Education and Training

Earning graphic design degree requires taking courses in areas such as computerized design, principles of design, commercial graphics production, studio art, Web site design, and printing techniques. Other courses necessary for earning a graphic design degree are psychology, writing, foreign languages, art history, sociology, and marketing. Some employers will accept an associate level degree, though the majority of them prefer a minimum of bachelor’s degree.

Employment Opportunities

A person with a graphic design degree generally pursues a career as a graphic artist. The graphic artist may gain employment with one company or work on a freelance basis, working on a contractual basis with multiple clients.

Whether the graphic designer is employed with a company or works on a freelance basis, the basic responsibilities remain the same. Using the skills gained while earning the graphic design degree, the designer must first analyze the visual communication needs of the client and then plan and create methods of making these communications successful. This can include utilizing a number of different media, including electronic, print, and film. In doing so, the graphic designer must utilize layout techniques, color, photography, type font, animation, and more.

Job Outlook and Salary

According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment opportunities for a person with a graphic design degree are expected to grow about as fast as the average occupation over the next several years. The Bureau reports that the median annual salary for graphic designers in May 2004 was $38,030. Those working within the architectural and engineering fields earned the most, with a median annual salary of $42,740. Those working with newspapers, books, periodicals, and directories earned the least with a median annual salary of $32,390.

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