Bachelor Degree Program in Graphic Arts Overview
Majors Overview April 14, 2015Get information about Bachelor of Graphic Arts degree programs and their education requirements, coursework, and job and wage outlook.
Bachelor Degree Program in Graphic Arts
Bachelor’s degree programs in graphic arts are available through many technical institutes, private schools, universities, and colleges. Those who complete these programs may obtain a Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A.), Bachelor of Arts (B.A.), or Bachelor of Science (B.S.).
Students may learn modes of combining art and design principles with the latest design technologies in creating visual communication. The program is also devised to develop analytical and problem-solving skills of students even as they discover ways of differentiating between ideas, materials, and styles.
Education Requirements
Admission criteria typically require incoming students to hold a GED certificate or a high school diploma apart from the submission required in some schools of a portfolio of previous work accompanying their application.
Coursework
Coursework combines liberal arts and cultural awareness studies with computer and art classes. Students create various design projects for their professional portfolios. Participation in practical education, such as internships, is emphasized in order to gain hands-on training in professional settings. A concentration such as multimedia design may also be chosen by students in order to refine their education to achieve career goals. Core coursework may include topic areas such as the following:
•Studio art
•Photography
•Illustration
•Website design
•Typography
•Art history
•Drawing
•Computer graphics
•Design principles
Job and Wage Outlook
Over the 2012 – 2022 decade, job growth rate of seven percent have been predicted for graphic designers, with the best prospects in a competitive field likely to be enjoyed by graphic designers that are skilled in website design and animation (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics). In May 2014, graphic designers brought in an average annual wage of $50,670 (BLS).
