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Design Degree Overview

Design is the meeting point of art and functionality. It is the collection of techniques that convert ideas, information, and feelings into visual symbols engineered to influence the way people perceive the world. A degree in design will combine basic disciplines of art with practical marketing information to build the foundation of a successful career. Design is a broad concentration within the department of Arts and Humanities. Typically, students will select an emphasis in the area of design that they wish to pursue in their career. Some areas include: interior design, illustration and drawing, graphic design, fashion design, photography, commercial design, industrial design, multimedia, advertising, and many more. One of the most common areas of expertise is graphic design, which involves the integration of text, graphics, art, and other visual elements to communicate an idea. Graphic design elements include: web sites, posters, packaging, signs, advertising, electronic forms of visual information, print, and more.

Graphic Design Curriculum

The curriculum for the graphic design program could include courses such as basic computer programs, computer languages, programming, operating systems, animation, graphic design, HTML, software design, mathematics, drawing, drafting, survey, philosophy of art, field study, advanced design concepts (advertising), clothing and culture, basic presentation, industrial design, computer art, and typography. A degree in graphic design will prepare students with an extremely diverse level of skills, which in turn, could lead to an equally diverse assortment of projects or companies with which that student could work during the course of his/her career. Projects could include: logo design, diagrams and schematics for a company, greeting cards, advertising campaigns, book designs, commerce websites, surface design for a sport manufacturer, title graphics for feature films, user manuals, interpretive labels, signage and wayfinding for a metropolitan transit system, and brand identity for a global company. Because there are so many different career opportunities within the design field, the level of training requirements may vary.For example, someone who works within an interior design firm or advertising agency may be required to earn a degree while a freelance photographer may not.

Careers in Design

There are numerous career opportunities available in the field of design. Graduate students of basic design will be prepared for entry-level positions in graphic design, advertising, software, or web design. Additional training will allow students to specialize in more advanced positions. Almost 75% of all working artists are self-employed, which makes competition for work, both freelance and full-time, highly competitive. Income levels vary greatly depending on the level of one's training, skills, location and specialty. Working conditions also vary greatly. One can choose to work independently by being self-employed or by freelancing to several different companies. Or one can choose to work in a group/team environment working for an advertising, publishing, or design firm. According to the U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), employment of graphic designers is expected to grow about as fast as the average for all occupations through the year 2014, as demand for graphic designers continues to increase. The median annual salary for a graphic designer in 2004 was $38,030.