Online Graphic Design Degree Programs

An accredited online graphic design degrees may be for you if you are artistically gifted and creative. There are various avenues that one can pursue in the art and design profession.

If you aspire to work in a creative and technologically-advanced facility as part of a team of editors and designers in broadcast design, digital design, film, video, animation, you might consider looking into a graphic design program. Graphic designers work with sound and visual effect, both on the screen and in computing. Online Web designers also work in multimedia development and production. In many ways they are communication experts because they communicate information via words, video, graphics. This is all in the field of visual communications. To get to that point, you will need to work on a degree in that area, and online graphic design degrees or web design degrees will get you there. Learn more about some of the top programs are listed below by requesting additional information from the individual colleges.

Art & Design Degree Programs

Graphic Design Programs

Capella University

• Bachelor of Science in Information Technology/Graphics and Multimedia

Full Sail University

• Master of Fine Arts in Media Design

International Academy of Design & Technology Online and International Academy of Design and Technology

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

South University Online

• Bachelor of Science in Information Technology/Web Management

Westwood College

• Associate of Applied Science in Graphic Design & Multimedia
• Bachelor of Science in Animation

• AASCIS/Web Development
• Bachelor's in Multimedia and Animation
• Internet and Website Development Certificate

• Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in Visual Communication - Digital Design

Art Institute Online and The Art Institutes

• Associate of Science - Graphic Design
• Bachelor of Science - Graphic Design
• Associate of Science - Web Design and Interactive Media
• Bachelor of Science - Web Design and Interactive Media

• Associate of Science in Graphic Design (ASGrD)
• Bachelor of Science in Graphic Design (BSGrD)

Graphic Design Education and Training

Online graphic design degree programs and related online web design programs are available in the programs listed above. When doing your research you to look at each of the programs to make sure that each will lead you to the career path you desire.

One important thing to look for is the hand-on experience in addition to learning the theory side. One advantage of many of these programs is that you can take on web design for example web animation, motion graphics, e-commerce site development, Flash media design etc. Graphic design courses in the curriculum might include:

• Digital Imaging
• Web Design
• Information Design
• Animation
• Visual Design Principles
• Visual Design Theory
• Digital Video

Online graphic design courses may include, 3-D design, illustration, game design, architectural design, 2-D design, and web design. Students may also take courses in branding, marketing, advertising, public relations, or communications, depending on the area that you wish to specialize in.

Graphic Design Careers

Graphic design work with color, layout, fonts, graphics and images as well as other visual elements to communicate ideas, information, and news. Graphic designers influence how we visually perceive the world. They design company logos, signs, magazine layouts, product packaging, Web pages, etc.

The skills necessary for a successful graphic design career include artistic skills, communication skills, technical skills, and organizational skills. These are skills you will learn in an online graphic design degree program. About 25% of graphic designers are self-employed and while others who have full time jobs also also do freelance work.

Some professionals with an online graphic design degree work for magazines, book publishers, advertising firms, public relations firms, newspapers, Internet companies, e-commerce companies, television and movie production companies, to mention a few possible employers. With a graphic design masters degree you would generally work in management positions.

Estimated Income and Projected Career Growth

At present the medium income from a graphic designer is about $40,000 annually while a top-level graphic designer earns over $70,000 a year.

• Graphic designers - $38,030
• Interior designers - $40,670
• Multi-media artists and animators - $50,360
• Commercial designers - $52,310
• Fashion designers - $55,840
• Computer programmers - $62,890
  

With an online graphic design degree, you can expect an average salary of about $58,000. Other graphics professionals’ income varies, but the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) estimates the following salaries by the specific qualifications. The BLS also reports that the employment of graphic designers is expected to grow by 13% between 2008 and 2018.