3 answers
Hope
Student
Grundy Center, Iowa
6
Questions
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What degree do I need to be a graphic designer?
#graphic-design #design #art
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3 answers
Ellen Rosenthal
Retired Art Teacher
239
Answers
Woodbridge, Virginia
Updated
Ellen’s Answer
Hi Hope,
To be a graphic designer, you need to have some experience and demonstrated ability and skills in graphic design. (Duh.) You will need to be willing to work hard, take direction, be humble, and be respectful and polite. Graphic design positions can be competitive, so you will need to be persistent and patient in your job search.
The most direct way is to graduate from an art school or college with a degree in graphic design. You could also get a studio or a "fine arts" degree from regular colleges and universities, but they usually don't focus on graphic design; they will give you a broader education in fine art. If you are set on graphic design, you might focus on looking at art schools that have the computer programs and the technology you will need to be successful.
But beyond the degree, you will need a portfolio of work and, usually, some experience in working with a professional graphic designer through an internship. You will need to work hard in your art classes to produce quality work for your portfolio, both digital and actual artworks. To gain experience, you should look into internships or even part time jobs working with graphic designers. Most art schools now have internship programs that will match you with a professional graphic designer. The graphic designer, besides mentoring you, can also give you recommendations, which you will also need to apply for jobs.
I have heard of graphic designers who don't have a degree in graphic design, but who have had successful careers. However, this may have been true in the past, but nowadays with the sophisticated computer graphics skills needed in graphic design, having a degree with internship experience seems like the way to go.
Summary: You will need a degree in graphic design, a portfolio that showcases your artistic and graphic design skills and abilities, and recommendations from an internship.
Best wishes! It is a great field to get into; well worth all the effort. My sister in law was a graphic designer for a large utilities company, and she had a very happy and successful career.
If you are in high school, talk to your art teacher or guidance counselor to see if they know of any graphic design studios or freelance graphic designers you could visit and do an informational interview.
To be a graphic designer, you need to have some experience and demonstrated ability and skills in graphic design. (Duh.) You will need to be willing to work hard, take direction, be humble, and be respectful and polite. Graphic design positions can be competitive, so you will need to be persistent and patient in your job search.
The most direct way is to graduate from an art school or college with a degree in graphic design. You could also get a studio or a "fine arts" degree from regular colleges and universities, but they usually don't focus on graphic design; they will give you a broader education in fine art. If you are set on graphic design, you might focus on looking at art schools that have the computer programs and the technology you will need to be successful.
But beyond the degree, you will need a portfolio of work and, usually, some experience in working with a professional graphic designer through an internship. You will need to work hard in your art classes to produce quality work for your portfolio, both digital and actual artworks. To gain experience, you should look into internships or even part time jobs working with graphic designers. Most art schools now have internship programs that will match you with a professional graphic designer. The graphic designer, besides mentoring you, can also give you recommendations, which you will also need to apply for jobs.
I have heard of graphic designers who don't have a degree in graphic design, but who have had successful careers. However, this may have been true in the past, but nowadays with the sophisticated computer graphics skills needed in graphic design, having a degree with internship experience seems like the way to go.
Summary: You will need a degree in graphic design, a portfolio that showcases your artistic and graphic design skills and abilities, and recommendations from an internship.
Best wishes! It is a great field to get into; well worth all the effort. My sister in law was a graphic designer for a large utilities company, and she had a very happy and successful career.
Ellen recommends the following next steps:
Gloria Ortiz
Instructional Designer
845
Answers
Irving, Texas
Updated
Gloria’s Answer
Hi Hope,
The simple answer would be a Graphic Design degree, however, it is not the only route to becoming a graphic designer. I know a few graphic designers who began their careers in related fields like Photography, Art, or Video production work. Each of these fields bring you in contact with key concepts important to good graphic design - the best use of color, composition, use of scale, typography, etc. Whatever your major, a minor in graphic design can support your graphic design aspirations. Also begin to work in the programs that support graphic design work - Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Animate come to mind. Skill with the tools can be a good way to get familiar with UX best practices and start to engage in coding as well.
Gloria
The simple answer would be a Graphic Design degree, however, it is not the only route to becoming a graphic designer. I know a few graphic designers who began their careers in related fields like Photography, Art, or Video production work. Each of these fields bring you in contact with key concepts important to good graphic design - the best use of color, composition, use of scale, typography, etc. Whatever your major, a minor in graphic design can support your graphic design aspirations. Also begin to work in the programs that support graphic design work - Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Animate come to mind. Skill with the tools can be a good way to get familiar with UX best practices and start to engage in coding as well.
Gloria
Jessica Gegner
Change Partner Senior
80
Answers
Cincinnati, Ohio
Updated
Jessica’s Answer
Hi, Hope!
The bare minimum to be a graphic designer and be taken seriously by most smaller companies is usually a two-year Associate's Degree in Graphic Design; however, many corporate companies want their employees to have a Bachelor's Degree. I have met some people who have been successful without a degree, but it takes a lot more work and discipline to build up your skills in the Adobe Creative Cloud suite and conduct research online to keep up with current design trends. People who have been successful without a degree tend to start with doing freelance work for friends and family, then branching out to taking real clients. It's harder to have a consistent flow of work and income at first, but as you build your personal brand and make a name for yourself, it should become easier. Ultimately, your portfolio of work (generally 10-15 art pieces that showcase your skills) will be the ticket to landing you the job you want.
In addition to Graphic Design majors, you could also study Art (which is what I did) and concentrate most of your classes/electives on Graphic Design. Also, degrees in Advertising, Marketing, and Communications can offer the skills necessary to be a graphic designer. So far in my career, I've been a Graphic Designer and Web Designer in Marketing offices and I've been a Presentation Designer in Communications offices, so studying those adjacent majors could also put you on the path toward being a graphic designer.
Good luck!
The bare minimum to be a graphic designer and be taken seriously by most smaller companies is usually a two-year Associate's Degree in Graphic Design; however, many corporate companies want their employees to have a Bachelor's Degree. I have met some people who have been successful without a degree, but it takes a lot more work and discipline to build up your skills in the Adobe Creative Cloud suite and conduct research online to keep up with current design trends. People who have been successful without a degree tend to start with doing freelance work for friends and family, then branching out to taking real clients. It's harder to have a consistent flow of work and income at first, but as you build your personal brand and make a name for yourself, it should become easier. Ultimately, your portfolio of work (generally 10-15 art pieces that showcase your skills) will be the ticket to landing you the job you want.
In addition to Graphic Design majors, you could also study Art (which is what I did) and concentrate most of your classes/electives on Graphic Design. Also, degrees in Advertising, Marketing, and Communications can offer the skills necessary to be a graphic designer. So far in my career, I've been a Graphic Designer and Web Designer in Marketing offices and I've been a Presentation Designer in Communications offices, so studying those adjacent majors could also put you on the path toward being a graphic designer.
Good luck!