Studying Communication Design: Degrees at a Glance
Communication design encompasses such graphic design fields as advertising and Web publishing. After earning a bachelor's degree in communication design, you may work as a graphic designer and create visual images that communicate ideas to consumers through the use of art and technology.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), graphic designers were expected to see a 13% overall increase in employment from 2010-2020. However, those who work in computer systems design and related areas, such as Web design, were expected to see a 61% increase in employment over the same period. As more people use the Internet, graphic designers will be needed less in the printing and publishing industries. A bachelor's degree is usually required to obtain employment, and familiarizing yourself with Web design and interactive media techniques can improve your job prospects. If you already hold a bachelor's degree in an unrelated field, technical training may be all you need to obtain employment as a graphic designer.
| Bachelor's | Master's Degree Courses and Training | |
|---|---|---|
| Who is this degree for? | Individuals without prior education who want to work as graphic designers | Individuals who already have a bachelor's degree and would like to teach or further their design knowledge |
| Common Career Paths (with approximate mean annual salary) | - Graphic designer ($49,000)* - Art director ($96,000)* | - Graphic designer ($49,000)* - Art director ($96,000)* - Postsecondary art teacher (also includes drama and music teachers - $73,000)* |
| Time to Completion | 4 years, full time | 2 years, full time |
| Common Graduation Requirements | - Portfolio review | - Thesis |
| Prerequisites | - Portfolio | - Bachelor's degree (may need to be design-related) - Portfolio |
| Online Availability | Related programs in graphic design are available online | Related programs in graphic design are available online |
Source: *U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2011 figures).
