GRAPHIC DESIGNERS FROM OUR DESIGN COMMUNITY
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home > EDUCATION > GRAPHIC DESIGN SCHOOLS FOR GRAPHIC DESIGN
Graphic designers are communicators, using various forms and methods to convey a message. Common mediums include illustration, animation, print, electronic media, photography and more. Graphic designers can be found across nearly every industry--from journalism to business, government to education. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, a bachelor's degree is typically required to secure entry-level employment in the graphic design industry. However, graphic design programs are also available at the certificate and associate's degree level.
Over 300 graphic design programs have been accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design. Graphic design schools traditionally offer similar curriculum, including graphic design courses in the following:
If you have completed a bachelor's degree in another field, some graphic design schools offer two- and three-year graphic design programs.
Graphic Design Careers: Employment Outlook
The Bureau of Labor Statistics notes that graphic designers should enjoy solid job prospects between 2008 and 2018--growth is projected at 13 percent. In 2008, over 280,000 graphic designers were employed across the country. In 2009, graphic designers earned a median annual salary of $43,180, with the top 10 percent earning over $76,000 per year.
As noted above, graphic designers are not limited to one field. Various industries hire graphic designers, including the following:
In 2009, the top paying states included California, New York, and Connecticut.
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