Your Guide to Graphic Design Degrees

Table Of Content

• Where Can I Get a Master’s Degree in Graphic Design?
• Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Master's Degrees in Graphic Design
• North Carolina State University
• Best Online Master's in Graphic Design Programs
• Tyler School of Art and Architecture
• Virginia Commonwealth University
• University of California, Los Angeles

Online graphic design master's degree programs prepare graduates for managerial–level positions that oversee entire projects. Some graduates use these skills as classroom teachers, while other graphic designers use their graduate educations to launch their art and design careers as self-employed artists. The three positions below represent a few jobs you can explore after earning your degree. Online master in design programs are ideal for students who wish to advance their careers in advertising, marketing, visual design, graphic design, interactive design, industrial design, or other design fields. The programs are well-suited to those interested in pursuing leadership and strategic roles.

Where Can I Get a Master’s Degree in Graphic Design?

Though not an industry requirement, attending an NASAD-accredited graphic design program may help you stand out from others in the field. You can look up programs in NASAD’s database of accredited institutions to see if your prospective degree is programmatically accredited. After students pass portfolio review, they have access to a collaborative design studio. This space houses amenities any designer needs, like a small library, an individual desk, and access to a full graphic design print production lab- and to which students have 24/7 access. Many of our classes pair students with clients — small businesses, non-profits, cultural institutions — to give students the experience of solving design challenges that will have real, tangible impact.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Master's Degrees in Graphic Design

The Master of Fine Arts degree in visual communication design takes students through intensive training in motion graphics, user experience design, and 3D design. In this advanced degree, students learn how to utilize user experience design to create designs for various products and use cases, including mobile phones, wearables, and medical devices. Rochester Institute of Technology is a private research university in the metropolitan area of New York. It started as a technical training school in 1829, then it changed to its current name in 1944, awarding its first degree eleven years after. Today, it has 78 bachelor’s degree programs, 73 master’s degree programs, and 11 PhD programs. Creating digital and physical products plays an enormous role in today’s global economy.

North Carolina State University

Typically, eligible students receive grant funds to cover a portion of tuition costs each term, in addition to federal financial aid options. Every organization needs to tell a digital story, making graduates of our Digital Media Design Master’s Program valuable employees in a wide range of industries. Online enrollees meet any in-person requirements, such as internships, at approved sites in their local area. Graduate students expand their professional connections by attending virtual networking events. We evaluated each program on the basis of flexibility, faculty, course strength, cost, and reputation. Then we calculated the Intelligent Score for each program on a scale from 0 to 100.

Best Online Master's in Graphic Design Programs

Our instructors are industry professionals who ensure you will have real-world practical experience and leave with an outstanding portfolio. Our instructors are experts in computational design, virtual reality, instructional design, web design, and more. They bring a genuine passion for teaching, with students giving our faculty an average rating of 4.5 out of 5. Learners choose electives or a specialization to gain focused career training. The master's program builds on prior graphic design experience during a bachelor's program.

Earning A Master's In Web Design Online - Forbes

Earning A Master's In Web Design Online.

Posted: Fri, 02 Jun 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]

Tyler School of Art and Architecture

Graphic designers earned the most in Washington, D.C., where they made an average annual salary of $83,070. History of graphic design courses usually cover the development of visual communication from prehistoric cave paintings to today's digital media. Students consider the impact of technological change on graphic communication and create final projects integrating historical and contemporary design elements.

Other Rankings

The Master of Fine Arts in Graphic Design program is a one-year master’s degree comprising four semesters. Students looking for a shorter route to a master’s degree will find this program a great fit. The intensive Master of Arts in Graphic Design program at Maryland Institute College of Art focuses on graphic design language and practice. An outstanding feature of the program is its design studio, which emphasizes building projects across several media. The university's Board of Trustees was inaugurated in 1869, and the institution has continued to offer exciting academic programs.

Keep reading to learn more about earning an online graphic design degree, the best programs, and career options for graduates. Degree requirements often include a capstone or practicum experience or an internship, either of which provides hands-on experience in a professional graphic design setting. If you choose an online master’s in graphic design, you may need to complete internship or practicum requirements in person. Brigham Young University (BYU) is a large private religious university in Provo, Utah, serving 34,000+ students from over 100 countries and all 50 states.

University of California, Los Angeles

Both degree types usually require core and elective coursework, seminars, a portfolio and studio work. An MFA may take longer to complete than an MA and typically prepares graduates for professional fine arts practice. An MA might be a better choice if you plan to do something other than become a professional artist. A master’s in graphic design is a graduate-level degree that prepares students for various arts, digital media and design-related careers. Graphic design master’s programs focus on advanced graphic design theory, concepts, tools and practices. Classes explore typography, design criticism, and graphic design and art history.

Many organizations also offer regional chapters with local events that allow students and professionals to network in person. Postsecondary teachers instruct courses beyond the high school level, often at colleges and universities. Graphic design instructors at postsecondary schools teach students design techniques and best practices.

Online courses may also be asynchronous, meaning you can log on to learn at whatever time is most convenient for you. As of May 2020, graphic designers' average annual income was $58,370, according to the BLS. During the same period, the top-paying industry for graphic designers was the federal executive branch, followed by the software publishing industry.

These programs are usually best for students who aspire to teach graphic design at the college level or pursue doctorates in graphic design. Majoring in graphic design can be worthwhile depending on your career goals and personal interests. Consider whether advanced graphic design skills would help you bring your career plans to life.

The Master of Graphic Design program at North Carolina State University requires 48 credits spanning four semesters. However, students can choose to take on additional coursework to improve their knowledge. The curriculum has a STEM Classification due to its focus on UX/UI design, data visualization, artificial intelligence-informed design, and graphic design software. Earning a bachelor’s degree tends to be a sizable financial and time commitment. College Board reports that the average tuition and fees for a public four-year in-state university is $10,740 annually, while the average cost of a private four-year university is $38,080 annually [4]. RIT offers a well-known graphic design archive, where students can find biographical information on some of the most iconic graphic design artists of the 20th century.

Concentrations such as brand development appeal to students interested in managerial jobs at large marketing agencies. Others, such as exhibition design, attract students preparing for careers as independent artists. Choosing one or two concentrations that interest you automatically creates a shortlist, which you should later analyze in closer detail. ArtCenter College of Design provides students with an online graphic design program that ranks highly among similar degree offerings.

Graphic Design MA at Estonian Academy of the Arts - Dezeen

Graphic Design MA at Estonian Academy of the Arts.

Posted: Thu, 01 Jun 2023 04:17:01 GMT [source]

SPD brings together visual storytellers and their work from across the globe. Members receive discounts on SPD design and storytelling competitions, access to members-only events, and eligibility to serve on the SPD Board of Directors. Our rankings are grounded in a few guiding principles and use the latest statistical data available from trusted sources.

A graphic design graduate degree provides an excellent opportunity to refine your skills, build a portfolio of work and network with other professionals in the field. Find out what to expect from master’s programs in graphic design, including potential graphic design career paths, in the guide below. The department includes an undergraduate BFA in Graphic Design, a Masters in Experiential Graphic Design, and a Master of Fine Arts in Graphic Design. The curriculum emphasizes how to design through organization of visual and verbal information.