design pro in that you can set your own fees for projects.

Desired Skills for Graphic Design Professionals

Vision. The successful Graphic Designer sees the project in his mind well before the actual product is completed.
Technological Prowess. Enough can't be said for the influence of computers in this field. You can automate your processes and increase your productivity.
Business Acumen. As a Graphic Design pro, you will focus in on your target audience to create a message that resonates with them.

The Road to a Career in Graphic Design

Becoming a part of the sizzling Graphic Design field is as easy as choosing one of the technical schools or traditional colleges to get your training. Degrees in the animation field are scarce, so it will give you a real advantage.

Graphic Design Schools and Colleges

Need to Know: The Bachelor degree is only offered in Orlando and Madison.

	Who They Are: International Academy of Design and Technology Online What They Offer: Associate and Bachelor's degrees in Graphic Design What You Learn: Both programs teach design fundamentals in the areas of type, color, and layout, including digital illustration and web design. The Bachelor's program explores advanced concepts, including 3D modeling, packaging and exhibition design, and audio/video, and includes an internship. The Buzz: IADT's campus -based programs have become widely known for producing knowledgeable graphic designers. The addition of an online degree allows individuals to study on their own schedule.
	Who They Are: Anthem Institute, in Cherry Hill, Jersey City, North Brunswick, and Parsippany New Jersey, Springfield, Pennsylvania and New York City, NY What They Offer: Diploma in Graphic Design & Animation What You Learn: Key graphics applications, including image editing in Photoshop, creating animations in Macromedia Flash, developing digital audio and video with Adobe Premier, and multimedia presentations using Macromedia Director. The Buzz: In addition to being able to create compelling websites, graduates can develop interactive CDs and multimedia presentations. Need to Know: All programs are not offered at all campuses.
	Who They Are: Collins College, in Tempe, Arizona What They Offer: Bachelor degree in Graphic Design What You Learn: Graphic design theory, along with the opportunity to develop your design skills in the areas of typography, art direction, and digital production. The Buzz: Located between Phoenix and Scottsdale, the Tempe area offers many recreational and cultural opportunities.
	Who They Are: Westwood College in Atlanta, Georgia, Anaheim, Long Beach, Los Angeles, and Upland California, Denver, Colorado; Chicago, Calumet City, Schiller Park, and DuPage, Illinois; Dallas, Fort Worth and Houston, Texas, and Arlington and Annandale, Virginia Also offered online. What They Offer: Associate degree in Graphic Design and Multimedia What You Learn: Graphic design for print, online, and video. Coursework includes digital illustration and layout, image editing, modeling and animation, audio, video, and web page design. Need to Know: Some Westwood College locations also offer a Bachelor degree in Visual Communications that is designed for individuals wishing a more advanced graphic design education.
	Who They Are: Penn Foster College What They Offer: Associate Degree in Graphic Design What You Learn: Principles of Graphic Design, along with its practical application, using tools such as Adobe Illustrator. Students are introduced to desktop publishing, multimedia, and graphic design for web pages. Need to Know: Learn at your own pace with this online program, which can be completed in as little as two years.
	Who They Are: Antonelli College in Cincinnati, Ohio and Jackson, Mississippi What They Offer: Associate degree in Graphic Design What You Learn: The program covers the theory of graphic design, combined with practical, hands-on experience in areas including cartooning, layout and computer graphics. Need to Know: Macintosh labs are equipped with Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, and Quark Express.
	Who They Are: Bauder College in Atlanta, Georgia What They Offer: Associate Degree in Graphic Design What You Learn: How to develop and create design projects, including package design, advertising campaigns, logos, publications, and more. Need to Know: The program includes a strong foundation in traditional design concepts, including typography and images. Students interact with design professionals in activities including internships.
	Who They Are: Berks Technical Institute, in Wyomissing, Pennsylvania What They Offer: Associate degree in Graphic Design What You Learn: Applications and skills used in desktop publishing, commercial art, printing, and other graphic arts related fields. Specific training is provided in typography, page layout, illustration, and computer animation. Need to Know: This degree program is taught in the day or in the evenings.
	Bradford School Columbus Bradford School Pittsburgh Bradford School of Business Houston Who They Are: Bradford School, in Columbus, Ohio, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and Houston, Texas What They Offer: Associate Degree in Graphic Design What You Learn: A wide variety of design skills in the areas of animation, illustration, and web development. Need to Know: By the time you graduate, you'll develop a portfolio of your work you can use to impress employers.
	Who They Are: Briarcliffe College, in Bethpage and Patchogue, New York What They Offer: Associate and Bachelor Degrees in Graphic Design What You Learn: New advancements and trends in the areas of graphic design, photographic imaging, and computerized design. Need to Know: An emphasis is placed on both design and production skills. Graduates have a portfolio of their work to show prospective employers. The bachelor's degree program is only offered at the Bethpage campus.
	Who They Are: The Career Institute of American International College in Braintree, Cambridge, Framingham, Springfield and Woburn, Massachusetts What They Offer: Certificate in Digital Graphic Design What You Learn: Graphic Design skills, along with how to use tools and computer programs to create digital illustrations and digital media. Need to Know: This program is part of a series of visual communication certificates, including a Digital 3D Design master certificate.
	Who They Are: CollegeAmerica in Colorado Springs, Denver and Fort Collins, Colorado and Cheyenne, Wyoming What They Offer: Associate degree in Graphic Arts What You Learn: Students learn basic design skills in typography, desktop publishing, and prepress operations, along with web design, and animation. They learn specific graphics applications, including Photoshop, Illustrator, and FireWorks. Need to Know: Coursework is presented through a combination of online and classroom training to provide flexibility in learning. The Buzz: The wide variety of skills taught makes this degree ideal for beginners and professionals.
	Who They Are: Digital Media Arts College in Boca Raton, Florida What They Offer:Bachelor and Master's degrees in Graphic Design. What You Learn: Students in the undergraduate program begin with instruction in the basics of design, including drawing, and typography. They are introduced to photography, desktop publishing, and web page design. In the third year of the three year program, students participate in an internship. In the Master's program, students explore advanced topics in advertising, packaging design, and advanced typography, in addition to completing a thesis.
	Who They Are: Ex'pression College for Digital Arts in Emeryville, California What They Offer: Bachelor of Arts in Digital Graphic Design. What You Learn: The principles and practices of visual design used in broadcasting, in print, and on the Internet. The program emphasizes motion graphics and broadcast design, and includes coursework in typography and color theory. Need to Know: Students learn industry standard applications including Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator, Macromedia Dreamweaver and Flash, and other applications, including ProTools and 3D-Max on Macintosh and Dell PCs.
	Who They Are: Sanford-Brown College - Vienna, Virginia What They Offer: Bachelor of Fine Arts in Graphic Design. What You Learn: In addition to the basic skills of drawing, design and typography, students learn advanced techniques in advertising, animation, prepress, and digital imaging. General education courses develop the student's communications and critical thinking skills. Need to Know: Portfolio classes help the student develop examples of their work that can be used when seeking employment.
	Who They Are: Kaplan College in Hagerstown, Maryland What They Offer: Associate degree in Graphic Design. What You Learn: How to combine creative skills with proper design techniques. Graduates may find entry level positions as illustrators, layout artists, or multimedia artists.
	Who They Are: Herzing College in Birmingham, AL, and Madison, WI What They Offer: Associate or Bachelor degree in Interactive and Graphic Arts. What You Learn: A wide variety of graphic design skills in the areas of print, television, multimedia, and online. Courses include typography, desktop publishing, sculpture, and illustration.
	Who They Are: Hesser College, in Manchester and Nashua, New Hampshire What They Offer: Associate degree in Graphic Design. What You Learn: Graphic design skills, printing and production techniques, and the use of computer software in the design field. The program uses a combination of hands-on experience, video and classroom lectures. Need to Know: Offered as a continuing education course at both campuses, convenient for individuals that are currently working. The Manchester campus also offers the program as a traditional, full-time day degree.
	Who They Are: Hickey College in St. Louis, Missouri What They Offer: Associate degree in Graphic Design. What You Learn: How to create graphic designs for businesses. You'll develop a design portfolio as you take courses in Illustration, Animation, and Web Development. Need to Know: Available as a 16 month Associate degree, or as a 12 month diploma program.
	Who They Are: Computer Career Institute at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore and Columbia, Maryland What They Offer: Digital Graphics and Web Design Certificate What You Learn: Design theory and the applications used to create graphics, digital illustrations, and digital media. Need to Know: This program is part of the school's Digital Media series of certificates, which include training on animation and digital video.
	Nashville, Tennessee Detroit, Michigan Seattle, Washington Tampa, Florida Who They Are: International Academy of Design & Technology What They Offer: Associate and Bachelor Degrees in Graphic Design What You Learn: Design theory and the practical application of current technologies, such as multimedia, digital imaging, and the Internet. Hands-on experience helps students develop professional portfolios
	Ft. Wayne Indianapolis Who They Are: International Business College in Fort Wayne and Indianapolis, Indiana What They Offer: Associate degree in Graphic Design What You Learn: Web development, multimedia, animation and illustration skills. Need to Know: 16 month degree program lets you build a portfolio of work to help you land a job.
	Who They Are: Katharine Gibbs School in Melville, Long Island, New York What They Offer: Associate Degree in Graphic Design What You Learn: Key concepts and principles of graphic design, along with the practical skills needed to execute and present your ideas. Courses include computer aided design and multimedia. Need to Know: By the time they graduate from this program, which can be completed in as little as 18 months, students will have created a professional-quality portfolio.
	Who They Are: King's College in Charlotte, NC What They Offer: Associate of Arts degree in Graphic Design What You Learn: The role of graphic design in the business world, and how to produce professional designs that meet the goals of businesses. The Buzz : The school has contacts throughout Charlotte to help you start your graphics design career.
	Who They Are: Minneapolis Business College in Minneapolis, Minnesota What They Offer: Associate of Arts degree in Graphic Design What You Learn: The theory of graphic design, and its practical application in the areas of animation, illustration, and multimedia.
	Who They Are: Ohio Institute of Photography and Technology in Dayton, Ohio What They Offer: Associate degree in Graphic Design What You Learn: How to develop design and composition skills, using traditional hand methods as well as with computer illustration software. Students also learn marketing, and develop their communication skills.
	Who They Are: Pittsburgh Technical Institute in Oakdale, Pennsylvania What They Offer: Graphic Design Associate degree What You Learn: Career related skills in color theory, advertising design, web design, typography and digital imaging. In addition to gaining hands-on experience with technical skills, students develop their creativity and critical thinking skills.
	Who They Are: Platt College, in Los Angeles, Huntington Beach, and Ontario California What They Offer: Diploma and Associate degree programs in Graphic Design What You Learn: Terminology and theory used in the graphic design field, along with a focus on digital imaging, publishing, and digital media. Students gain experience in web page design, digital video, and animation. Need to Know: Both the degree and diploma programs include graphics design training. The degree program adds general education courses in areas including English, Art History, and college math.
	Who They Are: Robert Morris College in Chicago, DuPage, Lake County, Orland Park, and Springfield Illinois What They Offer: Associate and Bachelor degrees in Graphic Arts and a Bachelor degree in Graphic Design What You Learn: Associate degree students learn basic design concepts, including drawing and typography, along with computer-based digital imaging. Bachelor degree students add training in computer animation and 3D modeling. Need to Know: Courses in these degrees prepare graduates for positions both in print and online media.
	Who They Are: Southwest Florida College in Ft. Myers and Tampa, FL What They Offer: Associate degree in Graphic Design What You Learn: Industry standard methods of layout, design, and composition in the graphic design industry. Students use their creative skills to develop a professional portfolio as a capstone project.
	Who They Are: Spencerian College in Lexington, Kentucky What They Offer: Computer Graphic Design Associate degree What You Learn: Graphic design skills needed to seek employment in industries using computer graphics, animation, 3D computer modeling, desktop publishing, and other graphic arts and visual communications services. Need to Know: Choose from concentrations in Print, Digital Illustration, Web Design or 3D Animation.
	Who They Are: Stevens-Henager College, in Boise, Idaho, Logan, Ogden, Salt Lake City, and Murray, Utah What They Offer: Associate degree in Graphic Arts What You Learn: Graphic design skills, including web page design, pre press operations, digital video, and desktop publishing, using tools like Dreamweaver, Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop, and Javascript. The Buzz: Students earn their degree using a combination of classroom and online courses.
	Who They Are: Tri-State Business Institute in Erie, Pennsylvania What They Offer: Diploma in Digital Graphic and Multimedia Design What You Learn: How to create layouts, storyboards and illustrations both by hand and using industry standard software. The Buzz: Hands-on experience helps students learn the fundamentals of graphic design.
	Who They Are: Western Career College, in Emeryville, Pleasant Hill, and San Jose, California What They Offer: Graphic Design associate degree What You Learn: Skills in graphic design, multimedia and web design, and desktop publishing.





	Graphic Design Degrees Visual Communications Web Design

The Art Institute of Pittsburgh -
Online Division
What They Offer: Associate and Bachelor
degrees in Graphic Design