Online Graphic Design Degree Programs

An online graphic design degree and a careers in the arts is based on being creative in both print and digital media. The career focuses on relaying a message to an audience in an efficient and aesthetically pleasing way using visual creations.

Graphic artists use their talent to organize color, font, illustration, photography, and layout to create images and visual effects. Graphic designers work on sketches and layouts by hand or using computer software for visual illustration. They select colors, sound, artwork, photography, and animation.The expanding market for web design, multimedia projects, and video entertainment has made graphic design an increasingly important field. Graphic designers use graphics and animation software to create layouts and design elements and to program animated graphics. Graphic designer, also known as graphic artists plan, analyze, and create visual solutions to communications issues. They look for effective ways to transmit a messages via print and electronic media using color, type, illustration, photography, animation, and print and layout techniques. These are skills that are learned in a graphic design degree program.

Selected Digital Design & Graphic Arts Programs

Full Sail University

• Bachelors - Computer Animation
• Bachelors - Digital Arts & Design
• Bachelors - Entertainment Business
• Bachelors - Film
• Bachelors - Game Art
• Bachelors - Game Development
• Bachelors - Recording Arts
• Bachelors - Show Production
• Masters - Entertainment Business
• Masters - Game Design

Art Institute Online and The Art Institute Campus

• Advertising — Bachelor of Science
• Digital Design — Diploma
• Entertainment Design — Bachelor of Science
• Graphic Design — Associate of Science
• Graphic Design — Bachelor of Science
• Industrial Design Technology — Associate of Science
• Industrial Design — Bachelor of Science
• Interior Design — Bachelor of Science
• Kitchen & Bath Design — Associate of Science
• Fashion & Retail Management — Bachelor of Science
• Digital Filmmaking & Video Production — Associate of Science
• Digital Filmmaking & Video Production — Bachelor of Science
• Game Art & Design — Bachelor of Science
• Media Arts & Animation — Bachelor of Science
• Photography — Associate of Science
• Photography — Bachelor of Science
• Visual Effects & Motion Graphics — Bachelor of Science
• Web Design & Interactive Media — Associate of Science
• Web Design & Interactive Media — Bachelor of Science
• Web Design — Diploma

American InterContinental University and American InterContinental University Online

• Associate's (AABA) - Visual Communication
• Associate in Arts in Business Administration - Visual Communications.
• Bachelor of Visual Communication
• Bachelor of Fine Arts - Digital Design
• Bachelor of Fine Arts - Web Design

Kaplan University

• Associate of Applied Science in Computer Information Systems/Web Development
• Bachelor of Science in Information Technology/Web Multimedia and Animation
• Internet and Website Development Certificate

International Academy of Design and Technology (IADT) and International Academy of Design & Technology Online (IADT Online)

• Associate of Science in Building Information Modeling
• Associate of Science in Graphic Design
• Associate of Science in Information Technology
• Associate of Science in Web Design & Development
• Bachelor of Arts in Fashion Merchandising
• Bachelor of Fine Arts in Advertising Design
• Bachelor of Fine Arts in Digital Media Production
• Bachelor of Fine Arts in Game Production
• Bachelor of Fine Arts in Graphic Design
• Bachelor of Science in Information Technology
• Bachelor of Science in Internet Marketing
• Bachelor of Science in Web Design and Development

University of Phoenix

• Visual Communication (Certificate)

DeVry University

• Web Graphic Design (Associate's)

Stevens-Henager College

• Bachelor of Science in Graphic Arts
• Associate of Science in Graphic Arts

Bryant & Stratton College

• AAS - Interactive Media Design

Westwood College

• Bachelor of Science in Web Design and Multimedia
• Bachelor of Science in Interior Design
• Bachelor of Science in Fashion Merchandising
• Bachelor of Science in Game Art and Design
• Bachelor of Science in Game Software Development
• Associate - Graphic Design and Multimedia

Art & Design Programs in Canada (Diploma Programs)

Visual College of Art and Design

Applied Arts Program

• 3D Animation, Modeling Art and Design
• Graphic Design
• Web Design and Programming

Reeves College

Department of Technology

• Computer Graphic Design (CGD)

Vancouver Career College

Department of Technology and Trades

• Computer Graphic Design (CGD)

Search for Online Graphic Design College Programs

Locate Graphic Arts Programs in your area

Graphic Design Education and Training

To get into an arts or graphics career you would need to have at least an associates or bachelors graphic design degree for an entry level job. With a masters graphic design degree you would take higher level courses in design and design management. With an associates online graphic design degree you can work to help established professionals with many of the technical aspects of the job. While in school, be sure to get into an internship or working part time to get some experience as you learn more about the career path. That way you get to also create a professional portfolio, which is an absolute key to advancing in your career and getting better positions. If you go for a bachelor graphic design degree you can estimate about four years to graduate while with an associate degrees and certificate programs you would spend about two to three yeas. Graduates of 2-year online graphic design degree programs normally qualify to work as assistants to graphic designers or for positions requiring technical skills.

Graphic Design Careers

Graphic designers are also known as graphic artists. Regardless of the graphic design degree program of study, their job is to plan, analyze, and create visual solutions in order to ensure effective communication and message delivery. They do so using print, electronic, and film media, where they use various methods and techniques that include color, type, illustration, photography, animation, and layout techniques.

Graphic designers work for magazines, newspapers, journals, corporate reports, and other publications to develop the overall layout and production design for visual communication. They also work in positions where they produce promotional displays, packaging, and marketing brochures for products and services, design distinctive logos for products and businesses, and develop signs and signage systems for various businesses and organizations. An increasing number of graphic designers also work to develop material for the Internet, interactive media, and multimedia and in turn graphic design degree programs are offering more and more graphic design courses in these areas.

Expected Income and Expected Career Growth

On average, with an online graphic design degree, graphic designers make around $40,000 a year, although there is a wide range depending on where you end up working. This can be anywhere from $23,200 to $100,000. Higher salaries are usually the result of owning or partially owning a graphic design firm. Many graphic designers are self-employed or do freelance work in addition to holding a regular job.

As computers and the Internet continue to there are expected to be more new jobs in the field of graphic design. Those with web site design experience are likely to have the best opportunities although many graphic designers can be employed by advertising, desktop publishing, publishing, or design firms or by smaller design consulting firms. Others with an online graphic design degree work in architectural firms and printing companies.

Online graphic design degree programs and advertising degree programs