What kind of degree do I need to get to be a graphic designer?

Hi Brittany,

I am not a graphic designer, but I've worked with many over the past 10 years. Some had so many degrees it was crazy, others had an associates/bachelors (and sometimes not even in graphic design). What is important is your portfolio/skills, your attitude, and your ability to work collaboratively with others under occasionally difficult situations.

If you want to be a graphic designer, start designing graphics right away (even for imaginary websites, apps, whatever gets you excited)- the key is to build up your skill set to the level that your work stands out from the crowd.

Make sure that you tailor the pieces that you put in your portfolio to the company that you are sharing it with.

Make sure that you get a Summer job/internship every opportunity that you have. At your age, you are not expected to have worked at any one place for a long time, but showing that you've worked in an office environment specifically doing the job that you are applying for, gives you more credibility than any degree would.

A degree might get you in the door, but the work and you personality is what will get (or lose) a job.

Get started! Go make some awesome stuff that you would want to use, solve real problems that you experience in your life, and focus on the user's experience.

Good luck.

Hi Brittany,

That's a great question. I was wondering the same thing when I was in high school. Since my family wasn't able to support me if I wanted to attend a private art school and I didn't want to rack up student debt, I decided to go to City College of San Francisco. I got my Associates degree in design there, mean while building up my portfolio. I, then, transferred to San Jose State University and finished my double major in design and digital arts. Keep in mind that in the design field, your portfolio work and the connections you make, actually can push get you really far. My college friend recommended me for a design job at an agency. Without that connection, it might have taken me longer. It's important to not only get a degree in your field, but build the network of people who will vouch for your work, work ethic and how you work with others. You don't need a master's degree, unless you plan to teach design. As for design jobs, you can get any now, just showcase your work online, on places like Dribbble or Behance and people will take notice. Hope this given you some insight. :)

Dream big, Vivian

Graphic Design was at one point an apprenticed profession - you worked for someone who’d teach you the craft of design - today’s graphic design is a diverse discipline requiring a mastery of a many of skills all driven by software. Today practicing designers come to the profession with varied levels of education from simple certificates in design (MassArt has a great design certificate program) to master’s degrees. I believe that although certification may give you a basis to be a practicing designer, a BFA in design better equips you for the profession. I recommend a blended curriculum covering the foundations of design (color, typography, layout) as these apply to both to print and digital work; learn to code (HTML.CSS and Javascript) as these skills are in demand and make for long term employment. Take courses in business (development, contracts, negotiations, ethics, accounting, customer relationship management, time and project management) are essential if you plan at some point to go it alone as a freelancer or be part of a design firm. Good luck!