Graphic Design Major: What It Includes, Classes and Careers

A Graphic Design major 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.

A Graphic Design major includes coursework in design principles, typography, layout and publication design, branding and identity, and digital illustration and more. You build skills such as design software, typography, visual communication, and taking feedback. Programs often include building a portfolio. Typical degrees: certificate, associate and bachelor's degrees.

Typical courses include design principles, typography, layout and publication design, branding and identity, digital illustration, and web and interface design. Exact course names and requirements vary by college, and most degrees also include general education courses.

It depends on the level. Graphic Design is offered as certificate, associate, bachelor’s, and master’s awards at U.S. colleges; certificates take from a few months to about two years, an associate degree usually takes about two years of full-time study, a bachelor’s degree usually takes about four years of full-time study, and a master’s degree usually takes one to two years after a bachelor’s. Part-time study takes longer.

Certificate, associate and bachelor's degrees. In the latest federal data, 201 colleges reported certificate awards, 252 colleges reported associate awards, 428 colleges reported bachelor’s awards, and 47 colleges reported master’s awards.

Career paths connected to graphic design include graphic designer, art director, UX/UI designer, web developer, desktop publisher, animator, and prepress technician. Some roles need additional training, experience, certification or a license.

Examples include graphic designer (typical training: 4 years or portfolio-based training), art director (typical training: 4 years plus 5+ years of experience), ux/ui designer (typical training: 4 years or bootcamp plus portfolio), web developer (typical training: 6 months to 4 years), desktop publisher (typical training: 2-year degree), and animator (typical training: 4 years plus reel).

Graphic Design majors build skills such as design software, typography, visual communication, taking feedback, and portfolio development.

Good pairings include Marketing (connects design to campaigns and business goals), Web Development (lets you build the websites you design), and Business (useful for freelance work).

Often, yes. Programs commonly include building a portfolio. Ask each college how its program arranges hands-on work.

It can be a good fit if you are interested in the work it leads to, such as graphic designer, art director, and UX/UI designer, and enjoy subjects like design principles and typography. No major guarantees a job, so compare the coursework, the careers and the education each career requires before deciding.

How hard it feels depends on your strengths. Core coursework includes design principles, typography, and layout and publication design; if those subjects interest you, the major is likely to feel more manageable. Reviewing a college’s course list and talking to current students helps you judge.

740 U.S. colleges reported awarding degrees or certificates in this field in the latest federal (IPEDS) data. Programs can have different names at different schools.

California (90), New York (41), Illinois (39), Pennsylvania (37), and Ohio (35), based on the colleges that reported awards in this field.

631 of the colleges that offer graphic design also report offering at least one program entirely online, though not necessarily this one. Use the college search with this major and “Offers fully online programs”, then confirm with the school.

Graphic Design teaches you to communicate visually through layout, typography, images and digital media. Interior Design designs functional, safe and attractive interior spaces. Graphic Design leads to careers such as graphic designer and art director, while Interior Design leads to careers such as interior designer and set designer.

Graphic Design teaches you to communicate visually through layout, typography, images and digital media. Fashion Design and Merchandising studies how clothing and accessories are designed, made and sold. Graphic Design leads to careers such as graphic designer and art director, while Fashion Design and Merchandising leads to careers such as fashion designer and apparel patternmaker.

Yes. Short online career training can help you understand a specific job and build practical knowledge alongside your classes. It does not replace your degree or any required license.

No. Career Education Institute is not a college and does not award degrees. It offers short, non-credit online trainings about jobs connected to graphic design, such as Graphic Designer Training.