If you’re thinking about taking a graphic design degree course, stop thinking and start doing. There’s never been a better time to become a graphic designer than right now. With the demand for web design and many other applications higher than ever, the reasons to choose a career in graphic designs should be pretty clear already. But if they’re not, here are the top three reasons you should get your degree in graphic design, right now.
Reason # 1: The Flexibility of the Program
One of the best things about graphic design degree courses is that you can take them online. Since the job you will get is flexible, often allowing you to work on your own schedule from a computer, it makes sense that you would take your courses in the same manner. Of course, this doesn’t make it your typical online courses as with other skills and occupations.
It’s just that the graphic design industry affords you the opportunity to get your degree and learn online from home. Most online courses will consist of something like a two-year program with six fifteen-week semesters. Classes are assigned credits and you’ll have to take a certain amount of generally education credits as well. Some programs require you to come into a physical location for certain courses, but the bottom line is that remote learning is the teaching method of the future—graphic design courses are one of the first to fully embrace this idea.
Reason #2: the Things You’ll Learn
Of course, one of the best reasons you should take a graphic design degree course is the simple fact that you will learn to be a person that can make a living doing graphic design. Through the design courses you take, you’ll learn to be proficient in the traditional elements of art and design. Gaining both a foundation in color, composition and typography upon which to build, plus the progressive knowledge that will allow you to expand upon that foundation, you will learn to be a professional graphic designer.
You’ll study the software that makes the industry what it is, gaining a grasp of standard imaging and illustration tools as well as drawing, photography, web publishing and much more—and that’s all in your first year! During your second year, you’ll continue to delve into the tools and techniques of the trade, developing your own professional design theory and technique to help you stand out in the business world.
Plus, you’ll have a foundation in business, compu-tech, writing, art history and psychology so that when you get out into the real world, you’ll be able to tie everything together and make a career for yourself. You’ll know about print production and how to package and brand your talents. You talents will only be as good as you can market them, which is why the comprehensive graphic design courses included in degree track programs are essential to anyone who wishes to make money as a graphic designer.
All this and you’ll be building up your portfolio throughout the entire two years.
Reason #3: the Career You’ll Have
Finally, the ultimate goal of any degree program—aside from learning a trade and mastering it—is starting your career afterward. Being a graphic designer means always having a job opportunity waiting for you thanks to the incredible reliance the consumer market has on the Internet. Your background in digital visual media will help businesses and individuals communicate their concepts and ideas to their clientele, a vital part of their business.
You will have a creative job that mixes art, entertainment, creativity and your own ideas. From logo creation to website design to designing full advertising campaigns, as a graphic designer, your expertise and creative vision will be called upon time and time again. You’ll get to solve unique problems and add your own vision to that of your client’s, helping to bring their message to the world. This ensures that no two jobs will ever be exactly alike.
Plus, you’ll be able to freelance and telecommute. The jobs you take can be on your own discretion if you’d like. Freelancing lets you be your own boss, picking the jobs you want, setting your own rates and working on them at your own pace. Or, if a structured environment better suits you, you can work in a graphic design department with other designers—or telecommute from home.
The bottom line is that there are tons of reasons why you should get your degree in graphic design—not just three of them. So get started down the path to design greatness and don’t land just any old job, get a career in graphic design.