Graphic Design Degree Types

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Graphic Design Diploma

A diploma is a certificate issued by an educational institution, testifying that the recipient has completed a particular course of study. Diploma is used in some countries, such as the UK and Australia, to refer to a level of academic award, also called testimonium or testamur. In other countries such as India and Pakistan, a diploma is the equivalent of an associate’s degree. In the US, a diploma is usually a document received at the end of higher education or a specific academic award.

Graphic design diploma programs are developed by professionals in advertising, marketing and printing; the three skills essential for success in the field.

A diploma in graphic design prepares students for a wide range of careers, including the following titles:

  • Web Page Designer
  • Illustrator/Page Layout Artist
  • Production Manager
  • Marketing/Advertising

Students learn how to prepare designs for print, websites and other sorts of interactive media. They receive a hands-on practice on different software, such as Photoshop, Illustrator, Adobe Flash, Adobe InDesign, Dreamweaver, Quark Express and many others. They also learn all types of layout and composition techniques to build high-quality visual presentations, through print or electronic media, for organizations as well as marketing and advertisement agencies.

The Occupational Outlook Handbook, issued by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) in 2010, indicates that 38 percent of graphic designers work for newspapers, periodicals and directory publishers, while almost 60 percent are self-employed. Competition in this field is expected to rise, as the arts usually attract many creative, talented individuals.

Earning a diploma in graphic design is a good step towards career advancement and skills and knowledge development. It is an excellent way for fresh graduates to increase their knowledge on their area of study.

Graphic Design Certificate

Professionals seeking career advancement, career change or simply a bigger paycheck can do so by increasing their knowledge and skills through certifications or academic degrees. Choosing a certification program comes in handy to individuals who have already obtained an academic degree and simply wish to sharpen their skills and keep up-to-date with the latest technologies in their field of expertise. The course of study in a certification program is usually short, taking anywhere between 3 months to one year.

A graphic design certificate program is designed specially to help students become efficient in using the latest design technologies. It covers many areas in the field of graphic design, including print, the web, color systems and image manipulation and production. Students learn how to use the basic programs used by every graphic designer, including Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator and InDesign.

Some graphic design certificate programs also concentrate on Cascading Style Sheets (CSS), XHTML, JavaScript and Flash to design and develop media-rich websites. Extra emphasis is usually put on website architecture, user interface design and content management systems such as WordPress. After completing the course of study, students should be able to assemble content into aesthetically appealing and interactive websites.

Annual incomes vary among graphic designers, depending on the title, region and industry. Other factors influencing the earning power of a graphic designer include training and experience.

Graphic Design Associates Degree

Most students nowadays realize that getting more education after high school will significantly increase their chances of building a successful career. An Associate’s degree is an undergraduate academic degree obtained after completing a course of study at a community college, junior college, technical college or university, typically for two years.

An Associate degree in graphic design can open the opportunity for a career as a graphic designer, graphic artist or illustrator. The course of study usually includes illustration in color theory, design fundamentals, digital imaging, and typography. Other classes might include design for corporations, advertising and computer aided drawing. By the end of their study, students should be able to use color and design theory to design and produce documents, advertisements, webpages and more.

The focus in this associate’s degree program is on how graphic design theory and techniques can be the tools used towards having a professional career as a graphic designer or artist. Students learn the basics of art, color theory and design. They also learn how these basic elements can be used in the corporate and business world, mainly through designing logos and advertisements.

The income for graphic designers depends mainly on the place of employment and level of responsibilities. The employment of graphic designers will stay about the same at least until 2024. The demand for fine artists, illustrators, and multi-media artists is also expected to stay about the same.

Many educational institutions nowadays are offering online degrees for those students who prefer to pursue their degree from the convenience of their own home.

Graphic Design Bachelor’s Degree

Graphic design is an interesting creative combination of visualization and concept building. It describes the printing of images on material, and creating images for web pages. The Bachelor of Science in Graphic Design degree program is a four-year program which provides students with the opportunity to gain an understanding of design, color, composition and typography. Students in this program will receive intensive training in creative problem-solving. They learn how provide effective solutions in the business and corporate world.

This program typically includes instruction in both traditional and digital images. It provides students with a great opportunity to join the fast-growing field of graphics, seen in layouts, labels, brand name signatures and, of course, web designing. During their course of study, students will create and develop a portfolio of professional quality work and projects, including posters and web images.

The coursework of a Bachelor of Science in Graphic Design degree program will mainly focus on three important computer programs: Photoshop, Illustrator and Quark. By the end of their study, students should be able to prepare sketches, either by hand or using a computer. They will also be able to work with fonts, images, photos, animation and other elements of design.

Students nowadays have a great opportunity of pursuing their academic degrees online, with the extra advantage of joining a very prestigious educational institution from the convenience of a home.

Graphic Design Master’s Degree

Working in different technical and advertising fields, professionals with a Bachelor’s degree in graphic design seeking career advancement can improve their skills and further their education by joining a graduate program in order to gain a Master’s degree in the field. A Master’s degree in graphic design is a program that is specially designed to prepare individuals to use their knowledge of artistic and computer techniques to the interpretation of technical and commercial principles. This program trains students to utilize design, art, photography and other software or tools.

The course of study in this program includes the various aspects of the application of the tools mentioned above, either through theory or coursework. While some graphic designers still use manual tools, such as pencils and papers, a graphic design master’s degree program aims at enabling students to integrate graphic technologies with core skills and techniques.

A master’s degree in graphic design will most likely command a higher pay rate and a better job status and career prospects. A report released by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) indicated that the demand and new career opportunities for holders of master’s degrees in graphic design will increase at an average rate – about 10 percent through 2016.

In addition to becoming a better graphic designer, obtaining a master’s degree in graphic design opens the possibility for a student to pursue career opportunities in art, graphics-related journalism and animation.

Many accredited art schools and colleges offer online master’s degree programs in art and graphic design. A master’s degree in graphic design is considered nowadays as one of the most prestigious and best paying positions in the sector, including creative director and design manager.