Graphic Design, Interior Design, Fashion Design and Merchandising, Fine Arts and Studio Art, and Music. Each major below links to what it includes, the skills you build, career paths, suggested minors and how many colleges report awarding it.
| Major | Typical degrees | Career paths | Colleges |
|---|---|---|---|
| Graphic Design | Certificate, associate and bachelor's degrees | Graphic Designer, Art Director, UX/UI Designer | 740 |
| Interior Design | Associate, bachelor's and master's degrees | Interior Designer, Set Designer, CAD Drafter | 234 |
| Fashion Design and Merchandising | Associate and bachelor's degrees | Fashion Designer, Apparel Patternmaker, Tailor | 172 |
| Fine Arts and Studio Art | Associate, bachelor's (BA or BFA) and master's (MFA) degrees | Fine Artist, Craft Artist, Art Director | 1,322 |
| Music | Associate, bachelor's and master's degrees | Music Director, Sound Engineer, Self-Enrichment Teacher | 1,198 |
Colleges: active, degree-granting U.S. schools that reported awarding at least one degree or certificate in the field, IPEDS completions, awards conferred July 2023 to June 2024 (C2024_A).
Graphic Design
Teaches you to communicate visually through layout, typography, images and digital media. Graphic design majors learn design principles, typography, layout, branding, illustration and digital design software, building a portfolio along the way.
Skills: Design software, Typography, Visual communication, and Taking feedback. Pairs well with: Marketing, Web Development, Business.
Interior Design
Designs functional, safe and attractive interior spaces. Interior design majors study space planning, materials, lighting, building codes, drafting and design software.
Skills: Space planning, CAD, Color and materials, and Client communication. Pairs well with: Business, Construction Management.
Fashion Design and Merchandising
Studies how clothing and accessories are designed, made and sold. Fashion programs cover design, patternmaking, textiles, garment construction, trend forecasting and fashion merchandising.
Skills: Design, Sewing and patternmaking, Trend analysis, and Visual merchandising. Pairs well with: Marketing, Business.
Fine Arts and Studio Art
Develops your skills in drawing, painting, sculpture, photography and other art forms. Fine arts majors build technical and creative skills in studio courses along with art history and critique, finishing with a portfolio or exhibition.
Skills: Creative technique, Visual analysis, Taking critique, and Self-direction. Pairs well with: Business, Graphic Design, Education.
Music
Studies music performance, theory, history, composition and production. Music majors take lessons and ensembles along with music theory, history and technology.
Skills: Performance, Music theory, Collaboration, and Discipline. Pairs well with: Business, Digital Media, Education.
Practical training for arts and design careers
These Career Education Institute courses connect to the careers above. Each is a short, self-paced online course about one job.
A self-paced online course on what art directors do: duties, 15+ key terms, step-by-step tasks, tools, safety and how to launch the career.
Skills you build: visual concept development, design direction, and typography and layout
Why it fits: Connected to your Graphic Design major
A self-paced online course on what visual merchandisers do: duties, 15+ key terms, step-by-step tasks, tools, safety and how to launch the career.
Skills you build: display design, planogram execution, and mannequin styling
Why it fits: Connected to your Interior Design major
A self-paced online course on what graphic designers do: duties, 15+ key terms, step-by-step tasks, tools, safety and how to launch the career.
Skills you build: typography, layout and composition, and adobe Creative Cloud
Why it fits: Connected to your Graphic Design major
A self-paced online course on what interior designers do: duties, 15+ key terms, step-by-step tasks, tools, safety and how to launch the career.
Skills you build: space planning, autoCAD and Revit, and 3D rendering
Why it fits: Connected to your Interior Design major
A self-paced online course on what music directors do: duties, 15+ key terms, step-by-step tasks, tools, safety and how to launch the career.
Skills you build: conducting, music theory, and score study
Why it fits: Connected to your Music major
A self-paced online course on what fashion designers do: duties, 15+ key terms, step-by-step tasks, tools, safety and how to launch the career.
Skills you build: fashion sketching, pattern making, and garment construction
Why it fits: Connected to your Fashion Design and Merchandising major
Why consider career training alongside college?
Your college major gives you an academic foundation. Short career training can add practical knowledge of a specific job: what the work involves day to day, its vocabulary, common tasks, tools and safety rules. You do not have to wait until graduation: many students take a short course to test a career before choosing a major, to prepare for an internship or a part-time job, or to show employers they understand the work.
Arts and Design majors: frequently asked questions
What are the best arts and design majors?
The best major depends on the career you want. Common choices include Graphic Design, Interior Design, Fashion Design and Merchandising, Fine Arts and Studio Art, and Music. Compare the careers, coursework and skills for each.
How many arts and design majors are there?
This guide covers 5 majors in arts and design: Graphic Design, Interior Design, Fashion Design and Merchandising, Fine Arts and Studio Art, and Music. Colleges may use different names for similar programs.
What careers can you get with a arts and design major?
Careers connected to these majors include graphic designer, art director, interior designer, set designer, fashion designer, apparel patternmaker, fine artist, and craft artist. Some require a degree and a license, while others start with a certificate or on-the-job training.
Which arts and design majors are offered at the most colleges?
Fine Arts and Studio Art (1,322 colleges), Music (1,198 colleges), Graphic Design (740 colleges), and Interior Design (234 colleges), based on IPEDS completions data.
Which arts and design programs can you start with a certificate or associate degree?
Graphic Design, Interior Design, Fashion Design and Merchandising, Fine Arts and Studio Art, and Music are commonly offered as certificates or associate degrees, as well as at higher levels at some schools.
What skills do arts and design majors build?
Common skills include design software, typography, space planning, CAD, design, sewing and patternmaking, creative technique, and visual analysis.
Can I study arts and design online?
Many colleges that offer these majors also report offering fully online programs. Use the college search with a major selected and “Offers fully online programs”, then confirm with each school which programs are online.
Can I start training for a arts and design career before I finish college?
Yes. Short online career training can help you learn what a specific job involves and build practical knowledge while you study. It does not replace a degree or a required license.