Graphic designers need a combination of artistic sensibility and technical skills. In addition to traditional art courses, they must master computer software. Look for a school that offers programs accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). These schools have high standards to help students become professional graphic designers.
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Accreditation
A certificate in a specific area of graphic design may be enough to secure you a job in this industry. However, according to the U.S. Department of Labor, the more well-rounded education a formal bachelor’s degree can provide will be more attractive to employers. Whether you are seeking to gain a deeper understanding of the history and theory behind graphic design or are simply looking for a school that will prepare you for the demands of the industry, you’ll want to ensure that your chosen program is accredited by an agency recognized by the Department of Education. This ensures that the program adheres to established academic standards and allows students to apply for federal financial aid.
You’ll also want to be sure that your chosen program offers a curriculum that balances conceptual learning with hands-on practical experiences. Look for a program that provides studio art, digital media, typography, commercial graphics production and graphic design-related computer technology courses. Additionally, a quality graphic design program will offer various opportunities to develop and produce work in multiple mediums, such as brochures, advertising and illustration, and establish ties with professional design companies that can open internship doors for graduates. If you prefer a more traditional college experience but are still interested in pursuing your love for the arts, you can pursue an associate degree in graphic design at ACC. This accredited program provides several benefits to aspiring designers, including multiple client experiences, critiques of student work, a curated portfolio and a professional network.
Industry Connections
Whether you want to work in publishing layouts, book jackets, app interfaces or ads, graphic designers are involved with every aspect of how we consume information. That means that the right school can help you build a solid base in artistic sensibility and technical understanding, making it easier to find a job post-graduation. In addition to the art studio, computerized design and theory courses that typically fall under a fine arts or visual arts curriculum, many graphic design schools also offer coursework in business, marketing, writing, foreign languages/cultural studies, sociology and other areas of study that can enhance your overall skillset. The goal is to make you a more well-rounded designer who can adapt to various industries, which is why some programs include a broad liberal arts education. Some schools offer a BFA in Graphic Design focused on creating actionable workforce skills. Many prospective graphic designers are still interested in learning about what programs are used for graphic design. Graphic designers are responsible for all of the print and web graphics we see in advertisements and publishing, and they create these designs almost entirely on computers. The software graphic designers use falls into a wide range of categories. Designers need raster and vector graphic editing programs and page layout software to compose and lay out their creations. Typographers need font-making software to develop the TrueType and OpenType font files used by everyone from Hollywood film editors to the average home computer user, and they utilize font management software to keep track of the thousands of fonts on their computers.
The first program a graphic designer needs is a raster image editor, such as Adobe Photoshop or GIMP. These programs offer advanced capabilities for editing photos and images, including retouching, painting, cropping and drawing. They are also great for adding text and shapes to designs. Many people also use free, open-source raster programs, such as Krita or Inkscape, which are more user-friendly for beginners and available for Windows and Mac computers.
Another essential piece of graphic design software is Adobe InDesign, which helps designers create and layout pages for magazines, books, reports and other publications. It allows them to work with grids, add bleed and trim marks for printing and create multiple pages in the same document. It also lets them create a template for text and images that can be reused on future projects.
Student-Faculty Relationships
The best graphic design schools offer more than just the right mix of classes and hands-on practical experience. They also foster collaboration and creativity that helps students learn from each other. Look for schools with student-led galleries, workshops and conferences. These events provide an excellent way to get hands-on experience displaying and selling your work. They are also a great way to meet fellow creatives and build your network of potential future colleagues.
Additionally, it is important to find out what kind of support a school offers. Look for academic and financial aid services that help guide you through the entire process of obtaining a degree in design. Ask the admissions team for details about these programs. Reviewing the school’s learning outcomes list to see their academic focus is also helpful.
Career Opportunities
While working as a freelance graphic designer without a degree is possible, finding full-time employment is challenging. A bachelor’s degree program gives students the skills and credentials they need to pursue various professional opportunities in their field of choice. Depending on the design area, a typical curriculum may include courses such as website visual design, studio art, computerized design and animation, printing techniques, commercial graphics production, typography and more. In addition, a good graphic design school will also provide a liberal arts education with classes such as writing, art history, sociology and foreign languages/cultural studies to help aspiring designers become well-rounded.
Students will need high technological fluency to create and prototype advanced design systems. They should be strategic thinkers with a strong sense of the creative process.
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